Unmasking the Truth

Being nervous isn't bad. It just means something important is happening.

Michael Jordan

Distinguishing nerves from a lack of confidence is crucial! Understand that nerves can stem from a new audience or unfamiliar stage. When you embrace the excitement of the unknown, you start to let your confidence shine through.

There is the age-old question: "Can you be confident and nervous at the same time?"

There is the misconception that many people believe is that if you are feeling nervous, it means you lack confidence.

However, I am here to shed some light on this misconception.

Feeling nervous is actually quite common, especially in new situations. It can come with a range of physical sensations, such as butterflies in the stomach and a faster heartbeat. But here's the important point: being nervous does not automatically mean you lack confidence.

And confidence is not solely based on the absence of nervousness.

Confidence stems from your knowledge and understanding of a topic or from your belief in yourself and your abilities.

Therefore it is possible to feel both confident and nervous simultaneously.

Today you are you, that is truer than true.

There is no one alive who is youer than you.

Dr. Seuss

Think about it like this:

Imagine you're attending a networking meeting, giving a speech to a new audience, or conducting a training session with an unfamiliar group. Maybe you are giving an interview or are having an interview for that promotion or new job that you are after. You might feel nervous about these situations because they are new and uncertain. However, deep down, you can still have confidence in your skills, knowledge, or previous experiences.

It is important to learn to distinguish between feeling nervous and lacking confidence, as the two are not mutually exclusive. Acknowledge and accept your nerves for what they are  - normal and very much human reactions to unfamiliar or uncertain circumstances.

It's okay to feel nervous, and it doesn't mean you lack confidence.

The key is to embrace the idea of feeling both nervous and confident at the same time. Treat it as an opportunity to challenge yourself, grow, and have fun. A sign of nerves is showing you that you are stepping out of your comfort zone and having a new experience. Which in turn helps you to grow your confidence.

One of the ways to deal with your nerves is to learn from any previous experiences and extract meaningful insights from them. What did you learn, remember how you felt then, was it has bad as you thought it would be?

Then the most important thing is to remind yourself that you survived. You learnt. And you are still going.

When you learn to accept your nerves, you can develop and strengthen your confidence over time.

So, let's unmask the truth:

Yes, you can be confident and nervous at the same time. Remember to separate your feelings and emotions to better understand your own confidence, fears, and nervousness. By doing this, you can navigate new situations with a sense of self-assurance and continue to live life with confidence.

Remember to live your life with confidence!

Chat soon

Natalie

PS: Click HERE to watch the Youtube video "Nerves vs Confidence".

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