This one shows up more than people admit. You get the opportunity. You get the stage. You get the room. And then the thought hits. What am I doing here Who do I think I am They are going to find me out So you shrink before you even start. You question your right to be there. Let’s call it what it actually is It is not imposter syndrome. It is unfamiliar territory. You are in a new room. At a new level. Doing something you have not done before. Of course it feels uncomfortable

People see the stage. They see the lights, the confidence, the delivery. What they do not see is everything that happens in the minutes before you walk out. The quiet conversations you have with yourself. The doubt that creeps in. The nerves that sit in your chest. This is the part no one talks about. But it is the part that matters. Because what you say to yourself before you speak will shape how you show up when you do. The voice in your head can go either way Right before

Because stories speak the language of the heart. When I first started speaking, I thought the secret to a powerful presentation was confidence, strong posture, polished delivery, and perfect slides. But I quickly realised that what truly connects people isn’t perfection, it’s storytelling . Stories are how we make sense of the world. They’re how we connect, how we remember, how we relate. And whether you’re on stage, in business, or simply sharing your journey over a cup of t