Competition nerves are something every DECA member knows all too well. From your very first role-play to stepping into a final round at ICDC, that mix of excitement and anxiety is almost unavoidable. Instead of seeing nerves as a weakness, what if you saw them as a tool? Being nervous means you care, which means nerves can sharpen your focus, fuel your energy and push you to perform at your best.
The key is realizing that nerves don’t come from the competition itself. They come from the story you tell yourself about it. When you think of competition as something that could go wrong or result in you making a mistake, nerves take over. When you see it as an opportunity to show your growth, those same nerves turn into motivation.
Your mindset also affects how hard you prepare. If you constantly tell yourself you’re going to do poorly, your brain starts to believe it, and without even realizing it, you lose motivation to study, practice or push yourself. Why work hard if you’ve already decided the outcome? But when you believe success is possible, you naturally want to prepare more. A positive mindset creates drive. It makes you want to do the practice tests, run one more role-play, and go above and beyond because you see potential, not limits.
Another simple but powerful habit is talking to the members around you before a competition. Conversation gets you out of your head and into your voice. It warms you up socially so that when you walk into your role-play, speaking feels natural instead of forced. Laugh, hype each other up and share excitement. That energy carries into the room with you!
At the same time, be mindful of the mindset you surround yourself with. Sometimes others say things like, “I’m so nervous” or “I’m going to mess up” to find common ground. Instead of feeding into that negativity, flip it. Turn “I’m nervous” into “I’m excited because this is an amazing opportunity.” Turn “What if I fail?” into “What if I do really well?” Empower the people around you and let your mindset strengthen theirs! Confidence is contagious when you choose to make it that way.
Your brain can’t tell the difference between nervousness and excitement. Physically, they feel almost identical. The only difference is the meaning you give them. That’s why shifting your language is so powerful. Saying “I’m excited” instead of “I’m nervous” changes the energy you will have in competition, regardless of whether you internally feel nervous.
One of the most effective tools for building confidence is using success statements. Short, powerful phrases like “I am prepared,” “I belong here,” and “I am capable” train your brain to expect success. Saying them out loud before competition will put you in a positive mindset that will undoubtedly show during your role-play.
Lastly, redefine what success means. Success is not only about medals and trophies. Success is walking into a room despite being nervous. Success is showing up and choosing courage over comfort. Every competition is a chance to grow, regardless of the results.
