Practice in the Pews

For the last few years, my family has participated in a program called Lads to Leaders. It encourages children to hone their skills needed as they grow so they can be leaders in the church in the future. We have insisted our son participate in Song Leading the last few years because up until now, he hasn't had to do anything but get up and start the song. Well, he's in third grade this year, and that means the requirements are a little more. He needs to add in the hand motions too.

In a few weeks, we're having a youth-led service, where different young men are going to be doing the song leading, scripture reading, and prayers. They needed one more boy to lead a song so we asked my son if he would do it.
He said, "Yeah. How am I ever going to get over being nervous if I don't practice?"
He's nine, you guys. Every year, he impresses me with what he's willing to stretch himself to learn and do. And what comes naturally. Up to now, this has not come naturally to him. He doesn't act shy ... until he's in front of a crowd. But he's willing to work toward overcoming that.
The last week or so, we've been helping him figure out hand motions for the song he wants to lead. This last Sunday, I looked over and noticed him mimicking the song leader's motions. And his daddy helping him make sure he was on beat. Definitely made my heart swell to see him practicing in the pews. 
Do you tend to catch yourself using the excuse of "it's not natural to me" to get out of doing something you're not comfortable with? Or are you willing stretch and grow? It can be as simple as sitting in the pew, copying someone else until we're comfortable enough to do it up front. Or even simpler than that. What's one way you have overcome a fear?