🔥 Turn Anxiety into Excitement: A Simple Trick to Perform Better 🎯

We’ve all felt nervous before a big event—whether it’s a presentation at work, a job interview, or even a tough conversation. You probably tell yourself, “Just calm down,” but does that ever really work? What if there was a better way to manage that nervous energy?

A study by Alison Wood Brooks in 2014 shows that turning your anxiety into excitement can make a huge difference in how you feel—and perform.

What the Research Says

Brooks’ research, published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, looked at how people handle pre-performance anxiety. Her surprising discovery? People who reframed their nerves as excitement performed better in tasks like public speaking, karaoke, and math tests than those who tried to calm themselves down.

In simple terms: It’s easier to move from anxiety to excitement (since both make you feel "charged up") than from anxiety to calmness.

Why It Works

Anxiety and excitement feel physically similar—your heart races, you feel jittery, and your mind is focused on what’s about to happen. But where anxiety is rooted in fear, excitement is linked to positive outcomes and opportunities. By mentally shifting your anxious thoughts to ones of excitement, you can boost confidence, focus, and ultimately perform better.

3 Simple Steps to Turn Anxiety into Excitement

1. Acknowledge the Nerves: When you feel anxious, don’t ignore it. Recognize it and accept that it’s normal.

2. Tell Yourself, “I’m Excited!” Say it out loud or think it to yourself. This small shift in mindset can change how you approach the task.

3. Focus on the Positive: Instead of worrying about what could go wrong, think about what you might gain from the situation.

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Why This Matters

This simple mindset shift can have big benefits in your daily life:

• Better Performance: You'll feel more confident and in control.

• Less Stress: By viewing challenges as exciting opportunities, you won’t feel as overwhelmed.

• More Enjoyment: You’re more likely to have fun and appreciate the moment, rather than dread it.

  
  

Start Using This Today

Next time you’re feeling anxious before a big event, try this out. Instead of telling yourself to calm down, tell yourself you’re excited. Embrace the energy, and let that excitement push you to success.

Citation:

Brooks, A. W. (2014). Get Excited: Reappraising Pre-Performance Anxiety as Excitement. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 143(3), 1144–1158.