Fear is the core emotion in PA and it manifests itself with physical symptoms such as sw
1. Shift attention away from yourself towards your audience. PA sufferers engage in common thinking errors that lead to emotional distress and self-focused attention (concentration turning inwards towards the self rather than on the task at hand). This takes the individual out of the present distorting his perspective and putting him at risk of losing the relaxed awareness essential for a successful performance. Take your time during your presentation and pause occasionally. Pick a colour and search for it in the audience while pausing. Ask your audience a question that will link you to the next part of your presentation. Engage with the audience. This will take self destructive attention away from yourself and redirect it constructively towards the people who matter.
2. Avoid mindreading and get constructive feedback. Ask questions about areas you struggled with. What was problematic to you may not have been noticed nor have been an issue for the audience. You are not a mind reader and attempting to do so will fuel your insecurities.
3. Avoid Perfectionist thinking. Be realistic! Be prepared for your presentation, but don’t expect to know the answer to every question. You can often bat questions back to the audience to add a participative dynamic to your presentation – again directing attention to your audience and away from you.
4. Gather Evidence – design a short questionnaire for all delegates to complete after your presentation. Find out what they’re experience of your presentation was. The questions should seek feedback on key aspects of the whole presentation – the facilities, presentation materials, presentation style, value of the content.
5. Engage in relaxation and mindfulness techniques to cope with your physical responses to anxiety pre- and during the presentation. The Alexander Technique is one such technique.
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