You can manage how your body processes “nerves” before giving a presentation, interviewing, confronting colleagues or fellow students, and other scary encounters. By managing your biophysical state, you will both feel better during the situation, and will also optimize how others perceive you. (Think about how uncomfortable it is to be around someone that is noticeably nervous.) Of course be prepared, practice, and anticipate how the encounter may go; be rested, eat, and be the “right” level of caffeinated. But also allow time for a specific technique.

(What follows may strike you as silly. But 1 – The only downside is 5 minutes of your time. 2 – Even if this works by placebo, a placebo effect is real. 3 – You know there is a connection between your body and brain, right? 4 – I am not punking you. 5 – Science. Well, maybe. See link to TED talk below about this technique).

Find a private place 5 or 10 minutes prior to the thing. A bathroom stall works great. Set your timer for 3 minutes. (Really). Start the timer and put yourself into a “power pose”. Take up as much space as you can, by planting your feet wide and reaching upward. Or put your hands on your hips. Stand up tall and smile. Look into a mirror and imagine yourself doing the scary thing. Now breathe and notice for at least 3 minutes. It will feel like a long time. For me, my heart will initially race, but then it calms down, and I am suffused with a feeling of confident readiness with a touch of humor/lightness. Now go rock the thing.

Credit to Amy Cuddy
Ted Talk about Power Poses