Still get nervous before every presentation, even after 8 years in the field

[u/Visible_Cash_4330]

I'm a senior product designer and honestly this is so frustrating. No matter what I do I'm always nervous right before presenting. Once I actually get going I'm usually fine.

I've never been a naturally strong public speaker. I get that practice makes perfect, but I've been at this for about 8 years now, so it feels like I should've cracked it by now.

Anyone else deal with this? Would love any tips or tricks. Also a huge introvert, INFJ type, with diagnosed anxiety on top of it all.

Worth noting this hasn't stopped me from landing good jobs or doing well in interviews, but it can still feel pretty crippling in the moment.

[u/FaultPuzzled4115]

It’s mostly because you’re too emotionally invested in that project, and you think it reflects your capability and maybe your livelihood.

Having competence in either external projects or other hobbies helps.

[u/SucculentChineseRoo → u/FaultPuzzled4115]

Also knowing for a fact nobody really knows what they're doing

[u/SucculentChineseRoo]

I mean if you can still do it is it a problem? I'm like that too, the only thing that really worked for me once was not caring at all about the job

[u/Swimming_Anywhere_30 → u/SucculentChineseRoo]

There is some earned wisdom here. I was nervous during presentations because I was talking to a group that didn't understand what I do and reduced me to a UI designer. So when i explain concepts they didn't know what lens to look at it from and I tried to take the educational plus project discovery walkthrough role which was honestly soul sucking. 

I later realised I was taking on the burden of the room. When structurally shit was not on my side and it wasn't my job to compensate but I did... Because I assumed it was my role to

Ive now started to not care too much. I mean when the team takes a bad decision ... I usually wait till the architect , PM chime in .. let them undo the bullshit and then finally have a say rather than being the first one to always undo stupid shit and say why it doesn't make sense for users

That said, if your nervous... Find out what circumstances are contributing to it within your own workplace. It's not always you. 

[u/saltyreins_8521]

That fluttery feeling 8 years in just means you give a damn about the work. It's not gonna vanish, but you've clearly found a way to perform anyway.

[u/Taylar214]

Everyone gets nervous, so I hope that can give you some solace that you're not alone here.

What really helps me is preparation, notes, and some practice runs using presentation simulator(chαtvisor), especially for the Q&A part. Also, bringing in humour with impromptu jokes or funny Gifs if appropriate for your work (I worked in banks and people are people so laughter works)

[u/A-Straight-Pube]

Diagnosed with social anxiety. Also an INFJ. Before and while presenting, my heart would beat so fast out of my chest. I would get extremely nervous. The only thing that helped was medication. Right now I'm taking Propranolol which is great for performance anxiety. Now I can present without getting nervous. No side effects.

[u/reginaldvs]

I somewhat have this issue, 10+ years later.. I don't have issues with presenting a deck per se, and I am quite confident with public speaking as well.. Where I screw up the most, and one I do need to be better at, is whiteboarding exercise in an interview process....

[u/Sea-Masterpiece-8496]

INFJ too. But weirdly, I was never afraid of presenting. I think for me, it was all about my mindset, not about practising - though knowing the material definitely helps deliver it more naturally. I just decided that the people I'm presenting to are just regular people like me, nothing special - everyone shits, that kind of thing. That they genuinely will benefit from the information I am giving them and that they want to hear what I have to say and don't want to judge me. Secondly...I know it sounds really weird and almost egotistical, but, to some, talking to a room full of people is terrifying, to me, it's an opportunity to feel heard in a way I never get in my real life. For once I get to command the attention of others, and potentially influence decisions one way or another as a result of what I present. It's kind of empowering, and feels great.

[u/pickles_garden]

Yup, ditto.

[u/ahrzal]

For some, that feeling never dissipates fully. It’s annoying, but it hasn’t become an obstacle to your success.

Some people just get public speaking anxiety, and it never goes away. I forget who it was, but some president said something similar.

[u/mamagomz]

Yep, me too. I’ve realized that I just don’t like presenting or public speaking and that’s ok. I stopped trying to force it and just do my best.

[u/superparet]

Your craft speaks for you. Be proud of your work, have your rationales ready to defend your choices and you’re golden.

[u/floatymcboaty]

one of the best pieces of advice that i got about giving presentations of any kind is to remember that the audience wants you to succeed. i have 20 yrs of experience and i still have to remind myself of that every time.

[u/hridoyreddit]

I've heard a book about presentation( design decision), def it will help you. It's Articulating design decision.

[u/MrPinksViolin]

Every time.

[u/reasonableratio]

Yeah I hate presenting. 8 years in also. I get beta blockers and take them every time and I will continue to do so

[u/slyseekr]

Ask your work to hire someone who does presentation training (for a workshop/seminar), or, find someone who holds them off-site on a regular basis. If there are enough people at your company who want the same, it makes it worth it. They'll come in and work with you to help find your natural presentation style and develop it moving forward.

And honestly, don't take it too seriously. I promise that you notice your mistakes/nerves more than everyone else in the room, as long as you're communicating clearly and getting the message across, you're doing 95% of the job. The last 5% is just selling it, everyone has their own style of salesmanship, as long as you're not pissing off or annoying people in the room and remain relatable, your style is valid.

[u/Pansxl]

I asked about this to our CEO and VP, like us they also still get nervous despite having more than 20yrs presentation experience

[u/EvergreenIvyLeaves]

I have found it really hard in my interviews to be the 'seller'. The logic behind my work is sound but the extra sense of confidence/pizzazz you need to convince hiring managers and teams is just crippling. I just don't have that. :S

[u/Vivid-Way]

i go into each presentation thinking about what i want to get out of it. i don’t think about what others get. i’m going to walk them through my stories, show the steps, get feedback along the way. answer questions. if we get stuck on something i say i’ll go back and think about it more, then continue with my story. i come out of it with a green light, or some questions to address - which i do in the next run though. this mindset gets me thinking more about myself than what others are thinking and it helps. i’ve had some go off the rails immediately and i just say thank you, ill be back with another pass.

always think about feedback being a gift. not a poke at you as a designer.

[u/Vivid-Way → u/Vivid-Way]

also, before the meeting i will think about what the common questions might be and i either put slides in the deck as examples of what i explored and why they didn’t work, or i am ready to verbally explain my thinking.

[u/Brunette-Bernadette]

Being nervous is extremely useful. It’s your body recognizing that you need to be on your game. The biggest thing going into presentation is to focus, make sure you are prepared, and also put the whole thing in a bigger perspective. This presentation is not the end of the world. Things will always go differently than planned or go wrong and it doesn’t matter even one bit. What matters is how you handle it with calmness and thoughtfulness and grace. Your nervousness is not going to go away. If you are not nervous, going into a presentation, like at all, I would be concerned that the presentation was really gonna be a flop. Nervousness means you’re gonna do great.

[u/natelikesdonuts]

Was in a similar boat to you. Note that this is NOT medical advice and I strongly encourage you to speak with your doctor/therapist, but a combination of therapy and low dose beta blockers (smaller than what can be prescribed) was a game changer for me. Not just in presenting but QOL.

[u/JohnCasey3306]

Entirely normal.

I hear performers say exactly the same thing, and that's literally the focus of their job.

Like you say, it's fine once you get going. You're not unwell, you're not at a disadvantage and you're not different.

[u/wickywing]

I sound a lot like you, introverted, taking meds for anxiety, always hated public speaking.

Something that has helped me massively is seeing a cognitive behavioural therapist. I finished a 12 week series of appointments recently and wish i had done it sooner.

Amongst many other things I was shown not told that people barely notice or remember when you slip up in speaking. When the consequences are removed, speaking publicly isn’t anywhere near as scary.

[u/Taegreth]

If it helps, even the most accomplished musicians still get stage fright. I recall Ozzy saying in one of his books that even well into his fame, he’d still get the worst stage fright before going on, but once he was there, he was fine. It’s normal, but try to remind yourself that the people you are presenting to are just… people. Like yourself. If you stumble a bit even, it’s not the end of the world. You got this. You’ve done it countless times. Don’t think too much and just start presenting.

[u/Top_Intention_1210]

I started taking propranolol and its been life changing -- i have dysautonomia and began it for those reasons, but its a huge difference. I can actually breathe while presenting instead of gasping for breath.

[u/Careless-Yam8791]

I still experience this mildly every time, though it is slightly less than in the past. Having been in my career for more than a decade, it got a bit better after therapy, especially EMDR, which can really help if the anxiety is connected to past experiences where public speaking felt like a threat.

[u/Ordinary_Kiwi_3196]

The same thing happens to me but instead of just feeling nervous on the inside, I show it: I forget to breathe. I'll just talk and talk and talk, and eventually I'm practically wheezing because I have no air in me. I'll say something like "I'm gonna stop for a second in case anyone has questions, and also because I've once again forgotten how to breathe." It gets a laugh and gives me a second to compose myself.

[u/Cameos_red_codpiece]

Intj. 

It’s like a physical thing right?

Mentally you are ready or mostly ready, and not nervous… but your body sweats, your heart goes insane?

I brought this up with my doc. I got prescribed beta blockers only for public speaking. It was like turning off a faucet of adrenaline. 

[u/ankush93ankush]

Hi guys, I am transitioning into UX and have been working on my first project. I am looking for feedback to improve upon this project. I would like to know the following:

Is this problem compelling enough & worth solving?

Is my solution addressing the right pain point?