Just this Friday, I attended my first client meeting with my supervisor and another co-worker. I felt anxious and I almost had a panic attack. I'm not used to meeting with BIG named clients since this was my first one EVER! I've dealt with individual clients back in the day when I was a wedding video editor. But BIG named clients? Never!
So this is me before the meeting: internally panicking as I helped prepare the communications plan for public relations articles, eating less than normal during lunch as I had butterflies in my stomach, sweating and drinking too much water that I had to pee right before we left. We had to take a cab to the location of the meeting and unfortunately for us, the cab's air conditioning broke down not even half way there! So we had to crack the windows open. The temperature outside: 34 degrees Celsius/93.2 Fahrenheit!! It felt like a freakin' sauna in that cab!
Anyway, when we got to the location, we quickly tried to fix our hair, and wipe off the sweat on our foreheads before we met with the client. The meeting was a breeze and I didn't even have to say anything at all! *whew!*
Now, my personal problem is... I'm becoming overwhelmed with the work because they're trying to give me multiple clients when I am still trying to feel my way through one! Remember: I've NEVER worked in public relations.
My plan: email the direct boss and say exactly how I feel. Risky, but I can still risk it as I am still in probation. Actually, my initial plan was to either fake an illness or go AWOL. Both bad ideas.
See, here's thing: I can sit down in the office and write drafts for articles... I can add ideas to the communication plans... BUT, for some reason, I can't do it for multiple clients! I was even too anxious for the first meeting. I might have social anxiety disorder... I'm not professionally diagnosed, but there's a big possibility that I do have it. I can sit and work in my little cubicle space in the office without anyone bothering me. I live in my own little writing world when I'm in my office space.
Oh well.. we'll see how it goes...
by the way, *whispers* add Nestle whole grain cereal, like Fitnesse, in your diet to keep you healthy! *wink*
I think when you face your fears, or are forced to!, that you will see you were anxious for nothing. YOU CAN DO THIS!!! You just need some time to realize it. One day at a time, focus on what you're doing in the moment. It will work out; you'll see.
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