You Practice What You Teach.

It still amazes me how much of what I teach and preach comes back to me when it is my turn to stand in front of a group and make a presentation. 

Yesterday, July 27, 2010 at 9:00 AM, I found myself the center of attention for ten amazing women, all interested in what I had to say about “Opening Your Presence.”  No pressure there, right?  I’ve written the book, or more accurately, I AM writing it; I know this material inside and out and in my twelve-year coaching career, I have done no less that 50 workshops on a variety of topics.

Me, nervous?  Yes.   

Participating in yesterday’s group were three attorneys of various specialties and experience levels, an international sales rep for an exclusive hotel chain, a television producer, a life coach, two wardrobe stylists, an actress, a green consultant… and oh yes, one colleague, auditing the workshop to help me improve my level of service. 

The majority of my workshops have either been commissioned by an individual company with a specific issue to address or tailored to a field, for example, young law associates or talent for a television station.  This professional diversity presented some unique challenges for custom-tuning a two-hour workshop!  

To be or not to be nervous is NOT the question.  In this case, 'twas nobler to deal with it properly, allowing that energy to work for me.  By preparing adequately, then committing to being present in the moment allows me to accept that the knowledge is there and will be presented when that moment is right.  Having the proper focus with purpose gave the nervous energy somewhere to go, rather than distract from my mission.  

My  preparation was slightly differently, as was the focus, but I have enough experience to realize that my nervousness was due to the slight shift in familiarity.  I remember the first time I coached the broadcast team for the Dallas Mavericks.  There I was at a professional basketball game, on the floor, amidst the broadcasters!  Exciting doesn’t begin to describe it.  The noise was deafening, not to mention distracting and I realized I was so far out of my comfort zone, it was a distant memory.  But the skills for live radio broadcasting were the same.  Focusing, staying alert and listening told me everything I needed to know. By the time the season was over, I could high five with the best of them.   

My mission provided the calm.  I often invite my clients to step out of their comfort zones and so I took one mother-may-I, giant step forward and did what I always do. I gave it my all.  As the two hours passed, we shared experiences and stories proving once again, that in diversity there is common ground.  The situations may vary, but it all comes down to one solution: embrace our strengths with focus and skilled guidance to fully open our presence.  

I look forward to the individual sessions I will have with each workshop participant so that we can formulate a distinct plan, zeroing in on the challenges generated within each profession.  And I as always, will walk away feeling I have learned the most! 

-Greta Muller