Hi!
Thank you so much for your encouragement and prayers about my health. Both the stress test and echocardiogram came back normal, which is great, and the chest pains have subsided quite a bit. More and more I’m thinking the pain could’ve been related to stress and anxiety. So that’s something I’m more consciously trying to reduce. This week, however, is especially challenging since I’m about to give my TEDx talk on Friday. I’m equal parts excited and anxious, but what seems to help calm me the most is making a conscious choice about my mindset.
Because of all the health-related business going on, I’ve been paying way more attention to how my thoughts are impacting my body. When I think about freezing up in front of a live audience and forgetting my speech, my heart beats 90 miles a minute and the negative self-talk begins. When I envision myself being in the moment and coming from my heart I feel calm, confident, and like I’ve got this. So in the words of Henry Ford, “Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right.”
I’ve realized the paramount role mindset plays in my successes and my failures. We all have a choice when it comes to what we focus on and I know if I focus on being afraid to mess up or convince myself I will choke under pressure, then I will most certainly create that reality. Something I’ve told myself over the past few years of putting myself out there as a public speaker is this: I will learn something from this experience. When I set my intention before every speech to grow as a speaker and to learn from the entire experience, “mistakes” and all, then I can relax and settle into what is most important—delivering the message to the best of my ability while being in the moment, so I can better connect to the audience.
If you’re like me and need to get into a helpful mindset to keep you calm and focused while you’re taking a risk that really scares you, try reminding yourself that whatever happens is all a process of learning. We get better by taking risks, learning, adjusting, and applying, over and over again. Celebrate the fact you are putting yourself out there, because many are not. By doing so you are growing as a person and in your craft.
I’d love to hear from you…What things do you think about and focus on in the moments when you are taking a risk that really scares you?
Can’t wait to read your thoughts. I plan on applying them this Friday!! Speaking of Friday, there are a few seats left for the TEDx talk at Marcus High School, so if you want to come hear some great messages I’d love to see you there! You can purchase your ticket here: https://tedxmarcushighschool.org/ticket-information/.
As always, thank you so much for spending your valuable time with me today! You are such a blessing in my life! Love and Blessings to you!
Bailey, you are such an inspiration and a wonderful Godly woman. May God Richly Bless you and Elle. I hope one of these days I will be able to hear you speak. Until then, Shalom and God Bless. Love, Roma
Roma, your kindness and love deeply touch my heart. I’m so grateful for YOU! Thank you for always going out of your way to make my day! Love and Blessings Roma.
My strength comes from God and knowing that on this journey, he truly walks before me, beside me and behind me to give me that support to take the next step. God’s word has so much life advice, my personal, power scripture is Phil 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength!
Mindset, nurturing those positive thoughts when the devil bombards my mind with negativity is a momentous challenge, moment by moment, day by day. Depression, anxiety, sadness, darkness, pain are struggles that are real and we win the battle, when we see life, love, hope and rise up in the center of all those battles! I am not a public speaker, nor do I have any celebrity status but I am a public person, out there shining and showing all I come in contact with that the power to live, and live abundantly, productively with joy, hope and belief in better things, comes from inside. From that conscious mindset you are speaking about. Blessings to you Miss Bailey! Thank you for sharing your story, light and keeping on, when sometimes, its hard and scary! Your resilience and caring heart are just what this world needs! Shine on, girlfriend:)
Rae Langston
So beautifully and powerfully said Rae! I’m enjoying getting to know you better and I’m so inspired by your joy, encouraging spirit and positive attitude. You are a light sweet Rae! Love and Blessings my friend.