Internal struggles

I had practiced my seminar over and over again, going through every point in my head. Yet, as the moment drew closer, I couldn’t shake off the feeling of being unprepared. My heart was racing, and I started doubting myself. To calm down, I tried one of my favorite tricks – turning that fear into a source of confidence. I told myself, "If I can feel this nervous, it means I care enough to do my best."

As I sat outside the seminar room, waiting for my turn, a lecturer opened the door slightly. From where I was, I could see Patrick standing confidently, arms crossed, answering questions from the panel. I watched closely, and instead of feeling more nervous, I felt relief. He was almost done, which meant my wait was nearly over too. The thought of finally getting it over with eased my tension.

When Patrick stepped out, he gave me a reassuring dap and said, "You’ve got this!" That simple gesture boosted my confidence even more. I stood up, took a deep breath, and walked into the room. My nerves were still there, but they didn’t overwhelm me. I focused on everything I had practiced and spoke clearly, answering their questions as best as I could.

To my surprise, the seminar turned out to be a huge success. The panelists were engaged, nodding in agreement, and their questions felt manageable. By the time I walked out of that room, I couldn’t believe how well it went. What I thought would be terrifying ended up being one of my proudest moments. Fear had tried to hold me back, but in the end, it fueled my success.