I recently became a Burn Boot Camp trainer. It’s very exciting and I am actually starting to enjoy it. I say “actually” because I still feel very much like a beginner. It’s a new skill I am cultivating. As I prepare, practice, and try to memorize the protocol as best I can, I still feel nervous before each camp. It’s just a thing. I can’t explain it, but I know it will get easier with time. But it’s something I’ve noticed in my body. My body responds to nervousness in a particular way. Butterflies. Shakiness. Forgetting to breathe.
I had this experience recently with something I have been doing for a long time: performing piano. There is a part of me that is terrified of playing in public. Playing on a new instrument (because we pianists have to adapt to new pianos since we don’t carry our instrument around – can you imagine?!?!). Playing on a stage with lights. My body still responds the same way. Clammy hands, shortness of breath, and then my brain goes nuts and is full of self-doubt, even though I know I am well prepared. I have to take a step back and breathe. It’s just my body’s response.
At this point in my life, I don’t think it will ever go away, but I just have to learn how to manage it. Whether performing or training or, as an introvert, having to put myself in front of people and new people all the time, I just have to take a deep breath and step into it.
What’s reassuring is knowing that I’m not alone in this. Many people face performance anxiety, and it’s completely normal. The key is to embrace it and turn that nervous energy into something positive. It’s a sign that we care about what we’re doing. Every time I step on stage or lead a camp, I remind myself that nerves are just my body’s way of gearing up for something important.
“You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.”
~Maya Angelou
So, if you’re feeling those butterflies, remember, it’s a part of the journey. Embrace the nerves, take a deep breath, and step forward with confidence. You got this.