Trust yourself, you’re you!

I’ve been taking part in a speech contest as a member of Guildford Speakers Club which is part of Toastmasters.  My speech was about the car accident I had, when, aged 17, I wrote off my Mum’s car and very nearly myself and my boyfriend with it. I won the first stage of the competition and on Monday night entered round two.

Getting yourself out there can be scary, standing up and speaking can be terrifying. But I felt prepared, I knew I had a good story and I had practised it to make sure I was comfortable with it.

I find the most nerve wracking time, apart from the 10 seconds before I’m actually about to speak, are a couple of hours before when your mind can start getting in on the act. I can get a sense of being on a form of conveyor, inevitably bringing me closer to the deadline.  If I’m not careful it becomes a sense of dread, knowing that there is nothing I can do to get off it, and my mind starts suggesting all the things that could possibly go wrong.  I’ve become wise to this now and when I note that this is what my ego is trying to do I just talk myself down, saying things like “All is well, I’m good at this, go in and enjoy yourself!”

Going into the contest I felt very calm, totally in my power, which I believe comes from having complete trust in myself. I’m not out to frighten myself, why would I? I treat myself kindly, being loving and supportive.

I didn’t win, I came second, but the prize for me was a reminder of just how much, when the stakes are high, I trust myself. I am my own best friend.

I think this comes from having a good relationship with yourself. I’ve seen many people struggle with this.  It starts with liking yourself, being forgiving, being accepting. Just as you would any really good friend.