At the end of this post, you will find the dates and times for professional conversations this fall. Full subscribers can participate in these discussions, plus access resources for facilitating professional learning in their communities. Join us!
Eight years ago, I agreed to present at a national literacy conference.
I was asked to co-facilitate a session on action research with some colleagues. Asking me to join them, a mere blogger, was an immediate confidence booster. Yet it also piqued my anxiety. The questions that arose drowned out my initial confidence.
These educators were seasoned presenters and accomplished authors. Who am I to be joining them?
I am not a "researcher" - I don't have a Ph.D. or Ed.D.
How will people not see me sweat during the presentation, literally and figuratively?
I am an introvert; this type of experience does not align well with my strengths.
I did eventually share my anxiety about this session with another colleague. They listened, nodded, and then confided that they still get nervous about these experiences, even after many years of delivering them. I felt acknowledged. Yet my doubts remained. I thought I was going to carry this level of worry with me up until presentation day.
What made the difference was one sentence my colleague shared:
"You can do this."
That's when it hit me. I realized that nearly everyone who I had watched present at a educational conference had had similar feelings at one point. And yet they went ahead and delivered their session with success. It made no difference to me if the presenter had become flustered for a moment. I only remembered the content of the session and the value I found in the experience.
Our presentation on action research went off without a hitch.
This one session led to other presentations delivered solo. Over time I felt confident enough to facilitate one-day workshops, including a pre-conference leadership institute last year. Next year, I will be delivering my first keynote.
This confidence as a speaker has trickled into other parts of my life. I was willing to be president of our local Lions Club. My speeches for 5th grade promotion improved. I regularly presented updates at school board meetings without getting flustered. As I engaged in these public experiences, I began to question the narratives that I previously held.
As a successful presenter, maybe I should also consider writing a book.
Researchers don't necessarily need titles; what is needed are the tools, a community, and a good question.
When people see me "sweat" during a presentation, I would be wise to remember they care more about the content than about me.
Why would important ideas be exclusive to extroverts?
The sentence that was the tipping point was "You can do this." My colleague was right. Why would I be asked to do something that I wasn't capable of doing? People trusted in me, wanting to hear what I had to say.
I realized that the only one doubting my capabilities was me.
I still get nervous when preparing for an event. The difference is, it is a healthy worry. It is based on a desire to do well. I don't know when this shift happened. I think it was a gradual process, building my confidence one presentation at a time. Any worry that I experience now I try to channel into my preparations.
We all experience these seasons of self-doubt. Maybe we are new to the profession, new to a position, or we are experiencing anxiety around a new initiative. When worried, imagine all the other people before you who have encountered similar events. They did it. In fact, they probably came out of the experience better than they were before. They also likely experienced growth in multiple areas of their lives because of their willingness to engage in uncomfortable situations.
If you are do not have someone in your world right now who believes in you, know that I do. You can do this.
Some strategies for building self-confidence:
Surface any cynical stories you are telling yourself. Are they true? If you said “yes”, are you sure? What evidence do you have to support them?
How did you get to this point in your life? Clearly you have strengths. Identify them and play into them as you tell yourself that you can do this.
Look back at your past and locate times in which you were successful. What process did you go through? Who was there to support you? What did they say and/or do to show they trusted your ability to succeed?
What would a successful outcome look like? What obstacles might get in your way of achieving the outcome, and what strategies can you employ to address these challenges?
How will you feel when this is complete? What life benefits might you experience beyond this project?
What is your story for overcoming self-doubt, or what is the narrative you are authoring right now?
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Fall 2023 Professional Conversations
Every third Tuesday evening of the month, I host a professional conversation over Zoom. These events are for full subscribers as 1) an invaluable opportunity to connect with colleagues, and 2) a way to build knowledge around the important topics of literacy instruction and school leadership.
The time and effort to host these professional conversations are also an act of gratitude for the readers who support this community. So thank you!
September 19, 5:30pm CST: Article Club: Balancing Schoolwide Expectations and Teacher Empowerment
Click here to access the Educational Leadership article by Paul Emerich France. Please read it before Tuesday.
Zoom information will be sent out on Monday to all full subscribers.
October 17, 5:30pm, CST: Book Club: Kick off for The Heart-Centered Teacher
Join us for an open discussion around Regie Routman’s new book!
You can order Regie’s book here.
November 21, 5:30pm CST: Book Club: Wrap up to The Heart-Centered Teacher
We will wrap things up with another conversation around Regie’s book.
December 19, 5:30pm CST: Article Club: The Conditions for a Professional Learning Culture
Click here to access the Shanker Institute article by Rachael Gabriel and Sarah Woulfin. Please read it prior the 12/19.
Zoom information will be sent out the day before the discusssion to all full subscribers.