Tuesday
Jun192012
TEDx Talks: Elan Morgan's "Self-Doubt and the Power of Personal Narrative" at TEDxRegina
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
On May 16, 2012, I had the great opportunity to speak at TEDxRegina.
I have spoken on panels at blogging conferences before, but, until May, I had not stood in front of a group of people to speak alone since my grade 12 English class in 1989. I delivered that talk through two plastic spoons dressed in superhero capes while I hid behind the teacher's desk that I was using as a spoon stage, because public speaking is my greatest fear next to death.
Naturally, of course, I chose to talk about self-doubt, and the business of getting my talk together became a study in my own subject while I worried over images and the structure of my storyline. Working toward this TEDxRegina talk required me to call upon a level of personal fortitude I honestly wasn't sure I had, but it turns out now that I do, and it is this medium and so many of you over the last almost nine years that brought me here to this point where I can accomplish things I once had no faith I could accomplish.
Thank you.
----------------------------
PS. Here are the slides from my presentation by themselves: Self-Doubt and the Power of Personal Narrative
I have spoken on panels at blogging conferences before, but, until May, I had not stood in front of a group of people to speak alone since my grade 12 English class in 1989. I delivered that talk through two plastic spoons dressed in superhero capes while I hid behind the teacher's desk that I was using as a spoon stage, because public speaking is my greatest fear next to death.
Naturally, of course, I chose to talk about self-doubt, and the business of getting my talk together became a study in my own subject while I worried over images and the structure of my storyline. Working toward this TEDxRegina talk required me to call upon a level of personal fortitude I honestly wasn't sure I had, but it turns out now that I do, and it is this medium and so many of you over the last almost nine years that brought me here to this point where I can accomplish things I once had no faith I could accomplish.
Thank you.
----------------------------
PS. Here are the slides from my presentation by themselves: Self-Doubt and the Power of Personal Narrative
categorized in writing and blogging and tagged in Brene Brown, Seth Godin, TED, TED Talks, TEDx, TEDxRegina, Utah Phillips, self-doubt, videos, videos Schmutzie made
writing and blogging and tagged in Brene Brown, Seth Godin, TED, TED Talks, TEDx, TEDxRegina, Utah Phillips, self-doubt, videos, videos Schmutzie made 
Reader Comments (64)
I LOVE YOU.
Lovely. I wish YOU were wearing a cape for this one, because you did a SUPER job.
I admire your bravery and honesty. Keep writing. Keep spreading your truth.
Beautifully done. I really needed this today. Thank you.
This was wonderful and I shared it. Girl, you are an incredible public speaker!
you are inspiration personified
Just excellent. So moving... just right-on. Now can I borrow your organizers? TEDx Halifax was in March and there's still no video. You totally lapped me. (and awesomely) xo
That part about all the stories written and hidden way reminded me of Chris and his endless supply of notebooks. I have yet to force myself to open a one. Thank you. Thank you for owning your story. You are beautiful and I love you.
I do not thank you for making me bawl through the whole damn thing though.
#7 and #10 made my cry. the words on the screen are blurry. thank you xo
Elan,
I had an opportunity to meet you. When I met you, after your beautiful TEDTalk on that day in Regina... I said, "One of the most touching, real, and inspirational presentations I have witnessed" and I meant it.
What I didn't share is I had an opportunity, during your talk, to shed a tear... many tears, actually.
Thank you... thank you for the emotion, thank you for the authenticity, thank you for the inspiration. When you talk, when you write, Elan, you change lives.
Grateful,
Darren Sproat
This was such a powerful presentation. This was what I needed to hear tonight. The idea of looking at obstacles in my way really resonated with me.
Number seven hit me square in the gizzard, for while my spouse is my best friend and hero, I forget sometimes that I am his, as well. Good advice.
Great talk. I'm obnoxiously proud of you. And every time I see that one photo I think, "I AM TOTALLY RIGHT BEHIND HER PEEEEEEINNNNG."
Verklempt.
I can't say anything.
I wish you could feel my heart bursting for you.
YOU HAVE FOUND YOUR PLACE IN THIS WORLD!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dearest Elan, this will now be twice you've caused me to have a complete emotional meltdown and dare to dream and aspire once I gathered all my messy pieces together again. I'm so grateful there are people like you in this world. I am so grateful I have found you.
So wonderful. I sat here teary, nodding along. This is exactly the reminder I need. I keep that post open on a tab on my phone all the time so that I can read it whenever I need a boost.
I look forward to seeing you in August! I hope that I remember to bring enough tissues :)
I just clapped so hard for you in my living room.
The bit about self-doubt being not another true self or a representation of who we necessarily are at all, but a wholly inaccurate belief? So immediately useful for me.
You have already changed so many lives beyond your own, mine included. I am so excited that you have this new venue, so excited. You are such a gift to the world.
This was really inspiring - thank you
Just spent 4 days not breathing. Can now breath again after watching your presentation. Get thee behind me self doubt, I'm in charge now. Elan said so!
Elan = bravery personified. Thank you.
ps: love your voice and accent xxxx
I have been so hoping to get to see your talk on video - thank you so much for sharing it. I loved every second of it. Well done!
You have inspired me to make change. Thank you!!!
Such an inspiring and heartfelt talk! Congratulations and thank YOU!
As a person who abhors public speaking (the flush starts creeping up my chest at the mere mention of it), I was overwhelmed by the bravery it took to stand up in front of strangers and just speak.
You did an amazing job. I work in a mental health center and one of the things we encourage people to do is to "tell their story". They talk about the journey of their life and by putting it out there, it takes some of the negative power out if things and infuses them with positiveness. I've seen it work and now you've shown it again.
Lookin' good, girl! Very moving and inspiring; thanks for posting the video.
I have chills and tears and a big fat smile on my face after watching this. For real.
I love this so much not even having watched the video yet. That presentation made me tear up. Maybe I have more self doubt right now than usual. Thank you!
What a beautiful talk. Vulnerable and poignant. Thanks for being you, and sharing yourself with the rest of the world. You are a gift.
Even though I know you only through the wonderful world of blogging, you and your writing have always resonated with me in very deep ways. I was one of those 6 people who started reading you way back when and I'm inspired and dare I say proud over how far you've come. We're not "friends" in the traditional sense though yours was the first website I left a comment on...and you wrote back!...but I do feel a kinship and a connection. Seeing your courage and articulate way of expressing your personal world has given me hope in my own life. I wish you the best life going forward in all you set out to do and I look forward to reading more....
INCREDIBLE.
Thank you.
Steph
I wish I could have been there to see this in person, because as I said on Twitter this hit me hard. I feel a connection to your narrative, and you're doing what I've always wanted to do and have never been brave enough to accomplish. Self-doubt is still something I wrestle with, but I've come a long way and know now that the road I'm on has been discovered before.
I'm so excited to have discovered your blog, your talk, and you! Thank you <3
Elan, I am so proud of you!! That was amazing! And exactly what I needed to hear. The universe has been dropping perfectly timed gifts in my lap for a couple months now. Weird. Sappy. It is what it is. And I'm sitting here crying happy tears for you and for me. Thank you.
xoxo
Love this. You were amazing. And I totally get loving something so much you want to eat it.
Wonderful. This is such an important subject and you approached it with such honesty and warmth. Thank-you Elan.
Once for you. Again for myself. A third time to really let it sink in. I need to think on this and how it applies to myself, let it sink in to the meat of me and become a part of my bones.
This just moved to the top of my inspiration folder.
Thank you, Elan, for your warmth and honesty.
Thank you for your inspiring talk. I feel blessed to have stumbled upon your blog!
I needed this today. <3
*adds to YouTube favorites to watch ten more times*
Oh, and I was going to write you an email about something, but I haven't got my words together yet. i'm putting this out there as a reminder to myself, so that I WILL eventually send you that email. ;)
I've watched this three times now and each time I tear up. I'm so proud of you. And I'm so happy that I'm lucky enough to call you my friend. You outdid yourself. And your words resonated. They were exactly what I needed to hear. Love.
Thank you. This moved me deeply.
I needed this today. I've needed this for a while. I could go on (and on) about why, but I will just say I appreciate your sharing it. It's a rare treat to see you all in the flesh and doing your respective things. Helps remind me that we're all very real people with very real journeys.
You were awesome. Well done. This really hits home for me right now - I too have always wanted to be a writer and blogging certainly helped me realize that dream to some extent. Now, I'm looking to the future and part of that includes me quitting my job (my cubicle walls are green) to see what might be next. I am not a risk taker but it's time. So, your words are something I can think about when I'm having a crisis of confidence. Thank you.
Call me Mr. Proud.
Schmutzie-
I don't know if I've ever commented and I don't know if I will again...but I read you off and on and I watched every minute of your video, rapt and crying, because there is too much of "me" there. I'm sad because I can't be brave like you, not yet anyway. It's amazing how shame and doubt keep us trapped. Thanks to you, though, I know it IS possible. Maybe someday. Thank you.
I am so in love with you. Whatever else you may doubt in life never doubt this: You are kick ass gorgeous in body, soul, and spirit.
Thank you so much for this, and everything you do.
Bravo.
Watched the whole thing. You are wonderful.
I love this so much. And I feel really proud - both of you, and to know you.
You telling your truth helps me to tell mine, vice versa, ad infinitum and all that.
XXXXX
Beautiful and honest and clearly spoken from a place of experience. Your authenticity is what I have always loved about you. So happy you are getting the opportunity to do this.
And now I know I've been pronouncing Schmutzie wrong in my head for the past 9 years. Short "u", not "oo" like pool.
xo
Your talk was *phenomenal*. I was blown away, both by your public-speaking skill and by your honesty. If you hadn't said that you were afraid of public speaking, I would not have been able to tell that at all. I agree with the commenter who said that this is your calling. I too am going to bookmark this video.
That was wonderful.
I cried.
Thank-you for being brave enough to do that talk!! Seriously. :)
Schmutzie, you are the most REAL person I have ever met, bar none! I didn't know you then, but now you are open, willing to be seen and heard, and happy to engage others. Thank you for reminding me how to live.
Rosemary
De-lurking to say you're awesome. That was fantastic!!!
You have a beautiful voice, Schmutzie. So glad you brought it out from beneath the bushel basket.
I am gobsmacked! Wish I had been there to share this moment with you, Aidan, Jeremy the other hundred or so in the audience. Very proud indeed.