Day 14 - Sharing a New Story In A Familiar Talk

Day 14 brought a different kind of risk: integrating a new, deeply personal story into a workshop I've delivered multiple times before.

This might not seem like a big deal from the outside, but storytelling is an art form. When you're trying out a story with an audience—especially one that's personal and carries the weight of driving home an important point—the stakes feel real.

The anxiety was definitely there. My Oura ring didn't lie—it registered higher stress levels than usual during my talk. But I didn't shy away from the discomfort, and the story landed decently well.

Afterwards, in that reflective space that follows any speaking engagement, I realized there was an even better way I could have driven the point home. This is why the post-workshop reflection matters so much—staying regulated enough after taking a risk that you can actually learn from it.

The familiar workshop framework gave me a safety net, but adding the new story element still activated my nervous system. It reminded me that even in our areas of competence, there's always room to stretch, to risk, to grow.

Practice is how I navigate speaking situations. This workshop required less preparation since I know the content well, but the new story component still needed courage. It's that willingness to risk that keeps our skills sharp and our impact fresh.

The workshop went well, the story served its purpose, and I walked away with insights for next time. Most importantly, I walked away having chosen growth over safety once again.

Risking—it's how we grow. Even in the territories we think we know by heart.