Let me start by saying I hope you enjoy reading my blog as much as I do writing it. I started writing in the form of journaling at 11. Each entry was in letter form addressed to Coco (after my beloved character in the movie Flashdance). I took my journaling (and everything else at the time) very seriously. I wrote reams. I could go through a whole notebook in a week. I never showed my journal to anyone and never have, but expressing myself in this way helped me work through the emotional angst of my teens. My love of writing lead me to pursue an undergraduate degree in print journalism (when that was a thing) and it has continued to be my go-to to calm myself and organize my mind.
The spoken word, on the other hand, has been much more challenging. I’ve struggled with insecurity and performance anxiety as far back as I can remember. One time that sticks out was trying out for color guard in my elementary school. You had to recite the mission of the color guard to get the job. I must have repeated that mission a hundred times or more in preparation. I knew it like the back of my hand. But when it was my turn to recite it in front of everyone, to my horror my mind went completely blank.
My solution for many years was avoidance, even after understanding that this strategy only makes the problem worse. Since then, I’ve learned to approach my fear very differently and have utilized the many of the tools I offer to others. As a result, I’ve been able to make positive changes in this area. This is not to say I’ve mastered effortless public speaking, but I no longer avoid it. I continue to have anxiety and insecurity, but I don’t let it stop me anymore. I’ve realized that anxiety is not a problem and take action whether I have anxiety or not. Plus, I’ve learned that each time I do it I get better at knowing I can handle it and see it as a chance to practice having my own back no matter what.
Today I’m sharing a recent interview I did with Brandon Baker, the host of The Coach’s Circle Podcast. We talk about how my family system laid the foundation for my ultimate career choice, my experience using EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing), my recent exposure to life coaching and more.
Here’s the episode.
https://www.lifecoachpath.com/coachs-circle-51-julie-m-simons/
