Several years ago I was in a new role that required me to give a presentation to the largest audience I’d ever spoken to.
- As I prepared for that event a part of my mind wanted to focus on everything that might go wrong,
- While the other part of my mind just wanted to listen to my heart and focus on the opportunity.
I chose to listen to my heart and had fun preparing the presentation. However, as the date of the event grew closer, the fearful part of my mind started raising doubts again.
In the midst of those thoughts I remembered tips from speech tournaments – tips like visualizing your audience in their underwear. (After a quick giggle at that idea, I dismissed it, wondering how anyone could do that and actually make it through a presentation!)
At the same time, I knew that I needed to confront the flashes of doubt that my mind was generating.
So I paused to consider an alternate state of mind.
Immediately images of the summer camp that I had worked at as a teen flashed through my mind and then paused as I focused on the nightly campfire events that were filled with music, skits, laughter, lessons and encouragement. In that setting there were no podiums, no microphones, and no Power Points – but there was authenticity, understanding, fun and growth.
Instantly I knew I had my answer, I just needed to picture this speaking opportunity as if it was “my campfire” and then bring the best I had to offer to the audience (AKA – The Campers).
When the day of the event arrived I was the second person to present and immediately we had audio/visual challenges. However, instead of panicking, I was extremely calm simply because my mind was already at the campfire connecting with and serving people I cared about.
When the presentation ended several people commented on how well I’d done under pressure and asked how I did it. Their response actually surprised me, simply because the campfire had created such a safe place for me that I wasn’t bothered by the things in the room that were outside of my control.
Today I mentally visit “my campfire” each time I prepare for a presentation and stand in front of a new audience.
Next week I will be speaking to an audience on the other side of the world without being able to see them. It’s the first time I won’t be able to read an audience’s body language as I share with them. (For a speaker that is a HUGE handicap!) In spite of the unknowns, I am focused on giving them a campfire like experience and instead of feeling doubt, I’m excited about the opportunity!
How about you?
[Tweet “When doubt whispers in your ear, do you listen? @GianaConsulting”]
- Do you dwell on those thoughts giving birth to fear?
- Or do you confront them?
If you confront them, what do you focus on that helps you stay calm?
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Chery, Love your image of getting yourself into a peaceful and joyous place where you know you perform at your best. Terrific advice. Early in my speaking career, every travel nightmare that could have happened… did, and I literally ran into the hotel, and was out of breath as the put on my mic…. I said to the mc… “stall one more minute.” Then I closed my eyes and pictured myself on my yoga mat, and calmed my breath. Although making them wait another minute may have seemed risky…. I knew that the next 45 minutes would go much better if I took one moment to get my head straight. I now use this technique before any big speech.
…Ahh Karin thank you for sharing your story! Isn’t that how it works? Travel nightmares, unexpected stress. ….And then the ability to work with what you’ve been given!
Loved this post, Chery! What a great question…I need to move from my emotional brain that is creating the fear within me into my thinking brain…the best way for me do that is by asking questions and then searching for the answers in the few seconds I have before the performance. When I start moving closer to that “thing” that is creating fear, the less fearful it becomes.
I did a keynote via skype…it was one of the weirdest experiences in my life! But you will do great…just envision dozens of eager faces hanging on to your every word!
Thank you LaRae! As I wrote this I thought of how we are told to think about righteous, pure and lovely things, and about how you emphasize the value of having a strong mind. I also thought of people that don’t know how to do that yet but want and need to learn. And I thought of how we all need to learn new things by taking baby steps. The example was a baby step for me.
You’re encouragement for the speech this week means a lot! You clearly get exactly why this will be different! Thank you!