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Hi ala,
I’m not a hypocrite; I’m a do-as-I-say specialist.
Nothing like giving a presentation on why it is so important to say “yes” to public speaking opportunities and then confessing that if YOU were presented with a particular opportunity, you’d likely say “no”.
This week I was speaking to a group of World-Famous University alumni. I shared the story of my TEDx. (I was asked to substitute for a speaker who bailed at the last minute. I only had a few days to prepare…be kind if you watch it.)
One of the audience members asked, “Would you do it again?”
In full transparency, and in outright conflict with my “Say ‘yes’ to public speaking” presentation – "no”.
I realize the hypocrisy of the moment. So, from the land of “Do as I say, and not as I do”, here come the lessons:
- You don’t HAVE to say “yes” to everything. You can be strategic.
- If an opportunity feels “not right” – pass. It’s not for you.
- I could have thanked the TEDx team for the opportunity and asked for a raincheck…and not had to fully prepare a TEDx talk in three days.
Sometimes, it's OK to say "no". Just don't let it be for the reason of confidence. Your Speaker Friends are here for you.
Bobbie and the entire Innovation Women team
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