Fear is one of the strongest of emotions. It may disturb an individual in many aspects. Un addressed fear may have its negative impact on the level of performance of a trainer. Some people get disturbed many days earlier to presentation, some may get disturbed a day before or just few hours or minutes before, and some may get disturbed during the presentation. Many call this experience as “Butterflies in the tummy”. Though an element of sensibility towards performance is a positive aspect, this should not end up in performance pressure. Some suffer from this performance pressure, fear of failure, fear of performance below the mark, fear of getting the fear noticed etc. The more one becomes conscious of the fear, the more one gets panic.
Following are some troubling questions:
- What if I fail utterly?
- What will others think of me?
- How am I going to save my image?
- What if my peers do well and I fail?
- What if I forget everything while giving presentation?
- Why am I gasping my breath?
- Why am I feeling uncomfortable sensation in my stomach?
- Why am I feeling like going to washroom too often?
- Why am I feeling confused?
- Should I drop out and move away?
SOME STEPS TO FACE THE FEAR FACTOR
1. Positive affirmations
Prepare so well that when any one or more of such questions haunts your mind, you can tell yourself “I have prepared so well. This will not happen with me”.
“I have understood the topic, and, I have prepared so well that there is no chance that I would fail.”
“Presentation is nothing more than communicating to others what all you know about a given topic.”
2. Revisiting your strengths
I am ……… year old in my profession. Hitherto I have faired well in my profession. I will not fail here.
3. “Getting prepared for the worst”
What worst can happen?
I am an adult. I can handle this. Let me take it as a challenge.
Why should “giving a presentation” bring “butterflies in my tummy”?
I am not going to die with this presentation.
If I present well it is good, if not I will work on myself. Either way I am not going to lose anything in the bargain. I will gain experience.
I am open for constructive criticisms.
If my mistakes are pointed out, I can try to overcome the same during my future presentations.
4. Healthy comparison
Best of the trainers have failed many times. At times it is like a day’s international cricket match.
Bad, can always be replaced by good, and good by better, better by best, and best by the best.
Trainers who were nowhere near the starting point have achieved remarkably.
An emotion can get replaced by another. Fear too!
Slamw
Training of Trainers in Mediation 
Yet again a well pitched article. The more concentration of oneself and stress bent upon to excel pushes the presenter to the edge ..becoming nervous and fear settles. But as you have rightly mentioned being open to constructive criticism or feedback will help in the long run and sincere effort to improvise will help the next innings.
LikeLike
This sort of write-up will build confidence in the mind of the performers. Gives them more will power to face the truth. Ultimately they will do s good job. Thanks for such inspiring note.
LikeLike
Preparing well and having the “feel” of the subject/topic sets the correct mental frame. Excessive dependence on notes often jar the flow.
LikeLike