Nineteen-ish years ago I took a vacation to Vancouver with my friend Sandy.
People kept suggesting we rent bikes and bike around Stanley Park. That sounded great, except for one problem – neither of us had been on a bike since we were kids and neither of us were keen to test out our skills in a big city.
We walked for miles exploring the city.
We took the ferry to Granville Island and ate peach rosemary tarts.
We went to the Botanic Garden.
We saw fireworks on the beach.
We went on a boat ride with a local photographer.
On our last day, after a week of repeated recommendations, we made our way to a bike store and rented bikes.
The shopkeeper suggested we test out our bikes in the parking lot to make sure the seat and handlebars were adjusted properly.
We nervously headed out to the parking lot and pedaled around with a mix of shakiness and trepidation. No one in Vancouver wears helmets but after a few shaky circles around the parking lot, I announced I was going back for a helmet and my friend did the same.
We spent the next few hours exploring the park, covering ground we wouldn’t have been able to see on foot as we rebuilt our confidence on wheels.
When we got back to New York, my friend got a bike. It took me a few more years, but eventually I joined the ranks of city bikers.
Doing new things, or old things we haven’t done in a long time, is often:
Uncomfortable
Scary
Nerve wracking
Shaky
But it doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do them. It may require:
Looking a little silly
Being bad before we’re good
Taking action when we’re scared
This is exactly what’s required to speak in front of people even when:
Your hands are shaky
It’s nerve-wracking putting your ideas forward
It’s scary having all eyes on you
It’s uncomfortable being visible
It doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it.
With coaching, you get personalized guidance, a process and a plan. It’s like having a helmet, directions, and roadmap all wrapped into one.
My client Erika hired me to help with a business presentation but the ripple effects are so much greater. She said “Everything changed.”
She feels confident talking about her business.
Conducting sales conversations are easy because she can explain how she helps.
She booked her biggest project to date.
She added a new product line based on listening to customer needs.
When you change your communication, everything changes. The first step is to book a call and I’ll walk you through the 3 steps to make this change.