Today is the Autumn Equinox – one of the key dates of the year in the Celtic Calendar, marking the transition to autumn and the darker half of the year.
It’s a time to harvest and celebrate what you’ve achieved, clear out what can be released, and make space for the coming winter. I’ve ordered my logs and lit the wood burning stove.
Last week I gave a talk about the Celtic Calendar at The Bavard Bar in Hastings. I always get nervous before I speak, even when I know my content inside out and the audience looks friendly.
Will this sound too obvious?
Is my message clear enough?
Doesn’t everyone know this stuff anyway?
The usual internal chatter – I realise it’ll never entirely go away.
To add to the pre-talk nerves, when I stood up to speak I realised I had a dazzling stage light in my eyes and couldn’t see the audience’s faces – they were just silhouettes.
Will I lose my thread if I can’t “read the room”?
When we’re off centre we typically get hooked on the approval of others – scanning faces and trying to work out whether they like us or not.
Deprived of this reassurance, I used my Leadership Embodiment tools and imagined a supportive hand on my back, directly behind my heart. Then I allowed myself to relax into my love of my subject – how we can use a conscious connection with the changing seasons to feel more grounded and at peace in our lives, despite all the craziness in the world.
To my surprise – and relief – I was fine not being able to see their faces. I was less caught up in monitoring how I was coming across and more connected to telling my story and landing my message.
When it comes to public speaking, simple and heartfelt is best. What is obvious to you is NOT obvious to others. A well crafted talk is a harvest of your life wisdom to date. No-one else has walked the same path as you, so embrace your message, tell your story and be willing to show your heart. I guarantee your audience will appreciate you.