Most important hour of my life on friday, anxious!

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Christopherwillson
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21 Nov 2012, 2:59 am

So I have a meeting about a position at the top of the most prestigious and important institution in my country(a university), the head invited me(he never invites anyone) and I'm so nervous. I know that I'm going to be shivering and won't be able to speak very well, isn't there a magical cure that would get rid of all my anxiety for a few hours? I'm just afraid that I'll be so nervous that I won't be able to speak or convey basic ideas.

I'm such a dreamer and got myself into a miraculous meeting for which I'm not prepared, I'm mental.

It's just two days left and I'm getting desperate, illegal drugs are not an option.

CBT would help but I simply don't have the time for that at this point.

This meeting will make or break my life and I don't want to screw it up. It's a huge honor for an 18 year old who never had a job to be invited by this person. He's one of the most influential people in the country.

Ps: the topic is more about anxiety than it is about the job so I posted it here and not in the forum dedicated to post concerned with jobs.


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Sharkgirl
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21 Nov 2012, 5:21 am

A small amount of alcohol say 3-4 shots worth would definitely help. Just it's
Not a good idea to get dependent on it. Although many people do before first dates and other stressful events.
Lots of practice of what to say and mental imagery of you successfully going through the
Motions is good.
Also make sure you focus on breathing slowly steadily and deeply throughout whilst thinking positive thoughts about the event and how well your going.
Good luck


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whirlingmind
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21 Nov 2012, 5:32 am

I wouldn't advise the alcohol at all, he would likely smell it on your breath and it could ruin everything,


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Christopherwillson
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21 Nov 2012, 5:57 am

Sharkgirl wrote:
A small amount of alcohol say 3-4 shots worth would definitely help. Just it's
Not a good idea to get dependent on it. Although many people do before first dates and other stressful events.
Lots of practice of what to say and mental imagery of you successfully going through the
Motions is good.
Also make sure you focus on breathing slowly steadily and deeply throughout whilst thinking positive thoughts about the event and how well your going.
Good luck


I would be afraid of the smell and having a blackout due to being drunk, or something like that. The other tips do work a little from what I remember of past experiences but not significantly. Isn't there a pill I could get?


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Christopherwillson
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21 Nov 2012, 5:58 am

whirlingmind wrote:
I wouldn't advise the alcohol at all, he would likely smell it on your breath and it could ruin everything,


Does that really ever happen? I never smell the breath of anyone I'm around with, unless they decide to come close and breath onto my face.


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whirlingmind
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21 Nov 2012, 6:01 am

I can notice alcohol on my husband's breath from not very near at all, when he just had a single beer before coming home. I always spot it.

You said yourself, you'd be afraid of the smell.


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Christopherwillson
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21 Nov 2012, 6:59 am

whirlingmind wrote:
I can notice alcohol on my husband's breath from not very near at all, when he just had a single beer before coming home. I always spot it.

You said yourself, you'd be afraid of the smell.


I am afraid of the smell, doesn't mean that the fear is rational. I don't consider getting really close to that person, and I could chew some mint after the alcohol.


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Nikkt
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21 Nov 2012, 7:00 am

Given you have such a short time frame, try visualisation. Imagine yourself meeting this guy and go through the motions of how you're going to greet him, how you're going to shake hands, and how you're going to present yourself. And imagine yourself doing it well. Imagine not being nervous, not shaking, and speaking completely fluently.

Thing is, if you keep imagining that you're going to be incredibly nervous and awkward, you will. Try imagining a scenario where this isn't the case. Or perhaps a case where you're anxious, but can control it well and everything works out brilliantly. Imagining something happening is the first step to making it happen; even elite athletes use this technique before training and competition.

Start off with thinking about why this guy wants to meet you when you say he doesn't meet with anyone. Obviously at some point you've impressed him with something, right? Start with that positive and move from there. Stop thinking about all the ways this could go wrong and start thinking about all the ways this could go right.

And if I may make one observation, you might think that this is the most important day/hour of your life, but you'll find that when you look back on your life later on, the most important days were actually those you didn't even realise were important until they were well passed. I know because I was in a very similar position to the one you're in only five years ago. This meeting might be important, it might even be very important, but thinking about it as the most important thing is not only counterproductive, it's very likely untrue.

G'luck!

And absolutely leave out the alcohol.


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shyengineer
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21 Nov 2012, 9:54 am

Nikkt wrote:
Given you have such a short time frame, try visualisation. Imagine yourself meeting this guy and go through the motions of how you're going to greet him, how you're going to shake hands, and how you're going to present yourself. And imagine yourself doing it well. Imagine not being nervous, not shaking, and speaking completely fluently.

Thing is, if you keep imagining that you're going to be incredibly nervous and awkward, you will. Try imagining a scenario where this isn't the case. Or perhaps a case where you're anxious, but can control it well and everything works out brilliantly. Imagining something happening is the first step to making it happen; even elite athletes use this technique before training and competition.

Start off with thinking about why this guy wants to meet you when you say he doesn't meet with anyone. Obviously at some point you've impressed him with something, right? Start with that positive and move from there. Stop thinking about all the ways this could go wrong and start thinking about all the ways this could go right.

And if I may make one observation, you might think that this is the most important day/hour of your life, but you'll find that when you look back on your life later on, the most important days were actually those you didn't even realise were important until they were well passed. I know because I was in a very similar position to the one you're in only five years ago. This meeting might be important, it might even be very important, but thinking about it as the most important thing is not only counterproductive, it's very likely untrue.

G'luck!

And absolutely leave out the alcohol.


This is great advice. There's a reason he invited you and he's obviously very interested to meet you. He's also going to expect you to be nervous but is far more interested in what you have to offer.

When you're there just take deep, slow breathes and focus on the task instead of the nerves. If it's really bad and I have trouble talking to the person, I find it helps to be honest and just say that I'm nervous, eg. "Sorry, I'm really nervous" Then take a deep breathe and compose yourself. He will be compassionate about it and say something like "That's ok, just take your time". You will feel better now that you don't feel like you have a big secret to hide.

Breathe, take your time and focus. You will be fine!



Christopherwillson
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21 Nov 2012, 10:23 am

shyengineer wrote:
Nikkt wrote:
Given you have such a short time frame, try visualisation. Imagine yourself meeting this guy and go through the motions of how you're going to greet him, how you're going to shake hands, and how you're going to present yourself. And imagine yourself doing it well. Imagine not being nervous, not shaking, and speaking completely fluently.

Thing is, if you keep imagining that you're going to be incredibly nervous and awkward, you will. Try imagining a scenario where this isn't the case. Or perhaps a case where you're anxious, but can control it well and everything works out brilliantly. Imagining something happening is the first step to making it happen; even elite athletes use this technique before training and competition.

Start off with thinking about why this guy wants to meet you when you say he doesn't meet with anyone. Obviously at some point you've impressed him with something, right? Start with that positive and move from there. Stop thinking about all the ways this could go wrong and start thinking about all the ways this could go right.

And if I may make one observation, you might think that this is the most important day/hour of your life, but you'll find that when you look back on your life later on, the most important days were actually those you didn't even realise were important until they were well passed. I know because I was in a very similar position to the one you're in only five years ago. This meeting might be important, it might even be very important, but thinking about it as the most important thing is not only counterproductive, it's very likely untrue.

G'luck!

And absolutely leave out the alcohol.


This is great advice. There's a reason he invited you and he's obviously very interested to meet you. He's also going to expect you to be nervous but is far more interested in what you have to offer.

When you're there just take deep, slow breathes and focus on the task instead of the nerves. If it's really bad and I have trouble talking to the person, I find it helps to be honest and just say that I'm nervous, eg. "Sorry, I'm really nervous" Then take a deep breathe and compose yourself. He will be compassionate about it and say something like "That's ok, just take your time". You will feel better now that you don't feel like you have a big secret to hide.

Breathe, take your time and focus. You will be fine!


You've both given me great advice, I'm pretty sure that it will help a great deal, thank you very much for taking the time to write me :)

If you come up with other advice, please do share cause it's greatly appreciated.


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JBO
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21 Nov 2012, 11:38 am

Alcohol is a TERRIBLE idea.

Yes, there is a pill you can take. It's called a beta blocker: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beta_block ... nhancement
However, you can't get them over the counter and would need a prescription so that doesn't do you much good at this point.

One thing you can try is eating a banana or two. It's a common musician trick. Something about them helps with nerves for some reason. Lots of theories on the internets but I don't think there's any scientific data to back it up.

Probably the most important thing for nerves is to be well-prepared. If you know with 100% confidence that you'll be able to do whatever it is you need to do, why would you be nervous? So go practice. See if you can find someone to pretend to be the guy and give your pitch to them, practice talking to the mirror, whatever you need to do.