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

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.