Choose Excitement

I’m in a competition this weekend.  When explaining the competition to a friend, I was asked how I remain calm in high pressure situations.

I’m glad I look calm on the outside because (if I’m being honest) nothing about me is calm.  If you’ve been reading along for a while now, I think we’ve established that I’m pretty neurotic.  If there’s a thought to be had, I’m going to think it.

Years of competing (and overthinking) have taught me one thing: I am going to get that feeling.  You know the feeling I’m talking about.  Your stomach is a little funny, it feels like you’ve had too much caffeine even if you haven’t had any, and your brain is moving just a little too quickly.

Luckily, anxiety and excitement feel pretty similar to me.  This is where I have a choice: do I want to label this feeling as a bad thing, or can I channel it into something good?

Getting the feeling isn’t up to me; however, I do have a choice in whether I turn it into something productive or let it control me.  So, I tell myself I’m excited.

Sure, I may be nervous and a little anxious.  But overall, I’m excited to be here.  Choose excitement.