Nervousness sometimes grips us. Our capability and preparation fails us when faced with the actual event. We may have worked hard and visualised what we need to do, but nervousness robs us of our capacity to deliver when most needed.

It could be public speaking, playing the finals, making a very important presentation or giving an interview. Holding our nerve can make all the difference.

Nervousness is a state of mind, rooted in two fears. Fear of ‘how will I look’ and fear of ‘what if I don’t succeed.’

Our self image and ego is so important to us that when put to the test, our ego hijacks our thinking and shifts our attention and focus from the task on hand to ourselves. This subtle but powerful shift takes place so quickly that before we can even detect it, we’ve lost our balance. And in this state, our mind imagines things that may never even come true.

And fear of losing makes us nervous. The mind once again projects negative outcomes shaking our equilibrium. And we start thinking of excuses which are baseless, but sound convincing to us.

In peaceful times, we believe our mind is like a fortress, strong and unshakable. We feel that no situation will have the power to disturb us. But the best of us can get shaken. For we don’t know our weak spot and the fury of the tricks of the mind. And when in the situation, we may not have enough time to recover and reset our frame of mind.

But there is one way we can protect ourselves. By ensuring one part of our mind is always connected to the Higher that we have faith in. A child playing in the garden will be carefree and daring on the jungle-gym as long as she can see her mother. But if she loses sight of her mother, she loses her composure.

Our connection to the Higher is not just for time of prayer, meditation or during discussions. It has to always be a part of us. But we need to understand this, accept it, practice it and then live it. And when we learn to live with unbroken connection in good times and prosperity, we develop gratitude, balance and faith. And a firmly connected mind, steeped in faith and knowledge, faces life with neither arrogance, nor nervousness.