THE PODCAST! The TEDx Adventure. If you can not listen to this video for copyright reasons, use this link: https://anna-jelen.com/en/the-tedx-adventure/

THE FEAR of TEDx Vitosha: Keynote speaker tips from Anna Jelen @ TEDx Vitosha, Solfia, Bulgaria
"Imagine you are standing on this beautiful stage in this amazing theatre. The audience is watching you. And they would also like to hear you - but there is not one word coming out of your mouth. Because you have a total blank. The words are just gone. Come on, what’s next? You have no idea. You think: "How can my brain be empty like this?" It’s almost fascinating, that this is possible. Pure emptiness. BUT - it’s not really the moment to have a blank."

I’m on the scene, in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, in this amazing theatre, standing on the round red carpet - the symbol for the TED or TEDx talks. The lights are blinding me - I can’t see the reaction of the people in the audience. But luckily there are just 5 to ten persons watching me. Tomorrow - there will be around 800 people staring at me. So I know, what I will have to work on till tomorrow.
In today's episode I’m going to cover up the issues of how to handle nervousness and also I will talk about the high expectations we often have for oneself.

Hello Ladies and Gentleman - I’m back in your ear, me Anna Jelen Your Time Expert, someone who has always been nervous before a speech and I wouldn’t want to be without it, because it gives me the adrenalin kick which prepares me for the scene. And normally, when I’m on the scene, I’m in my element and in the flow. I love it because it is the moment where I can inspire dozens or hundreds of people. But I have never really had a total blank. So this was new.
My husband Samuel and even my mum were with me this time. Because it was my mums birthday and we wanted to create a few unforgettable moments in Sofia. When I had my big rehearsal, both of them were sitting in the audience. After my blank-scenario, I went to get them. And they were pale. You can’t imagine how worried they looked like! Oh god, I still remember their faces - that was hilarious, really. I just said: come on, let’s go and have a beer.
We sat in the park - next to the theatre, drank a beer and were still a bit speechless.

6 weeks ago, I received the invitation for the TEDx talk. We had just returned from Lappland where we had worked creatively for one month - so after these kinds of work-sessions - when I’m back: my agenda is 70% full with workshops and speeches. Thank god for the 30% of PUFFER TIME I always talk about when I do my workshops. Keep your puffer time! Always. Because there will be unplanned things coming in. So here was my unplanned TEDx invitation. And this can happen to any of us - no matter the business - there will always the unplanned projects coming in. If you don’t leave some buffer time - you have to say no to some great and big opportunities. Keep the puffers for these chances!
#keynotespeakertips #tedxvitosha #annajelen