How to become less nervous

To tackle nervousness and build confidence, especially in a sales-heavy role like S&T, here are some actionable insights based on the most helpful WSO content:

1. Understand the Root of Nervousness

• Nervousness often stems from low self-esteem or overestimating the stakes of a situation. As highlighted in WSO threads, this "fear-based mindset" can be mitigated by reframing the situation. Remind yourself that most social or business interactions are not life-or-death scenarios. The stakes are rarely as high as they feel.

2. Practice Makes Perfect

• Confidence is a skill that can be built over time. Engage in low-stakes social interactions to practice. For example:
  • Join meetups, clubs, or industry events where the pressure is minimal.
  • Strike up conversations with strangers in casual settings to desensitize yourself to the fear of judgment.
• As one WSO contributor mentioned, "Being confident and social is like any other skill—it’s learned over time and perfected with practice."

3. Prepare and Plan

• Preparation can significantly reduce anxiety. Before entering a social or professional setting:
  • Research the people you’ll meet or the topics likely to come up.
  • Prepare a few conversation starters or questions to ask.
  • Practice your "elevator pitch" so you can introduce yourself confidently.

4. Focus on Others, Not Yourself

• Shift your mindset from "How am I being perceived?" to "How can I make the other person feel comfortable?" This outward focus reduces self-consciousness and makes you more engaging.
• Ask genuine questions and show interest in others' experiences. People remember how you make them feel, not how perfectly you present yourself.

5. Set Small, Achievable Goals

• Start with manageable objectives, like initiating one conversation per event or remembering two new names. Gradually increase these goals as you build confidence.

6. Get Comfortable with Discomfort

• Push yourself into situations that feel slightly uncomfortable but are safe. Over time, your comfort zone will expand. For example:
  • Attend events where you don’t know anyone.
  • Volunteer to lead a meeting or presentation.

7. Physical and Mental Preparation

• Physical: Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy diet. As one WSO user noted, being in shape drastically improves self-confidence and energy levels.
• Mental: Practice mindfulness or meditation to calm your mind. Visualize successful interactions before they happen.

8. Leverage Your Strengths

• You’re already outgoing and enjoy building relationships—lean into that! Remind yourself of past successes in connecting with people. Confidence often comes from recognizing and celebrating your strengths.

9. Learn from Role Models

• Observe how confident colleagues or interns interact. What do they do differently? Emulate their behaviors while staying authentic to yourself.

10. Reframe Networking

• Instead of viewing networking as a high-stakes task, see it as an opportunity to learn and connect. As one WSO thread emphasized, "It’s not about who you know, but who knows you." Focus on building genuine relationships rather than impressing everyone.

By consistently applying these strategies, you’ll gradually shift away from a fear-based mindset and develop the confidence to thrive in both social and professional settings.

Sources: How To Talk To Anyone, How To Talk To Anyone, 10 Friendly Reminders While Networking for SA Programs (from a BB Analyst Perspective), Getting past awkwardness / public speaking, https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/asset-management/qa-breaking-into-the-asset-management-industry?customgpt=1