Henna Pryor

So there's a few pieces of psychology that really support this idea that FOPO is a phenomenon that we need to all work on.

Number one is Elliot Aronson's work around the spotlight effect, right?

That we believe people are looking at us with far more intensity and analysis than they actually are.

We believe, oh, I tripped up my words in that presentation.

Now everyone is staring at me.

The spotlight is on me so brightly, so intensely.

Yes, they heard you, but within seconds, the likelihood is they've already turned their attention either to the next thing you're saying or back to themselves.

Do I have something in my teeth?

Oh, I need to speak next.

They're not looking at us with nearly the intensity that we think they are.

The other one that I think is really interesting is one that's less talked about, which is the illusion of transparency.

Again, some of us, when we're very embarrassed or feel very awkward, we might have some strong physical reaction, right?

Some people get very red in the face.

They get very sweaty.

We can do things physiologically to work on that.

We can work on our breathing.

We can try to have movement before we need to present.

We'll put that to the side for a second.

For most of us, though...

Our stomachs might be turning.