It is similar to how he is feeling leading up to his debut WRC factory drive with Hyundai Motorsport at the Rally of Sardinia this weekend.
Outwardly, he and co-driver John Kennard are approaching the event with their trademark calmness and common sense. Inwardly, Paddon is battling a few butterflies.
National pride is on the line as he is the first New Zealander to secure a professional WRC contract and there is personal pressure to perform in what will be the first of seven world rallies he will contest in 2014.
''To say I'm excited is an understatement. However, it is excitement mixed with a lot of nerves, but I have plenty to keep my mind busy over the next few days with recce and our preparation,'' Paddon said.
He will be contesting the Italian rally, considered one of the toughest on the WRC calendar due to its rough, narrow roads, 30degC temperatures and the longest stage of the championship (59km), for the first time.
But having made his debut in various WRC events in Group N and Super 2000 World Rally Championship category vehicles with Kennard, Paddon is not fazed by the challenges of 395km on the island of Sardinia.
''We have to be sensible and stay calm. Our first event in the Hyundai i20 WRC is not about setting the world on fire. It's about getting back in the groove, learning and getting experience to build on for the following events. To finish is the main goal but if we could also get some driver points, that would be good, too.''
Paddon has had a huge amount of testing recently with Hyundai Motorsport in France and Poland, in his own i20 WRC, compared to the limited testing he has had with the teams he has driven for over the past few seasons.
''So far this year I have probably already completed more testing mileage than what I have done in the last three years accumulated, so time in the seat is priceless,'' he said.
''Already I'm feeling at home in the car and I'm starting to feel that I can easily push. We have, of course, been trying lots of different set-up combinations on the car and I am lucky to have great team-mates who have also been sharing data to help me learn.''
