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The next day I sat for a while thinking that the whole conversation the night before hadn’t been real, but in fact it was now only 6 days before I would be standing on stage at the Brighton Dome delivering my TEDx!
It was actually very real.
What was I going to talk about. The theme was 'Journeys and Adventures', but I hadn’t really had any of them. I hadn’t climbed any mountains and I hadn’t been on any exotic expeditions.
I suppose my adventure had been life so far, so the obvious thing that wasn’t going need to much planning was to tell my story. I didn’t need a script for that, and I certainly didn’t need to learn anything to recite to the audience.
There was one thing however that was going to be very important. How I then connected my story to the audience.
When we speak it’s not just about the stories we tell, but how they then relate to the audience. What do they get to take away from my story?
The other issue I had was that the week ahead was pretty hectic with client meetings and some training that I was delivering too. In all honesty this started to make the 6 days into around 3.
Plus we would actually all arrive on the day before to rehearse and have dinner together the night before.
So my plan was, I would spend time in the car rehearsing my talk - saying it out loud and also recording whilst driving. This was precious time when I could really focus on what this talk actually sounded like. Add to this the fact that I had 14 minutes…
Yep…my TEDx talk could only be 14 minutes, which was another added pressure to really fine tune the important things I wanted to say. I had to cover a period of around 13 years - in 14 minutes, and honestly a lot had happened!
Wednesday night arrived and I sat with my son Sam and told him what I had so far. My biggest problem was that I was stuck. I really needed to end my talk with something that was truly memorable. Nothing was coming to mind and I was starting to get very worried about the impact my story would have. I was scared it would fall flat - because there was nothing to leave the audience with.
Sam’s eyes lit up. He had something - an idea. The following video with the lovely Cristina Imre and reveals what this was and how the ending of my TEDx was created.
Everyone arrived on the Thursday so that we could all meet and also get a feel for being on stage at the beautiful Brighton Dome. It really is a beautiful venue and a classic theatre experience. The capacity is around 1500 and that year we actually had 1600 people attend.
The speakers were from all walks of life, which is the beauty of TEDx.
Just to name a few. There were 17 of us in total.
Imagine how it felt to realise that I would be speaking alongside these amazing people.
How could that be?
And if anyone understands how imposter syndrome feels, then multiply this by 100!
Nevertheless I was one of those 17, and I had to embrace it. One thing I have learnt is that we all have a story and if one person in the audience is inspired by it, then you have made a difference.
What was even more special about that day was that suddenly 17 people from very different backgrounds and experiences were now in one experience all together.
The power of bonding is never to be underestimated. That day I made friends for life.
Gratitude, inspiration and amazing courage all left marks on me that day, and there’s no doubt that the TEDx experience changed me for the better.
It’s Friday 26th October 2018.
I’ve found out my speaking slot is the one before lunch! They will either be asleep due to lack of food, or enthusiastic at the thought of getting some food…it could go either way!
I remembered something that Toby had said to me in the lead up to this wonderful day - the TEDx audience are very special. They are there to cheer you on and support you, not bring you down. So I was hopeful that if I fumbled, if I lost my words or had a quiver in my voice, they would hold me up and carry me on to the end of my 14 minutes.
There were key memories from the day. Probably because I was very nervous so things were a bit of a blur! Many people tell me they can’t believe that I get nervous, but inside, before any talk I do, I feel the adrenaline. It’s a good thing. It creates amazing energy that helps me to actually enjoy every minute. Mind you, I only realise that when I have finished!
I remember checking my slides - I only had a handful of pictures that just enhanced the story for the audience.
I remember everyone pacing up and down, having their last practice and checking they were ready to deliver their amazing stories.
I remember them putting the microphone on and hoping it hadn’t spoilt my hair!
I remember supporting and encouraging an amazing lady who was particularly nervous. She was literally about to run out of the door and escape. I’m so glad she didn’t - she was wonderful.
I remember the amazing crew who really looked after us 🥰
I remember feeling inspired, lucky, anxious and ultimately, I knew that I would never experience anything quite like that day.
It changed me.
And so it was my turn. 14 minutes standing on that red circle in front of 1600 people. Just a normal girl with a normal story.
As I walked out I remember thinking it was how I imagined it would feel to jump out of a plane (with a parachute obviously!). I have a profound fear of heights, and yet once I had jumped the only thing to do was to enjoy the fear, the freedom to tell my story, and the moment when 1600 people were just listening.
I heard every gasp, every laugh and felt every smile and virtual hug. Toby was right, the TEDx audience is very special.
If you watch the end of the talk I ask the question - will this be one day or is this day one?
Friday 26th October 2018 was absolutely my Day 1.
Thank you Toby for the opportunity, and thank you for coming on my storytelling adventure this year. I hope it has inspired you that ‘there is no such word as can’t!’
Just seven days? That’s not a lot of time. Would you be ready in time? Jules shows us all the power of determination in the pursuit of dreams.
