Pushing Myself Into Being Capable!

By  |  17 Comments

i prefer writing to speaking. i’d rather write an email/text than talk on the phone. writing is my preferred communication style, hence this here blog. i think i like it better because it allows me to process, edit and change what i’m saying/thinking should i not get it right the first time. i usually prefer coaching speakers than actually being the one on the stage…

however, this past weekend consisted of me speaking my thoughts rather than writing them out. i was tempted to ask the conference planners if they could supply each member of my workshop with access to a computer so we could all just silently read some of my favorite blog posts (this would have made my introverted self quite happy). alas, i pushed myself into being capable (my word of the year)!

chelsea avery the new wifestyle

i talked about the “power of partnerships” first starting with yourself, professional partnerships and then your intimate partnership. guess what…i liked it way more than i anticipated. this isn’t my first time speaking in public but it was my first time doing this workshop live. usually it’s people coming up to my husband after he does a keynote or workshop and telling him what they got from it but i was the one to experience it over the weekend and it. was. awesome.

turns out when you speak about something you care about, share your stories of both success and failure and allow others to do the same…it comes together nicely. it was sort of like a live blog post with commenters in the room! ha.

my husband was the keynote speaker earlier in the day. it was especially powerful because this was at our toastmasters district, full of the people who supported him/us so fully in the quest for the world champion of public speaking.

ryan avery speaker keynote d7

i was such a ball of tears and affection not only for him but the people sitting in that room. as we move farther away from the year of 2012 (the year we dedicated our entire lives to the process of the WCPS) it seems to be easier to forget how hard we worked and how many people helped us get there. this was a powerful reminder about what community means and how grateful i am to be a part of it.

what might be the perfect way to end a day when you prove yourself wrong about not liking being on stage, being proud of your husband and feeling a sense of community? i will tell you. it is winning the raffle for a cinnamon roll literally larger than your head. we obviously freaked out.

biggest cinnamon roll ever

good thing we were headed to our friends’ house for dinner while also being reunited with good people from the wedding we officiated together! so many laughs and i had no idea that the game ‘catch phrase’ used to be non-electronic! you can really tell a lot about someone with how they handle that game.

more cinnamon roll

for the rest of this monday i am going to continue feeling proud of myself and the workshop i gave over the weekend. i am also going to be very focused because tomorrow i leave my home for a whole month (snapchatting along the way)! my little helper is judging me for how many striped clothing i’m packing…

sugar packing travel

this weekend has taught me that if we don’t stretch ourselves and do things that make us uncomfortable/sweaty/nervous – we will never know how much we are capable of in who we are. i will be remember this thought for the remainder of the month. there are more things coming up that make me feel uncomfortable – like doing a keynote with my husband this coming weekend in colorado and then embarking on our antarctic adventure!

on this monday, whatever it is you are up to or whatever it is you are afraid to do…remember that you are indeed quite capable!

xo.

Grateful Heart w/ Ember Grey

17 Comments

  1. Paula Howley

    November 9, 2015 at 9:39 am

    WAY. TO. GO. It IS amazing to experience how much easier speaking is when you actually give a sh!t about the content and the people receiving it!
    Paula Howley recently posted…To Be or Not to Be – Regardless, the Sauce is Everywhere

    • chelsea

      November 10, 2015 at 7:21 am

      yay thanks paula! right you are about how much easier it is to speak when you care about the content and how it can hopefully help people!

  2. katie

    November 9, 2015 at 10:01 am

    Wow! Congrats on your speaking engagement. What an awesome experience!!! 🙂 And that cinnamon roll.. oh my goodness, I want it. haha!
    katie recently posted…His Love is All I Need

    • chelsea

      November 10, 2015 at 7:22 am

      thank you katie! it really was a good experience for my self-esteem and figuring out what i am truly passionate about! and for real…the cinnamon was like whoaaa! 🙂

  3. Elyse

    November 9, 2015 at 10:19 am

    AWESOME! Glad you rocked it even if it was out of your comfort zone!

    P.S. One day, I’ll do public speaking but so far I’ve picked things in life to avoid that very thing…I’ve even forfeited marks in courses just to avoid speaking publicly.
    Elyse recently posted…Royal Agricultural Winter Fair

    • chelsea

      November 10, 2015 at 7:25 am

      thanks elyse! i am still patting myself on the back for expanding my comfort zone!

      i feel you on the public speaking thing, it can be overwhelming with all those nerves coursing through you and eyes on you! there are a ton of toastmasters clubs in toronto if you ever want to check one out and practice in a super safe and supportive environment 🙂

  4. Audrey

    November 9, 2015 at 10:41 am

    Good for you, Chelsea! And I’m so excited to follow along with your adventures on Snurpchert (I always pronounce it that way…)!! I love the Sugar cameos! I’m so excited for you!
    Audrey recently posted…My Political Profile

    • chelsea

      November 10, 2015 at 7:26 am

      thank you audrey!!! and OMG ‘snurpchert’ is hilarious and i will now start using that pronunciation because it’s way better! oh and sugar says hiiiiiii

  5. Vivien

    November 9, 2015 at 1:12 pm

    Congrats! Both on leaping out of your comfort zone, and winning that ridiculously large cinnamon bun! (I’m drooling).
    Vivien recently posted…Why I Almost Vowed to Never Enter a Tall Tales Contest

    • chelsea

      November 11, 2015 at 9:07 am

      thank you vivien! it was a victorious day all around! 🙂

  6. Kate

    November 10, 2015 at 4:06 pm

    I would not be sharing that cinnamon roll! Congratulations on a job well done, and I really love that term about being capable–will definitely have to use it!
    Kate recently posted…Hello, Monday

    • chelsea

      November 11, 2015 at 9:08 am

      totally use capable kate – it seems to have given me that extra boost of self-esteem and confidence that sometimes waves for me 🙂

  7. Elizabeth T

    November 10, 2015 at 5:18 pm

    Awesome Chelsea!!!! Love that you keep pushing yourself out of your comfort zone. Oh and also that cinnamon roll looks so huge and delicious!!!
    Elizabeth T recently posted…Thank a Veteran {Veteran’s Day Gift + Printable}

    • chelsea

      November 11, 2015 at 9:09 am

      thanks elizabeth! it isn’t always easy but it is astounding how much we are capable of if we get out of our own way. i keep looking at the cinnamon roll and cracking up!

  8. Charlene

    November 11, 2015 at 12:16 pm

    This is awesome! I am an introvert as well and I would always always rather write than talk. It drives my mom crazy when I text her instead of calling her. lol But it really is so powerful to push yourself to do something you’re not comfortable with.
    Charlene recently posted…How to Prepare for the Perfect Date Night

  9. Emily

    November 11, 2015 at 8:06 pm

    Wow – good for you!!! I have always said that too – that I prefer writing over speaking (to the point where I’ve turned down speaking opportunities)… this was encouraging to read with such a great reminder. Thank you!!
    Emily recently posted…In honor of Joey Martin Feek.

  10. Pingback: Making Your Parents Proud • the new wifestyle