Happy International Nurses Day to all the wonderful nurses who love, care and support our community in their time of vulnerability and need. It is such a rewarding job. I love being a nurse. It is in my blood.
Yesterday I presented for my second time with the NSW Nurses and Midwives Association for the Enrolled Nurses Forum. I was speaking on Mindfulness in relation to the Stress Response and how vital it is to have our bodies in a state of calm, so we can be fully aware of where we are at and to assist in maintaining and presenting ourselves and provide the highest level of care to our patients.
I’m going to share my self-reflection, my mindful observation, on my performance and where my body and mind was at yesterday. I was nervous. It has been challenging for me to feel comfortable talking publicly. I was not as physically nervous as my previous speech. I was vulnerable, and I shared myself. I tried my best at the time. I was not perfect.
I went to my book case a few days ago and pulled out Patricia Benner’s From Novice to Expert. It was in that moment that I had a realisation that this concept is an ever-changing continuum. I believe I am an expert in my skills personally at implementing Mindfulness and mediation skills and techniques in both my personal and professional life. However, there is always room to grow. The change that these skills have brought to my life is miraculous and I am so passionate about sharing this knowledge to help others to find fulfillment, in some of what can seem, the darkest times in our lives. The power of empowerment and healing that these skills can generate is mind blowing.
What I have learned is I am a novice professional speaker. I am grateful for the audience that took the time to listen to me yesterday. My speech lacked confidence as I lacked confidence in my delivery of my information. On reflection to move forward, my focus is on how to achieve this confidence as a professional speaker and move forward on this continuum towards the expert zone.
My goal is to have the audience see, hear and feel my story. To be motivated and inspired to start a journey of mindful self-care for themselves and then gift that care to others. I simply do not believe we can give something that we do not have for ourselves.
Is there something I can do about my public speaking? Absolutely. When focussing on the solution, just like mindfulness skills become stronger and more effective as we practice, so too will my public speaking. A lovely lady, who I consider being an expert at professional speaking and sharing her expert knowledge in her area, shared her journey of her start to public speaking with me. I’m very grateful for the advice. I have investigated the organisations available around my area for public speaking and have started the road to becoming a member and learning through my local toastmasters.
As I continue on my mindful reflection, to anyone in the audience yesterday, or anyone that this reaches today, who doesn’t think they could ever do public speaking or something else that you desire to do. I hope my vulnerability shows and inspires you, to believe that you can.
Self-reflection is a necessary and vital tool to growth. We must be mindful to be kind to ourselves as we travel this road. We must also remember to be kind to others also, that are embarking on self-improvement and growth. Kindness, Caring and Compassion create respectful relationships that inspire people to grow and bloom. Everything has a lesson and an opportunity to grow.
It is with much gratitude that I thank the NSW Nurses and Midwives Associations wonderful organisers of the day yesterday, Phillipe Millard and Joanne Purdue, for providing me the opportunity to be a speaker yesterday. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to grow, and share my passion in Nursing, that being Mindful Healthcare for all.
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