They’re a Good Sign!

My launch date is fast approaching, 1st of September is only 1 week away now and I feel like I’m about to step onto the pitch for the biggest game of my life. The excitement is real. The nerves are real. The stress and the panic — also very real.

It turns out that launching a business feels a lot like pre-match nerves. You’ve trained, you’ve put in the hours, you’ve built your game plan — but when the whistle blows, there’s still that flutter in your chest. And that’s not a bad thing. It’s your body telling you that what you’re about to do matters.

The Value of Experience and Support

No one wins a match alone. In business, just like sport, having people around you who have been there before and done it successfully makes all the difference. Their advice can stop you chasing the wrong opportunities, burning yourself out, or reinventing the wheel unnecessarily. Most importantly, they remind you that the nerves are normal — and temporary.

The Power of Positive Thought

Nerves can paralyse, or they can energise. The difference comes down to mindset. Focusing on what could go wrong only feeds anxiety. But channelling those same nerves into positive thought helps you sharpen your focus and unlock creativity. Visualise success. Remind yourself of the work you’ve already put in. Every great athlete uses nerves as fuel — and business leaders can too.

Accepting Imperfection

Here’s the truth: no matter how many hours you work, you won’t get everything done before launch. And that’s okay. Time management isn’t about cramming every task into the diary — it’s about deciding what really matters now and leaving the rest for later. Accepting imperfection doesn’t mean lowering standards; it means prioritising progress over paralysis.

Game Day Mindset

So, if you’re standing on the edge of your own “kick-off,” feeling the mixture of excitement, stress and panic, take heart:

• Lean on people who’ve played the game before.

• Keep your mindset positive.

• Accept you won’t get everything done — but manage what you can.

Nerves mean you care. They mean you’re alive to the moment. And when the whistle blows on September 1st, I’ll be ready to play my game.