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.
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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)
Fantastic. Your story, told in this way, is powerful. And I love how you wove your messages throughout. More people need to know this.
And yay, now I'm not the only one who cried during my TEDx talk. ;)
That was wonderful. Inspiring. Well done!
I finally got to see this (my video player has been down). Bravo. Well done. Don't stop!
I just watched the video again. One of my greatest goals in life is to treat each person in the world with extraordinary compassion and a belief that they are extraordinary in some unique way. Tonight, you reminded me that I need to treat myself that way, too. Elan, you are incredible.
I did not expect to cry so hard.
This was incredible. Really moving. You have a beautiful voice - in all senses.
Thank you! I so needed to hear this today!
and congrats! I know it was hard for you to get up there and speak your truth but you did it with flair and fabulousness (it's a word! I just made it up!)
Me too.
Brave, brave, brave. And you have the sweetest voice ever.
Just wow, I have never read your blog before today and I just started scrolling down and couldn't get enough. Then came across this video. Straight from the heart, I can't believe how as you spoke your words it was me hiding in that place. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Now that I've finished drying my eyes and can see for the moment... BRAVO! Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. And just what the deepest, sweetest, most scared part of myself needed to hear today. So grateful for this and your courage to put it out there. Gushing with gratitude.
This comment comes with a massive bear hug. Just warning you.
I more than appreciate the vulnerability of your Talk. You genuinely convey the power of honesty and the freedom that it gifts you through that journey. Well done and congrats!
Hey Kiddo - I have no idea that I would somehow get to you on a TedTalk site - but glad that I did...so many changes since last I've seen you, but very happy for you that you've discovered life's journey is yours to own. From the intimate conversations in a crowded bar, to the biggest of stages - congratulations on coming home, to your own story - and finding your voice to share it. Take care. sk
This is really powerful - thank you Elan Morgan!
Sometime when you least expected, a few clicks here and there... (probably too many, the old trick - avoidance!) and there you are: I should have been aware of this before... or should I...!? i guess you come to it when the moment is right... and it certainly feels right. So i thank you, for the nudge!
Céza