“Share your name, what you do, and what you had for dinner last night,” the facilitator instructed, smiling warmly at our group.
You would think, given that I get paid to speak on stages, I would be comfortable introducing myself in a board meeting. But I felt the butterflies flapping away in my stomach as I looked into the 25 new faces. Nervous, nervous, nervous…
Rather than panicking, though, I took a deep breath. And told myself my two favorite reminders:
So I smiled. Shared with the room, “My name is Sarah Glova, and I am an entrepreneur and speaker. I'm excited because, while I've served on boards before, this is my first time serving on a Board for the City of Raleigh. And… last night I had cereal for dinner, after my kids went to bed.” With a shurg, I added, “My husband's out of town, so it's survival week!”
My authentic comment earned me a few laughs. I felt my body relax again as the next person took their turn.
Reframing my nerves as excitement didn't get rid of my butterflies—but it did help me redirect them.
- Dr. Sarah Glova, Co-Editor of 8&21 and Professional Butterfly Tamer
Different frames
“Reframing encourages you to say, ‘Let’s look at this another way.’ By changing the frame around a situation, you not only change your perception of it, but its meaning for you as well.
If you were to take one painting and view it in three different frames, each combination would offer a completely different presentation. Your perceptions work the same way.”
- Pulled from “Reframe Your Mindset for New Possibilities” by trainer & speaker Susan C. Young, susancyoung.com
The label
Flushed face. Rapid heart rate.
Butterflies in your stomach. Trembling hands.
What is your body telling you?
Are you excited? Or scared?
Are you falling in love? Or are you worried?
Are you looking forward to something? Or are you nervous?
How you label those feelings can help you.
This is why I encourage my students to say “I am anticipating my presentation” instead of “I am worrying about my presentation.”
- Dr. Sarah Egan Warren, Co-Editor of 8&21 and Scrupulous Chooser of Words
Different interpretation
“The difference between excitement and anxiety lies in our interpretation of them.
We associate excitement with positive feelings, but we think of anxiety as an overwhelmingly negative emotion that’s at times debilitating.”
- Pulled from “How to learn to embrace your anxiety (and turn it into excitement)” by Aytekin Tank in FastCompany
Great job!
Way to take a pause and give 3 minutes to your practice of pursuing awesome
by exploring this issue's theme. You rock!
Did someone forward you this email?
Welcome!8&21 is a digital publication sent on the 8th and 21st
to disrupt your status-quo with an encouraging reset.