Behind the curtain at TEDx Hobart

"Let's put our hands together to welcome our next TEDx speaker!"?Applause ...

That was my cue. After months of preparation, coaching and memorisation I was poised to step on stage in front of a live audience to share an idea worth spreading. The theatre was dark, except for a brightly lit circular red carpet, recognisable to anyone who watches TEDx talks online. It was both nerve wracking and exciting. I took a deep breath, readied myself to walk on stage ... then clumsily dropped my laser pointer to the ground!

Let me recollect this scene in slow motion.?

My device hit the hard floor with a thud. The batteries fell out. The TEDx volunteer next to me let out a quiet "F#$&" as we stumbled madly in the dark to put my pointer back together, hoping the batteries were replaced correctly. The applause stopped and I wasn't yet on stage. So I walked on smiling and feigning confidence, thinking all the while: "Holy crap. My slides better work!" Not exactly an ideal way to kick off an important talk.

On reflection, this was all a bit hilarious (even if stressful). But isn't this how life works? Things can be slick on stage but messy behind the curtains, especially when you're trying to make an impression.

Last year I was in London working with a global team to facilitate a strategic planning workshop. Every person in this organisation was creative and talented. They have an amazing brand and contribute something valuable to the world. But behind the curtain this group is like everyone else.?One of the leaders described their company as being "beautiful on the outside but spaghetti on the inside." What an apt description for how most organisations function, and indeed, how our lives often play out.?

Our greatest moments can be our messiest moments; a mix of joy, pain, laughter and suffering. When we look back and review the loves and losses of our lives, it's often the quirky experiences, the unexpected stuff ups (like nervously dropping a laser pointer behind stage) that stand out and make us smile. If we have the right attitude, we can laugh at our ridiculousness. We can learn from our mistakes. We can find perfection in our imperfection, especially if we share our mistakes openly and honestly with others, rather than pretending that everything is perfect.

Make Space For The Mess Of Life

For those who missed the event last Saturday, my TEDx talk will be online and available globally in a few months. But when you watch it, remember that you're only seeing what's was recorded on the outside. Leading up to the event, I was anxious and nervous. I slept poorly all week. I was hyper-vigilant (in an unhealthy way) about avoiding COVID and staying healthy. I was distracted and sometimes irritable (sorry family!) Then I dropped my laser pointer because of nervousness. If your life is shiny on the outside but spaghetti on the inside, take heart because we all feel this way much of the time. I know for a fact that every speaker on the TEDx stage experiences stress, nerves and anxiety leading up to the event, no matter how experienced they are at speaking in front of crowds. But they do it anyway. The struggle of walking on stage and the joy of walking off stage are inseparable.

So enjoy the lights, as well as the spaghetti. The mess is part of the joy. Just don't do it alone, hiding what's really going on behind the curtain. Show up and do your best. But be authentic -- allow others to see what is really going on back stage. That way you will be able to share your wins and laugh alongside others when things don't go to plan.

Oh, and if someone knows where to buy?a non-slip laser pointer, please let me know :)

P.S. Thanks to the incredible team at TEDx Hobart who made this event possible. You are all incredible!