Be Nervous

Over an amazing run of 24 years, Sachin Tendulkar was able to sustain success in the game of cricket. The reasons are many: focussed dedication, consistent discipline, well grounded humility, strong emotional support from his family... but it is pertinent to consider one more factor, spelled out by the little master himself: nervousness never left him.

Even after grabbing most world records for batting, Tendulkar was always edgy every time he walked up to bat. He has shared often about being anxious by saying, ‘I believe feeling nervous enables one to give his best. You can get nervous only when you care about something and I care about cricket!’

We tend to believe that those who are nervous are not prepared or are not confident enough. But we find even confident, well-prepared persons to be nervous. On the other hand, there are ones who are care-free even when ill-prepared. This is so because things don’t matter to them. When they will be working on things which really matter to them, they will be found nervous.

Nervousness is the indication of concern and care. Like Tendulkar was always nervous about playing well for his country, seasoned actors feel the shivers before their performance. Senior scientists are uneasy when the space satellite they developed is to be launched. Flourishing businessmen lose their sleep before the launch of a new product or service.

It is wrong to look down upon nervous people (including ourselves) and judge them (or us) just by it. It is part of our emotions to be nervous. While it is good to be confident, it would be better to be nervous such that we never turn complacent or lose exciting emotions. When we start off on something new, it is natural to be nervous. The query is whether we can hold on it, like Tendulkar did to the very end of his glorious career.

Tendulkar never let go of nervousness born out of care...

Let’s emulate him to BE BETTER with everything we dare!

- Pravin K. Sabnis

Goa, India.