It sometimes surprises people when I tell them I get slightly nervous before a speaking or training event. They seem to think that because I’ve been doing it for years, nervousness would no longer be an issue.

However “nerves” is a normal human emotion and as I often say – ‘I’d be nervous if I wasn’t nervous!’ However, it’s how you handle the nerves that will determine your success as a speaker, or in any other aspect of your life.

Many people feel nervous if they have to meet someone new, or phone a potential customer or client for an appointment.

Perhaps when they want to ask someone out on a date, and many other situations in business and personal life. This is all very normal and many people feel this way.

You don’t like me

One of the biggest fears for humans is the fear of rejection and we’ll do almost anything to avoid it.

It stops people making speeches, contacting customers, asking for the order, or asking someone out on a date.

Successful people feel the fear of rejection but they don’t allow it to paralyse them. They take action even although they feel uncomfortable. And of course, the more you do it the less uncomfortable you feel.

Just do it

In the many challenges you face in life you won’t win them all, but you must have the courage to take action.

I read somewhere that – winners make mistakes but losers never do. That’s because winners have the courage to take action and they know they’ll make mistakes. And that’s how they learn and move forward.

‘It often requires more courage to dare to do right than to fear to do wrong’ – Abraham Lincoln

So, feel the fear and take action!

Related articles

• One Reason You Get Nervous (motivationdoc.com)
• There is Nothing to Fear: Tips for Wedding Toast Fright (weddings.answers.com)