I LOVE, <3, lurrrrve conferences! I could literally go to one each week; and it would be a dream come true to be a motivational/keynote speaker for big gigs!
During this year's conference, I was honored with being selected as a Top Ten Business Woman. And, had to give a speech during the Saturday luncheon. Each of us had 3 minutes to share how ABWA has helped us emulate this year's theme of "Grow You, Grow Together" and what advice we have for other ABWA members/prospects.
I'd started working on my speech about 2 weeks prior to conference; not really knowing what I would say, exactly, just knowing that it would be from my heart. And, as I started to put my experience into words, it became a challenge to winnow it down to 3 minutes. I took to heart, Stephen King's advice of "cutting out my little darlings" and per our mentor's advice, aimed for 2:50.
On Wednesday of last week, all of the Top Tens gathered for a meeting to practice our speeches in front of one another and give and receive feedback. It was the first time each of us hear the others' speeches, and everyone's was fantastic! All different, all wonderful, all meaningful.
We each had two practice runs, and I nailed my first; but then on my second, I wobbled a bit. I was OK with that knowing that I had time to continue to practice prior to Saturday. (I had been practicing over the past two weeks, including videoing myself, and repeating it at least 2x per shower. Showers tend to be the places where I rehearse presentations. I don't know why).
I had my speech pretty much memorized, aside from one little transition piece that I found myself tripping on.
Saturday morning arrived, and we had the most sparkling keynoter in Karen Hoyos, who had me completely emotional. Something I was trying to avoid b/c the beginning of my speech made me tear up and I didn't want to cry on stage. So, having the water works primed in the morning made me a little bit nervous. But one of the things Karen had us do that was so remarkable, was to hold hands with one of the other conference attendees that we didn't know; and gaze deeply into their eyes, without any verbal contact. Just acknowledging the soul in the other person. I hadn't done that in a few years, and phew! It was extremely powerful, and had everyone's tears flowing because of its profound depth. She then said something that I've heard a million times, and believe in....but, just something about the way that she said it then and there stamped my heart and soul. And, that was about shining. Believing in ourselves and knowing that there is nobody else like us. That our story is what we come here on earth to tell. And, she asked us to ask ourselves if we'd been playing small.
My heartfelt answer. Yes. I've been playing small. Afraid of shining because of fear of being judged. Of being left out. Of failing. Of succeeding. But, in that moment, she lit a fire in my heart that is going strong. I CHOOSE TO PLAY BIG! I CHOOSE TO HONOR ME!
As I sat on the stage for lunch, I looked out at the crowd and reminded myself that they were all there in the spirit of love and support. That they wanted to hear our stories. And, that my story was/is important. I was SO excited that my parents, Grammie, and women who have helped me grow were there in the audience of close to 300.
I started out a little bit nervous; but as I went along, something just took over inside of me and I spoke and had fun. Small and timid wasn't going to cut it, I wanted to THRIVE!
And, I'm on a roll this week, moving forward with the momentum from conference, taking to heart everything that I learned and that ignited a fire in me to move with passion and energy and positivity -- on an even more exciting path of being ME!
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