NERVOUSNESS
Nervousness is an equal opportunity anxiety. It affects people at every level of every profession.

Nervousness can be managed if you're willing to examine it dispassionately. Be a good detective. Answer this question: what specific situations trigger your nervousness? (You'll find that your trigger centers around one of three issues: control, authority or power.)

Once you find your trigger, follow this simple "ABC" formula.
A Accept Your Nerves
Tell your self it's okay to be nervous. There is no shame attached to feeling nervous. And it does not have to affect your performance. Most of the time, the only person who knows you're nervous is you.

B
Believe Positively
Perhaps you get nervous when your boss stands in the back of the room during your presentation. Ask yourself about that trigger. Somewhere you'll find a negative belief. Most often your negative belief will be a story you've made up without any supporting evidence. Why not make up a GOOD story?

Changing a negative belief, which is habitual and often unconscious, into a positive belief takes time and energy. But you can do it with careful attention to your self-talk.

C
Converse Naturally
Many people feel they must put on some serious air of authority in order to present. The effort of holding up that burden–and the fear of having the mask slip–makes them nervous.

How would you present the same material if you were sitting at the corner diner with a bunch of friends? Truly gifted presenters have the knack of sounding purely conversational. Set down your load and just talk!

Nervousness is a programmed response. It won't go away in a finger snap. But by focusing on the ABC's, you'll get control over your nerves and watch it fade away into your past.

Also see, Your Attitude

 

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