{"id":45207,"date":"2019-04-26T14:41:35","date_gmt":"2019-04-26T06:41:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.roblilwall.com\/en-ae\/?p=45207"},"modified":"2025-04-29T15:23:05","modified_gmt":"2025-04-29T07:23:05","slug":"overcoming-fears-the-right-coach-for-you-and-speaking-engagements","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/roblilwall.com\/en-ae\/blog\/2019\/04\/26\/overcoming-fears-the-right-coach-for-you-and-speaking-engagements\/","title":{"rendered":"Overcoming Fears, the Right Coach for You, and Speaking Engagements"},"content":{"rendered":"

April has been filled with travels and thoughts – speaking engagements, overcoming fear and having the right coach to propel you to success.<\/p>\n

Overcoming Fear<\/h3>\n

\"Keynote<\/p>\n

A few nights ago, I faced my oldest fear, and found it easier than I expected. Sometimes when we have fear which paralyses us, we think we’ll never overcome it, even if we try.<\/p>\n

My great fear goes back to childhood – namely, that I found it impossible to ask a question in class. I really wanted to, but I just couldn\u2019t. I was afraid of being embarrassed, which I knew was irrational, but even if we know our fear is irrational, that doesn\u2019t mean it’s easy to overcome.<\/p>\n

Ironically, my job ended up being a professional keynote speaker! But whilst motivational speaking has become easier, I still find asking a question at a lecture very hard.<\/p>\n

I’ve made a sustained effort to overcome it (I’ll write about techniques later), and gradually I’ve got better (though often I still wimp out).<\/p>\n

But then, one of my favourite theologians (NT Wright) was in Hong Kong, and so we went to see him speak.<\/p>\n

To help me, I’d thought of a question in advance, and resolved to put my hand up before anyone else. And that is what I did. And to my surprise it was much easier than in the past.<\/p>\n

Maybe I’m finally growing up!<\/p>\n

If we commit to continued, intentional effort, overcoming old fears becomes much easier.<\/p>\n

What are your fears? Dare you overcome them?<\/p>\n

\n

Keynote Speeches and Masterclass<\/h3>\n

Great fun today to give a keynote speeches and masterclass in Thailand and Malaysia.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

At the Merck Elite Awards event in Bangkok, we reflected on, among other things, how an attitude of adventure – which is courageous, creative and collaborative – is very helpful not only on an adventure, but also today’s business environment of uncertainty, pressure and opportunity!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

I also gave a speech and masterclass for JLL<\/a> in Penang. In the three-hour masterclass session, we used the stories from my three toughest expeditions to lead into important topics such as Growth Mindset, Collaboration, Self-Care and developing a Positive Outlook (among other things)!<\/p>\n

There was brilliant audience engagement and some excellent application.<\/p>\n

\n

What type of coach do you need?<\/h3>\n

I need several different sorts!<\/p>\n

I have benefited hugely from having a brilliant business coach (<\/span>Trevor Smith<\/span><\/a>) who has helped me with growing a business.<\/span><\/p>\n

I have also had coaches & mentors for my keynote speaking career (thank you Fredrik Haren<\/a> and Zara and Troy Swindells-Grose<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Most recently, for the first time I got an acting coach – I never expected to get one of those! I have not been in a play since I was forced to be in one when I was 11, because I found acting far too scary. But funnily enough, my job is now as a professional keynote speaker.<\/p>\n

So then a speaking friend Ashley Galina Dudarenok<\/a> recommended I hire Howard Paley<\/a> for some acting coaching.<\/p>\n

Howard is an experienced actor & director. He has pushed me far out of my comfort zone, making me act roles, read scripts, & teaching me in a fresh way the power of voice, timing, gesture. We have been through my main keynote speech, rehearsing & trying out new things. It has been incredibly helpful – I will hire him again.<\/p>\n