Overcoming Anxiety

I recently had a “meta” experience.  I actually had to look up “meta” to make sure it meant what I thought!  One definition is self-refential.  I think I’m correct.

I spoke at a women’s networking group and the objective is not only to highlight my counseling services but to leave the others with something they can use in their business or in their personal lives.

I chose to speak about Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), a technique you can use to help manage troubling emotions and thoughts.  I shared that it was something introduced to me by a therapist when I was going through a particularly difficult time in my life.  I expressed to the attendees that I would go to the bathroom in the building I worked in and do this technique several times per day and it literally got me through the day, allowing me to go back to my desk and be at least relatively productive, at least for a little while.

I decided to do an experiment with this technique to share with my audience.  I am terrified of public speaking, stemming from grade school and middle school experiences.  In 4th grade, I was chosen to recite a Thanksgiving poem on local closed-circuit television.  I was very nervous and sometimes when I am stressed out, I get fever blisters.  Well, I got fever blisters but had to go on television anyway. I’m sure I’m the only person in this world who remembers that, but I DO remember that! Then in middle school, on my first day at a new school, March 17, the teacher had me read a St. Patrick’s Day poem, because my name is Kelly.  I was mortified to be speaking in front of all these strangers!

Every time I thought about my presentation, I got nervous.  So, I did this technique and felt better.  At first it was a brief respite from the anxiety but eventually it allowed me to stay calm and not overwhelmed.  That allowed me to have the mental and emotional capacity and energy to practice the presentation.  And guess what?  I got even less stressed!  Who could have predicted that?  And I felt like I did a pretty good job.

So, does this meet the definition of meta?!

If you’d like to learn about this technique, give me a call at 417-413-1682.