Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Stepping Back from Speaking

martinfowler.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

11–20 of 138 posts

Re: Stepping Back from Speaking

#11

Post by alexfromapex »

oh_sigh wrote: post #9

Martin - if you're here, and would want to continue speaking were it not for the physical problems you face - perhaps you should give beta blockers a shot? Side effects are uncommon, risks are low, addictive potential is low, so doctors are generally willing to prescribe them if the patient requests it. It sounds like you're just experiencing stage fright. Many professional performers get this way, and beta blockers…

I have tried beta blockers and they really just get rid of the thumping heart sensation but you're still sweating and terrified. I have had some good success with taking full B complex and D vitamins before speaking though.

Re: Stepping Back from Speaking

#12

Post by Wistar »

oh_sigh wrote: post #9

Martin - if you're here, and would want to continue speaking were it not for the physical problems you face - perhaps you should give beta blockers a shot? Side effects are uncommon, risks are low, addictive potential is low, so doctors are generally willing to prescribe them if the patient requests it. It sounds like you're just experiencing stage fright. Many professional performers get this way, and beta blockers…

In the concert piano world, 5mg of Inderal (Propranolol) is a common pre-performance dose.

My doctor, who treated a lot of Microsoft folks, told me that he prescribed a lot of Inderal for those who did a lot of public speaking.

Re: Stepping Back from Speaking

#13

Post by nr2x »

oh_sigh wrote: post #9

Martin - if you're here, and would want to continue speaking were it not for the physical problems you face - perhaps you should give beta blockers a shot? Side effects are uncommon, risks are low, addictive potential is low, so doctors are generally willing to prescribe them if the patient requests it. It sounds like you're just experiencing stage fright. Many professional performers get this way, and beta blockers…

https://youtu.be/DW5juaLAg28

Re: Stepping Back from Speaking

#14

Post by alexfromapex »

I think this goes hand-in-hand with recent research about psychological safety at work. If you are forced to give the talks, you don't feel psychologically safe because your livelihood is being used as leverage to make you give talks. If, on the other hand, they encourage you to give talks but don't force it it's much easier to cope with and less stressful.

Re: Stepping Back from Speaking

#15

Post by stadium »

Appreciate the vulnerability. "Powering through" mental health problems is so common, maybe even expected in some cultures. Your courage to talk publicly about your personal struggles with anxiety will surely help others to set boundaries and manage their own struggles in healthy ways.

Re: Stepping Back from Speaking

#16

Post by asmos7 »

There have been a lot of character assassination's on prominent white men in the conference space by far left extremists. I wonder how much of his anxiety can be attributed to seeing colleagues go through that?

Re: Stepping Back from Speaking

#19

Post by flakiness »

"As I steadily get more disconnected from the day-to-day of software development, I feel I provide my greatest value by helping improve communication from those who have that connection."

I'm a big fan of his writing, including the "Refactoring" book [1], which has changed my life. So it's a bit sad to read this admission. But I appreciate his honesty. Wondering if this "detached" feeling is attributed to the anxiety he has felt on the speaking side.

Anyway, I hope he keeps writing. It doesn't have to be a great hit like, say "Microsevices" [2]. I believe it can be more personal. I'd like to learn what experienced people like him think about things happening in the software development world.

(Probably I'll even enjoy reading about what he does on his "indulge" time. That's what the fandom is like.)

[1] https://www.amazon.com/Refactoring-Improving-Existing-Addiso...

[2] https://martinfowler.com/articles/microservices.html

Re: Stepping Back from Speaking

#20

Post by cmckn »

gonehome wrote: post #6

I can relate to the anxiety before something like that which often then disappears when you start. I feel similarly before technical interviews and it’s really unpleasant, the fear holds you back from doing things you’d otherwise want to do. It’s hard to evaluate sometimes or be honest with yourself if you’re making a decision based on what you want or if it’s a rationalization to avoid the fear. I often suspect a lo…

I too get really anxious when I have to give a presentation or do an interview. Beta blockers like propranolol have been incredible for these moments. I don’t take them every time, and I luckily don’t face these situations very often. I wouldn’t encourage anyone to dedicate their life to a career that they need medication to survive, doesn’t seem like a good trade off to me. But if you find this to be a real negative thing in your life, you have options besides deep breathing and power poses! Talk to your doctor :)
Post reply on HN