So, What Are the Odds?
2003 Boaz Rauchwerger
I conduct over 100 seminars a year for TEC, a San Diego based international organization for CEOs. There are over 7,000 members worldwide. These company presidents meet monthly in groups of up to 16.
I'll never forget the first TEC meeting I ever conducted. It had taken a year and a half to get the attention of this prestigious organization and this was my first invitation to speak for them. Speakers are graded, on a scale of 1 to 5, on their presentation and content. A score of 5 is the goal. The better the scores, the more likely a speaker is to be invited to speak before other TEC groups across the country.
It was in Florida on an unusually cool January day that my first TEC event took place. The atmosphere in the meeting room, as I began, was also unusually cool. I had been a professional speaker for nearly twenty years and, by that point, I had developed an ability to read the spirit of an audience.
Twenty minutes into the presentation, fear began to grip my mind. "These people are not warming up to me. They don't seem to be having a good time," I thought to myself. Then the proverbial "what if" dagger threatened my heart. "What if I fail? What if I bomb right here in my audition for TEC?" Then, in a quick leap to the ultimate worry, I thought, "I'll never be invited again to speak before these groups."
All of us face such moments. It's what we do with them that makes the difference for champions. There is great value in looking at the odds in order to help us get over moments of fear. Thus, I thought to myself, "When was the last time I bombed before an audience?" In considering that question, I thought about the fact that I've conducted over 1,000 seminars over a twenty-year span.
I could not think of the last time I had failed as a speaker. I could not recall any single audience that did not react favorably to my presentations. So, I quickly analyzed, "What were the odds that I would fail this time?" The obvious answer was "Practically Zero!"
Thus, having the odds in my favor, I decided to leave my fears behind, boldly move ahead in my presentation and stop worrying about my audience. I thought, "If this morning's event fails, it will not be because I didn't give 150%. I'm going to give everything I've got and the results will be up to the audience."
All of the above analysis happened within seconds and I simply decided that the debate was over. I subconsciously said to myself, "It's Showtime!" And that's exactly how I proceeded.
It's amazing what happens when we stop negotiating and commit to a course. Let's burn down the bridges of retreat and perform as if there is no other choice. That's what I did on that January day in Florida. The instant I committed, everything began to change.
I was no longer nervous. I was no longer questioning. As the old saying goes, "The group runs at the speed of the leader." I became the leader and "my" group followed. You could literally feel the emotional temperature of the room rise in the next few minutes. And, as I felt that positive feedback from my audience, I was off and running.
I wish I could tell you that that morning turned out perfectly. In this case that's exactly what I can tell you. As I relaxed and began to have a good time, they began to have a good time. The event turned out to be exactly what I wanted because I stopped worrying and started living.
After joining the group for lunch, I left in my rented car to drive to the airport. Before I got there, the chairman of the group called and said, "You were wonderful this morning. Our group loved you. I'm excited to tell you that you got perfect scores from everyone – all 5's."
Isn't that amazing. Twenty minutes into the presentation I faced a crossroads. You may be facing one right now. What would have been the worst result that morning? The worst would have been a bad presentation by me, received badly by my audience and poor recommendations. Would anyone have actually died as a result? Would my career as a speaker have ended? The clear answer is NO.
Even if the worst would have happened, life as I knew it would not have ended. The odds were in my favor. I pretended that all was well and committed to my course.
The next time you face a moment of fear, identify clearly in writing the worst result that could happen. Write down what you would do if that was the case. Then take a look at the odds of the worst actually happening. Look at your options, commit to a course and take action.
So, what are the odds that you would use this process the next time you come face to face with fear? I'd wager you will use it and the odds will be in your favor in your battle with fear.
An Affirmation to Conquer Fear
When faced with fear, I identify the worst that could happen, look at the odds, develop a game plan and take action.
Article reproduced with permission from Boaz Rauchwerger. You may reprint any of these articles in any publication or Web site so long as you credit Boaz Rauchwerger as the author and include this Web site address, www.Boazpower.com.