Actually if I do the maths correctly it’s probably more like 30 years. I’m a worrier, always have been.

As a 10 year old I managed to convince myself that every plane I was going to go on would crash, as a 14 year old I was convinced that every cold was cancer and by 16 I was sure I didn’t know how to talk to girls. I couldn’t read from a book in class without going bright red and all through my teens I had to pretend I wasn’t socially awkward among my peers.

Like everyone else I have fears, I don’t want to fail, I don’t want to upset anyone and yet I want to upset everything…for the right reasons of course. I want to rock the boat but I don’t want to fall into the sea and drown.

So what’s the best job in the world for a guy who has to fight with his nerves on a daily basis?

A whole bunch of things that involve public speaking of course. Primary teaching, stand up comedy and motivational speaking…what else would he do?!

For as long as I can remember all I ever wanted was to be in front of an audience, to make people laugh and feel great. The problem? I just couldn’t get up there and do it. I thought about it every single day through school but it wasn’t until I left home for university that things changed for me.

Throughout my four years training as a primary school teacher, many days were spent standing up in front of approximately 30 children from 9am until 3pm. I had to very quickly learn to hold my audience for long periods of time. I had to engage with them on a way that wasn’t just educational. It had to be entertaining, enlightening and educational. What I wouldn’t realise for many years was that it had to be in that exact order. Entertaining. Enlightening. Educating. I’ll write in more detail about this in future blogs as it forms the whole basis of our approach at Tree of Knowledge.

The key here for me is that I had to learn to perform. My performance would be the thing that makes the difference. If there was just a way I could shake those nerves. Or maybe you don’t have to shake them, maybe…just maybe there’s a way to take those nerves and turn them into a force for good. Take all that nervous energy and ram it into your performance, in turn putting it right back out there as positive energy.

I’m delighted to have had many opportunities to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe over the years. Even though I have absolutely loved doing this I stand backstage every single night thinking to myself the very same thing.

Why am I doing this? I could be at home right now relaxing in front of the tv. Instead I’m pacing up and down to the sound of a venue filling up with people who have paid to see me. Paid to laugh. Paid to judge me, my writing and my performance. Why would anyone put themselves through this even once let alone 24 nights in a row. Or as a career…

The second I set foot on the stage my question is answered. I’m not sure how to describe it but when you are up there and your audience come with you on that journey it’s just an absolute joy. And it’s that feeling that I hold on to when I get nervous.

Of course excitement and nervousness are the just same thing. It’s the exact same chemical reaction in your brain. It boils down to perception. In others words we have a choice.

This was a real turning point for me when I learned this. It’s my choice and I choose to enjoy that feeling of being nervous. And through doing this I walk on stage excited, pumped and ready to go.

There’s nothing wrong with being nervous, it’s healthy. I always think if someone is nervous before speaking at an event it’s a sign that they care.

Just keep in mind, your audience don’t want you to fail, they want you to be you. And if you’re a bit nervous…so what?! It’s just excitement in disguise. Tell people you’re excited!

I’ve learned to live with my fear of public speaking, maybe even enjoy it. Embrace your nerves. Rumour has it you can even make a career out of it…

Are you looking for a keynote or conference speaker? Gavin Oattes is guaranteed to engage and entertain your audience and bring your event to life!