The jitters, we all get them. Even with all my blogs and personal conversations about trying new things I still get them – as recent as yesterday in fact. So if we get the jitters what do we do?
Yesterday I had the opportunity to try something I don’t normally do but I failed to do it. Now, when I say opportunity it’s not the normal sense where everything was laid out, I still would have had to work for it. But I didn’t take advantage of it due to two things. The first is what I just said, I would have had to put some effort into it. The second reason (or flimsy excuse really) was it would have put me in a vulnerable position, a position that pushes me beyond my confidence and the real driving force in my failure to try.
It’s the second excuse that ultimately hinders me from trying new experiences, and that bothers me. Having confidence can be tough for some of us. While I’m comfortable in who I’m growing into and confident in the things I know, I still have moments the jitters get the better of me. This must change.
So how can I change it? How can I keep from getting the jitters? The simple answer is I don’t really know if it’s possible to completely get rid of them. Yet, in the end it’s not about whether they can be completely eradicated or not, it’s about what I do or don’t do. It’s about continuing to push forward towards those things I want to try. It’s about not letting the jitters stop me from trying something new, especially if they are things that are a long held desire.
How about you? Do you get the jitters when you have the opportunity to do something? Are you like me and sometimes those opportunities push you beyond your confidence? It would be nice to say that if you did this and that the jitters would go away, but it’s not always that simple. Sometimes we just have to accept we will get the jitters but take advantage of the opportunity all the same- not only take advantage but own it. The reality is at times the jitters are more than a B-list movie, but it’s how you respond that matters most.
Attempt it. Chance it. Try it. Get to It!