I write this in the hope that it helps even one person take that leap. Have you ever felt that heart-pounding mix of excitement and fear just before something big? Imagine you’re standing backstage, about to give a speech to a packed audience. Your palms are sweaty, your knees are shaky and your pulse is racing. Whether you’re about to give a big presentation or get on a rollercoaster, it can feel exactly the same. But here’s the catch: are you nervous or are you excited?

The truth is, excitement and nervousness are two sides of the same coin. They both make your body react in identical ways, but the label you give that reaction makes all the difference.

The science behind the feeling

Research from Harvard Business School shows that reframing anxiety as excitement can significantly improve performance in stressful situations. The difference comes down to how you interpret that feeling. For example, think about your high school or university graduation. Instead of letting that bundle of nerves take over, you can reframe it as excitement — a signal that you’re ready to step into the next big chapter of your life. This mindset shift can turn fear into motivation.

You think, therefore you are (excited)

René Descartes, a 17th-century French philosopher, famously said: “I think, therefore I am” — highlighting the power of thought in shaping reality. In this case, it might be, “You think you are nervous, therefore you become nervous.” Or better yet, “You think you are excited, therefore you are excited.”

Imagine you are about to step on stage — your body is buzzing, your heart is pounding. Instead of thinking, “I’m terrified”, you clench your fists, feel the warmth spreading through your body, the rush of adrenalin that makes your heart pound, and tell yourself, “I’m excited.” Changing the story changes the feeling.

This is a technique I have used myself to turn that bundle of nervousness into something powerful. Instead of letting it control me, I tell myself, “I am excited,” and I just jump — whether it’s on to a stage or into a job interview. It is better to be excited and jumping for a job than quaking in your boots, hoping for it all to be over.

Facing fear

“F-E-A-R has two meanings: forget everything and run, or face everything and rise. The choice is yours.” Nervousness is that moment of fear. You have to decide whether to run away or rise to the challenge. The same high arousal can either hold you back or push you forward — it all depends on the story you tell yourself.

Turning feelings into actions

We live in a world dominated by facts and statistics, and it’s easy to dismiss emotions as irrational or inconvenient. But the truth is, your emotions often dictate how you interpret those facts. Both anxiety and excitement prepare you for action — the difference is in how you frame them.

Picture yourself standing at a door that leads to something new. Anxiety might make you hesitate, but excitement can make you turn the handle and push it open. When you tell yourself you're ready for something great, instead of fearing what is to come, you give yourself the power to act.

So next time, notice the sweaty palms, the quickened pulse, and instead of shrinking back, tell yourself: “I am excited.”

• Christian Chin-Gurret is a Bermudian writer with a Master of Science in Innovation and Entrepreneurship and a Bachelor of Science in Product Design, who offers a unique perspective on shaping the future of business through innovation, disruption and technology