I get nervous before presentations. Always. I’ve brushed it off as a necessary evil of pushing myself and believed that those nerves were part of who I was. But recently I’ve been thinking that I’ve learned to have them and to give them more room than they actually need. 

I recently gave a presentation and for the first time ever, my nerves took a backseat. It was really amazing. I had fun before, during and after my presentation because my brain and body were not consumed with anxiety. If you’re interested in how I got through it, here are a few mantras that I kept repeating in my head leading up to the presentation.

1. I’m pretty smart—if I wasn’t I wouldn’t be about to present in front of colleagues.

2. I know enough not to fail too badly. 

3. My career is not riding on this moment. It is 1 moment of 1,000,000.

4. There is fun to be had in this. I can play with my material.

5. My presentation is not a reflection of my character. It’s merely a pause in my work to share it with others.

6. I am open with wonder to what others will say and how they will engage with my material. 

7. People are not as judgmental about me as I am about myself.

What do you tell yourself that helps to calm your nerves? Share your mantra below in the comments.