Dear Dr. Mimi:
I don’t have to do presentations often, but they scare me to death. No matter how much I prepare for public speaking, I often blank out on key points, or stumble over my own words. When I get back to my desk, I feel like such a failure. I have gotten to the point that I never want to do another presentation. The last time it happened, my boss was not concerned and told me I did a “great job,” but I know I didn’t. Should I just tell my boss that I can’t do this?
—Stage Struck
Dear Struck:
We are always more critical of ourselves than others are, and it sounds like this is the case here. Presentations are never easy, and often cause stress. That is not necessarily a bad thing. It keeps us excited and our presentations from being dull and boring. My fear is that your fear is greater because this has happened before, so you are anticipating that you will go blank, and as a result, you do. It is somewhat the “self-fulfilling prophecy.” The key is not to stop doing presentations, but to realize that you’re constantly making presentations, like when you speak up at a meeting, go in to talk with your boss, meet with a client, etc. You need to reprogram yourself. See yourself doing a great presentation, and you will improve. Use tools like PowerPoint that will keep you focused. In time, you will have the confidence along with the competence!
—Dr. Mimi