We are all under pressure at some point in our day and have to do something we feel very nervous about.
In an important meeting you may be asked a question you don’t know the answer to and start to panic.
You may suddenly find yourself in one of those high stakes, difficult conversations that can have a big impact on your life, career or business.
You may have an important meeting, or an interview for your perfect job or a sales pitch to make to your ideal client.
Or, like one of my clients, you may unexpectedly find yourself going on live national TV later today to comment on the latest budget.
Eek!
If you need a confidence booster there are 3 ways to give yourself instant (and I mean instant) confidence.
- Think about something you’ve done that you’re very proud of. It doesn’t matter what it is as long as it’s important to you. Focus on it. Remember how it felt to do the thing. You’ll immediately stand taller and feel at ease. Do it just before you go into that vital meeting and it will take the edge off your nerves.
- Mid meeting, never mind-read or try and guess what people are thinking. Forget the fella who looks bored or is staring out the window and talk to the person who seems most interested, the one who is paying attention or even smiling and nodding. Connect with them and your nerves will ease. If there’s nobody like that in the room, think of a friend or ally and have them in mind as you speak.
- Do something normal. Breathe. Take a deep breath in and out. Have a sip of water. Pick up a pen. Glance at your notebook. Pause for a few seconds. Any normal action calms the part of the brain that’s in panic mode and sends a signal that everything is OK . Sipping water also buys you time to think.
Give them a try next time you need a little lift.
Here’s a short video of me talking about this, having been put on the spot at a networking event.
I can help you be more confident, book yourself in for a free chat about how we can work together or emaiI me to find out more.
Leave a Reply