--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You can't control things by being nervous." description: "\"You can't control things by being nervous.\" — Tina Fey" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/768/tina-fey-484_anxiety_you-can-t-control-things-by-being-nervou_942140.jpg" --- # You can't control things by being nervous. ![“You can't control things by being nervous.” quote by Tina Fey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/768/tina-fey-484_anxiety_you-can-t-control-things-by-being-nervou_942140.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/768/tina-fey-484_anxiety_you-can-t-control-things-by-being-nervou_942140.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/768/tina-fey-484_anxiety_you-can-t-control-things-by-being-nervou_942140.jpg) > “You can't control things by being nervous.” [Tina Fey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tina-fey/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Nervousness impairs control; calm focus improves outcomes. **In simple terms:** Anxiety blocks effective action. Key Takeaway Practice composure under pressure. Themes anxiety control performance confidence nerves Mood nervous determined Type motivational practical When to use this quote - public speaking - live shows - interviews - stage work Key Concepts psychology behavioral training Questions to Reflect On - How do you turn nervous energy into focus? - What rituals calm your mind before a task? A Different Perspective Some nerves can boost alertness. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Anxiety](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anxiety/) [Control](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/control/) [Nervous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nervous/) ## Related quotes > [Sometimes you can doubt your own abilities to do certain things. We get nervous, we get stuck, or we're not sure if we can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/skyler-samuels/sometimes-you-can-doubt-your-own-abilities-to-do-certain-things-we/) [Skyler Samuels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/skyler-samuels/) > [I like finding things out beforehand, because I'm nervous in disposition, and I worry that if I don't do anything, then I'll turn up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chiwetel-ejiofor/i-like-finding-things-out-beforehand-because-i-m-nervous-in/) [Chiwetel Ejiofor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chiwetel-ejiofor/) > [Being nervous, first of all, puts you at a distinct disadvantage, and if you've really prepared and if you've really thought through how to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-remnick/being-nervous-first-of-all-puts-you-at-a-distinct-disadvantage-and-if/) [David Remnick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-remnick/) > [“Even though you can't control the things that happen to you, you can control your perspective and your actions. There's never a moment you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-de-la-cruz/even-though-you-can-t-control-the-things-that-happen-to-you-you-can/) [Melissa de la Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-de-la-cruz/) > [I only want to control the things that prevent me from doing my job.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jannik-sinner/i-only-want-to-control-the-things-that-prevent-me-from-doing-my-job/) [Jannik Sinner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jannik-sinner/) > [“The more we try to control the things outside of us the more we lose control of our mind.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-white/the-more-we-try-to-control-the-things-outside-of-us-the-more-we-lose/) Jennifer White > [The idea of being in control for the sake of control, is not really important to me. If everyone is sharp and doing, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tina-fey/the-idea-of-being-in-control-for-the-sake-of-control-is-not-really/) [Tina Fey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tina-fey/) > [I don't know. I'm really really really nervous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nadine-coyle/i-don-t-know-i-m-really-really-really-nervous/) [Nadine Coyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nadine-coyle/) > [It makes me nervous that too many people like me now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabby-windey/it-makes-me-nervous-that-too-many-people-like-me-now/) [Gabby Windey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabby-windey/) > [I can't say I don't get nervous, but I really kind of enjoy performing now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liz-phair/i-can-t-say-i-don-t-get-nervous-but-i-really-kind-of-enjoy-performing/) [Liz Phair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liz-phair/) > [I don't feel any pressure. I'm not nervous about going out there and pitching.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cc-sabathia/i-don-t-feel-any-pressure-i-m-not-nervous-about-going-out-there-and/) [CC Sabathia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cc-sabathia/) > [I feel it is good to be nervous because you are not fully sure or over-confident.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vaani-kapoor/i-feel-it-is-good-to-be-nervous-because-you-are-not-fully-sure-or/) [Vaani Kapoor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vaani-kapoor/) > [That's one of the reasons I wanted to be an actor, to be like them. And there they were at my table, all talking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gavin-macleod/that-s-one-of-the-reasons-i-wanted-to-be-an-actor-to-be-like-them-and/) [Gavin MacLeod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gavin-macleod/) > [I think I'm prone to panic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-plant/i-think-i-m-prone-to-panic/) [Robert Plant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-plant/) > [I get nervous when I don't get nervous. If I'm nervous I know I'm going to have a good show.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beyonce-knowles/i-get-nervous-when-i-don-t-get-nervous-if-i-m-nervous-i-know-i-m/) [Beyonce Knowles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beyonce-knowles/) ## More by Tina Fey > [I really like John McCain. He's an awesome dude and was a lot of fun when he hosted "SNL." I'd love to see a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tina-fey/i-really-like-john-mccain-he-s-an-awesome-dude-and-was-a-lot-of-fun/) [Tina Fey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tina-fey/) > [You mostly know that you want to be funny, know that you have the desire. It's not like people who grow up beautiful and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tina-fey/you-mostly-know-that-you-want-to-be-funny-know-that-you-have-the/) [Tina Fey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tina-fey/) > [I was a very confident little kid.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tina-fey/i-was-a-very-confident-little-kid/) [Tina Fey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tina-fey/) > [You can tell how smart people are by what they laugh at.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tina-fey/you-can-tell-how-smart-people-are-by-what-they-laugh-at/) [Tina Fey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tina-fey/) > [Whatever the problem, be part of the solution. Don’t just sit around raising questions and pointing out obstacles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tina-fey/whatever-the-problem-be-part-of-the-solution-don-t-just-sit-around/) [Tina Fey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tina-fey/) > [Pentagon records show that at least 8,000 members of the all-volunteer U.S. Army have deserted since the Iraq war began. Hey, at least somebody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tina-fey/pentagon-records-show-that-at-least-8-000-members-of-the-all/) [Tina Fey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tina-fey/) > [“That summer I got to know four families in which half the children were gay. In case you’re interested from a sociological point of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tina-fey/that-summer-i-got-to-know-four-families-in-which-half-the-children/) [Tina Fey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tina-fey/) > [The topic of working moms is a tap-dance recital in a minefield.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tina-fey/the-topic-of-working-moms-is-a-tap-dance-recital-in-a-minefield/) [Tina Fey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tina-fey/) > [You can be a little bit darker and rougher on the stage, partly because when you're in the theater, people have come to see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tina-fey/you-can-be-a-little-bit-darker-and-rougher-on-the-stage-partly/) [Tina Fey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tina-fey/) > [ \[...\] things most people do naturally are often inexplicably difficult for me. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tina-fey/things-most-people-do-naturally-are-often-inexplicably-difficult-for/) [Tina Fey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tina-fey/) > [“To this day, all I know is there are between two and four openings down there and that the set up inside looks vaguely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tina-fey/to-this-day-all-i-know-is-there-are-between-two-and-four-openings/) [Tina Fey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tina-fey/) > [Wafah Dufour bin Laden, niece of Osama bin Laden has signed a contract to star in a reality show... called Skating with the Nieces…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tina-fey/wafah-dufour-bin-laden-niece-of-osama-bin-laden-has-signed-a-contract/) [Tina Fey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tina-fey/) > [It's not vanity, because if you look weird, it will distract from what your trying to do. If you look as good as you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tina-fey/it-s-not-vanity-because-if-you-look-weird-it-will-distract-from-what/) [Tina Fey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tina-fey/) > [Sometimes, you can feel or see how a movie can... how you can do it. Sometimes it's just like seeing, "Can that work? Will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tina-fey/sometimes-you-can-feel-or-see-how-a-movie-can-how-you-can-do-it/) [Tina Fey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tina-fey/) > [“forward, women embraced their diversity and realized that all shapes and sizes are beautiful. Ah ha ha. No. I’m totally messing with you. All…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tina-fey/forward-women-embraced-their-diversity-and-realized-that-all-shapes/) [Tina Fey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tina-fey/) [Explore all 527 Tina Fey quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tina-fey/) ## More Anxiety quotes > [“Anything that you find yourself worrying about regularly may find you suddenly wanting unrealistic changes.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nagisa-tatsumi/anything-that-you-find-yourself-worrying-about-regularly-may-find-you/) Nagisa Tatsumi > [Bein Crazy is the least of my worries.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kerouac/bein-crazy-is-the-least-of-my-worries/) [Jack Kerouac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kerouac/) > [The answer to deep anxiety is the deep adoration of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-voskamp/the-answer-to-deep-anxiety-is-the-deep-adoration-of-god/) [Ann Voskamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-voskamp/) > [“Fear of seeing a police car pull into the drive. Fear of falling asleep at night. Fear of not falling asleep. Fear of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-carver/fear-of-seeing-a-police-car-pull-into-the-drive-fear-of-falling/) [Raymond Carver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-carver/) > [I get nervous when I don't get nervous. If I'm nervous I know I'm going to have a good show.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beyonce-knowles/i-get-nervous-when-i-don-t-get-nervous-if-i-m-nervous-i-know-i-m/) [Beyonce Knowles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beyonce-knowles/) > [“Every invention comes through anxiousness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rakesh-wadhwani/every-invention-comes-through-anxiousness/) [Rakesh Wadhwani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rakesh-wadhwani/) > [“Do Not Be Anxious 25 e “Therefore I tell you,  f do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/do-not-be-anxious-25-e-therefore-i-tell-you-f-do-not-be-anxious-about/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Nothing happens on its own, you have to make things happen. If you really want to come out of your stressful situation than you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/subodh-gupta/nothing-happens-on-its-own-you-have-to-make-things-happen-if-you/) [Subodh Gupta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/subodh-gupta/) > [“I guess if we're talking about my anxiety, the even truthier truth is it started way before that.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kerry-winfrey/i-guess-if-we-re-talking-about-my-anxiety-the-even-truthier-truth-is/) [Kerry Winfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kerry-winfrey/) > [I was a very good student. Procrastinating gives me anxiety, and getting a B really ticked me off. Sure, I didn't always want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josie-loren/i-was-a-very-good-student-procrastinating-gives-me-anxiety-and/) [Josie Loren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josie-loren/) > [“The suspense: the fearful, acute suspense: of standing idly by while the life of one we dearly love, is trembling in the balance; the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/the-suspense-the-fearful-acute-suspense-of-standing-idly-by-while-the/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [The party in Alobar’s head, which agitation and anxiety were throwing, now was crashed by a notion: existence can be rearranged.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-robbins/the-party-in-alobar-s-head-which-agitation-and-anxiety-were-throwing/) [Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-robbins/) > [As you know, I have been very open about my struggle with social anxiety.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/summer-walker/as-you-know-i-have-been-very-open-about-my-struggle-with-social/) [Summer Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/summer-walker/) > [Anxiety is not to be managed it is a sin that needs to be repented of](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-driscoll/anxiety-is-not-to-be-managed-it-is-a-sin-that-needs-to-be-repented-of/) [Mark Driscoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-driscoll/) > [“I’ve always seen this in you, ever since you were a little girl — this hunger to love other people into their highest selves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-elisabeth/i-ve-always-seen-this-in-you-ever-since-you-were-a-little-girl-this/) [Jennifer Elisabeth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-elisabeth/) [Browse all 4,944 Anxiety quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anxiety/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "You can't control things by being nervous.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Tina Fey" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tina-fey/you-can-t-control-things-by-being-nervous/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Anxiety" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tina-fey/you-can-t-control-things-by-being-nervous/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/768/tina-fey-484_anxiety_you-can-t-control-things-by-being-nervou_942140.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/768/tina-fey-484_anxiety_you-can-t-control-things-by-being-nervou_942140.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/768/tina-fey-484_anxiety_you-can-t-control-things-by-being-nervou_942140.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“You can't control things by being nervous.” — Tina Fey", "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": "Tina Fey", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tina-fey/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "You can't control things by being...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tina-fey/you-can-t-control-things-by-being-nervous/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tina-fey/you-can-t-control-things-by-being-nervous/#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 } } ] } ```