Nix Nerves: Pro Tip 6

Run the stairs

If you really want to calm your nerves, expend energy.

I know it sounds counterintuitive, but one day at a large conference featuring several of
my fellow speakers and trainers, I saw my speaking colleague Joel running up and
down a flight of stairs outside the conference ballroom. I said, “Joel, what in the world
are you doing? You’re up next! They are about to call your name to go on stage. You’re
the next presenter. Did you lose something? I can help you find it.”

He said, “No, Mandi, I do this before every big presentation. Have you looked out into
ballroom? There are more than 1,000 people in the audience! I run in place or find a
stairwell and jog for a minute or so to calm my nerves. It gets rid of my excess energy.”
Joel imparted some great advice that day for getting rid of the jitters. Just don’t get too
sweaty!