Ever felt your heart pounding like a drum, your palms sweating, as you stepped onto the stage or hit the “Go Live” button? The fear of judgment, those whispers in the front row or snarky comments on your video, can be paralyzing. But what if I told you that this fear doesn't have to control you?

Let's face it, we all judge. It's human nature. But focusing on others' opinions will only trip you up. Past criticism or embarrassing moments can cast a long shadow, but they don't have to dictate your message.

Here's how to break free from the chains of judgment and deliver presentations that truly resonate:

Focus on Your Impact

Your message matters. It deserves to be heard. Shift your focus from avoiding judgment to delivering a presentation that truly inspires and informs your audience. Critics are part of the game. Some will love your message, and some won’t. And that’s perfectly okay! Focus on your right tribe—the people who resonate with what you have to say.

In her book “Worthy” Jamie Kern Lima tells a story about walking into a grocery store sans makeup.  Her rosacea was evident.  She saw another woman across the aisle who seemed to be suffering from the same condition. The woman gave her a nod and a smile acknowledging a kinship shared by appearing in public look less than perfect.  Jamie says the brief encounter encouraged her to continue to build her cosmetic brand, even when the future seemed bleak. Adopt a similar stance because your message is vital. Only you can deliver it the way you do. The world needs to hear it—don’t let fear stop you from sharing! 

Turn Trolls into Triumphs: Online criticism? Consider it a badge of honor! It means your message is making waves. Acknowledge the feedback gracefully (a simple "Thank you for sharing your perspective") can go a long way and then move on. Remember, their negativity says more about them than it does about you. 

A few months ago, I delivered a virtual presentation that was received incredibly well—except for one piece of negative feedback. In the past, that would have stopped me in my tracks. But not anymore, I’ve learned to differentiate between mean spirted comments and constructive criticism.  If someone you trust offers insights, consider using the feedback to grow and improve your craft.

Reframe Your Inner Critic: We all have that negative voice in our heads. Catch those self-defeating thoughts and flip the script. Remind yourself of your purpose, the value you bring, and the impact you want to make. Use tools like sticky notes, computer wallpaper, or AI music creation to keep positive affirmations front and center. I recently asked ChatGPT to be a Grammy winning song writer and use my affirmations to create lyrics that I then dropped into Suno (online music tool) to create a song. Listening to it is now part of my morning routine.

Avoid letting the fear of judgment stop you from making an impact. So, create that video, book that gig, or lead that meeting! Your voice matters.

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