Dealing with Presentation Jitters

by CME River Conference CME River Conference

A big part of attending a medical conference is talking to people, and sometimes, if you get lucky, you get the opportunity to present a research pitch. The thought of showing your research to colleagues and top performing physicians can make or break your career. We can either let our nerves get the best of us or channel them in a positive direction.

We can't avoid feeling nervous. Having jitters means that you care about what you do. However, there are ways to combat pre-presentation nerves.

Practice, Practice, Practice

They say practice makes perfect, so stand in front of a mirror and rehearse what you need to say over and over again. It will feel strange at first, talking to yourself in an empty room, but it's even more strange to stand in a crowded room full of strangers. So get comfortable with what you need to say because doctors on the CME cruises for physicians will be asking a lot of questions.

Don't Have Caffeine Before a Big Presentation

You as doctors know how caffeine agitates people. It increases your heart rate, raises blood pressure, gives you the cold sweats, and gives you strong feelings of anxiety. So skip the coffee before the presentation and ask the waiter for a cup of caffeine-free herbal tea to calm your nerves instead.

Push Against the Wall

It's a way of releasing any slight aggression you may have, and it will stop you from acting out. The last thing you want is to accidentally lash out on some innocent bystander who just wants to help.

Channel Your Negative Energy Into Positive Enthusiasm

It's all in the mind. Give yourself a few minutes to sit down and meditate so you can transform your negative energy into a positive force that drives you into doing well. Use positive visualization to ensure the success of your presentation.

Know Your Subject Matter

The key factor to a successful presentation is knowing your subject matter. You need to be knowledgeable on your topic otherwise you won't sound confident. A lack of confidence will lead to your research being questioned, and the likelihood of your pitch being rejected by your panel grows higher.

Pitching a research proposal or giving a big presentation during a conference like CME cruises for physicians is a big deal and it shouldn't be taken lightly. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that any physicians should be thrilled to get on board with.