Imagine you’re getting ready to stand up in front of a bunch of people and give your presentation. Your heart is racing, you’re sweating and you’re one step away from puking your guts up. What do you do? Do you try to calm your nerves, or do you pump yourself up?

Two different Harvard University studies that found that when you interpret your pounding heart, rapid breathing and racing thoughts as excitement versus anxiety, it actually makes you perform better when speaking in public.

Have you ever seen a stand up comic live on a big stage? The past two that I have seen (Chris Tucker, brilliant, and George Lopez, dead on satire) both had thumping up-tempo music playing as they came out on stage. They both took a few moments, to either circle the stage, or to look out over the audience, before they approached the microphone. I’m certain they did this to get themselves psyched and energized.

It turns out that trying to calm yourself down before speaking in public backfires. It gives you more time to think about all of the things that can go wrong.

Think of your stress as helpful when you face a high-stakes situation. Focus on the potential high points of the scenario (making people laugh, seeing that “aha!” moment, evoking emotion).

Getting excited about how things can go well–imagining the applause–boosts your confidence and energy. 

Things will go well because you make them go well, so revel in that sweaty brow…it helps!

Contact Nikki, or book her to speak at nikki@goal-tender.com