In need of a pep talk

[NecessaryCatharsis]

In a little over eleven and a half hours I am hosting a training day at work for 24 people, and I am getting nervous. I am finishing my preparation now, going over my slide shows, checking them against the handouts, double checking the tests, and the answers on my cheatsheets. I know I have this. I have done this type of thing before, even for this company, and over 1/2 of the attendees are from my company. I know these guys, I know I've got this. But I've got doubts.


I've screwed up some things at work recently. Because of a miscommunication between me and a contractor we had to make an unnecessary trip to a job.

I broke something of a homeowners, it wasn't that expensive, it didn't have sentimental value, it was replaced for less than $200, but still, it shouldn't have happened.

I was asked to hire an advertising consultant, and I had no idea what the two of the three people I met with were talking about. I picked the third because she was willing to 'dumb it down' for me, and explain what she planned, but I have been doubting that decision. She's done a good job, but I'm not sure one of the others wouldn't have been much better.

I forgot a bag of garbage on a site, and our office got a call complaining, we had to send someone out to pick it up.

My boss has said not to worry about it, everyone makes a few mistakes, it's not a big deal. He praised my choice of the ad consultant, and liked her ideas. It's not like I'm in trouble at work. I just am experiencing self doubt.

I don't know that I'll make it to bed tonight, so if anyone wants to share tips for getting your confidence back I'm sure I'll see it before the morning starts!

[Teefies2]

You got this! Self doubt is your mind's way of making sure that you're totally prepared. If you didn't have doubt, I would be worried.

So you go get'em!!!!!

[Gizmo]

Remember this: "Its not the errors that you make its how you deal with them".

You are human and they are human. If your boss seems to be on board then calm down and remember to deal with any issues that come up calmly.

[csquared]

I picked the third because she was willing to 'dumb it down' for me, and explain what she planned, but I have been doubting that decision. She's done a good job, but I'm not sure one of the others wouldn't have been much better.

Advertising is about conveying a message. The first two failed at that. I wouldn't have hired them. Good call. (Hearing praise is a great way to boost your confidence)

[TheSHAD0W]

She's done a good job, but I'm not sure one of the others wouldn't have been much better.

There's an old but very insightful saying: "The better is the enemy of the good." Don't lose your focus while trying for "the better". People have suffered after snubbing something that worked well enough.

[NecessaryCatharsis]

So the day went okay. I may have accidently taught a group of people who don't need this information how to make mustard gas, bombs and redneck napalm from simple ingredients they have at work, but then they seem much more keen to read their msds now. I may have accidently referred to 'falling off an erection' (??? - brain, really?), but that made them sit up and listen hard for a moment. I may have even given out an answered test to one of the guys instead of the blank one for one unit, so everyone was able to get the answers for that section without thinking.

But we got through all the units I needed to cover, finished by 4pm, the boss was happy and bought beer at the end of the day, and nobody got punched in the kidneys. So overall, a decent day.

As for the advertiser, yes she is doing a good job, so I will try to let that go until(if) she stops doing a good job. The boss is happy with her monthly reports, how much she is spending, and the results that we are seeing. Case closed - I hope.

[dalesys]

... listen hard for a moment.. .

I see what you did... Four Bitchin' Babes - Viagra In The Waters