Can We Talk For A Minute ?

I’ve always said to do it even if, especially if, it scares you. Once again, another saying that’s easier said than done right ?  Learning to live in the uncomfortable is very UNCOMFORTABLE, so getting to that point can be a struggle. I say all this to bring us to two weekends ago where I participated in my SECOND paid speaking engagement. The first was pretty simple; It was just me talking to some young girls about women’s health and hygiene, but it still terrified me up until I said my last word. Now even since then, I have still been afraid of public speaking. You may or may not know this, but I stutter and have run (sometimes literally) from public speaking since I can remember. After I graduated nursing school, I told myself that I wanted to be better at public speaking and to do it even when it scared me. That’s also where I came up with R.O.S.E (Rise Over Self and Ease). Getting myself through each engagement is HARD. Anyhow, my membership in the NBNA has always pushed me pass my comfort zones and they did it once again two weekends ago when I was asked to speak on a panel for new nursing students. I was excited about being paid, but also in shock about having to speak and form a linear train of thought to accurately get my points across. View points and statements can come off differently than you intend when they aren’t put together appropriately and I wanted what I said to be intentional, impactful, and most of all to be perceived as I intended. However, when my nerves take over, sometimes what’s in my head does not come out as elegantly as I want them to. We spoke to them about nursing school, doing more and giving back to the community, motivations, determination, our post graduate experiences, our reality vs our expectations, and what the NBNA/NOBNA means to us along with how we came to the organization. All three of the panelist (including me) - Darnell Caldwell & Diamond Cummings - had previously served on the national board as the student representative. I was in such great company on that panel and I gained something from listening to them just as I know the nursing students did.

SO ! How did I do ?

Overall, I’m proud of myself !!  I don’t believe I had any blatant stuttering episodes or slip-ups (round of applause for that OK !). My voice was a little shaky though. Y’all know that shaky crying nervous voice? Yeah , one of those when answering my first question. I settled in and became more comfortable after that. Although there were a few statements I wish I would have said better where I don’t think it came across exactly as I intended, I know you learn from your mistakes and I’m hoping my next engagement is stellar. The irony of it all is that I truly LOVE public speaking even though it shakes me to my bones and feels like impending death before and during. The AFTER though ? I f**k with the after feeling heavy. I always want to do it again, do it better.

On some G s**t, I’m really about to add “for speaking engagements please contact…” in my bio. I’ve been paid, so its official. Y’all can catch me on some stage as the next key note speaker sooner rather than later.

KEEP IT G

   G3