Many of us deal with nervousness on a daily basis. In fact, depending on what I am doing (particularly when I have been in trial), I sometimes feel like Aunt Pittypat from “Gone With The Wind,” who would exclaim, “please, someone, get me my smelling salts!!” Sound familiar?
Here are a few quick techniques to handle nerves, no matter WHAT the occasion:
1. Take ten (10) deep breaths. Breathe deeply into the belly through your nose, and feel your ribs expanding in and out. You are oxygenating your blood, your body, and your brain!
2. Give yourself a little scalp massage, and also massage your eyebrows and the little furrow area between them (what I call the the “Botox Zone”).
3. Smile! Not only does smiling release feel-good hormones into your system, but smiling makes anyone you encounter feel more at ease. Smiling can also disarm anyone who is acting hostile towards you.
4. Organize yourself as best as possible. A speech? Your notes are in good order. A talk with your boss? Have some notes prepared so you can accurately record what transpires and also so you do not forget anything you wished to discuss with him/her.
5. Try not to take yourself so seriously. Your imperfections make you the wonderful person you are. Perfection is overrated. Smile and enjoy yourself, giggle, even state that you are nervous. This imperfection makes you even more powerful, human, and delightful. Your uniqueness is irreplaceable.
