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Everyone sucks at networking the first few times, and public speaking the first few times, and presentations the first few times. The exact technique you use to

by timje1 13y ago

Everyone sucks at networking the first few times, and public speaking the first few times, and presentations the first few times. The exact technique you use to get over that initial bump is probably not as important as just trying it a few times..

digitalsushi 13y ago
I got over my introversion in college (I was a "nontrad", i.e. a student over 24 years old per the state school definition, at least) - I just decided there's no way that anyone was paying attention to me anyways. So I might as well just say what I want, since it was almost the same as talking to myself. It worked really well in school. Once I got out and rejoined the working world, I had some fear regress because I realized I was around people that were listening again. But I had enough confidence from practicing at college that I could hurdle the second hump in basically the same manner. It's like racing through the heliopause of the sun. You're Voyager 2, riding the solar waves. You know you're about to do your first presentation. It's going to be rough. And it is. But then you're through it, and you're in interstellar space from now on, there's no pressure.
orthecreedence 13y ago
As an introvert, this is wrong. Example: everyone sucks at rocket science the first few times. But maybe if I try one more time... It actually really helps to get pointers like these. Something like "focus your efforts on groups of two" can give you a) a lifeline and b) something to look forward to rather than dreading the occasion...and having that "this may be fun" mindset can take you that much further. I know a few introverts who just "got over it" but there are many more who can barely keep their heads above water in social situations. I've gotten a lot better over the years thanks to practice, but tips like these are gold to me.
- timje1 13y ago
  Fair enough, I mean with regards to social situations, one is generally a worse performer when nervous. Fight or flight kicks in, and you start stuttering your words, stumbling and generally being a bit of an arse because your body is getting ready to leg it down the road. Once you've done it a few times (as long as you weren't savaged by wolves) you tend to get over that initial nervousness, and everything comes more easily when you get a bit less nervous. As far as I know, being nervous while doing rocket science doesn't kill your level of success - instead, this is more likely to be based on things like the amount you've studied rocket science. I agree that this technique could be instrumental to getting people into these situations. I'm just pointing out that anything that gets people into these situations will help.
- eruditely 13y ago
  Oh please nobody said hit your head against a wall repeatedly. Deliberative practice.
  - orthecreedence 13y ago
    Fuh fuh fuh
- onethingnew 13y ago
  I am so glad you found this story helpful. This advice made a world of difference to me, and frankly I'm still surprised it worked so well. I hope it helps others too!

by timje1 13y ago

digitalsushi 13y ago

I got over my introversion in college (I was a "nontrad", i.e. a student over 24 years old per the state school definition, at least) - I just decided there's no way that anyone was paying attention to me anyways. So I might as well just say what I want, since it was almost the same as talking to myself. It worked really well in school. Once I got out and rejoined the working world, I had some fear regress because I realized I was around people that were listening again. But I had enough confidence from practicing at college that I could hurdle the second hump in basically the same manner. It's like racing through the heliopause of the sun. You're Voyager 2, riding the solar waves. You know you're about to do your first presentation. It's going to be rough. And it is. But then you're through it, and you're in interstellar space from now on, there's no pressure.

orthecreedence 13y ago

As an introvert, this is wrong. Example: everyone sucks at rocket science the first few times. But maybe if I try one more time... It actually really helps to get pointers like these. Something like "focus your efforts on groups of two" can give you a) a lifeline and b) something to look forward to rather than dreading the occasion...and having that "this may be fun" mindset can take you that much further. I know a few introverts who just "got over it" but there are many more who can barely keep their heads above water in social situations. I've gotten a lot better over the years thanks to practice, but tips like these are gold to me.

timje1 13y ago
Fair enough, I mean with regards to social situations, one is generally a worse performer when nervous. Fight or flight kicks in, and you start stuttering your words, stumbling and generally being a bit of an arse because your body is getting ready to leg it down the road. Once you've done it a few times (as long as you weren't savaged by wolves) you tend to get over that initial nervousness, and everything comes more easily when you get a bit less nervous. As far as I know, being nervous while doing rocket science doesn't kill your level of success - instead, this is more likely to be based on things like the amount you've studied rocket science. I agree that this technique could be instrumental to getting people into these situations. I'm just pointing out that anything that gets people into these situations will help.
eruditely 13y ago
Oh please nobody said hit your head against a wall repeatedly. Deliberative practice.
- orthecreedence 13y ago
  Fuh fuh fuh
onethingnew 13y ago
I am so glad you found this story helpful. This advice made a world of difference to me, and frankly I'm still surprised it worked so well. I hope it helps others too!