Was asked by a fellow coworker to give a short safety moment presentation, maybe 1 to 2 minutes. I started reading something I wrote prior on a word doc while simultaneously bridging the gaps in my head. It resulted in approx 3 minutes of fragmented sentences that didn’t make sense in front of my entire section of about 15 people both online and in person. It was beyond cringe I can’t even fathom it. I wanted to fire myself and leave the room immediately.
Is this lithe end of my time there? The only saving grace is that it had nothing to do with my actual job and was meeting filler. I’m kinda stunned cause I’m pretty good at presentations and talking with people in general but for whatever reason I got immense jitters prior to presenting. Important note I didn’t sleep for two days straight from Saturday to Sunday since I went to Vegas.
Actually asked my supervisor if I could go home because I felt mentally impaired all day leading up to the meeting in between not focusing/and falling asleep. Really disappointed in myself considering I volunteered for it. Any advice for this?
Edit: thanks everybody love u guys
13 comments
Talk to your supervisor to find out how badly you screwed up.
One presentation isn’t usually the end of a job, though.
Acknowledge you are imperfect. Own it, be able to laugh at it, and move on. This is a skill you’ll need in life — getting past cringe-worthy mistakes you will invariably make. Prep well for presentations going forward.
Also, honestly, 3 minutes of stumbling presentation. Not so bad.
I once called the CEO (old guy) of the company “Babe” as in, “Jack, babe, that wouldnt be a good idea,'” in a all hands meeting with 150 people there. “Did you call me babe?” “Yes, babe, I did.” I don’t know why I did it. It just came out.
I proceeded to own that, calling the CEO “babe” four more times over the rest of the meeting.
Never repeated that but acknowledged it happened.
Walk it off and treat it as an opportunity to learn.
You’re not going to lose your job over a 1-2 minute safety presentation.
**> Was asked by a fellow coworker to give a short safety moment presentation, maybe 1 to 2 minutes.**
**>Really disappointed in myself considering I volunteered for it.**
You don’t get fired for 1-2 minute presentations that aren’t your job to give.
I can not stress this enough – absolutely no one gives a shit, or will ever think of it again. You’re catastrophizing everything in your own head – and I’m sure the inevitable hangover/come down from staying awake for 2 straight days in Vegas is amplifying it.
Drink some water. Take a shower. Get some sleep. And let it go.
This is typically not a dealbreaker, no.
But, are you also saying that you went to work on Monday without getting any sleep for the prior 48 hours while partying in Vegas?
If so, *that’s* unprofessional, coming to work that sleep deprived, and would explain a lot in terms of your impaired judgement and presentation.
Nobody expects everyone to be 100% all the time at work, but what you did is very unusual, in my experience.
You’ll be fine, don’t worry about it.
Really doesn’t sound like a big deal. I’m sure no one cared and you’ll probably feel embarrassed for a few days and forget about it.
I have to give presentations for my job, the first 3-4 we’re pretty terrible. Everyone hates public speaking, only way to improve is reps. Adding what this was for don’t worry
Man I’ve done this specific thing like 20 times in my career. Not one time has anyone given a single shit about it. Half the time people aren’t even listening to safety moments
We all go through it. It happens.
Usually the person (me included) will just admit that it wasnt there best présentation. Without looking for excuse naming the reasons. Eg. Got nervous, lost track, etc.
As other mentionned. Nobody really gives a shit anyways. Dont dwell on it.
Next time just practice your présentation and avoid “fillers”.
Why don’t you ask to do it again. Prepare this time. Then make a joke about the importance of being prepared and do it again in front of everyone.
This happened to me earlier in my career and I would bring it up in future presentations that I knew went well. We all had a chuckle and it lost the cringe factor quickly.
I work in an industry where safety is taken very seriously and even here the majority of safety moments are half arsed and 99% of the room tunes out.
You are beating yourself up – I know the feeli g because I do it – it’s related to perfectionism or anxiety. This is good because you will learn and improve but it can be bad because it causes
Stress which is damaging.
You are the only person who needs forgive yourself because no one else has given it a
Seconds thought. Never raise this with anyone for this very reason. Learn from your (very minor) mistake and move on.
A 3 min presentation isn’t career suicide. BUT you should take this as an opportunity and work on your weak spots. Practice public speaking. Before any meeting or presentation prepare and practice and practice and actually do it out loud. Something I too am working on. Good luck