Relaaaxxxx...

It's crazy how we can get all worked up, nervous with butterflies in our stomachs over job interviews, first dates, presentations, meeting the parents or a break-up; when no sooner does it happen, it's over.

After days, weeks, or even months of agonizing, the 5, 10, or 15 minutes it takes for the initial discomfort to wear off, you feel fine and relaxed. Leaving you wondering, "what was I getting so worked up about in the first place".

We've all experienced this, but yet whenever faced with an uncomfortable or unfamiliar situation the same feelings and emotions occur. People are generally afraid of being put on the spot or being the centre of attention in front of people they don't know or are unfamiliar with.

My suggestion to you is when you start to feel nervous, anxious or uncomfortable about a situation that has not yet happened:

1. take a deep breath
2. run through in your mind the reasons why you feel this way
3. be confident in who you are
4. use the opportunity to assert yourself
5. showcase who you are
6. smile!

By breathing, you're telling your body to relax. Going through the reasons why you feel nervous, or uncomfortable may make you realize how silly you're being. If you are confident in who you are, this will reduce or eliminate the fear of not been respected. As you assert yourself, people will be encouraged to respect you and this will also help to boost your own confidence. Showcasing who you are, will give your audience the feeling of being at "your show", where you're the star. Finally, smiling is the most disarming thing you can do, aggression, tension, resistance can all often be calmed with a smile or a laugh.

And finally ... just relax, what's the worst that could happen?