You ever wonder if peak performers ever get nervous? Just ask Rich Beem, the 2002 PGA Champion and a virtual unknown to the golfing public. Unknown at least until last weekend. He is now well known for taking Pepto-Bismol to calm his stomach down. Bob Hope was asked how he gets rid of the butterflies. His answer was you don’t get rid of them, you just have them fly in formation.

With a roaring Tiger (that’s Tiger Woods of course) chasing him all over the golf course, Rich Beem continuously carried on internal conversations that helped him focus and calm down enough to hit the right shot at the right time and hold off the hard-charging Tiger Woods by a single stroke.

When you go into your next meeting, presentation, etc., don’t worry about being nervous. It is a common reaction. In fact, I worry more about people who are not that concerned than those who are. The concerned people are definitely taking it seriously and thinking about what they are going to do.

Being nervous is not the issue. The issue is how you control your nerves and not let them get in the way of your performance. The good news is you have the power to control your nerves. Just ask Rich Beem.