Performance Anxiety

There are moments when you know you're about to be seen,

To speak,

To present,

To be evaluated.

And something in your body tightens.

Your heart may beat faster.

Your breath may shorten.

Your thoughts may begin to race ahead.

This is not weakness.

This is a nervous system recognizing that attention is coming.

Being watched has always mattered to humans.

Belonging has always mattered.

Being acknowledged has always mattered.

Of course,

Your body becomes alert.

It is trying to help you do well.

If your hands feel unsteady,

It doesn't mean you're incapable.

It means your body is mobilizing.

You don't need to eliminate this feeling to perform well.

You don't need to wait until you're perfectly calm.

Let your body carry some of that energy.

It can move with you instead of against you.

A racing heart doesn't cancel your clarity.

Sweaty hands doesn't cancel your knowledge.

Tightened belly doesn't cancel your wisdom.

Alertness and competence can exist together.

Let the heartbeat come with you.

Let alertness accompany your competence.