Blinded by the light - often a challenge when presenting and a great metaphor for life.
Sometimes we stand in the spotlight, unable to see who we’re speaking to. We feel alone.
But connection isn’t about visibility. It’s about presence. It’s being in the moment, and being grounded.
A blinding spotlight and a sea of shadows. I couldn’t see a single face in the audience at the University of Auckland ASPIRE conference.
And I was nervous, I always am. I hope those nerves never leave me - for this is a sign that we are truly present.
You’d think after years of presenting, the nerves would fade. They don’t. But I’ve learned that nerves aren’t the enemy; disconnection is.
When you can’t see your audience, it’s hard to connect. But connection isn’t just visual. Connection is emotional, intentional, and authentic.
After the talk, many people came up to say how much they enjoyed it.
That reminded me of something important – we often judge our life by how we feel and not by how we are received.
If you’re someone who gets nervous, someone who feels that they aren’t connecting, someone who feels lost and alone, here are a few things that might help:
1. Breathe and move – slow your breathing and move by doing anything, it calms your body and mind.
2. Speak to one person, even if you can’t see them – talk with a friend who is not there with you, to someone who has passed, to a higher power.
3. Let your nerves remind you that you care – nerves let us know that we are feeling, that we are present, that we are alive.
4. Focus on presence, not perfection – being in the moment, being grounded, and awakening our senses brings us to reality.
To anyone who’s ever stood in the spotlight and felt alone, you are never alone. And chances are, you’re connecting more than you know.
We are better and stronger than we think we are, we just don’t know it.
Let’s talk!
Blinded By The Light!