Presence Not Perfection
I used to dread public speaking.
I was so afraid of judgment and getting it “right”, that I was paralyzed with fear.
I wish I knew then what I know now:
Connection is made through presence, not perfection.
When I was younger, I was obsessed with hitting every point and nailing every word.
The result: I came across as stilted and robotic. I was physically there, but energetically not present. I was so focused on being flawless that I failed to be human.
I missed the point of speaking altogether.
Over time, I learned to shift my focus.
Now, instead of trying to find the perfect words I focus on embodying a strong energetic presence. In doing so, I offer a compelling message that connects with my audience across all levels: mind, body, spirit, and soul.
The result:
More enjoyment
Less preparation
Deeper connection
Interested to learn more?
Here are techniques I use to come into full energetic presence:
1/ Ground:
To help me feel centered, I ground into the earth. I start by taking deep breaths and imagining the earth's electromagnetic field coming up to meet the soles of my feet. This helps me connect to the earth's energy and feel a sense of stability and safety. By feeling grounded, I can speak with greater confidence and clarity.
2/ Come into full physical presence:
Like many people, I tend to rely too much on my head knowledge, and not enough on my full body wisdom. By taking a deep breath and feeling the inner contours of my body, I can feel the fullness of my heart and the soles of my feet on the ground. This helps me fully embody my being and not just the thoughts in my head.
3/ Feel and send a clear intention:
I think about the key message and how I want my audience to feel. I state this out, feel the emotion fully, and then imagine a beam of light connecting from my heart to theirs. Before a word is ever spoken, I connect with the audience’s energy, just through my intention.
4/ Map to success:
To boost my confidence and come into presence, I use a technique called "Map to Success." I think of a memory where I felt successful and then merge with the positive vibration of that memory. This helps me bring that same energy into the present moment and speak with greater confidence.
These techniques aren't just for public speaking.
They can be applied in various settings:
Pitching an investor
Negotiating a contract
Preparing for a difficult conversation
When we shift our focus from finding the perfect words to embodying energetic presence, we access our full power and connect with others meaningfully.
I’d love to hear from you:
What techniques do you use to come into presence?
