For Subscribers

Don't Be Afraid Are you a big scaredy-cat? Here's how to turn terror into super-confidence.

By Jacquelyn Lynn

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

If all the world's a stage, what should you do to combat thebusiness equivalent of stage fright? "Business is one seriesof important 'presentations' after another," saysDianna Booher, CEO of Booher Consultants in Colleyville, Texas, andauthor of Communicate with Confidence (McGraw-Hill)."Whether it's a formal speech or a conversation with apotential client, these are all ways we put ourselves and our ideason display. And if we're not 'on,' we're off-andoften out."

Your fears may or may not be rational, but in either case,Booher says, you can use them to build confidence and generate theadrenaline that pushes you to peak performance. She points out thatfear is a learned response, and if it can be learned, it can beunlearned-or at least harnessed. In attempting to control your fearand its companion, nervousness, remind yourself to never give in."Refuse to take that first step toward letting yourself fallapart," says Booher. "Instead of thinking about how youmight embarrass yourself, concentrate on your subject."

Let your fears of start-up drive you to a higher level ofpreparedness. "Make your fear work for you," Booheradvises. "Instead of pretending you have none, acknowledgethat you have some. Tell yourself that's good, not bad. Thatfear stops you from winging it and helps you to be your best."By letting your fears work for you, says Booher, you can conveyeven greater confidence in your idea and your business.


Contact Source

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Business News

'The Market Is Hot': Here's How Much a Typical Meta Employee Makes in a Year

Data from federal filings offers a glimpse into base salary ranges at Meta for roles ranging from AI research scientist to data analyst.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Business News

OpenAI Executives Look For These 3 Key Traits in New Hires: 'It's Actually My Advice to Students'

These traits matter more than a Ph.D or formal schooling in AI, say the executives.

Business News

Jack Dorsey Announces WhatsApp Competitor Called Bitchat

Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey went on X to reveal a new messaging app called Bitchat that will not require internet connectivity.

Leadership

Being 'Nice' Almost Cost Me My Business — Here's What I Do Differently Now

Don't let politeness undermine your authority — here's how I rebuilt my client relationships

Starting a Business

'Absolute Freedom': Siblings Behind a Self-Funded 8-Figure Brand Reveal 3 Secrets Aspiring Entrepreneurs Should Know About Growth and Success

Rae and David Liu leveraged their complementary skill sets to start a business that's been profitable every year since launch.