Why not to let your fears and doubts rule your life..

Challenging yourself is one of the keys to an interesting life. As a reserved* teenager I always told myself that I shouldn't let my fears stop me doing the things that I want to do.

This moral, has been a good foundation for starting up on my own. Whether its doubts, fears, impostor syndrome – challenging yourself invariably relates to working outside your comfort zone and doing something that gets the heart rate pulsing.

However, what I am learning – is that we all have fears, we all have worries and even the seemingly most unflappable human beings – worry, get anxious and…..maybe, just maybe ...even doubt their abilities. 

When I recently got asked to host a panel…my yes (because I believe its good to say yes to opportunities), was quickly followed by an explosion of words, not normally associated with me, having a Glastonbury of their own in my head. 

I’d never hosted a panel before and unlike presenting there is a massive element of lack of control. Ironically, whilst being the one in control. Having never been a Girl Guide – I seem to do alright in being prepared. But preparing for a panel threw me, because beyond having questions – what do you prepare? I wasn’t hosting a panel of cyborgs with pre-programmed monologues which I could use to my advantage for seamless and witty subject changes. Luckily for me it was a topic that I am passionate and knowledgeable about. But in the midst of blind panic – your ‘what do I know’ head storms forward and starts to take control.

Post event, I am pleased that I said yes. It’s safe to say that Fiona Bruce is still very safe in her newly acquired seat at Question Time – but I was ok. I learned a lot, about the many things you have to do concurrently:

? think of what to ask next;

? followed closely by who to direct it to;

? listen to the answer – so you can keep the discussion connected and;

? keep an eye on the time.

All while being smart, witty, knowledgeable and effortless…..

I thank my panel for being experts, kind, responsive and helpful. And lastly, it was an honour to host an all-woman panel of leaders and experts in their field. I look forward to a day when that sentence is irrelevant because its normal but for now its is good to shout it out. 

So choose yes. Say your f**k and s**ts big and loud but give yes the control. Because yes means choosing life, choosing experience and choosing something new. New may be scary but if it’s what you want – its rarely wrong. Choose an interesting life. 

*I don’t like the word shy, as I believe society’s label = negative and weak. And really, when you think about, being shy {reserved} and assessing a social situation is actually pretty smart.