How do you feel when someone asks about your next talk, and does your stomach still tighten at the very thought of it?
This weekend I am speaking at the London Dentistry Show on the neuroscience of how to create high performing teams, and when a fellow attendee messaged me to ask how I was feeling about it, I paused for a moment and realised, with real surprise, that I am looking forward to it.
How Public Speaking Used to Feel
Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be in that position. Before a talk I would cut out coffee for days, avoid alcohol, go to bed early and do everything I could to calm my nervous system, because I absolutely dreaded the build up, often far more than the event itself.
The Shift From Me to the Audience
Over the past couple of years I have noticed myself feeling calmer and more excited, and the turning point came when I stopped focusing on myself and started asking what I wanted the audience to walk away with, and what value I could give them in the time we had together.
The other change was learning to stick to three teaching points. I used to be terrible for overteaching, wanting to give every ounce of value I had, yet the brain can only process so much new information at once, which means a talk built around three key ideas will always land with more impact than one that tries to cover everything.
Why Reflecting on Your Progress Matters
When we pause to notice how far we have come, we reinforce a positive mindset, quieten the inner critic and build the inner strength we need to put ourselves forward, whether that means speaking on a stage, showing up online or finally speaking up in a meeting.
Whatever step you have taken recently, however small it feels, take a moment to say well done to yourself, because progress over perfection is what builds lasting confidence. I will share how the London Dentistry Show goes next week, and if becoming more visible is something you are working on, my Find Your Voice programme is there to help you take your next step.
