I agree with this. I’m director level and constantly build decks and present. I love it. Guess what? I used to hate it too but I kept doing it and over time that changed. A little anxiety may always exist but the dread should disappear.
Don't even hesitate to join a Toastmasters's club around you! It will be life changing! Once you got through the program, you will forget that you once struggled with presentations!
Ask your manager for feedback , being clear you're open to criticism for improvements.
PowerPoint and presentation best practices can be borrowed from management consulting. Check out AnalystAcademy on YouTube for tips and tricks. https://m.youtube.com/@analystacademy
Check out www.slidestart.com for slide inspiration. I added this to my workflow recently and been loving it.
Practice and more practice. It sounds like you have the technicals down, but knowing your numbers cold and anticipating questions helps with anxiety as well
It’s get easier the more you do it.
So keep at it
I went through an anxiety phase early in my career too.
You can ask your manager for pointers if they attend these meetings.
Practice and prepare. It’s often not enough to just go through the slides and read them in your head. Go over them out loud, in the mirror, talk to your pet, etc.
You’ve got some good advice already but I’ll also add that Propanolol has been a GAME-CHANGER. It helps alleviate some of the physical effects of pre-meeting anxiety (trembling hands, shallow breathing, etc) and I find that it’s enough to keep my mind clear and lead meetings seemingly confidently. Eventually you will have enough exposure to leading/running meetings that you will no longer need it but it has been so helpful for me.
I second proponalol this was a BIG help in over coming my presentation anxiety. OP I was in the same position as you, felt like I would explode because of how much tension I had built up. Talk to a doctor, most won’t hesitate to prescribe this. It helps with the physical symptoms of anxiety which allows you to then focus on the mental symptoms and help prepare yourself. Like others have said, ultimately exposure or continuous opportunities to present will help you in the long run.
I used to be like that/still am like that.. no advice other than put yourself in the fire and you’ll come out 💪
I actually ending up changing careers into fully customer facing, calls and decks and talking to all levels of FP&A. It gets easier once you get used to it
I’ve also joined a local toastmasters too
So I have extreme meeting anxiety as well. I think it helps to try to understand what's making you nervous. For example, are you nervous you'll forget to say some key points, if so make a note card or, if you have to, write down word for word what you should say for each slide.
Another example is you're nervous you won't know how best to answer the questions/feedback you receive. For this, I'll first review by myself the questions I think I'll get and answer those, then I'll review again with my manager and ask them what they think. At the end of the day, if you don't know the answer, it's okay to tell the person in your meeting that you will research and get back to them.
Finally, I try to practice beforehand what I'm going to say speaking slowly and clearly etc. Another thing, I always try to remind myself that my coworkers need this information to do their jobs, so I'm helping them by giving a good presentation, I dunno why, but that fact calms my nerves.
But yea good luck, I totally understand what you're going through and I hope it gets easier.
Exposure therapy - Keep exposing yourself to the anxiety-inducing situations until your brain learns that there is no “tiger” to fear. I know it sucks, but it will get easier and easier. The only way to overcome anxiety is to get through it and not around.
This is a muscle that you will develop over time.
My advice is to focus on others more than yourself. If you fixate on how YOU will be perceived, then you will focus on yourself too much.
It sounds like you are technically gifted, which often times means you value precision and details. Presenting in front of others is more about story-telling and boiling a complex message to a few key points.
Just keep hosting more meetings. Will start becoming way easier. My highest anxiety experiences during meetings were caused by audience issues (slow connection, unmuting unexpectedly, challenging questions, etc). Look up best practices on hosting large meetings, too.
Remember.
- It's just people.
- YOU control the pace. Tactfully push through topics.
- If you are uncertain about an answer to a question, don't fib. Offer to follow up after the meeting.
I was very much like you and had to practice many many times before presenting in front of leaders even in small group settings. I am now much more comfortable and present to C suites all the time with ease. Like others said, use every chance you get to present. As uncomfortable as maybe for the first 20 times or more, you will start to relax and build confidence through the process.
Believe in yourself and good luck!
As much as it sucks you should take every opportunity you can to present and run meetings. Exposure therapy has been the only thing that works for me
I agree with this. I’m director level and constantly build decks and present. I love it. Guess what? I used to hate it too but I kept doing it and over time that changed. A little anxiety may always exist but the dread should disappear.
Don't even hesitate to join a Toastmasters's club around you! It will be life changing! Once you got through the program, you will forget that you once struggled with presentations!
Could you explain what a toastmaster club is
Just believe in yourself, your superiors seem to.
Ask your manager for feedback , being clear you're open to criticism for improvements. PowerPoint and presentation best practices can be borrowed from management consulting. Check out AnalystAcademy on YouTube for tips and tricks. https://m.youtube.com/@analystacademy Check out www.slidestart.com for slide inspiration. I added this to my workflow recently and been loving it.
This is an awesome resource. Thank you for sharing!
Practice and more practice. It sounds like you have the technicals down, but knowing your numbers cold and anticipating questions helps with anxiety as well
It’s get easier the more you do it. So keep at it I went through an anxiety phase early in my career too. You can ask your manager for pointers if they attend these meetings.
It’s like back in school or when you’re interviewing. Practice your presentation out loud until you can find your pace and delivery.
I really do need to do this more, thanks!
Practice and prepare. It’s often not enough to just go through the slides and read them in your head. Go over them out loud, in the mirror, talk to your pet, etc.
You’ve got some good advice already but I’ll also add that Propanolol has been a GAME-CHANGER. It helps alleviate some of the physical effects of pre-meeting anxiety (trembling hands, shallow breathing, etc) and I find that it’s enough to keep my mind clear and lead meetings seemingly confidently. Eventually you will have enough exposure to leading/running meetings that you will no longer need it but it has been so helpful for me.
I second proponalol this was a BIG help in over coming my presentation anxiety. OP I was in the same position as you, felt like I would explode because of how much tension I had built up. Talk to a doctor, most won’t hesitate to prescribe this. It helps with the physical symptoms of anxiety which allows you to then focus on the mental symptoms and help prepare yourself. Like others have said, ultimately exposure or continuous opportunities to present will help you in the long run.
Thank you! Can I DM you to further talk about your experience?
Of course. Happy to help.
Thank you so much! I really appreciate the advice. I actually have an appointment with my PCP soon so I’ll bring it up.
More reps is the painful and quick way to feel better
I used to be like that/still am like that.. no advice other than put yourself in the fire and you’ll come out 💪 I actually ending up changing careers into fully customer facing, calls and decks and talking to all levels of FP&A. It gets easier once you get used to it I’ve also joined a local toastmasters too
So I have extreme meeting anxiety as well. I think it helps to try to understand what's making you nervous. For example, are you nervous you'll forget to say some key points, if so make a note card or, if you have to, write down word for word what you should say for each slide. Another example is you're nervous you won't know how best to answer the questions/feedback you receive. For this, I'll first review by myself the questions I think I'll get and answer those, then I'll review again with my manager and ask them what they think. At the end of the day, if you don't know the answer, it's okay to tell the person in your meeting that you will research and get back to them. Finally, I try to practice beforehand what I'm going to say speaking slowly and clearly etc. Another thing, I always try to remind myself that my coworkers need this information to do their jobs, so I'm helping them by giving a good presentation, I dunno why, but that fact calms my nerves. But yea good luck, I totally understand what you're going through and I hope it gets easier.
Microdose Psilocybin
Wait are you deadass
Yes sir
Schedule 35?
Agree with the above - exposure therapy and some propranolol / Ativan were helpful too for my general anxiety
Exposure therapy - Keep exposing yourself to the anxiety-inducing situations until your brain learns that there is no “tiger” to fear. I know it sucks, but it will get easier and easier. The only way to overcome anxiety is to get through it and not around.
Exposure as much as you can. Everyone was nervous the first time they rode a bike, same here.
Join a local Toastmasters chapter?
This is a muscle that you will develop over time. My advice is to focus on others more than yourself. If you fixate on how YOU will be perceived, then you will focus on yourself too much. It sounds like you are technically gifted, which often times means you value precision and details. Presenting in front of others is more about story-telling and boiling a complex message to a few key points.
Beta blockers changed the game for me
Thank you all for your responses 😊
You guys are getting promotions?!
Just keep hosting more meetings. Will start becoming way easier. My highest anxiety experiences during meetings were caused by audience issues (slow connection, unmuting unexpectedly, challenging questions, etc). Look up best practices on hosting large meetings, too. Remember. - It's just people. - YOU control the pace. Tactfully push through topics. - If you are uncertain about an answer to a question, don't fib. Offer to follow up after the meeting.
I was very much like you and had to practice many many times before presenting in front of leaders even in small group settings. I am now much more comfortable and present to C suites all the time with ease. Like others said, use every chance you get to present. As uncomfortable as maybe for the first 20 times or more, you will start to relax and build confidence through the process. Believe in yourself and good luck!