Overcome Overwhelm: It’s All Just Practice

You know the feeling

You know that feeling—that tightness in your chest, the rush of adrenaline, the heat creeping up your neck. Your heart pounds. Your stomach turns. It’s that moment when something big is on the line.

Maybe it’s a high-stakes conversation with your boss. A job interview. A tough negotiation. An audition. A difficult talk you’ve been putting off. Whatever it is, your body reacts before your mind can catch up.

Funny thing is, that feeling? It’s the same whether you’re terrified of failing or thrilled with anticipation. The butterflies before a nerve-wracking presentation aren’t so different from the ones you get before stepping on stage to perform or meeting someone who makes your heart race.

Why? Because deep down, you care.

You care about making a great impression. You care about the outcome. You care about getting it right. And that’s where the overwhelm creeps in—when the weight of getting it right feels like too much to bear.

But here’s the secret: You don’t have to carry that weight.

You can let go of the pressure with three simple words: It’s just practice.

Life Is One Big Practice Round

Think about it. Athletes practice. Musicians practice. Writers, speakers, leaders—anyone who excels at anything—practices.

You don’t “perform” yoga. You practice it. You don’t “win” at meditation. You practice it.

So why do we expect perfection in the rest of life?

The truth is, there’s no final exam. No finish line where someone hands you a trophy and says, Congratulations, you’ve mastered life!. There’s only the next attempt. And the next. And the next.

• Nailed the interview? Great! That was practice for your first day on the job.
• Bombed the presentation? Now you have a data point to tweak for next time.
• Didn’t get the promotion? You’ve learned something valuable for the next round.

It’s all just practice.

My TEDx Audition Almost Didn’t Happen

When I auditioned for my TEDx Talk, I nearly missed my shot.

It was a virtual audition, and minutes before my scheduled time, my internet went out. Panic. Scrambling. A desperate message to the organizer asking for another chance. My heart was pounding out of my chest. I thought, That’s it. I missed my one opportunity.

Hours later, they called me back in. I delivered my two-minute talk exactly as I had planned. Then, the waiting began. Days passed. The announcement day came.

I visualized the moment I’d see the email. I tried to manifest my fate as a TEDx speaker. But the hours ticked by. No email. 5 p.m. Nothing. 6 p.m. Still nothing. 7 p.m. I gave up. I wasn’t chosen.

Trying to shake it off, I mindlessly scrolled Facebook.

And then—I saw my own face.

Wait. What?

The TEDx organizer had announced the speakers on Facebook, and there I was. The first name on the list. I had made it.

I ran to my husband, bursting with excitement. But later, when the adrenaline wore off, I realized something important:

Even if I hadn’t been selected, I would have been okay.

Why?

Because I had practiced.

Practiced handling pressure. Practiced refining my message. Practiced showing up, even when the situation wasn’t ideal. That alone was valuable.

Stop Worrying. Just Practice.

Next time you feel overwhelmed—whether it’s from fear, self-doubt, or the pressure to succeed—remember:

This moment isn’t your final exam.

It’s just another round of practice.

And the beauty of practice? You always get another shot.

So stop worrying. Loosen your grip. Take a deep breath.

And just keep practicing.

Read more at https://jamievanek.com