Out Of Your Head, Into The Game

The fastest way to untangle yourself from the vines of overthinking isn’t another pep talk in the mirror. It isn’t a mantra, or deep breathing, or convincing yourself that you really are good enough. The fastest way out of your head is to step into someone else’s.

You’re about to serve in a volleyball game, heart rattling around like a loose screw in a blender. The usual move is to obsess over your toss, your arm swing, the possible humiliation of smacking the ball into the net. Instead…what if you turn and compliment your teammate? “Nice dig on that last rally.” Suddenly, you’ve shifted the spotlight. Nervousness doesn’t evaporate, but it softens. You’re not the star of the horror movie anymore; you’re part of a story with others.

Same with a kickoff call presentation. Butterflies staging a coup in your stomach? Before launching into slides, tell a quick story about someone else in the room. Something small but human. Maybe it’s how a colleague rescued the demo last week, or how their idea nudged the project forward. Eyes shift from your trembling hands to the narrative you’re weaving. And you? You’re no longer a nervous specimen under a microscope; you’re a bridge-builder, a stage-sharer.

The secret is deceptively simple: service interrupts self-obsession. When you put your attention on making someone else look good, your own nerves loosen their grip. The pressure leaks out. And ironically, that’s when you usually perform your best. All because you’ve stopped performing for yourself.

Stay Positive & Source Your Support