The Power in Facing Your Fears: reflections as a panelist for HBN-Chicago
We all have that knot in our stomachs at some point. The voice that whispers to us “You can’t do this!” The trembling in our hands and our voices that resembles a cross between a caffeine overload while the words stumble from us.
There is power in facing your fears.
It creates the opportunity to build confidence and to grow. It is for these reasons that I seek out opportunities to do the things that make me feel fearful.
I went sky diving with my dad. I have my PADI scuba certification that I’ve used to dive in a cave in Mexico and explore reefs all over. I love to travel to places that are totally different than Chicago. I’ve danced on stage as a tribal belly dancer. I’m game for most adventures.
Speaking in front of large groups of adults has always given me the butterflies. Therefore, last Thursday afternoon when I received a text message from my dear friend Johnny saying that his friend was looking for a replacement panelist for an event she was having the following day and that he thought I’d be perfect for it, I was jittery.
That same afternoon, I connected with Carmen Jimenez, the President of the Hispanic Business Network of Chicago.
The Hispanic Business Network of Chicago
HBN began in 2014 when a group of colleagues got together to connect and find ways to support one another’s successes while finding ways to give back to their communities and mentoring young professionals. Today, the HBN has grown into a 100% volunteer-based organization that focuses on career development, community involvement, cultural awareness, and commerce. The members come from diverse industries and backgrounds, yet all share a passion for creating a positive impact on the lives of others.
Inspira – an event for women by women
Carmen presented me with the opportunity to join the panel as a last minute fill in. We were to be talking about wellness and self-care, productivity, our networks, and personal branding. And it was an event for women by women.
Something inside me made me say yes. I knew it was that opportunity to face my fears. I knew the outcome for myself and others was greater than that fear.
You’ll never know the outcomes of something unless you say yes to opportunities
I’m glad I did it! Stepping out in front of everyone and sitting among that group of five other women was incredibly humbling, inspiring, and powerful. I learned from each one of them and from the women (and a few men!) in the room.
Yes, I completely had a loss for words at a couple of points. Yes, it was hard speaking my truths in front of a crowd.
However, when the panel was over, I had a few women that came up to me to thank me for being part of the panel. They told me I’d inspired them. One even commented on how good it made her feel when I owned up the fact that I’m much more visual than verbal and needed an audience member to fill in the word I was looking for.
you don’t have to be perfect. You just have to try.
The fears can either become roadblocks holding you back or something that you overcame. No one expects you to be perfect. You just have to try.
You’ll start to see yourself as someone who can do most anything as your confidence continues to build and your character continues to grow. When we stop facing our fears, that’s when we become stagnant. And what fun is that?
