The Second Wind

In June, I wrote an article about finishing the Speaking Afraid programme for myself and using it to become a more confident communicator for my business. Today, I am writing to inform you of an outcome I did not expect. It gave me the second wind I needed to complete my final stretch, the book publishing process for Speaking Afraid.

The Oxford dictionary defines second wind as ‘a new strength or energy to continue something that is an effort’. I discovered firsthand how this second wind, due to my completion of the Speaking Afraid process, is contributing to my forward motion towards my goals. Let me share with you a story.

A few years ago, my husband and I ran in the City 2 Surf race, hosted in Sydney, Australia. The final destination was Bondi Beach, and after the long run, we finally saw the beach and that beautiful blue water. On that view, we both kicked up our heels and sprinted around the bend, thinking the race was over. Once around the bend, we discovered we had approximately another kilometre to go, and I just burned through my final reserves, or so I thought. I needed to dig deep within myself to find energy to keep going because I decided to finish the race and not stop there.?

This was what it was like to finish Speaking Afraid. Yes, it probably sounds like I am not selling it well, but I want to be real. When you are learning to make friends with fear so you can speak publicly with confidence, it does take energy, bravery, openness, decision, and action, and even though you are feeling accomplished because you know you get it and how to apply it, you may also feel tired because you went through a growth curve. The other side of the coin is that it unlocks reserves of energy and capability you didn’t realise you had until you went through Speaking Afraid. This is the second wind that helps you complete your final stretch to reach your goal.?

This is what I am experiencing right now. letting go of old, limiting self-beliefs while getting familiar with embracing your new self-image and relationship with fear as you communicate in different settings for your work. Confidently stepping into the uncertainty. Believe in yourself and your known and yet-to-be-discovered abilities. strengthened courage to keep going through that final stretch and communicate in that environment with confidence.

I invite you to:

• Get time back by strengthening your courage to communicate with fear confidently.?
• Remove the burden of fear, nerves, or anxiety about speaking publicly as you have more meaningful conversations.
• Say goodbye to the energy suckers of mind-chatter and self-doubt, and hello to clarity of thought and productive action.
• Join the Speaking Afraid Programme to learn how and put it into practice.

All the best, Susan.

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