--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I used to get nervous about three weeks…" description: "\"I used to get nervous about three weeks before a gig... now I've managed to condense it down to a manageable ten minutes.\" — Jo Brand" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8a1/jo-brand-1915_gig_i-used-to-get-nervous-about-three-weeks_2133944.png" --- # I used to get nervous about three weeks before a gig… ![“I used to get nervous about three weeks before a gig... now I've managed to condense it down to a manageable ten minutes.” quote by Jo Brand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8a1/jo-brand-1915_gig_i-used-to-get-nervous-about-three-weeks_2133944.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8a1/jo-brand-1915_gig_i-used-to-get-nervous-about-three-weeks_2133944.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8a1/jo-brand-1915_gig_i-used-to-get-nervous-about-three-weeks_2133944.png) > “I used to get nervous about three weeks before a gig... now I've managed to condense it down to a manageable ten minutes.” [Jo Brand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jo-brand/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. She describes overcoming pre‑performance anxiety by breaking preparation into short, manageable segments. **In simple terms:** She reduced gig nerves with short practice. Key Takeaway Break tasks into brief, repeatable steps. Themes comedy anxiety management performance Mood relieved confident Type comedy self‑help When to use this quote - public speaking - stage fright - creative rehearsals Key Concepts Cognitive restructuring habit formation Questions to Reflect On - Which small step can you take to reduce anxiety? - How does time‑boxing change your preparation? A Different Perspective Some may find short bursts insufficient for complex tasks. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Gig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gig/) [Nervous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nervous/) [Stage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stage/) [Week](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/week/) ## Related quotes > [For The Truman Show, I worked for a few weeks, do my gig, then I was done.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-harris/for-the-truman-show-i-worked-for-a-few-weeks-do-my-gig-then-i-was-done/) [Ed Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-harris/) > [I used to get nervous, you know if my parents would come watch. And then I would get nervous if my friends came and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-federer/i-used-to-get-nervous-you-know-if-my-parents-would-come-watch-and/) [Roger Federer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-federer/) > [I used to be nervous about not working and so would work for the sake of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dervla-kirwan/i-used-to-be-nervous-about-not-working-and-so-would-work-for-the-sake/) [Dervla Kirwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dervla-kirwan/) > [You have to control the nerves. I used to get so nervous that I couldn't eat, which wasn't really productive. Having goals and a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-jenkins/you-have-to-control-the-nerves-i-used-to-get-so-nervous-that-i-couldn/) Helen Jenkins > [I used to get so nervous and upset at stuff... I'd always be angry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zack-greinke/i-used-to-get-so-nervous-and-upset-at-stuff-i-d-always-be-angry/) [Zack Greinke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zack-greinke/) > [Everything is nerve-wracking at first. Maybe it's getting older! I don't think I used to be so nervous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-baxendale/everything-is-nerve-wracking-at-first-maybe-it-s-getting-older-i-don/) [Helen Baxendale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-baxendale/) > [I used to get very nervous before a concert. It's okay when you are in a band. You can kind of disappear. But when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-obel/i-used-to-get-very-nervous-before-a-concert-it-s-okay-when-you-are-in/) [Agnes Obel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-obel/) > [I used to get very nervous and couldn't even pronounce my name in front of my camera.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tripti-dimri/i-used-to-get-very-nervous-and-couldn-t-even-pronounce-my-name-in/) [Tripti Dimri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tripti-dimri/) > [I used to get nervous about my acting being good enough. But now I am very much like, 'Stop panicking and just do it,'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joanna-page/i-used-to-get-nervous-about-my-acting-being-good-enough-but-now-i-am/) [Joanna Page](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joanna-page/) > [I'm used to being nervous for shows in general.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bishop-briggs/i-m-used-to-being-nervous-for-shows-in-general/) [Bishop Briggs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bishop-briggs/) > [I used to be nervous about getting a girlfriend publicly because at the time I had a large younger female demographic that were really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-sugg/i-used-to-be-nervous-about-getting-a-girlfriend-publicly-because-at/) [Joe Sugg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-sugg/) > [I used to get nervous so I took up Yoga to help me calm down.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-sullivan/i-used-to-get-nervous-so-i-took-up-yoga-to-help-me-calm-down/) [Jim Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-sullivan/) > [I think, when I was younger and I was on loan, I used to get nervous before games, but as you get older, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-lingard/i-think-when-i-was-younger-and-i-was-on-loan-i-used-to-get-nervous/) [Jesse Lingard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-lingard/) > [I used to get nervous just going to the stage door, seeing people waiting to talk to me. I was afraid of being caught…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosamund-pike/i-used-to-get-nervous-just-going-to-the-stage-door-seeing-people/) [Rosamund Pike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosamund-pike/) > [“If it is not measurable it is not manageable.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clay-clark/if-it-is-not-measurable-it-is-not-manageable/) [Clay Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clay-clark/) ## More by Jo Brand > [Regular panelists on shows can be terrifying. They own that space, and many guest comics suspect they are favoured in the edit, while their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jo-brand/regular-panelists-on-shows-can-be-terrifying-they-own-that-space-and/) [Jo Brand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jo-brand/) > [I suspect most politicians feel overwhelmed because people's lives are a real struggle, full of unhappiness, and you would probably feel powerless to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jo-brand/i-suspect-most-politicians-feel-overwhelmed-because-people-s-lives/) [Jo Brand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jo-brand/) > [When I was at school you got an overall general education on many things, even just basic facts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jo-brand/when-i-was-at-school-you-got-an-overall-general-education-on-many/) [Jo Brand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jo-brand/) > [The funny thing is, I don't actually think of myself as fat at all. I don't think I am. Not really.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jo-brand/the-funny-thing-is-i-don-t-actually-think-of-myself-as-fat-at-all-i/) [Jo Brand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jo-brand/) > [What could be funnier than a fat person trying to run a marathon?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jo-brand/what-could-be-funnier-than-a-fat-person-trying-to-run-a-marathon/) [Jo Brand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jo-brand/) > [I like men. They are hugely entertaining, but they have a lot of shortcomings and you just have to bear those in mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jo-brand/i-like-men-they-are-hugely-entertaining-but-they-have-a-lot-of/) [Jo Brand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jo-brand/) > [Does anyone really go into nursing intending to be apathetic, cold and removed from suffering? I find that very difficult to believe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jo-brand/does-anyone-really-go-into-nursing-intending-to-be-apathetic-cold-and/) [Jo Brand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jo-brand/) > [I have such admiration for single mothers. I simply don't comprehend how you'd cope with that intensity, the lack of breaks, ever, on your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jo-brand/i-have-such-admiration-for-single-mothers-i-simply-don-t-comprehend/) [Jo Brand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jo-brand/) > [The reason I used a name was because I was a nurse at the time, and I didn't want my name in Timeout and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jo-brand/the-reason-i-used-a-name-was-because-i-was-a-nurse-at-the-time-and-i/) [Jo Brand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jo-brand/) > [You look across the board at comedy quiz shows, and they are mainly hosted by men.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jo-brand/you-look-across-the-board-at-comedy-quiz-shows-and-they-are-mainly/) [Jo Brand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jo-brand/) > [My mum is bright, ambitious, well read, political and very bolshie: when my dad was conscripted into the Army and posted to Libya, she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jo-brand/my-mum-is-bright-ambitious-well-read-political-and-very-bolshie-when/) [Jo Brand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jo-brand/) > [I know there are certain men that hate women or don't like women, and in order to make women feel small, they tend to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jo-brand/i-know-there-are-certain-men-that-hate-women-or-don-t-like-women-and/) [Jo Brand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jo-brand/) > [Not many women will go out on a limb to make themselves really unattractive and unfeminine so you can get the laughs, but it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jo-brand/not-many-women-will-go-out-on-a-limb-to-make-themselves-really/) [Jo Brand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jo-brand/) > [When I was a nurse my favourite assignment was the anorexic ward. I sometimes ate as many as seventeen dinners](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jo-brand/when-i-was-a-nurse-my-favourite-assignment-was-the-anorexic-ward-i/) [Jo Brand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jo-brand/) > [There are lots of people who believe that caricature of me the tabloids created, so they think they don't like me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jo-brand/there-are-lots-of-people-who-believe-that-caricature-of-me-the/) [Jo Brand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jo-brand/) [Explore all 198 Jo Brand quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jo-brand/) ## More Gig quotes > [There'll be some opportunities for other things post-playing, but it's like, 'Man, I don't want to give this gig up.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-woodson/there-ll-be-some-opportunities-for-other-things-post-playing-but-it-s/) [Charles Woodson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-woodson/) > [Our first gig was a battle of the bands. We did 45 minutes of comedy and never played a note - and we won!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cheech-marin/our-first-gig-was-a-battle-of-the-bands-we-did-45-minutes-of-comedy/) [Cheech Marin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cheech-marin/) > [It's amazing when I do a gig how many people of different ages come up to me afterwards and chat to me about songs.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ella-henderson/it-s-amazing-when-i-do-a-gig-how-many-people-of-different-ages-come/) [Ella Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ella-henderson/) > [From Uber and Lyft drivers to financial advisors to local artists, we should support workers' freedom and our gig economy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/young-kim/from-uber-and-lyft-drivers-to-financial-advisors-to-local-artists-we/) [Young Kim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/young-kim/) > [For my first gig, I got $75. I could make money being funny, so I pursued it as a career and have turned it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracy-morgan/for-my-first-gig-i-got-75-i-could-make-money-being-funny-so-i-pursued/) [Tracy Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracy-morgan/) > [I had a gig in Sweden. There were thousands of people there, and when I launched into 'I'm Yours,' they were all singing along.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-mraz/i-had-a-gig-in-sweden-there-were-thousands-of-people-there-and-when-i/) [Jason Mraz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-mraz/) > [I'm trying to get an acting gig on 'CSI' or something like that, so we'll see how that works out. I'm a singer, definitely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-aldean/i-m-trying-to-get-an-acting-gig-on-csi-or-something-like-that-so-we/) [Jason Aldean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-aldean/) > [I owe much of my success to Seann Walsh. He kept recommending me for Live At The Apollo until eventually the producers offered me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/romesh-ranganathan/i-owe-much-of-my-success-to-seann-walsh-he-kept-recommending-me-for/) [Romesh Ranganathan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/romesh-ranganathan/) > [The first gig we ever played was at a pub in Sydney called the Annandale Hotel to approximately 12 people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luke-hemmings/the-first-gig-we-ever-played-was-at-a-pub-in-sydney-called-the/) [Luke Hemmings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luke-hemmings/) > [Touring with King Crimson wasn't a lot of fun for me. I had a lot of equipment, and when I was in improvised music…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-muir/touring-with-king-crimson-wasn-t-a-lot-of-fun-for-me-i-had-a-lot-of/) [Jamie Muir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-muir/) > [There's a big difference between doing the odd gig and actually having a record out and your name being on the ticket.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stevie-jackson/there-s-a-big-difference-between-doing-the-odd-gig-and-actually/) [Stevie Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stevie-jackson/) > [By the time 'Dumbo's Circus' wrapped production of its 120 episodes, I had an agent, and I had scored my first feature film gig.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-cummings/by-the-time-dumbo-s-circus-wrapped-production-of-its-120-episodes-i/) [Jim Cummings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-cummings/) > [Obviously, ESPN, that Monday Night gig is a big deal. You don't just easily dismiss that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-olsen/obviously-espn-that-monday-night-gig-is-a-big-deal-you-don-t-just/) [Greg Olsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-olsen/) > [I'd gig three to five times a week while I was doing my A-levels. I'd always come in with a runny nose 'cause I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jade-bird/i-d-gig-three-to-five-times-a-week-while-i-was-doing-my-a-levels-i-d/) [Jade Bird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jade-bird/) > [The worst thing that happened to me at a gig was when the microphone wasn't on one time, and for the three lines of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/skepta/the-worst-thing-that-happened-to-me-at-a-gig-was-when-the-microphone/) [Skepta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/skepta/) [Browse all 206 Gig quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gig/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I used to get nervous about three weeks before a gig... now I've managed to condense it down to a manageable ten minutes.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Jo Brand" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jo-brand/i-used-to-get-nervous-about-three-weeks-before-a-gig-now-i-ve-managed/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Gig" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jo-brand/i-used-to-get-nervous-about-three-weeks-before-a-gig-now-i-ve-managed/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8a1/jo-brand-1915_gig_i-used-to-get-nervous-about-three-weeks_2133944.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8a1/jo-brand-1915_gig_i-used-to-get-nervous-about-three-weeks_2133944.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8a1/jo-brand-1915_gig_i-used-to-get-nervous-about-three-weeks_2133944.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I used to get nervous about three weeks before a gig... now I've managed to condense it down to a manageable…” — Jo Brand", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Jo Brand", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jo-brand/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I used to get nervous about...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jo-brand/i-used-to-get-nervous-about-three-weeks-before-a-gig-now-i-ve-managed/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jo-brand/i-used-to-get-nervous-about-three-weeks-before-a-gig-now-i-ve-managed/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```