Confident At Work 46. What To Do When You Get Nervous
May 26, 2023
A frank look at accepting nerves and learning to handle them instead of trying to eliminate them. Scientific reasons behind fight-or-flight and why adrenaline can help you perform. Practical before‑event tactics like prep, distraction and movement. In-the-moment tips on narrowing focus, slowing speech and smiling. Aftercare advice on self-praise and avoiding rumination.
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Nervous Before A City Tender Pitch
- Anna Manning felt nervous before a tender meeting in the City of London and noticed colleagues were surprised she got nervous.
- She used the experience to reflect on how she handles nerves before, during, and after high-pressure events.
Handle Nerves, Don't Chase Their Removal
- Trying to eliminate nerves is the wrong goal because the physiological response is not under conscious control.
- Focus instead on how you behave when nerves arise, because that is under your control.
Nerves Are A Built-In Survival Response
- Nervousness is a physiological stress response (adrenaline and cortisol) triggered by perceived threats, not conscious choice.
- Your brain treats social or performance threats like physical danger, so nerves are normal and automatic.