Building up the courage
I’ve been listening to a lot of talks and taking part in some events where people discuss different topics around new technologies.
This Friday I was listening to a company-wide summit where some people within their community shared some valuable experiences and dig deeper on some new trends. Some of those talks were very much outside my comfort zone as they were around web3, blockchain and other tech terms that I don’t really remember now.
While I listened to them, I not only tried to absorb some of their knowledge but also their confidence. Everyone that spoke shared their personal experience and views on the topic with such certainty that I was left feeling jealous — and I’d love to steal just a little bit of that to myself.
I’ve worked as a copywriter and content writer for a while and I now help manage a team of around 30 people. I know there are some experiences that I could share and that there are things that I’ve discovered that could help others write faster or more efficiently, for example. However, when I thought about it, I would never be confident to share those “tips” on a talk because I’m not really sure if they work for others.
Whenever I had to talk for an audience regarding digital marketing or content management, I’ve kept it as straightforward as possible. I shared some techniques that other experts recommend and I’ve tried to only talk about facts and fully tested theories or strategies. Yet, listening to these people talk made me rethink my past workshops and my approach to life in general.
Why am I so hesitant in sharing my experiences? Why wouldn’t I talk about what worked for me and let others see for themselves if they worked or not? I guess it’s because I don’t want people to assume that I’ve got all the answers. That I’m a true master at what I do and I know everything because I don’t and I have so much more to learn.
Take writing for example. This was something that has always come easy for me and I couldn’t really share a lot of rules and best practices because I write from impulse. I just write as I know, and that doesn’t mean that’s better than other person’s tactic.
I would never want people to assume that I’m sharing universal truths.
Or maybe it’s not that and I’m just scared of failure; and by sharing things that might not work for others I’m opening myself to criticism.
Either way, I don’t do workshops or public speaking anymore but maybe if one day I get back to that, I’ll try to bring a little bit more of myself.
