Julie Mikos
5/5
The first time I went to see Doreen one-on-one, I had already been given step one of the “Seven Steps of Essential Speaking” online course. In step one of the course, I learned that part of my paralysis with public speaking was deep-rooted self doubt and lack of confidence. Somehow it had not occurred to me that this fear was deep rooted. That first appointment with Doreen, I couldn’t even practice a talk I was about to give one-on-one with her in her private office! Completing her Seven Step online course plus a handful of private sessions and attendance in her speaking circles has helped me break through some of my personal barriers bringing me to an understanding of reaching down to my core essence for a sense of calm when I’m feeling panicked. That plus an understanding that we are all human and connected in a greater universe has helped me to understand that we’re all in this together and that everyone in the audience has that same inner calm and essence. By making eye contact and connecting to that core with each (or as many) audience members as I can helps to calm me (rather than looking at the audience as a whole). Since I don't get to practice public speaking much, I still have a bit of fear, but when I stood in front of a classroom of peers recently for a public speaking exercise, I was praised by my classmates for being calm and articulate. In fact, they were so complimentary about my demeanor that I ended up telling them about Doreen and ”Essential Speaking!” They were still talking about how well I did two days later at the next class and I’ve also successfully spoken in front of 30+ groups at retreats I facilitate through my business The Healing Farm | Retreats!
