Somewhere during the past 48 hours my excitement about the She Speaks conference next week has morphed into panic. It is settling in that I am speaking in two sessions—three if you count Saturday’s Ultimate Blogging Q&A—in a conference where most of the sessions are conducted by professional speakers.
The only two things helping me are the fact that there are other bloggers speaking (who most likely feel the same as I do), and that I have managed to speak at two online conferences—Heart of the Matter and A Woman Inspired—basically in the same format: one session on my own and one with a co-speaker. When I see Amy Bayliss at She Speaks I’m going to give her a big hug for giving me that opportunity.
Reading some She Speaks blog post links last night really helped put it in perspective: most of us are nervous. For some it’s because they’re speaking in a session; for others it’s because they have an interview with a book publisher and are hoping for their big break; still more will stress because they’re in the speaker evaluation group; and of course everyone’s trying to figure out what to wear.
Conferences can stir up so much anxiety, especially this one which forces us to peel back the outside layers and examine our hearts. Although we’re attending She Speaks, the real focus is on how HE speaks through us.
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. ~ Philippians 4:13
Hey Dawn! Can’t wait to see you there! Knock em dead… or break a leg… or whatever you say to a Christian speaker that means “I know you’ll do great!”
You are one of the most devoted and detail oriented speakers we have ever had, girl! You are going to be fantastic! I know it. It’s who you are!
I cannot wait to see you too. It’s weird because it is like we’ve known each other for years except that we have never met! 🙂
.-= Amy Bayliss´s last blog ..Are you qualifed to have an online ministry? =-.
Oh, how write you are that conferences an stir up so much anxiety. But, if we weren’t unsure and nervous, we’d be too caught up in ourselves to see God or let Him work through us.
Deep breath, I know your sessions will bless the ladies (and you too!). 🙂
.-= Wendy´s last blog ..What Do I Have to Say? =-.
You are keeping the right perspective, Dawn.
Give AmyB a hug for me too! You are going to do GREAT, my friend!
.-= Marsha´s last blog ..What boys dream about =-.
Keeping it in perspective. I think I need to tattoo that on my forehead right now. Or at least it should make it’s way on to the top of my to do list.
thanks for the reminder! Hope we get to meet!
.-= Hillary @ The Other Mama´s last blog ..Birthdays, Bikes, Bags and Booty =-.
Hi, Dawn! I enjoyed meeting you this weekend, and I know you did a great job teaching your sessions. Thanks again for your feedback on my site! I’ve changed the RSS feed and navigation title, and it took literally four seconds. I love edits like that. 🙂 I hope we cross paths again! Enjoy being home, and I hope that things with your son heading off to school are sweet and memorable.
.-= Kendra @ My First Kitchen´s last blog ..Cute As a Button 2.0 =-.