Overcoming the need for external validation as a speaker

I learned how to please other people at a very early age. It didn’t take long for this “ability’”of mine to turn into a deep need for external validation. There were two kinds of students in my school… There were the rebels. These kids didn’t want to...

How to calm your nerves before speaking in public

A while ago, I was the opening guest speaker at a business retreat for salon owners. All the attendees received a copy of my book, Delight in the Limelight, and over the two days, many of them approached me to get their books signed and share with me their speaking...

My women’s world music group pre-show rituals

Our pre-show ritual For forty years, I performed with a women’s world music group– 500 concerts across the US, Canada, Bulgaria, Greece, Morocco, and India. I was the principal dancer, but we all sang and I played percussion and the upright bass as well.  Some were...

How to become more visible, in and out of your comfort zone

Backpacking around the world in 1978   Back in 1978, I undertook a year of travel around the world by myself. I was supposed to be going with my boyfriend, and my parents assumed I was, But that’s a story for a different time. Point is, I was on my own to...

Break free from inhibition speaking in public

What would you do if you didn’t feel inhibition speaking in public? Have you ever had an urge to do something in public, but you dismissed it as soon as the thought entered your mind? My husband and I were camping with our buddies Alan and Cheryl at the beach on Cape...