Within the intersection of great opportunity and profound support lies deep gratitude.
I prepped for almost a year, with great intention during a year that served as an incredible intervention in how life had been. It was an interruption in the convenience of my automatic behavior.
It’s been fascinating to recap 2020 and the first months of 2021. To offer a keynote that pulls together the lessons, learning, challenges and game changers during a pandemic while summarizing the lessons, learning, key insights and take-aways from the conference was challenging in the best way.
It seemed daunting at times, especially when we didn’t know if we’d be online, in person or the dreaded combination. Of course, it followed the path of the combination. After all, it’s a pandemic, why ease up now?
During the weeks and days preceding last Friday, the importance of this opportunity weighed on me. It wasn’t simple. Those who hired me are trusted colleagues, kickass leaders and champions of people. I didn’t want to let them down or have this opportunity pass without every ounce of my being invested in success. This is where the anxiety comes from, false expectations. None of them had these expectations, I did.
And yet, it was only one hour and 15 minutes of my life, so I couldn’t let it get the best of me.
When I needed perspective, that simple thought grounded me.
And then it was show time…