The Suprising Way A Pop-Star Handles Their Nerves (And How You Can Too)
Can a pop-star teach us something important about handling nerves?
Yes, yes they can.
I caught an interesting interview with Katy Perry on the radio yesterday.
She was talking about her upcoming performance at the AFL Grand Final and they asked her about nerves.
There were some gems in her answers which I wanted to share. 💎
So, they asked her:
“Are you nervous? Like do you get nervous?”
To which she responded:
“Um… Am I nervous?
I …. only get nervous when I’m not as prepared as I want to be.
I prepare for everything and so that takes away the nerves. There will be more butterflies than nerves.”
I found her response really interesting for a few reasons.
This is what I think are the relevant lessons:
#1 – It’s quite normal to feel nerves
Even people that are world-famous and are performers across stages all around the world like Katy Perry get nervous and need strategies to handle those nerves. It reinforces the fact that it’s far more common than we think!
#2 – Being prepared can be the best remedy
I loved this. It’s not some magic mindset trick! It’s simply to ensure you have practised well and thought through everything. So you’re in a place where you feel comfortable that it’s all going to run smoothly.
#3 – Be careful with the labels you put on nerves
She realises (and obviously chooses to tell herself) that she’s not ‘nervous about performing’. She’s chosen instead to believe she only gets ‘nervous’ if she’s not prepared enough and instead labels her remaining feelings as ‘butterflies’.
I think these lessons translate perfectly into the public speaking world too.
Interestingly, the effect practise has on nerves was further reinforced for me later that day.
I ran a 1hr Webinar for speakers of an upcoming Conference. However it was the second time I’d run that exact webinar for those exact speakers.
As I’d done it the week prior, I was nowhere near as focused on the presentation and I didn’t feel any nerves at all.
It’s the exact same audience type, format, number of attendees, content etc
The only thing that changed was that I given that exact same talk the week prior – i.e. I’d been able to practise it more and I felt far more prepared.
It’s nothing fancy. But practise and preparation does lead to feeling even calmer.
I personally think that’s pretty cool.
IN SUMMARY
People forget how common it is to feel nervous. They also underestimate the effect preparation has on reducing those nerves.
If that’s you, remember these simple tips:
- You are not alone in feeling nerves. It’s called being human.
- If you get nervous before a talk, try practicing and preparing more.
- Lastly, don’t tell yourself you get ‘nervous about presenting’. Tell yourself you simply get ‘nervous if you haven’t prepared enough’.
Try these strategies out and let me know if they help! 🤗
Emily
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