Inspire Me! Life and Career Planning 101

Two years ago, as I was driving onto the campus for one of these talks, I felt such a sense of anxiety pass over me. It had been seven months since I had spoken in front of any group of people. I am not unaccustomed to either talking, or getting in front of people to do so! My stomach started churning more turbulently as I drove closer to the parking lot.

My fears? “It has been too long!” “I have nothing to say!” “No one will want to listen!”

I called another friend from the parking lot for a pep talk. She reminded me that the only thing that was truth is that it had been seven months since I’d spoken in front of a group.

The talk went brilliantly.

I don’t know from where I dig it all up. I hadn’t really planned anything. I usually just “wing it,” though I hear that planning might make it less stressful. I’m not so sure that would be true for me.

I began by asking the students what they hoped to gain from a class in “Life & Career Planning.” I followed it with a question that others tell me is a gutsy move: “What is it that you expect from me today?” It gave me just enough time to categorize in my head what I was probably going to say anyway. I simply needed time to make sense of it as it would relate to them.

Their answers? They wanted to hear my own story of my work experience. They wanted ideas, options, and answers. They wanted to be inspired.