Don’t Swear in Front of the Dog... Unless it helps calm your nerves

Nathaniel Rateliff’s SOB was blasting in my kitchen. The dog, who hates swearing (truly) was scratching furiously at the door to go out. I was singing at the top of my lungs while dancing around (not much talent).This was 5 minutes before I was to record my first podcast. This is my pregame routine. Before dancing and singing, I remind myself that despite my nerves, I get to do this. This is what I love to do. This is my favorite topic to talk about. My favorite audience. This is exactly where I want to be.And yet, I had to work hard to get my mindset into a strong, powerful, Wonder Woman focus.Nerves – when kept in check – help us. They give us that boost to put our best foot forward. They prevent us from getting too comfortable. When we are on our toes, we perform at our best. If we get too comfortable, we can be unprepared. And stumble unintentionally.That voice in our heads that tells us we can’t, we’re not good enough, we don’t belong here, has a purpose. But only for about 10 seconds. It reminds us to push hard, to be at our best. And we only need to listen to that inner critic and allow our nerves to take control for a few seconds. The reminder helps us, and then we need to let it pass by. Acknowledge it. I hear you. And now you may go on your merry way.Our brain is about 2000 years old. It was created to save us from saber-tooth tigers. We don’t have to worry about that anymore. Our brain is wired to protect us from risk, from danger. But too often it does so in a hyper-vigilant, over protective way (think the helicopter parent on steroids), which stops us from going after what we really want.Design your own pre-game routineBasketball players walk through a hallway filled with photographs of winning moments before stepping onto the court. Swimmers wait in an on-deck room. Michael Phelps – the winningest Olympian with 28 gold medals – listens to a specific play list and has laser focus eyes before entering the pool. Baseball players have the same song play as they walk from the on-deck circle to their at bat. Jerry Seinfeld puts on a sports jacket. Beyonce has an hour of peace and quiet then gathers with her band for a calm pre-show pep talk prayer. These are all with the intention to get them into a mindset of power, control, and greatness. However, they specifically define that.Do you have a pre-game routine before a meeting, a speaking engagement, a tough conversation? If not, here are a few tips. Try a few and see what works best for you.Music. It has worked for athletes and lay people alike. Find your song that gets your blood flowing and standing taller.Power Words. Create a list of powerful words that remind you of your personal power. Use these words in conversation. Some examples:

• Power
• Ignite
• Transform
• Currency
• Influence
• Will
• Unite
• Celebrate
• Do
• I am confident that…
• I know
• I suggest

Pep Talk. What do you need to tell yourself that you know, that you’re experienced in, that you have mastered?Feedback. What have people told you in the past when you are in similar situations? What specifically have people liked about you and your product/service?We all need to prepare. It has been proven over and over that, with preparation we are more articulate and determined. You will be more likely to reach and even surpass, your desired outcomes. And this includes the routine before you get on your stage. What is your pre-game routine? What works best for you?