It's not often that I get stage fright.
Not anymore, anyway.
I'm standing on the conference stage today like a deer in the headlights just as I'm about to begin my closing keynote. In my head, I'm reminding myself that silence is better than filler words, and to just take my time. Everyone will benefit if I just pause and take a deep breath before I keep going. I'm scanning the audience and then the podium, my feet, and the playback screen.
I'm thrown off.
Just before I'd come on stage, I'd been awarded the Gail Elmore Volunteer Of The Year Award, which included a heartfelt intro from someone I've looked up to for 16 years. She teared up and couldn't get all the way through her notes. I don't know why I didn't see this coming. I prepared for literally everything else besides taking the stage with tears in my eyes. That's a first for me.
C'mon, you got this...
Just get to the story and you're golden.
So, with my feet planted on the stage, I tell myself to just start. I make a small joke of winning the battle of keeping it together, and then I say my name and where I'm from. Now we're rolling. Looking up, I smile at the eyes all staring back at me.
"Two things happened during my sophomore year of high school that changed my life since and landed me here" I tell them.
"Can I tell you the story?"
When you're dealing with pressure, what does your inner monologue sound like?
onward.
For more on this daily column and The MAP Year Project, read the backstory here. And if you know someone who'd appreciate this, pass it along.