Ever stepped into a room and asked yourself the question, WHY AM I EVEN HERE?
The question is one of many that's followed by tense emotions. If pondered on long enough, you may discover the answer. Sadly, many people go through life and never get it.
A few years ago, I had the pleasure of participating as a panelist at a high-level international event. I was ecstatic about the opportunity and couldn't wait. "Please join me in welcoming to the platform Distinguished Toastmaster Andre Kelly," the moderator said. As I walked into the room and saw the faces of esteemed diplomats, scholars, and business leaders; the question of why am I even here gushed into my mind. The seconds that followed felt like hours, and they were crucial. Simply because my emotions were jamming to the tones of "McFadden & Whitehead - Aint No Stopping Us Now."
On that day, I learned three lessons that enabled me to maximize my capacity and perform to the best of my abilities.
Lesson One: I deserved to be in the room.
When I realized who was in the room, I was so focused on what qualified them to be present that I downplayed the value of my presence and experience.
Lesson Two: My youthfulness or lack of education didn't disqualify me from speaking in the room.
The other speakers had several masters and Ph.D.'s from top-notched universities. Meanwhile, I had one degree and, that was life's experiences. The relevance I had established over the years as a result of life's experiences made me the subject matter expert. I deserved to speak into the room!
Lesson Three: I was purposefully designed to leave fingerprints in the room.
Whatever our hands touch, our fingerprints are etched on them! – Andre K.
On that day, I had the opportunity to engrave into every attendee something life-changing. My inability to understand the WHY, infused with flustered emotions, could've made it impossible.
What have you risked because you failed to understand the WHY?
Whenever we neglect to understand the WHY we are in the room, we make room for our emotions to settle and dictate. Whenever that happens, we risk showing up and not performing at maximum capacity.