The Power Pose
Imagine you’re about to try out for a position that you’ve spent the past 2 months vigorously working towards. You’ve mastered your skill, perfected your form and even given yourself confidence to believing you’ll succeed.
The vision is built. You’re almost there.
But inevitably, whether it be a week, day, or even an hour before the event, the nerves starts to creep. Squiggling through your limbs, suffocating your heart, pressurizing your brain, and annoyingly tickling your toes in that ever so present flu-like manner that only true nervousness can do.
Ugg.
“Why worry? If you’ve done the very best you can, worrying won’t make it any better.” -Walt Disney
Instead of fighting anxiety, dance with it. Welcome it. Relish it. It’s a sign you’re on to something.
“Anything’s possible if you’ve got enough nerve.” -J.K. Rowling
People are just people, they shouldn’t make you nervous.
Suddenly, all the motivational quotes and self-talk fall short.
Is it unavoidable? Probs not, totes maybes.
For the less slang-induced speaker, the answer is yes and no. I was in a public speaking event with Poornima Vijashanker and Karen Catlin at Facebook the other day when I learned a cool tip for combatting nerves.
Introducing the power pose.
Raising your hands in the air, imitating that familiar pose that represents success.
Athletes do it, spectators do it. It’s a sign of winning and it’s definitely a thing.
Striking this movement manipulates your body into thinking it has completed something successful. It lowers cortisol (the father of anxiety) and raises testosterone (the mother of power).
Do this for 2 minutes before your event to shake out the nervousness.
See ya later, intimidation.
It’s all in the looks.
Open your body. (check out this Ted Talk on body language and confidence). Stray from activities that bring you inward before your event, like texting, because it’s the opposite of the power pose.
Don’t worry about being an expert. Experiences and perspective provide room to learn and that’s often times more effective than any straight-laced tutorial or book.
Stories and emotions are sticky. Your authentic self is honest and relatable. You are you and that is true. 🙂
How do you calm your nerves?
