OT public speaking can I get some opinions?
So my work recently started having each employee give a small presentation relatin to our profession. Each morning someone has to speak for a minute or two about something related to our practice. I went this morning. I was so nervous and I couldn't breathe. I absolutely hate sPeaking in front of groups. I hated it in school, I hate it now. I am anxious and physically I'll for days before I have to do it.
I am considering finding a different job I've this, which is sad because I like where I work. But I cannot live with the Knowledge of this feelingcomin up every couple months. I feel angry toward my employers for making us do this. My profession does not typically involve publi speaking. I remember graduatin school tho king, "I have my degree, I'm never too g to have to do this again!" now here I am, faced with it every couple months!
I am at a loss as what to do. This is a big enough deal to me that I am seriously considering tellin my boss how I feel and what I'm planning to do. I do a great job in my work, and I know they value me. This sucks.
If you reply, please do not reply with "it's not that often get over it" because that will not help me one bit.
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Sorry about the typos.....
Sorry about the typos..... Autocorrect on a phone
^^^THIS^^^ Toastmasters is a
^^^THIS^^^ Toastmasters is a GREAT organization, try to get involved if you can.
I used to get so nervous when I would have to speak to large (or even small) groups. But I learned that the more I did it, the less intimidating it is. Now I can speak pretty much anywhere and not have an issue. The road to get there is rough, but worth it in the end. I am confident that if something like this arises in my future (I have zero pubilc speaking in my current job, but past jobs I spoke to HUNDEREDS at a time) that I am prepared. Seriously practice in front of a mirror, your family... whoever will listen that you are comfortable around. It gets better, I promise.
I've never known anyone to
I've never known anyone to fear public speaking as much as I do. I can completely understand.
In looking at requirements for different degree possibilities, one of the first things I look for in the curriculum is "Public Speaking". If it's required, I skip everything else & move on to the next one.
My last experience with it was when I worked for the Haagen-Daaz division of Pillsbury. As the lead in the Billing Dept I was assigned to give a presentation for the Sales Dept. For some reason I had a rubber band in one hand & a pen in the other. Nerves had me sliding the rubber band back & forth over the pen & mid-sentence I felt the cap slide off the end of my pen. I watched the pen cap sail right into the forehead of the sales manager. I mean, square in the middle of his forehead.
I was mortified! My supervisor was sitting in the chair next to him & I saw her trying to control her laughter. He didn't crack a smile. I don't even know if he blinked. He just looked pissed. I knew if I even muffled a chuckle I'd lose it, so I couldn't look at my supervisor. No way could I look the sales manager in the face.
I was on the fence between tears & laughter so I couldn't speak. Finally a 5 minute break was suggested.
It was both beyond hilarious & mortifying. I know that my experience doesn't make the idea any easier for you to face, but I wanted you to know that as much as you may stumble over words or as shakey as your voice may get, if you don't put anyone's vision at risk with a flying pen cap, remember it can always be worse.
I also recommend that you NOT hold things in your hands while you speak.
Go to your boss and tell him
Go to your boss and tell him this is a disability due to the affect on you of public speaking limiting your ability to function. If speaking in front of a group is not a typical function of your job you should be allowed to be excused from it.
Offer alternatives - take the topic, type it up and send out to the people who would be present during your talk. Dont refuse to do the work, offer an alternative way of disseminating the information.
Look into the ADA if you have to and have a psychiatrist certify this as a disability. There's more than one way to get around corporate BS.
I should know - I am the VP, HR....
Really I'll only be doing it
Really I'll only be doing it once every couple months... Not enough to improve.
then put on your saddest
then put on your saddest face, talk to your boss, use big words off of the EEOC website and scare the shit out of him/her.
I had a boss one time that used to make us read business books and do a book report to our team of peers. It was so fucking stupid. I was so glad when she got laid off because the next month was my month!
Fear of public speaking is
Fear of public speaking is very real, and I'm sorry you have to go through this. Here's what I do: I pretend I'm an actress playing a part. Somehow if it's not ME up there it isn't nearly so scary. It works for me anyway.
I used to have a horrible
I used to have a horrible fear of it too. I think preparation always helps. And what I mean is, if there is absolutely no way to get out of it, take a long time to prepare your presentation. I mean to the absolute last detail, be painstaking about it. Time it, practice it, do it in front of the mirror. For the first few times you have to do it, this will help you to feel calmer. As time goes on, you will find that you feel more confident when you are doing it, especially after those first few times where you are totally prepared. I know it sounds like stupid advice but believe me, I went from being a total wall flower to someone who enjoys talking to juries. I still prep like hell for everything but I always find that the more I prepare the easier it feels. Also, (and if you ever tell anyone this is I will be mortified
) I try to imagine myself as Xena the Warrior Princess right before I speak. I imagine myself in the gold plated chest plate and the knee high boots weilding a sword around. I am a total nerd but it really helps. Talk to your boss but if you absolutely can't get out of it, I guess that's your next step. Good Luck!!!!
I also used to HATE speaking
I also used to HATE speaking publicly. IRL, I'm a very outgoing social person but PUHLEEZ do not put me in front of an "audience"
I had to do numerous presentations while working on my baccalaureate thesis (I went thru an accelerated bachelor's program). Then a position I took about 15 years ago... I found I had to do presentations to physician groups, averaging 2-3 presentations a week (not the same presentation either). Try holding people's attention while speaking on statistical analysis of utilization patterns across a physician specialties, groups and individuals. Yeah.
Seriously it DOES get easier. You said you wouldn't do it enough to "get used to it" but really even once every couple of months is more than nothing!
Oh, and when I took that job speaking to physicians... I had just moved from the South to the midwest and spent HOURS trying to get rid of my accent. They don't understand the term "all y'all" around here. And "ool" is not the stuff you put in your car, it's "oil". anyhoo, you get my drift.