subject: Performance Anxiety and Panic Attacks - Are Career Busters [print this page] Performance Anxiety and Panic Attacks - Are Career Busters
Are your options for career advancement limited due to performance anxiety and panic attacks? What I'm about to share may resonate with many that are somewhat successful in their jobs but lack the confidence to speak in public when required because of overwhelming emotions of anxiety or experience of a panic attack.
I know what you're going through. Every time you think of the next meeting with a group of co-workers and your boss or your next presentation you're filled with dread. Even though the date set for the meeting or presentation may still be weeks or even months away, every time you think about, anxiety sets in. And when the occasion arises for you to do what you are expected to do, waves of panic sweep over you from head to toe. You look at the many expectant faces, all eyes on you, and what you want more than anything is to RUN AWAY!
In spite of the fact that I had a professional and successful career in the computer field as an engineer, in sales and marketing and held a variety of management positions that required many presentations, I still had stage fright. Today I know that my career could have been a much easier ride with much less worries and anxiety and possibly more successful and rewarding, if I only would have known how to deal with what I experienced.
It is not uncommon that top management, even CEO's of companies, deal with this symptom called stage fright. Who ever you are, don't feel alone.
After the so to speak complex professional advice which I tried to remember and integrate into my presentation didn't work for me, I developed a more natural and simple approach that I'm going to share with you today.
Most of us don't like complex solutions which may add more to performance anxiety. I encourage you to implement the following 6 simple steps, and anxiety from public speaking can be a thing of the past.
1) Give yourself plenty of time before the meeting starts, get acquainted with the location and the room. Set up your presentation equipment and make sure it all works. Then greet some of the attendees who come early. This is most important because you start to connect with your audience already which diminishes any panic or anxiety you may experience.
2) Start your presentation with a sense of humor, not a sick joke, I mean a clean type of humor that loosens up both, you and the audience. It's called "breaking the ice". If you get this right, you are on your way! This is not about "do or die"! Relax and breathe a little, OK!
3) Be yourself, you are not an actor! You are amazing and at your best when being who you were created to be. You are unique.
4) Stop trying to be perfect! It is best not to follow every word you have written down - relax and let it flow. Someone told me, don't look the crowed straight into the eyes, slightly above their heads is about where you aim. This keeps you from getting distracted. Take the focus of yourself and understand who your audience is! Your audience is nothing but a bunch of people who want to hear what you have to say. They are not out there to get you!
5) You don't become a perfect public speaker over night. If you set your bar of expectations to high, performance anxiety sets in and panic attacks may follow. I have learned to speak from my heart. The audience will appreciate it because people respond to emotions not to robots. Enjoy the connection with your audience and the original anxiety level turns into passion.
6)Finally, practice makes perfect. Join a small group of Toastmaster's in your area. This is one of the best things I have ever done to overcome fear and performance anxiety. These kinds of groups are so supportive and caring because most of the participants deal with similar symptoms that you do. They provide constructive input to improve your public speaking.
I invite you to practice these simple steps and you will be on your way to really like what is part of your job and succeed in your career. Do not let performance anxiety and panic attacks stop you from living a purposeful and meaningful life. Public speaking is exciting and will open doors that you never dreamed of. A whole new world is waiting for you and I'm one of your cheer leaders. Yours truly!
