4 Ways To Get Confident In Your Big Idea

Welcome to Your Big Idea! I’m here to help you turn your passion into an idea worth sharing. I’m glad you’re here.

If this is your first time reading the newsletter, you can learn a little more about me and what I do by clicking here!

If your goal this year is to give a successful TEDx presentation, you’ve probably got a lot on your mind. How do I write this thing? What do I do with my hands? How the heck do I fill out this application? What if I get this one? What if I DON’T get this one??

And the big one: what if my idea isn’t good enough??

This one is a doozy, and almost everyone asks themselves this question at one time or another. So how do you move through this question so you can get to the next step? Keep reading.?

Psst. You’re good enough. - Marie?

4 Ways To Get Confident In Your Big Idea

We all know that a fantastic idea is the key to a successful TEDx, but how do you know if people will like your idea? You like, and your friends like it, but how do you really know? Well, I’m going to tell you something here that you probably aren’t going to like: you don’t know. You don’t ever get to know for sure how your idea will play until you’re up on that stage. Sorry.?

However, there are ways for you to get confident in your idea. There are ways for you to get excited about your idea. There are ways for you to learn how to fall in love with your idea all over again and to reignite that passion you have for your idea. And you know what? That kind of confidence and passion is contagious. The more sure you are that your idea is worth sharing, the more people are going to respond to it. Here’s how to get there.?

Don’t Do It Alone

When you are working on developing your idea, it’s pretty easy to get stuck in your own head, and this can be deadly for public presentations like a TEDx. Your mind can turn into an echo chamber that takes you off track, and it allows reign for self-doubt to creep in and start chipping away at your confidence. You need a second (or third, or fourth) opinion.?

Most of us have an inner circle that we can utilize for this. It might be your coach, your mentor, a close colleague, a trusted friend… the only requirement is that this person cares enough about you to give it to you straight. When you talk to them, don’t make any assumptions. You may take for granted that everyone already knows about whatever you’re an expert in, so start at the very beginning. Not only will this make your idea clear to your inner circle, but it will also help you to find the holes in your idea so you can patch them. Two heads are better than one, and constructive input from a trusted source can do wonders for your confidence.?

Try It Out?

Every once and a while you’ll hear about a big-time comedian doing a “surprise set” at a small comedy club, and I’m going to let you in on a little secret: they’re not doing it out of charity, they’re doing it to try out their new material. By finding a low-stakes arena for their set, comedians are able to weed out the jokes that don’t work, play with new ideas and delivery, and get a sense of what the biggest laughs will be. That’s a lot of information to receive in a pretty safe space! While you may not feel like your TEDx presentation has anything to do with Jerry Seinfeld, emulating him is a great way to get more information about how your idea is going to fare on the mainstage.?

Thanks to the internet, you can find smaller-sized groups for just about every subject under the sun, both virtual and in-person. If you can’t find one that fits, make your own! These are fantastic places for you to try your material, gather feedback, and shake the nerves off your presentation. This kind of information is very powerful, so don’t miss out on this opportunity to take your idea to the next level.?

Get Professional Help

No, I’m not talking about therapy (though it couldn’t hurt). I’m talking about hiring someone. Speaking and selling your idea doesn’t come naturally to everyone, and that’s ok! Luckily for us, there are people who specialize in helping you communicate your ideas successfully. Guidance from a professional can do wonders for your confidence.?

If you want to dip your toe into what a coach can do for you, I’m happy to recommend Elaine Bennett and my virtual course, TEDx Starter Kit. Elaine is an award-winning speechwriter, an experienced speaker, and a really wonderful teacher and human being. She’ll show you how to move through your fear, allowing you to feel secure in the power of your idea.?

Mindset Is Everything

When I’m not feeling at my most confident, I usually find that the biggest obstacle to my wellbeing is… Me. And I’m not alone; I’ve seen it in many of my clients as well. We all have a little self-doubt gremlin in our mind that tries to sabotage us, and it can be really tough to get that guy to shut up! “You’re not good enough! That idea stinks! No one wants to hear about this!” All of those little whispers (and more) can erode your confidence, and the only way to combat it is to declare war on that gremlin. I’m talking about upgrading your mindset.?

It may not feel natural at first, but implementing a growth mindset can be life-changing. If you have a growth mindset, you believe that your talents and abilities can be developed over time through effort and persistence. So the next time the little gremlin tells you “don’t try, you’ll just fail,” fight back with “I only fail if I stop trying.” If your inner voice tells you “no one cares about your idea,” strike back with “there is an audience for my expertise and someone needs it.”?

Sometimes the gremlin will win, and that’s ok! It’s the fight that matters. You can be your own worst enemy, but you can also be your most important ally. So keep striving to show up for yourself every day, and nurture your idea with the confidence it deserves!?

Are you ready to develop Your Big Idea? Let’s talk about it. You can book a time to talk with me here. ?

No matter what your goals are, you need a Big Idea. Click here to download my proven framework, 3 questions for building your Idea Worth Spreading, for FREE!.

Make sure you never miss an issue by clicking the "Subscribe" button in the upper right corner of the page. For more articles, tips, and insight, connect with me here!?