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Motivational Monday…Nervous?

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Home Stager

 

Motivational Monday…Nervous?

 

If you’re one of the rare creatures that never feels nervous when performing or speaking in front of others, good for you. You can skip this and move to another post.

For the rest of us, getting butterflies in your stomach, pacing back and forth, or a “let’s get this over” feeling are normal.

 

This weekend, my teenage great-nephew sat in on the drums for two songs in his grandfather’s (my brother's) band. Jake has played in his band at school but never at a real “gig.”

Everyone in the family stopped to give him a pep talk. I let him know that being nervous was normal. It meant that he was thinking about what he was going to do. 

 

He agreed that he had practiced, but what he needed now was to get out there and play.  While he waited, he drummed on an electronic drum kit to the music coming through his headset.

 

You’re familiar with the feeling. Before presenting to your sellers or a large group, there is no doubt that you know your material.  And yet, those butterflies manage to make their presence known. 

Still getting nervous or anxious before presenting to a group?

~Know your material backwards and forwards

~Practice - if you need to, give your listing presentation to your dog or cat

~Anticipate oops moments and know that they are bound to happen

~Practice taking slow, deep breaths

 

Finally, two things to remember…

~ Taking Action…doing the thing you’re nervous about has a 99.9%+ chance of removing your anxiety

~It’s How You Leave Them…If you have a misstep, a wrong cord played, an oops moment, your “audience” is less likely to remember that than how you handled it. 


Thinking will not overcome fear, but action will.
W. Clement Stone 








Posted by

Kathy Streib
Retired Home Stager
and Interior Redesign

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Comments(18)

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Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

Good morning, Kathy... I'm one of those people who does not get nervous speaking to groups --  large or small. Maybe because I've done it sine my early 20's. But I read the rest of your post nonetheless! And you advice, especially the part about knowing your material inside and out, is spot on.

May 19, 2025 04:37 AM
Kathy Streib

Nina Hollander, Broker in high school, I often spoke before other students. It helps prepare you for the business world. 

May 19, 2025 11:26 AM
Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400
The Top Team @ Charles Rutenberg Realty 255 Executive Dr, Plainview NY 11803 - Plainview, NY
Long Island Condo and Home Specialists

Kathy, Larry never gets nervous speaking in front of a group. Meanwhile, I need a pep talk just leaving a voice mail!

May 19, 2025 04:43 AM
Kathy Streib

Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400 then you make a good team!!!   What I dislike is waiting to step up to the podium. Then, I'm ok. 

May 19, 2025 11:27 AM
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Oswego, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning Kathy. I am a member of the group that hates public speaking. Always have, even when I had to do it. Once I was invited to Dallas to speak to a roundtable of about 20 participants. When I arrived and went to the speakers meeting everything changed. I was to present to a room of approximately 500 people who had registered. The presentation was recorded. If the podium has not been bolted to the raised podium we both would likely have fallen. That said it was a good presentation when you listened to the tape. And, I was so wet from sweat my suit need heavy duty cleaning. Enjoy your day.  

May 19, 2025 04:46 AM
Kathy Streib

Wayne Martin that is too funny!!!  When I took piano lessons (all through high school) I did not like recitals. Hated them. When I was an adult, I vowed not to participate in another recital. Several years later, my cousin convinced me to take tap lessons  for adults. As soon as the teacher said the word recital, I quit. 

May 19, 2025 11:32 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Kathy - I started giving speeches in junior high competitions (just that term, "dates" me, right?).  Nervousness can still make an appearance for many sorts of reasons.  Good for Jake - putting yourself in those situations is beneficial in abundant ways.  

May 19, 2025 05:06 AM
Kathy Streib

Thank you Michael Jacobs we're all proud of him. The place was packed! I hope he gets to play again. 

May 19, 2025 11:36 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

Yes indeed, speaking in public can still be nerve wracking! Knowing our material is definitely important.

May 19, 2025 05:08 AM
Kathy Streib

Kat Palmiotti knowing your material gives you more confidence. When I had dance recitals at least I was on stage with several others. 

May 19, 2025 11:37 AM
Joe Mojica
Laer Realty Partners Bowen - Port St Lucie, FL
Your Home Adds Value to You

Kathy- I have never had the gift or skills to present to a group. Because of teaching, my skills have improved. You mentioned that you performed on stage playing piano. After taking three years of private piano lessons, I will perform my first recital in July. It will be a small audience but I am excited and nervous about it at the same time. 

May 19, 2025 06:49 AM
Kathy Streib

Joe Mojica good for you!!!! I hope you'll blog about it. I started playing at 5 and stopped when I graduated from high school. You're going to be fine!!!! Best of luck. 

May 19, 2025 11:38 AM
Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty
Waves Realty - Melbourne, FL
Florida Space Coast Homes

I do not have issue with public speaking. I have a lot to say, but do not care if you choose to listen...lol

May 19, 2025 07:26 AM
Kathy Streib

Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty Hey...I wake up talking!  What's interesting to me is that in large social groups, I'm usually pretty quiet. I think I'm doing more observing of people then. 

May 19, 2025 11:39 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Kathy,

Good for Jake for going out an performing! The more he does it the less anxiety he will have. Its never bothered me to speak in public ..if I know my topic inside and out I view it as conversation.

May 19, 2025 08:12 AM
Kathy Streib

Dorie Dillard Austin TX I know that from experience!!!! Your presentation on the Zoom call was so interesting. Everyone loved it!!!!

May 19, 2025 11:40 AM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Kathy I can speak before a large crowd of people I don't know and not be nervous at all.  But speaking even in front of a small group of people I know, I get very nervous.

May 19, 2025 08:18 AM
Kathy Streib

George Souto that's understandable. The crowd you don't know, you may not see again. 

May 19, 2025 11:41 AM
Mark Don McInnes, Sandpoint-Idaho
Sandpoint Realty LLC - Sandpoint, ID
North Idaho Real Estate - 208-255.6227

'Taking Action' is the proper decision in so many of life's trial if not all of em.  And what you failed to tell...How did the young man do?  m

May 19, 2025 11:21 AM
Kathy Streib

Mark Don McInnes, Sandpoint-Idaho he did very well!!!   Thank you. Catch my post tomorrow. 

May 19, 2025 11:43 AM
Lew Corcoran
Better Living Real Estate, LLC - East Bridgewater, MA
Expert guidance. Exceptional results.

Thanks for sharing such encouraging words, Kathy Streib. I really appreciate how you remind us that nerves are natural, and the best cure is simply to take action—because that's how we grow. Your insights are always a great boost of motivation! 😊

May 19, 2025 11:51 AM
Kathy Streib

Thank you Lew Corcoran most of us get nervous in situations like this but take that first step...up to the podium or the stage. It's the best medicine.

May 19, 2025 05:27 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hi Kathy:

I suspect more people than not get nervous with public speaking. You've shared some great tips for relieving that anxiety. Knowing your topic well makes a big difference.

I hope your great-nephew's performance went well!

Jeff

May 19, 2025 01:43 PM
Kathy Streib

Jeff Dowler, CRS Thank you!   It was a great night!!  Hot and humid (they played on the covered patio) but so happy we were there. 

May 19, 2025 05:28 PM
Aura Alex
Seattle, WA
Retired Real Estate Pro

Kathy,

I had to force myself to give presentations in my corporate jobs. There’s always been something unnerving about the weight of collective attention, the way it feels to stand at the center of a room full of eyes. It’s not that I doubt what I know, or get nervous—when it’s just me and another person, I come alive, confidently explaining ideas, sharing thoughts, and finding joy in the connection.

However, in a group situation, I tend to hold back, waiting for the right moment to interject—a moment that often never comes. It’s not about shyness or a lack of confidence in what I have to share. It’s simply that being at the center has never felt like home to me.

May 19, 2025 03:22 PM
Kathy Streib

Aura Alex I'm very much like that as well. I prefer to throw the spotlight on someone else.  And I too am more comfortable in one on one interactions. 

 

May 19, 2025 05:32 PM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Kathy, when you are prepared, there is a better chance of not being nervous.

May 19, 2025 03:40 PM
Kathy Streib

Very true Joan Cox Once I begin a presentation, I'm ok. 

May 19, 2025 05:33 PM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

That doesn't look like your great-nephew in the photo, but I am sure that he will perform beautifully.

May 20, 2025 06:32 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
Retired Broker/Owner - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Kudos to Jake!  That is awesome!  And I bet he had some fun too!  I've been speaking for so many years (in front of folks) that it's just been second nature.  I did have one funny incident in college while getting one of my degrees in Communications.  He tasked me to read a paper Plato wrote and give a speech next day .  I couldn't for the life of me figure out what Plato meant and had no time to prepare. So I got up, gave a speech to the class and everyone clapped widly.  But then the professor said......So Anna, that was a nice try but you totally missed what he was talking about. LOL   Such a bs'r I was!!

May 20, 2025 11:23 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

It took some leadership positions to help me become comfortable with speaking to large groups.

May 21, 2025 06:39 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Not sure there is anything that calms me anymore. How wonderful that he got to perform!

May 22, 2025 08:48 AM