02/22/2024
I gave a TED Talk this weekend at !
Here are 5 lessons I learned:
1/ Clarity Creates Purpose 💡
I had a vague interest in the topics of culture, religion, medicine, coaching, and psychedelics. Creating a TED talk gave me a structure and focus to create a vision. As I got more clear and specific on the story I wanted to tell, opportunities started to emerge: panels to speak on, new research initiatives, collaborative partnerships. Deeper clarity allowed the world to meet and support me in the purpose I was carving.
2/ Get Supported 🤝
I consider myself an already skilled public speaker and communicator. Speaking on the stage was the next level up. I called a friend beforehand to word vomit my anxieties, boost my ego (“Fayz, you look hot”), and guide me through a meditation to get in the zone (Thanks ). The more I push outside my comfort zone, the more I realize I can’t do it alone. Support is a sign of strength not weakness.
3/ Go Slow ⏳
Every speaker on stage sped up. It’s hard not to with all the lights and cameras. Breathe, pause, and consider going 0.8 the speed you think you’re speaking at to create more presence and impact. Good advice for both public speaking and life.
4/“Kill Your Darlings” 💔
This was advice given to me from a creative genius (shoutout Marita Bollici). Sometimes the parts of the story you are most attached to may not be serving the ultimate point of the story. Being able to “kill” those elements is what distinguishes good from great works.
5/ Embrace the creative process 🎨
For an 18-minute speech, I re-wrote what I was going to say 20-30 times over three months before I got to something that felt authentic and impactful. The backbone of the story never changed but there were times when those re-writes felt worse than the original. A true creative process takes time, reassurance, and trust to fully unfold.
What’s the story you would want to tell if you were on a TED stage? 🌟
I am looking to support 1-2 individuals in creating a purpose and story that serves the world. If that’s you or someone you know, shoot me a message.