Business
Right now we are focusing on what we need to be ready to create our Signature talk, and offer to the world the ideas that only YOU can offer them. TED Talks have established a new norm. Because it's such a wildly popular platform, and because thought leaders want to stand on that platform, the expectations around speaking have changed. It cannot be about our business - it has to be about an IDEA. The TED Platform will not entertain talks that feel like selling. So - what I want to talk about today are three beliefs that you need before you can own the title of TED speaker and thought leader. 1) I belong on this stage. I belong on THIS stage. I belong on THE platform that so many people all over the world have on their bucket list! Because there's all of these expectations that surround the idea of what a TED Speaker is... it has to do with being "worthy" of it. Ugh. So - we have to know, deep in our soul - that we are worthy We don't always start at this point - but the process of developing your talk will walk you to this point. And though the process is difficult and will put you through a lot to get there - Even as a presentation coach, the process of me getting my TED talk ready? I remember at one point suddenly questioning everything I know, wondering if I really belonged up there. Because it's such a powerful platform, it will call into question your belief in yourself. so we have to start with our belief that you belong up there. So if you have this little idea in your head, "I want to do a TED Talk" - then that means that somewhere else in your brain is a voice saying "You belong up there." That's the voice we're going to listen to! 2) I don't know everything, but I know this. Your TED talk is built on significant AHA moments that you have learned and experienced. It can be about a slice or niche that is tiny. You are not expected to know everything; I fact, I think it's powerful to acknowledge that you don't know things - so that when you say 'but I do know this' - Do you know what you know? Because this TED talk will help pull this out of you, I promise!