Turning Nervousness into Determination

It’s 2019. There are many of you I am sure, like me, who are determined to achieve their New Years goals and resolutions. This goal may be to try a new skill, diet differently, pick up an extra hobby, find love, launch an idea or business plan and so on. The list goes on and you are eager to get on and do them, but here lies only one problem, one feeling that may halt you temporarily from acting on your interests and passions which is nervousness. You see, the problem with nervousness is that it can limit your ability to successfully do things that you may feel is out of your comfort zone, hence why when you are in that situation of unknown it can cause anxiety. It is here though where you can adapt and really learn to embrace unfamiliar territories.

Do not push these opportunities away in a hurry. If you find yourself with an opportunity with which you premeditate may fail or be too pressuring (I have had a few of these before), take a deep breath, and try to focus on the good that will come out of it. Let’s take public speaking for example which can always be daunting even for the experienced. Public speaking is the perfect way to test your assumptions. If you find yourself having to hold a conference or talk within your company or at an event or meet-up, say to yourself, and I find this actually helps if I am anxious is by saying in my mind “F it! I am excited. Let’s do this!” I find I instantly smile after saying this because it feels like a shot of relief that I’m achieving something on my list of ‘Things to do that day” Turn that worrying feeling into one of enthusiasm. No one is there to judge or point fingers, they merely want to hear what you have to say and your perspective. Don’t feel self-conscious — put yourself out there.

I also find, especially if you are speaking publicly is to eat an apple before hand, which helps with dry throat. Just a little last minute tip for you✌

This idea of nervousness also goes for other areas like trying to launch an idea you may have into a project or business, which may be new to you. You realise that in order to continue and grow this idea it may require you establishing yourself and attending networking events and possibly conferences among others so you can gain expertise in that area. Remember this, success is about risk taking and as this Entrepreneur article rightfully words it:

“Without risk, and the natural anxiety that goes along with it, we would never get outside of our comfort zone long enough to make a difference.”

So with this being said, try and be the best You can be. Don’t be afraid of challenge but embrace it, learn from it and move onto the next one. As they say practice makes perfect and the more you do and the more risk you are willing to take, it will eventually pay off.

I will leave you with a brilliant motto from the Football club Tottenham Hotspur F.C. which is “To Dare is To Do” which I feel is a perfect summary. If you are determined to do something, even if nervousness if holding you back, take that leap of faith and just do it!