Everybody experiences feeling nervous from time to time. It is normal to feel nervous when doing something new. There are many different reasons why people get nervous. Some people get nervous just by the thought of a test or performance. Some people will get nervous in situations where they must speak before a group of people or perform a task in front of their peers.
This phenomenon happens in all walks of life whether it’s in education, business, or social events. The key is to stop looking at nervousness as an enemy. Here are five steps you can take to be less nervous:
- Know that everyone gets nervous from time to time. It is normal.
- Understand what your nervousness is telling you. When you are nervous, it’s your body telling you that something important is about to happen. Go with the nervousness, not against it.
- Many people struggle with negative self-talk. The voice tells you that you are not good enough or that others are better than you. Use positive self-talk. Talk to yourself like you would talk to your best friend when they are nervous.
- Use a word of strength. First find a word you associate with something safe and positive. When you are in a situation where you feel confident and strong, say this word to yourself several times.
- Do this when you feel shy. Find your triggers and make a note of which situations make your nervous. Remember that your biggest critic is yourself. Challenge yourself and conquer the situations one by one. Remember this is a marathon, not a race.
There is no miracle cure against feeling shy, but there are many ways to reduce shyness. Being nervous is normal and you can learn how to deal with it when it arises.
