Doing New Things is Scary

Sometimes that's getting on a bike, sometimes it's giving a presentation.

Twenty years ago I took a vacation to Vancouver with my friend Sandy.

People kept suggesting we rent bikes and bike around Stanley Park.

That sounded great, except for one problem – neither of us had been on a bike since we were kids. And neither of us were keen to test our skills in a large, unfamiliar city.

  • We walked for miles exploring the city.

  • We took the ferry to Granville Island and ate peach rosemary tarts.

  • We saw fireworks and took a boat ride with a local photographer.

After a week of repeated recommendations, we made our way to a bike store on our last day and rented bikes.

The shopkeeper suggested we test out our bikes in the parking lot to make sure the seat and handlebars were properly adjusted.

We nervously headed out to the parking lot and pedaled around in wobbly circles. No one in Vancouver wears helmets but after a few wobbly laps around the parking lot, I announced I was going back for a helmet and my friend did the same.

We spent the next few hours exploring the park, covering ground we wouldn’t have been able to see on foot and rebuilding our confidence on wheels.

When we got back to New York, my friend got a bike. It took me a few more years, but I too joined the ranks of city bikers.

Doing new things (or old things we haven’t done in a long time) is uncomfortable, scary and nerve wracking.

But it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do them. It will probably require:

  • Looking a little silly

  • Taking action even when you’re scared

  • Being bad before you’re good

It’s the same with public speaking. The goal isn’t to get it perfect on the first try. It’s to do it even when:

  • Your voice is shaky

  • It’s nerve wracking having all eyes on you

  • Putting your ideas forward is vulnerable

With coaching, you learn to regulate your nerves so your voice stops shaking.

You practice talking about your ideas so they’re easier to articulate.

You implement mindset shifts so it’s less scary standing at the front of the room (or center of zoom).

SpeakEasy is like having a helmet, directions and road map all wrapped into one. We start with an audit to define your destination, identify challenges and map out a plan. We work together for a 2 month intensive so you have focused support instead of spinning your wheels. When a presentation crosses the finish line, I'm there to cheer you on. When it doesn't go as planned, I'm there to strategize and help refuel.

My client Erika hired me to help with a business presentation several years ago but the ripple effects changed everything.

It made sales conversations easy when she could explain the value of her consulting business

She booked her biggest project to date within a few months of working together.

She expanded to new product lines after listening to customer needs.

When do you want to change in your communication? Here’s a list to give you some ideas.

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I'm Madeline. I turn introverts who are overlooked at work into confident communicators.

I'm starting a new event series this month on communication. Sign up for my email to get an invite.

Madeline Schwarz