Tired, lost, flat, and wondering when things might get better? "In a heartbeat" is the answer. Life tends to throw us curve balls on occasion, and mostly it seems always for the worst. This is not the case; we just tend to recall the bad events more easily as our brain retains them to keep us safe from harm by reminding us of what to avoid.
Standing in front of audiences for nearly 9 years now, I have never tired of doing so. In fact, the opposite is the case, it just increases my motivation. Sure, like everyone I get tired, but one keynote or workshop energises and makes me realise that life has a way of balancing things if we focus on all aspects not just the bad ones.
We all get frustrated in our work - annoyed, tired, emotionally drained - and want to do something new and different. And then, something happens, and we feel engaged, motivated, energised.
I was invited to provide a closing keynote at the United Fire Brigades' Association conference in Wellington yesterday. Those in the professional speaking industry know that this is a big deal, the closer. You are expected to fully engage the audience and leave them wanting more.
Mike McRoberts was the MC so I knew it was a very big deal. It never hit me how it was such a big deal until I was shown to my personal dressing room with my name on the door.
Always a little nervous before my set, I went through a process of refreshing the key messages, pacing the floor, and drinking lots of water, it's just another day in the office, right? That was until my name was called to come through to the stage where the producer was talking into her headset organising the cameras, sound, and AV team. This is a big deal, game time.
500+ firefighters in the Michael Fowler auditorium and countless others online. It's just another day in the office, maybe not! It's show time.
After a 45-minute set, 15 minutes of Q&A hosted by Mike, it was off stage. It all happened in a flash. And then it hit me, how lucky am I. I was on such a high that I was talking twice as fast as usual, and that is very fast if you know me. Waiting in the foyer for a cab, I was approached by so many of the audience expressing how they enjoyed the message and helpful tips of dealing with lifes' challenges. It is for them that I do this, to help where possible.
Things can change in an instant, it is about savouring the moment. So often we move quickly from the positive things only to focus on the negative ones. Reverse it and watch what happens. I will savour this moment forever.
Thank you UFBA and the team for hosting me and thank you Celebrity Speakers New Zealand for promoting me to this event. And the biggest thank you goes to the thousands of volunteer firefighters who spend time away from family & friends to risk their lives to keep us all safe.
Life is great if we focus on the positives and keep them in our front of mind.