Pebble Beach Lesson: How to Never Be Nervous Again

Throughout my life I have had many different experiences that have caused me stress and nervousness – everything from big games, clutch free throws, class presentations and job interviews. Earlier in my life I can remember the nervousness I felt leading up to the event and how miserable it made me. My heart would be racing, butterflies were in my stomach and I couldn’t sleep.

Then one year my Dad took my brother and I on a trip to California to play one of the greatest golf courses in the world - Pebble Beach. I will never forget the night before we played. I was so excited that my heart was racing, butterflies were in my stomach and I don’t think I slept a wink. It was that night that it hit me - the physiological response I have when I am nervous (heart racing, butterflies in stomach, and trouble sleeping) was the exact same physiological response I have when I was really excited for an upcoming event.

Yet, when I label that physiological response as nervousness, the time leading up to the event is difficult and sometimes miserable. While when I label that physiological response as excitement, the time leading up to the event is fun and exciting.

So, what if every time I did anything that caused this reaction in my body I labeled it as excitement rather than nervousness? Would this work? Could I increase the joy in my life with this simple mindset change?

Well, I am happy to report that the majority of time it does work and it has significantly improved not only the joy in my life, but I believe, the performance that I display when the actual event occurs (sporting event, presentation, etc.) because I enter the event with an excited mindset and not a nervous one.

I encourage you to try this as well. The next time you have a big game, match or event, are feeling the physiological response of nervousness and someone asks you if you are nervous respond with a confident, “Not nervous, just really excited!”

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