Creating Confidence with Heather Monahan - #110: The Secret To Taking On A Massive Goal with Heather!

Episode Date: May 5, 2021

The world is opening up and the time for business is now! But that means big, exciting, and potential scary opportunities will be coming your way. And you have to know what to do when they come. Take these tips from me on how to break down a task, lower expectations on yourself, visualize, prep, and perform! You will be amazed at your results. No more waiting in the wings. Let’s tackle these opportunities together!  Rate, Review, and Subscribe to the podcast here! To inquire about my coaching program opportunity visit https://mentorship.heathermonahan.com/    Review this podcast on Apple Podcast using this LINK and when you DM me the screen shot, I buy you my $299 video course as a thank you!    My book Confidence Creator is available now! get it right HERE   If you are looking for more tips you can download my free E-book at my website and thank you! https://heathermonahan.com    *If you'd like to ask a question and be featured during the wrap up segment of Creating Confidence, contact Heather Monahan directly through her website and don’t forget to subscribe to the mailing list so you don’t skip a beat to all things Confidence Creating!     See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Come on this journey with me. Each week when you join me, we are going to chase down our goals. We'll overcome adversity and set you up for a better tomorrow. I'm ready for my close-up. Hi, and welcome back. I'm so excited. You're back with me this week. Okay, so interesting week. First of all, I want to talk about Tiffany Bova, who I interviewed earlier this week. If you haven't heard that episode, please tune in and listen. This woman is brilliant. And it's so, bizarre, she found me on LinkedIn, gosh, a couple of years ago and asked me to be a guest on her podcast. And I was super interested in what she's doing. She's a huge, very well-known keynote speaker.

And I wanted to learn from her how she accelerated her speaking business. She was so kind to me and gave me so much time, sent me her keynotes, you know, super helpful, wonderful person. Anyhow, then she said to me, this is a couple of years ago, I was thinking about getting an agent and writing a book with a publisher this time, cut to now. And I already have a book that's coming out with Harper Collins this year, but back then I didn't. And so I was asking her, do you know any agents? How did you get an agent? And it was funny. She ended up introducing me to someone as a result of that conversation who was an agent. I did not click with the person and we ended up not working together. However, it was an interesting first,

conversation and experience into the world of agents and publishers and the world that I'm knee-deep in now. And I'm so grateful that I found my agent that I went with. My agent Jill is amazing. I mean, just top-notch. Sunday, she was helping me with all these requests I was getting, and she's just great. So things work out for a reason, even though I wanted an agent really bad two years ago, I'm so glad that one did not work out because it led me to eventually finding Jill now. Okay, so having Tiffany on my show now, what worked out great was we were able to rekindle that conversation and get back into the speaking business and where she's at and how, you know, she was booked multiple times every single day during 2020. And, you know, again, just sharing

with me tips and insights and just super, super helpful. So, and then offering to help support my new book. And she's just a great woman and really just so, so smart, just a brilliant woman. So If you didn't hear the episode, go back and check it out. She dropped so much knowledge in that episode. Okay, so here was the big deal for me this week. A couple of months ago, I got a request to my website to do a YPO forum. I had no idea what that was at all, YPO forum. I know YPO.

I did a virtual speaking engagement for YPO during COVID, but I didn't know what a forum was. So, you know, we negotiated costs. I said yes. and I thought I'll figure it out later. Well, about a month ago, I reached out to my friend at YPO and I said, what is a forum? I have one coming up and I don't even know what it is. She was cracking up. She said, of course you do.

You know, say yes and figure it out along the way. She said, so it's a much more intimate event where work is done at the event and it's not just keynote speaking and it's a lot longer. So I went back to the client and I found out the event was three hours. she actually wanted it to be four hours on Zoom, which I told her she was crazy because people are zoomed out. I'm Zoomed out. And I just, I couldn't see how that could work. Cut two. She agreed to three hours. And I was really intimidated by it because I've never done a Zoom event that long. And my fear is, you know, to bore people. So here's how I broke it down. I thought, okay, I do one-hour

Zoom keynotes all the time. So that's check. Let's break this into three pieces, three one-hour segments. So check, the first one, easy. I've got that covered. I knew the first hour would be really good. Now, what am I going to do for box two and three? And I remembered back in 2019, I was at Boise State University doing a workshop. It was a three-hour workshop. And I remembered, I had say, I always saved files on feedback because feedback is data.

Data doesn't lie. So it's going to give you insight into what lands with people, what people connect with. So I went back to that folder and took a look at the things people liked the exercises that I had brought to the table. Then it reminded me in my new book, Overcome Your Villains, due out November 9th, 2021, super excited that I had incorporated a number of exercises in my book. So I went to the Boise Workshop Notes, and then I also went to my new book and took a couple of exercises from my new book. And it was sort of, that's an amazing way for me to do. test the material of the new book too. I mean, listen, it's too late for me to change it anyways, but I was super excited. So that was going to be hour two, was going to be the exercises I was going to

initiate. And I did feel somewhat comfortable because I had done that at Boise. Again, not on Zoom, but in person. So that gave me a little bit more comfort. That final hour, I decided I would open it up to discuss the findings that we had discovered in the exercise hour. In my mind, this is what I was going to do. So I planned. And for 10 exercises, which I knew would be way too much, but I figured always have more, you know, in case something happens. And I didn't even get, I only got through three of the exercises. And the feedback was phenomenal. It went by so fast.

And it was crazy because I noticed that I was at first looking at the time thinking, oh, my gosh, how am I going to get through three hours? How am I going to make this work? And the first hour went by so fast. The second hour went by so fast. And then finally I looked at the clock and we were coming. towards the end of our three hours. And I had to stop short. I wasn't near done with the content that I had created,

but I had really what happened was we had a lot more dialogue back and forth, which was really powerful and intimate and interesting. And it was a success. So the next time you see a big opportunity, a big scary opportunity coming, say yes, know that you'll figure it out along the way, break it down into smaller pieces that are more manageable. and look back on your life at different instances where you can pull and say,

wow, this was something similar. It might not be exactly the same, but it's something similar. And now, when you want more, start your business with Northwest Registered Agent and get access to thousands of free guides, tools, and legal forms to help you launch and protect your business. All in one place. Build your complete business identity with Northwest today. Northwest Registered Agents has been helping small business owners and entrepreneurs

launch and grow businesses for nearly 30 years. They are the largest registered agent and LLC service in the U.S. with over 1,500 corporate guides, real people who know your local laws and can help you in your business every step of the way. Build your business identity fast with Northwest registered agent and get access to thousands of free resources, forms, and step-by-step guides without even creating an account. Sign up for a free account to begin managing your business hub with lawyer drafted operating agreements bylaws resolutions membership certificates bills a sale and more all at no cost northwest is your one-stop business resource learn how to build a professional website what annual filings your business needs to stay in good standing and simple explanations of complicated

business laws with northwest privacy is automatic they never sell your data and all services are handled in-house because privacy by default is their pledge to all customers don't wait protect your privacy, build your brand, and get your complete business identity in just 10 clicks and 10 minutes. Visit northwest registered agent.com slash confidence-free and start building something amazing. Get more with Northwest Registered Agent at www. northwesternigertagent.com slash confidence-free. If your anxiety, depression, or ADHD are more than a rough patch, you don't need just another meditation app. Talkiatry makes it easy to see a psychiatrist online using your insurance in days.

Takiatry is 100% online psychiatry practice that provides comprehensive evaluations, diagnoses, and ongoing medication management for conditions like ADHD, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, OCD, PTSD, insomnia, and more. Unlike therapy-only apps, tachyotry is psychiatry. That means you're seeing a medical provider who can diagnose mental health conditions and prescribe medication when it's appropriate. All their 600 plus clinicians are in network with major insurers so you can use your existing insurance instead of paying monthly subscriptions or out of network fees. You'll meet with an experienced licensed psychiatrist who takes the time to understand what's going on, build a personalized treatment plan, and can prescribe medication when it's

right for you. Your care stays consistent and evidence-based. Head to tachiatry.com slash confidence and complete the short assessment to get matched with an in-network psychiatrist in just a few minutes. That's talkiatry.com slash confidence to get matched in minutes. Starting the year with a wardrobe refresh, Quince has you covered with lux essentials that feel effortless and look polished. They're perfect for layering, mixing, and building a wardrobe that lasts. Their versatile styles make it easy to reach for them day after day. Quince has all the staples covered, from soft Mongolian cashmere sweaters that feel like designer pieces without the markup to 100% silk tops and skirts for easy dressing up to perfectly cut denim for everyday wear. Their wardrobe essentials are crafted to last season after season.

Their Italian wool coats are real standouts. They're beautifully tailored, soft to the touch, and built to carry you through years of wear. Not just one season. The quality shows in every detail, the stitching, the fit, the fabrics, every piece, is thoughtfully designed to be your new wardrobe essential. And like everything from Quince, each piece is made from premium materials and ethical trusted factories that are priced far below

what other luxury brands charge. I can't tell you how much I am loving my new cashmere sweater. It's a staple for sure, and I can't wait to give one to my best friend for her birthday this year. It is timeless, gorgeous, and the softest thing I've ever touched. Which Quince pieces are you interested in it? I mean, from the bags to the denim, to the sweaters, to the jackets,

they're all incredible luxury high-end products without the high-end price. Refresh your wardrobe with Quince. Don't wait. Go to quince.com slash confidence for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too. That's Q-U-I-N-C-E.com slash confidence to get free shipping and 365-day returns. Quince.com. confidence. This event, right now I've done a three-hour Zoom event. And so now I know I called my friend

from YPO who lives in Denver, and I said, my forum went amazing. And I'm super grateful that you had given me the opportunity to speak at YPO to begin with. That's how YPO Panama found me. And she said, oh my gosh, I'm so glad you're letting me know. Now I can put you on the YPO forum approved speaker list. So again, it's so hard to find out the inner workings of different companies and to understand how they make decisions, how they hire their speakers, how they get their talent. But when you have someone on the inside that's advocating for you, it's so much more helpful. It's just so much better. So definitely grateful that I reached out to her to thank her because then she's actually helping me yet again. So hopefully that helps for the next big thing

that you have coming up, break it down into pieces, rely on your past experiences to help set you up for future success. That's how I keep moving it forward. Meet a different guest. Okay, so I was looking at some of the questions that were sent to me on LinkedIn and Instagram and my website. And one woman I felt so bad for, as you all know, I host a clubhouse room every Wednesday at 8 p.m. EST. That is a free session that I offer for anyone to come in that has questions that they want

answered in real live time. So this woman had sent me a note on LinkedIn and she was freaking out and she said, I know that you answer questions on your podcast. However, I need your help before then. Now, of course, I offer one-on-one executive coaching, but that is a paid opportunity, and she did not have the funds, you know, to pay for that. So I said, listen, come to my clubhouse, or you can submit the question here, and I will answer my podcast. She didn't end up coming to the clubhouse. So unfortunately, this information didn't reach her on time, which stinks. However, she was freaking out because she had a big presentation in person. And like many of us who haven't,

Well, I've been doing it in person. That's actually a trick because I live in Florida. And now we are doing live events here. And I'm super grateful for it. But for many people, they have not been back in person yet. And it can feel intimidating, awkward. I think I shared this with you at the events that I've been doing. They have green, yellow, and red bracelets.

And you put on the bracelet that you feel comfortable with. Green bracelet being, you can shake my hand, talk to me, I'm fine. Yellow bracelet, meaning stay six feet away from me, respect my space and red meaning do not come anywhere near me. I am really nervous about COVID. So there are different systems and protocols in place for events to help people feel more natural and safe and just have some type of comfort. But here's the thing, and this is what I want everyone to know. The energy level when you meet with people face to face now is off the flipping charts. And that's just a result of for one year, people have people,

have not been seeing one another. So no matter how prepared you are, no matter what topic you're speaking about, your audience is going to go freaking crazy. So take the pressure off yourself first and foremost about in-person meetings, presentations in person, and speaking engagements in person. I guarantee this. My first live event back, I was no better than I was a year ago at my last live event, but the crowd went crazy. And it was just because we were all together and they were so grateful and I was so grateful and the energy is just incredibly different. So number one, lower expectations on yourself. You don't need to bring A plus plus game. Just show up and be you and that's going to be magic enough. Also do your homework. The more comfortable you are with your content,

the more confident you're going to be when you're speaking. That's just fact. Nobody wants to see you reading from PowerPoint presentations, right? People want to hear you, engage them with a story, draw them in, add value, explain whatever it is that you're teaching or sharing, and then close with some type of a call to action or request. One of the things that I would do when I was in corporate America is I would involve my team. I would recruit my team for help, you know, go through some exercises around what does the meeting look like? What are our goals for the meeting? Who are the key stakeholders that I want involved? I would also plant questions with my team. So, you know, silence is a killer at and presentations. You want people raising their hand, asking questions, being involved. And sometimes

people just don't feel comfortable doing that. So when you plant a question, you open up those floodgates where people start feeling more natural and more open to raising their hand and contributing asking questions. So definitely stack the cards in your favor ahead of time and have those questions prepped and ready to go that if nobody's asking something, Jim is going to raise his and you know exactly what question he's going to ask. Practice is by far and beyond one of the most important things you can do. I have my poor son listen to more keynotes. Every time I do a new keynote, I force him to listen to me while he's eating dinner

and I walk around the living room as if I'm really on a stage giving it, right? Because the more you go there and practice in your mind and in your living room, the more confident you're going to feel when you deliver. I also visualize. I visualize myself at the event. I visualize the event going amazing. I'll never forget when I interviewed Sarah Blakely in Q4, 2019, on stage in Boston at Hypergrowth Marketing Conference.

I was super nervous because I had never met her. I had met her husband, Jesse, before, but I had never met Sarah. And I was intimidated. She's a billionaire with a bee. And she's got the whitest teeth in the world, right? She's got it all going on. So every day for a month, I would visualize that event going amazing and me smiling at her and her smiling at me.

and I just saw it unfolding beautifully. And I jumped on a flight, flew to Boston, walked in, met her, gave her a big hug. She smiled at me. I smiled at her. And it went fantastic. And listen, there were plenty of hiccups that day. You know, they went off script and her team had wanted them on a script. And, you know, there were some bizarre things that happened.

My feet got really sweaty because I was nervous. I fell out of my shoe. I mean, there were so many things that went wrong that could have been. deal-breaker moments, but because I had gone there in my mind ahead of time, because I focused on the crowd going wild and knowing it was going to be a success, I just didn't let those moments stop me and I just kept going. And I kept focusing on her smile and my smile and that energy. And it worked. When we walked off that stage that day, she said to me, Heather, that was one of the best interviews we've ever had before. It was amazing. And I knew why, because I had been there

in my mind ahead of time. So that really had taken the nerves down. As always, I write notes on the bottom of my shoes. I can. I will. I prepped. I practice. I had my lavender with me. I really put the work in. And if you put the work in and you show up as you lower the expectations on yourself, your meeting is going to go amazing. So hopefully this woman hears this advice. Hopefully her presentation in person went fantastic. And for you, just jump back into in person as soon as you feel comfortable, as soon as you can. It really is so incredibly powerful and game-changing. And I can't wait to hear about your live events. I have so many this month. I'm super excited. I'm seeing a lot of events being booked, a lot of still, you know, there's still a number of Zoom events as well. But

it's really making me feel incredibly hopeful to see our. all of the change, all of the momentum happening, and business is back. So 2020 is in the rear view. 2021 is our year. I'm going for it. And I hope you are too. Until next week, keep creating your confidence. You know I will be too.