Last month, I did something that stirred up equal parts nervousness and excitement.
Public speaking.
I was honored to be a speaker at the 2nd annual Kindness Conference where I had the opportunity to share two things I am incredibly passionate about: The Art of Listening and Core Values.
I also spent the week surrounded by some of the most talented and generous people in the travel and hospitality industries.
A glimpse of what floats through my mind before I speak:
“You’re going to forget everything.”
“Someone else could do this better.”
“You need more deodorant.”
I’ve been doing this type of work long enough to expect these thoughts.
Sometimes, I fall for them.
But most of the time, I’m practiced enough to hear the noise and weigh it against what I know to be true.
The truth is, I absolutely love public speaking.
It’s not just about speaking in front of an audience; it’s:
Connecting with people on a deep level
Sharing what I have researched, learned, and applied to my own life and work
Knitting people together through storytelling
Reminding each other that we are more alike than we are different
We all experience moments when fear creeps in, whispering that we might fail, that we don’t know enough, or that we’re not worthy of the opportunity in front of us.
But what I’ve learned is that this fear often signals something important –
You are about to do something that matters.
The next time you feel that nervous energy: breathe to stay close to it. See what is possible when you move with fear on this beautiful journey that you get to create.
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