What are some strategies for managing stress during multiple presentations and deadlines?

Hoje mesmo eu compartilhei um vídeo meu nas redes falando sobre a importancia de realizarmos um bom planejamento, eu nesse vídeo questiono se minha audiência realiza seu planejamento, estamos a pouco mais de 30 dias de um novo ano, e quando dividimos, planejamentos tudo em nossas vidas e rotinas, tudo flui melhor, fa?a via agenda, planner ou até agenda do celular, mas n?o deixe de realizar um planejamento e facilitar o alcance de suas metas, alvos e objetivos!

I believe that having a good sleep and starting the morning as early as possible, will reduce the stress. If you start your day early doing some sports and afterwards having a good breakfast and your coffee with your favorite music, this will change your perspective and it will help you reduce the stress. Once you are at the workplace early you will always have the upper hand to plan ahead, prepare your presentations and multitask or delegate some work with your colleagues in a relaxed and good mood.

People tend to over prepare, and thereby lose the spontanity spark that a good presentation should have. You know your material better than anyone you are presenting to and speaking freely about something you know about is much more entertaining for yourself and the audience. You should also come away from a presentation having learnt something. There are a couple of physical tricks for dealing with stress that only take a couple of minutes to do that I will highly recommend. The Wim Hof Method - (look it up on youtube) and powerposing (look up the Ted talk). Both are highly effective methods of using the body's own stimulants to combat stress.

First of all, take care of yourself by eating and sleeping well. With tight deadlines and workload, it can take a toll on our physical and mental wellbeing. Second, with realistic planning, and practice, it can help ease the stress knowing that we have done all that needs to be done, with everything in place and practiced. Third, eliminate the need for perfection in every single aspect of the presentation but have contingency plans in place for any unforeseen circumstances.

In my experience preparation is key. Prepare in advance to ensure you are comfortable with the content. That said, it is important to NOT memorize content but rather remember key topics and content, and that leads to a smoother presentation. Also, try to do some mock presentations in front of a mirror or with a video camera. Review your video and look for improvements. Time invested depends on the criticality of the presentation and that should be kept in mind during preparation.

The more important the presentation the more you need to script what you want to say so when you rehearse it becomes familiar and to time. Then drop the script onto prompt cards. Then reduce again. Use icons too. For online presentations use post-it’s round your screen and stand if possible to give you confidence and enable you to take a breath.

Think about scenarios that might happen… what could happen : eg nobody interacts, some people overrule others or take energy from the group etc. If you think about how to deal with these beforehand it might help you to be more relaxed during the presentation

One real danger is coming off too scripted/rigid or the inverse, coming off too casual. Outlining the main points, supporting evidence, and conclusion can contribute to a structured and coherent presentation. Clear, concise, and engaging slides or visuals enhance the audience's understanding and engagement. Practicing the presentation multiple times, seeking feedback, and refining delivery, tone, and body language can significantly enhance confidence, credibility, and clarity during the presentation. Rehearsing in front of someone who will give you candid feedback I have found extremely helpful.

If you get stuck in one area, move around so that the project on the whole is still moving forward. Do not just read off your presentation. If appropriate engage your audience.

I have found The Powerpoint tool for rehearsing very useful. It allows one to time the presentation as well as to test any animation clicking and flow of story. One can also record animated slide show, I use it so I am not spending too much time on single slide unexpectedly. Hope this helps.

Finding ease and grounding yourself with breath can be incredibly helpful in the moments before, during, and even after a presentation or performance. Consistent practice of breath work and focus building techniques (mindfulness meditation, for example) means they're more likely to work when you're noticing nerves and feeling pressure. Don't wait until the big moment to try these tools, start when the stakes are low to build reliable practice habits that will serve you when you need them most.

Mind the basics: sleep well, eat well, exercise. In my experience, frequent exercise, including yoga, jogging, HIIT, has been an excellent way to release stress and get grounded. Relaxation and breathing practices work their best after you allow your body to move and release stress hormones.

Slow down and breathe when presenting! Speeding through a presentation can lead to the audience missing important elements of your presentation. You could skip over key points entirely, move past a complex concept prematurely, or miss the opportunity for an engaging question to be asked. Taking a breath and slowing down gives your audience time to process the information, take notes, and ask questions as they arise. This helps you ensure everyone is on the same page as you move forward in the presentation.

In my experience as a nervous presenter I find deep breathing helps and slows the heart rate which in turn lessens the anxiety

In my experience, navigating a series of presentations with busy schedules can be demanding. I've found that taking a short break, even just 5 minutes, makes a significant difference. Whether it's a moment to catch my breath or a quick prayer, it helps refresh my mind and facilitates clearer thinking for generating new ideas. It's incredible how something as simple as a brief pause can have a profound impact on managing stress and maintaining focus throughout the entire presentation process. #RelaxAndBreathe #PresentationTips ????

One needs to know oneself and know how many presentations in the same day one can present. It might just turn out that the first presentations will have a lot of energy and engagement with the audience, whilst the last ones will have less energy, which is in a sense short changing the latter audiences. One needs to be firm on the number per day they can present with the same energy levels.

In this situation, plan your day ahead. Obviously there can be uncertain changes or accommodation you would need to entertain. Rank the presentation or deadlines in order of urgency vs deadline time and allocate the time accordingly. Also try delegating work to your team members. Focus on having a proper diet, sleep and breaks too. This will help in not getting burnt out, and work in an efficient manner.

My family have always taught me when under stress, just breathe or take breaks. Especially when you have multiple projects on your plate.

Break up the mental stress with physical activity. The stress needs an escape and needs to be worked off. Many tend to prioritize work and rationalize that there is no time for physical activity. Unfortunately, this can actually be counterproductive. When physical activity is prioritized focus and clarity improves, you may also find that more is accomplished in less time.

Step back, breathe, and recharge. A refreshed mind is a powerhouse of creativity and productivity. Don't underestimate the value of self-care in the midst of hustle. Your best work emerges when you take a moment for yourself.

One of the most important mistakes that people make is that they wait until the stakes are highest to start presenting. Presentation is a sport that can only be practiced in public. The easiest way to feel comfortable in a presentation is to do it more. That's why we always advise people to present to their teams often. It could be as simple as a summary of learnings from a conference or book. As a speaker myself, I'm a product of ritual, same poem for sound check (Silly Old Baboon - Spike Milligan), same playlist en route, same music video right before I go on stage (Crossfaith - Monolith, Live at Download). I've found that these rituals get me in the zone for the fun part (presenting).

Whether from colleagues, mentors, or friends, sharing the load lightens the burden. Together, we can accomplish more. Don't hesitate to reach out, collaborate, and create a network of support. The journey is always better when shared

Seeking support is a valuable strategy for coping with the challenges of multiple presentations and deadlines: 1. Talk to Friends and Family 2. Connect with Colleagues 3. Mentorship based on their own experiences and help you navigate complex work situations. 4. Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) 5. Professional Associations 6. Online Communities 7. Delegate When Possible 8. Seek Managerial Support 9. Time Management Training 10. Therapy or Counseling Remember that seeking support is a sign of strength, not weakness. It's important to recognize when you need assistance and reach out to those who can provide it.

You probably are already thinking of someone who has done a task like yours before. Perhaps you are even trying to reach their level of quality - or out do it? Well, crazy plan, reach out to them and ask for advice. People love feedback, especially positive feedback. Drop them a line and say you found their work great, or that you found their presentation interesting & ask if they have anything to share to help you with your task/talk. You are only as strong as your network.

Ask questions. No one knows it all. Don't prove yourself to be an Island of knowledge when we all know no one really is. Reach out to professionals in the field, seek assistance on how to go about your presentation, share your personal challenges. Remember, a problem shared with the right people is half-solved.

Yes - always acknowledge your achievements, even if no one else does. Take a moment recognise what you have done and pat yourself on the back!

This is a big one! Rewarding yourself is an effective way to manage stress. It could be making a post on LinkedIn, taking a holiday or treating yourself. While it is nice to have others reward you, rewarding yourself is a powerful way to affirm yourself, reinforce positive behaviour and boost your own self esteem.

In the face of demanding schedules and pressing deadlines, it's crucial to prioritize not just productivity but also self-care. Rewarding yourself for your efforts and accomplishments serves as a powerful tool for managing stress, boosting motivation, and enhancing overall well-being. Indulge in simple pleasures that bring you joy, whether it's a delectable meal, an immersive movie experience, or a rejuvenating massage. Celebrating your successes with supportive friends and family further amplifies the positive impact of self-rewards.

Rewarding hard work and strong effort reinforces our preparation and practice routines. Focusing solely on the outcome can create an attachment to results and blind us to the successes embedded in our process. When we celebrate and reward effort, we increase our enjoyment of the process itself.

Create an elaborate Linkedin post with links, tags and images about each of your biggest achievements or new references. Because no one else will do it for you if you work in a small company where the CEO is very far from social media. If the post gets even a few likes from an expert in your field, it's already a reward and the good word about your expertise will spread :)

I think one of the most under-utilised and often difficult to implement skills is the “art of storytelling”. It’s critical in the present era of ‘information overload’ that we practice weaving a story with our presentation. If we start with story in our mind, it helps to put together the presentation in a quick manner and also helps alleviate the anxiety of being able to deliver it effectively, if we believe that all we have to do is tell a story and tell it convincingly.

In my experience, facts tell but stories sell. Nothing beats a story to crystalize the point you are making. This helps your audience reinforce the information that will help them understand what you are presenting.

People can remember on average 3 points from your presentation. Make sure you know what they are and make it clear. Your presentation does not have to cover single detail, you can do that off line. Your presentation should only cover the important bits.

Everyone is different! It is very important that you don’t compare your speaking and confidence journey to anyone else on this planet. Set yourself a goal and work towards it and if you can’t break through the barrier of stage fright by yourself seek professional help! However, don’t forget to be kind to yourself! YOU - have to be your biggest fan, your biggest support and your biggest believer that you can do it. The biggest asset you have is you! And in the end there is only going to be the audience and you!

There are 2 types of stress - one arising from some unknown, and the other from known sources. Presentation and deadlines are known sources. You know what you are getting into, and what lies ahead. If these give make you stressed, then there can be only one explanation - you are not ready for the presentation or making a submission on time. Prioritising tasks, delegation to potential contributors and allocating dedicated time to work readying yourself is important. When you have a hold on the output, stress automatically disappears. Remember that sometimes its those baby steps that leads to success. Make smaller segments throughout your preparation and keep shorter deadlines for each. It'll be like killing stressors at each milestone.