I got into this work for
a few reasons...
To help big-hearted, go-getters like you overcome performance anxiety and engage others with more confidence and ease.
To figure out (for myself and others!) a more authentic approach to carrying yourself like a pro than “fake it ‘til you make it.”
To show people how to get their own minds and bodies to cooperate with them (instead of ganging up on them!) when the pressure’s on.
To start a global conversation about how to use who you truly are on the inside to communicate more powerfully and effectively on the outside.
"Presence is the essence of being present and your willingness to present your essence."
My approach to coaching is simple. It boils down to four essentials:
Physiology
When we step out of our comfort zones, our brains are wired to become black holes of internal chatter and our bodies get flooded with stress-associated hormones. This intense combination is what makes us feel nervous, on edge, or like we're not enough.
If you experience nervousness or fatigue when you’re invited to speak publicly, or you feel generally anxious walking into meetings or managing difficult conversations, you’re not alone! I’ve got some highly practical tools to help you dial down those nerves, build speaking stamina, and convey confidence when it matters most.
Intentionality
When we think positively, we generally feel good. When we feel good, we generally think positive thoughts. But when we’re under pressure, our rational and emotional minds temporarily lose their ability to harmonize. And it’s up to our conscious minds—the aspect of our thinking that allows us to become intentional—to swoop in and prevent the concert from going up in flames.
If you struggle to process your thoughts or feel thrown off when you’re put on the spot, you’re not crazy! I’ve got some powerful mindfulness tools that’ll help you think more clearly and connect more deeply from the get-go.
Physicality
When we’re caught off guard or notice that all eyes are suddenly on us, we tend to take on behaviors that make us seem smaller, less grounded, and less comfortable than we mean to appear. We take on this this type of body language because we’re reacting to a burst of self-consciousness on the inside and doing whatever it takes to disguise that discomfort on the outside. The worst part? We’re usually completely unaware that we’re showing these signals of uneasiness in the first place.
If you know you’re about to be the center of attention, and your impulse is to run, hide or shut down completely, you’re not the only one! I’ve got some game-changing techniques that’ll help you feel more powerful and capable on the inside, and make you seem a whole lot more grounded and present on the outside, too.
Individuality
In new or unfamiliar situations, we tend to “audition” for a sense of belonging. To feel accepted, we adapt who we are to what we think others want or expect us to be. It’s a survival instinct, meant to ensure our place in a tribe. And this need for acceptance causes us to use all sorts of subtle (or not-so-subtle) pleasing, pandering, or trying-to-impress behaviors. We trade in our unique individuality for a much “safer,” more generic version of who we are.
If you struggle to find your voice in those environments that tempt you to to prove something, sell something, or get some sort of validation from others, you’re no different from the rest of us! I’ve got some tricks to help you bring the most significant and authentic aspects of who you are to the forefront of your communication skills, so that you earn the reputation and belonging you’re after, but in a much more grounded and fulfilling way.
Bottomline:
I’m not interested in helping you pretend to be self-assured, I’m committed to making sure you are self-assured. So that no matter what life throws at you, you know how to kick your second-guessing to the curb and let your brightest, boldest Self do the talking (and the listening!).
Why am I so passionate about this approach?
Because I’ve been there. From competing in audition rooms and performing on national stages to coaching executives in c-suites and speaking at major conferences, I’ve experienced the anxiety that comes with putting yourself out there and the intense fear of not knowing how it’ll go.
I use SelfSpoken techniques to turn my own panic into power and every day pressures into presence. Like all of us, I’m a work in progress. But when the waves of adrenaline or the whispers of self-doubt inevitably flood my system, I know what I need to do in order to find my own communication sweet spot:
That empowering and fulfilling experience of coming across like a pro while staying true to the real, passionate, imperfect human being I know I am.
I'm here to serve.
From authors to engineers, doctors to CEOS, educators to sales reps and every type of creative professional in between--the one thing all SelfSpoken clients have in common is that as they’re thrust into more “make it or break it” situations, my ever-expanding toolkit provides them with the practical skills they need to manage performance anxiety, dial down second-guessing, and communicate at their best by staying true to who they are.
So, whatever it is that you do, no matter what your dreams are, it’d be my honor to help you reach that sweet spot between being a more polished communicator and leading with your authentic, one-of-a-kind self.
If you’re ready to invest in your own personal and professional journey away from self-doubt and toward deepened self-confidence, click below to get started.
Get Started.
And if you’re just looking for a healthy dose of encouragement, or some practical inspiration, be sure to subscribe to our email list and become a member of our beloved E-tribe. You’ll receive weekly tips, actionable insights, and special giveaways we don’t share anywhere else!
Plus, once you sign up, you’ll get an awesome (and free) Presence "Playbook" which will walk you through 3 timeless strategies for dialing down self-consciousness and communicating with authentic self-confidence--anytime, anywhere.
And if you’re not sure what you need, but you know you could use some help in the communication skills or public speaking department, shoot us an email at info@selfspoken.com and let us know what’s going on so that we can best serve you, or at the very least, point you in the direction of someone who can.
Thanks for taking the time to learn more about me. I’m grateful that we’re now connected and I look forward to learning a whole lot more about you.
All my love,