On Monday, in Part I of this series, I shared my first takeaway from the Jean-Louis Rodrigue movement workshop I attended on St. Patrick’s Day.
I told you about Jean-Louis’ instructions to “IMAX IT!” and how easy it is to apply this directive to your life even when you’re not on stage.
Today, I’d like to share my second takeaway.
But first, think about this.
Public speaking is often listed among global fears in a higher position than the fear of death.
Yes, that’s right. It seems a large number of people would rather die than get up and speak in front of a audience!
And even at this workshop, which was attended by professional speakers who speak to audiences for a living, there were plenty of dry mouths, sweaty palms, trembling hands, accelerated heart rates and strong urges to flee.
This sense of nervousness and anxiety in front of people sometimes never goes away even among the greatest stage performers.
And as I watched Jean-Louis coaching speakers on stage, I noticed that he was giving them the same mantra to say to themselves over and over again.
“I have time.”
As they struggled to get their nerves under control and stop mindlessly wandering from one side of the stage to the other, he’d gently stop them and remind them to say
“I have time.”
When they used filler words like “umm” or “uhh” or found themselves struggling to remember their content, Jean-Louis would catch their eyes and remind them to silently say
“I have time.”
When they exhibited unconscious nervous gestures like tilting their head to one side, or licking their lips, or clapping their hands together, Jean-Louis would gently stop them and remind them to say
“I have time.”
You see, when you’re up on that stage, you alone are in charge of the pace. There’s no need to rush. There’s no need to feel anxious. There’s nowhere to go. There’s just you and the audience, in a conversation that is unfolding moment by moment.
And to connect with the people in your audience you must BE in that moment. Not rushing away from the moment before. Not rushing toward the moment to come. Just there. IN that moment.
“I have time.”
What a fabulous mantra this has become for me offstage, too. And it’s one I encourage you to try out in your own life as well.
When your boss or child or spouse or anyone is demanding something of you RIGHT NOW, remind yourself
“I have time.”
I think we can all agree that taking a bit of time to respond to their demands won’t result in corporate meltdown or worldwide destruction. After all, we’re talking about people who need another copy of a report NOW or your signature on a permission slip NOW or help finding their car keys NOW.
But don’t go thinking this is an invitation to take all the time you want either. I believe it’s a sign of respect to show up for meetings or appointments on time, to meet your promised deadlines and to be responsive to others.
But there is always time to take a deep breath, to pause, to think about what you want to say before you say it, and most importantly, to know that just because everything feels rushed OUTSIDE of you doesn’t mean you have to feel rushed INSIDE of you.
Deep inside of you is a part that knows without a doubt and is constantly repeating
“I have time.”
Are you listening?
If you need a little extra help connecting with this part, perhaps wearing a lovely timepiece like one of today’s VPODs will remind you.
These vintage enamel wristwatches hail from the late 1920s and are simply stunning.
They’re truly timeless pieces for a Vintage Crusader!
Available at Strickland Vintage Watches.
(To receive the VPOD via email along with detailed size, price and purchase information, sign up for my growing email mailing list here. Your information will never be sold or shared and you can easily unsubscribe at any time.)
