Its normal to be nervous - everyone gets nervous from time to time, right?
The buzz that radiated throughout your body before a big game. Butterflies in your stomach before a date. Jitters before entering an interview.
Its a different experience for each situation, but it all boils down to this - when we anticipate something our mind kicks into over-drive.
The same is true when you get promoted, although, to me, it seems to defy logic. Why would anyone get nervous to move up to the next level of something that they already know how to do? And yet, I find myself in that situation time and again.
As I search out and achieve bigger, better stories through high profile media outlets I get all of the tale-tell signs of nervousness - butterflies in the stomach (or what feel more like hornets), jitters, the whole shebang.
But why? This is what I do - I'm a writer; I write things, I talk to people, I research - I know how to do my job, so why am I nervous about getting better at and gaining more recognition for what I already do?
Maybe its the pressure.
High expectations are, naturally, harder to fulfill. There are tons of examples of people have cracked under the pressure to meet high standards - the Olympics were rife with that scenario. And yet, each person facing that dilemma has to ask themselves the same questions - Can I handle this? Am I going to cave to the pressure and not allow myself to rise to the challenge, or am I going to put forth my best effort and know that wherever happens afterward is history.
I'm on my way to the next level. Am I nervous? Of course, the possibility of failure is always in the back of my mind, but for me failure is not an option. There are only two options - succeed and learn or learn from my mistakes. I know which I prefer, but either way, I know I'll be better because I tried.
