What I Learned From Stepping Boldly Into the Spotlight
Last month, I did something that stretched me in all the best ways—I gave a public speech. It was an incredible experience, and I’m already planning to do more.
Public speaking has always been something I’ve admired from afar, but saying yes to this opportunity, even on short notice, showed me just how much I love it. It also taught me a few important lessons about growth, confidence, and the power of stepping boldly into something new.
Here are the insights I took away:
1. Say YES, even when it feels last-minute.
When I first got the invitation, I hesitated. It felt like I wouldn’t have enough time to prepare. But I said yes anyway, and it turned out I had more than enough time to write and practice. Sometimes, the biggest opportunities come when we’re willing to trust ourselves, even in the crunch.
2. I’m more prepared than I think.
I had just 4-5 days to craft and rehearse my speech, and when the moment came, I decided to leave my note cards behind and speak from memory. Sure, I may have missed a point or two, but the core message landed, and that’s what matters most.
3. Stop comparing—your authenticity is enough.
Several speakers before me were charismatic, over-the-top performers who had the crowd laughing out loud. My speech was more reflective and less humorous, and for a moment, I felt self-conscious. But when I got up there, I chose to be myself. And guess what? People resonated. They came up afterwards to tell me how much my message landed with them.
4. I love this—and I’m ready to do more.
This experience lit a fire in me. I want to give 20 speeches this year. It’s a bold goal, but one I feel ready to tackle.
5. Say yes to people—you never know what will happen.
This opportunity came because I was willing to connect and say yes to someone else’s invitation. It’s a reminder that every “yes” has the potential to open unexpected doors.
If you’d like to see the speech for yourself, you can watch it here. It's only 5:36 long. Let me know what you think—I’d love your feedback!
And now, I want to hear from you:
What’s something bold you’ve stepped into recently? What did you learn from the experience? Hit reply and share your story—I’d love to celebrate with you.
Here’s to saying yes to the things that scare us and inspire us.
Eric