Reframing Nervousness Into Confidence

When I first started going to networking events, there was one moment that stood out for me as a key growth moment.

I was at a networking breakfast and my time to stand up and give my 40-second pitch was fast approaching.

At the time, I was a total newbie to public speaking, and with everyone who gave their pitch before me, I was starting to sweat.

I couldn’t hear what they were saying, all I could focus on was my time to have all those eyes on me coming up.

My stomach was in knots, I was sweating and I was dreading those 40 seconds bearing down upon me.

Sitting next me me was my future mentor, Sharon, who I turned to and said:

“I’m really nervous about standing up in front of everyone here.”

What Sharon said completely shifted my mindset and has been crucial to my growth since then.

“Nathan,” Sharon said. “Your nervousness in your power and it’s your body telling you that what you're about to do is something important for you.”

I’ve reflected on this many times over the years, and it’s something I share with my clients when they are creating goals bigger than they ever imagined before.

Sharon helped me see that what I was feeling was a sign of upcoming growth, and that being nervous is a good thing.

Since then I’ve broken down Shoron’s wisdom into steps for when my nervousness starts to take over and is holding me back from growth.


1. Recognize your inherent wisdom
You have more tools and knowledge within you than you realise. That nervousness? It's often masking your innate capabilities. Trust yourself.

2. Challenge your limiting beliefs
When you feel nervous, ask yourself: "Am I scared, or am I excited about the possibilities?" This simple question can shift your entire perspective.

3. Embrace the energy
Instead of trying to calm down, channel that energy into focus and action. It's fuel for peak performance.

4. Reframe your self-talk
Replace "I'm so nervous" with "I'm excited for this opportunity." Your brain will follow where your words lead.

I recently worked with a client who transformed from feeling overwhelmed about her business plans to saying, "It's possible. All this is possible. I can do all of this."

That's the power of reframing in action.

Remember, confident leadership isn't about the absence of nervousness. It's about harnessing that energy to drive you forward.

To truly master this, focus on these four key areas:
• Stay healthy (physically and mentally)
• Get organized
• Build confidence through small wins
• Ensure you're well-resourced

Which area do you think would have the biggest impact on your leadership right now?

Reframing Nervousness Into Confidence

Levelling out your emotional well-being as a leader.