Sandra Bullock Scared Over Oscar Nom: ‘What Do I Do Next?’

Sandra Bullock is certainly honored to be an Oscar nominee. But as she told reporters on Monday during the Academy Awards Nominees Luncheon in Beverly Hills, the actress knows her role in “The Blind Side” has set the bar pretty high for her future film roles.

“It scares me more than anything, because you think, ‘What do I do now? What do I do now that I don’t step backwards — I step forward.’ I’ve been thinking a lot about that – what do I do next?” Bullock said. “I feel like because of this honor and what I’ve been given these last couple of months, I really have an obligation not to step back even the smallest bit.”

And while her recent accolades – she’s already taken home the Golden Globe and SAG Award for her role as the hard-nosed Leigh Anne Tuohy in “The Blind Side” – have put the pressure on for the road ahead, Bullock knows that hard work doesn’t always lead to awards season success.

“I know I work very hard. But just because I work hard doesn’t mean the elements come together to make a good performance or a good film,” she added. “So when all that happens and all those elements do come together, I’m always shocked and so happy and amazed. It’s always unexpected to me because I expect to fail – and that’s why I work even harder.”

So what does the Oscar nominee use to push her everyday? A tiny conspicuously placed piece of paper.

“I had a little Post-it by the side of my bed for many years that said, ‘Expect as good as you give.’ And that’s really been helpful,” she revealed. “You either step up your game or expect others to match your level, so that’s a good one, I think.”

And for anyone who thinks Bullock won’t follow through on her promise “not to step back” in her career, she has a message – bring it on!

“I’m very amazed and thankful to be here because I’d like to work hard for another 10-15 years,” she told the room at the Oscar luncheon. So if this is what that means, bring it.”