Do More of What You LOVE—Even If It Comes with Baggage

My partner insists I have an?inordinate?number of travel mishaps. I countered that it’s just a?numbers game—when you travel as much as I do (I’m approaching 5 million miles on American Airlines), the odds of things going wrong increase. But after some deep (and involuntary) reflection in yet another airport lounge, I’m starting to buy into this observation.

I mean, how many people can say they’ve missed a connection because a woman?smuggled a monkey onto their flight? (Yes, that actually happened on my way from Rio to Boston.) Or that they’ve spent?hours baking on the tarmac?at DCA in 100-degree heat?without air conditioning? Or that they once endured an odyssey involving?two overnight flights in a row, a full day at Heathrow, and 48 hours of near-zero sleep—just to make it to a speaking engagement?

Writing this all down??Cathartic!

But what does this have to do with the topic of this newsletter?

A lot.

Most of my travel allows me to do the part of my job I love the most—getting on stage, in front of a?real?audience, and speaking live. Since COVID, many of my keynotes have been replaced with their?less desirable?cousin—Zoom presentations.?Now, don’t get me wrong—I’ve spent the past few years perfecting the art of virtual engagement. I learned what it takes to captivate an audience?through a screen. [Join me for a free Maven Lightning Lesson about WOWing your audience in online sessions where I’ll share my secrets!].

But here’s the thing: virtual speaking doesn’t give me the?same energy, the same human connection?as standing in a room, feeding off the audience’s reactions.?Did they laugh at that joke??Did they nod in agreement??Or, worse—did they check their email??(Harder to spot on Zoom, but we all know?it happens.)

This year, for the first time since COVID, my in-person speaking calendar is?overflowing—and despite the inevitable?delays, cancellations, and general airline tribulations, I couldn’t be happier.

Because, yes, live, in-person speaking comes with a lot of?baggage?(pun absolutely intended). And it’s also what?fills my cup. It’s what makes all the chaos—the long-haul flights, the jet lag, and yes, even the rogue airplane monkey—worth it.

Is this my sole work activity??No.

But I’m delivering enough in-person presentations to keep my?cup of happy?full. And that’s what matters.

So, what’s the part of your job you love the most—baggage and all? How can you do more of it? Share your responses in the comments.

Remember to register for my free Maven Lightning Lesson about WOWing your audience in online sessions so you can impress, inspire and influence people in your online presentations (and meetings).

Here’s to doing more of what you love!

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