Public speaking used to scare the S**T out of me. To be honest it still does. But I’ve learned over the years that it’s exactly that same scary s***t in life that you need to run towards. Because it’s in those moments, of doing things that you REALLY don’t want to do but instead say “Fxxk it” and do anyway, that you experience true growth in life. I’ve learned in my professional career, in boxing, and in real estate, that we have to seek out discomfort in order to attain higher self-actualization. That’s the only way we elevate… through forcing ourselves to step out of comfort and into uncertainty. Said another way, any time that fear kicks in, it’s simply a signal that there’s something to be learned or some new skill to be acquired.
It’s for that reason that I set a goal this year to speak publicly 6 times in front of real estate groups. As a naturally-introverted dude, that seemed like a lot to bite off in January. But I’m now 4 speaking engagements in, and I can honestly say that I’m getting better and even starting to enjoy this. I even recently was invited to Vegas to speak at a RE event!
One thing I’ve realized is that, by not putting myself out there, I’m denying others of the opportunity to be inspired by my story and the lessons they can take from it. It was when I realized that public speaking isn’t about me at all but is instead about providing the spark for others that my view on things changed. I used to think nobody could learn anything from me because I’m not the expert, and I would be super selfish to think otherwise. Now it just seems selfish to NOT speak my truth.
I’ll leave off with this: there’s a video I once saw of Jay-Z talking about his music where he says, “We’re all vessels, right? The wind goes through us, and we make the noise.” That’s a powerful thought. Keep making noise, keep being a vessel of inspiration to others, keep pushing outside of your comfort zone. You’re depriving the world of your own greatness if not.
P.S. The text (last pic) is what it’s all about.
