“Sticks and Stones May Break My Bones, but Words Will Never Hurt Me.”

You’ve been lied to.

Maybe not intentionally, and probably by people who cared about you – teachers, parents, mentors. But still, it was a lie. And here it is:

“Words can’t hurt you.”

Not only can words hurt, but they have the power to shut down your dreams, limit your future, and slowly kill off your belief in what’s possible.

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” – Proverbs 18:21

I’ve worked with countless people over the years – artists, performers, entrepreneurs – who carry the weight of words spoken to them decades ago. Words that made them feel small, incapable, or not good enough. Words that still echo in their minds when they think about taking a leap or chasing a big dream.

But here’s what’s even more dangerous: the words we say to ourselves.

Yes, those quiet phrases you whisper internally. The doubts. The hesitations. The excuses disguised as logic. These are the real dream killers.

Below are five words and phrases that sabotage progress and passion. Recognize them. Replace them. And you’ll begin unlocking momentum toward the life and work you truly want.

1. “Wishing and Hoping”

This might sound harmless but wishing and hoping often become passive substitutes for doing. You wish for success. You hope things turn around. But unless those feelings are backed by action, nothing changes.

“Wishing and hoping won’t get you into his arms…” – Dionne Warwick

The same goes for your goals: they won’t land in your lap. They require courage, consistency, and risk. Wishing is fine to start – but make sure it leads to action.

2. “Maybe”

“Maybe I’ll try someday.”
“Maybe I’ll put myself out there.”
“Maybe I’m just not ready.”

“Maybe” is a comfort zone in disguise. It gives you a way out. It allows you to feel like you’re considering something while avoiding any real decision. But no dream ever takes shape in the fog of “maybe.”

If you want to create a life of purpose and passion, swap “maybe” for a bold “yes” or a clear “no”—anything that moves you forward with intention.

I

n my coaching work, I meet so many driven, thoughtful people who are doing all the right things—they work hard, show up consistently, and genuinely want to grow.

They’re chasing goals, building careers, nurturing relationships… yet something still feels stuck. Progress is slow, motivation dips, and frustration creeps in.

When that happens, I usually pause and ask a few key questions that go straight to the heart of the issue:

• What are you tolerating in your life that’s keeping you from your goals?
• Are there people or situations draining your energy or blocking your joy?
• What “anchors” are weighing you down and stopping you from rising higher -personally or professionally?

These aren’t easy questions, but they’re powerful ones.

Because the truth is: we all put up with more than we realize.

We’ve Been Trained to Tolerate

Somewhere along the way, we learn to normalize discomfort.

We get used to saying “yes” when we want to say “no,” accept behavior that crosses our boundaries, and let guilt, fear, or fatigue call the shots.

We tolerate clutter – mental, emotional, and physical. We tolerate fear and anxiety.
We tolerate jobs that drain us.
We tolerate toxic relationships.
We even tolerate our own self-doubt and harsh inner voice.

And all of this comes at a cost.

The more we tolerate, the less energy, clarity, and confidence we have to go after what we truly want.

Step One: Start With Awareness

Before you can change anything, you have to see it.

So take a quiet moment and ask yourself this simple, powerful question:

“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.” ~ Pablo Picasso

At one point in your life, you were fearless. Truly. Science suggests that as children, we’re born with only two innate, foundational fears: the fear of falling and the fear of loud noises. Everything else? Learned.

Over time, through experiences, social conditioning, and the words or actions of those around us, we begin to absorb fear. Slowly but steadily, we trade wonder for worry. Creativity for caution. Bravery for approval.

Picasso’s quote, while about art, points to something much broader. It reminds us that the courage, imagination, and authenticity we had as children don’t vanish – they get buried. But they’re still there, waiting.

Maybe today is the day you begin to dig them out. Maybe today, you choose to start – or continue – the work of becoming that fearless child again. The one who dared to dream. The one who didn’t second-guess their worth or ability to do something extraordinary.

You don’t have to keep growing into a more anxious version of yourself. You can unlearn the doubts. Let go of what’s holding you back.

In what area of your life are you playing it safe? What is a small step that you can take today to begin moving towards your dreams and goals?

Freedom is possible. The child within you already knows how.

Public speaking or performing can be both exciting and nerve-wracking. While engaging with an audience is important, focusing too much on their reactions can be distracting and take away from your ability to deliver an authentic and effective speech. Here’s how you can stay present in the moment and confidently deliver your message without getting caught up in audience responses.

1. Re-frame Your Mindset

Instead of viewing your presentation as a performance that needs approval, see it as a conversation or an opportunity to share valuable insights. Your role is to deliver your message, not to control how every audience member reacts. When you shift your focus from seeking validation to serving your audience, you naturally become more present.

2. Trust Your Preparation

Confidence comes from preparation. The more you rehearse your speech, the more comfortable you’ll feel delivering it. When you know your content thoroughly, you reduce the need to gauge audience reactions for reassurance. Instead, you can focus on delivering your message with clarity and conviction.

3. Develop a Pre-Speaking Ritual

A pre-speech routine can help you center yourself before stepping on stage. This could include deep breathing exercises, visualization, affirmations, or stretching. These rituals can help calm your nerves and shift your focus from external reactions to internal confidence.

4. Engage in Mindfulness Techniques

Mindfulness helps you stay present and fully engaged in the moment. Simple techniques like focusing on your breath, feeling the ground beneath your feet, or taking a brief pause before speaking can keep you grounded. If you notice yourself getting distracted by audience reactions, gently bring your focus back to your speech.

As I worked on overcoming my stage fright many years ago, one of the most challenging issues was my self-consciousness and self-doubt. It was only when I shifted this mindset to one of focusing on authentically expressing myself did my fear of public speaking begin to diminish.This is the same shift that I have used in my coaching practice to help thousands overcome their fears. Here are 10 tips to help you on your journey to becoming a more fearless speaker or performer:

1. Focus on Your Message, Not Yourself

Instead of worrying about how you look or sound, concentrate on what you are sharing. Ask yourself, “What do I want my audience to feel, learn, or experience?” Shifting your focus to your message helps take the pressure off yourself.

2. Re-frame Nervousness as Excitement

Your body’s response to anxiety (racing heart, adrenaline rush) is the same as excitement. Instead of thinking, “I’m so nervous,” tell yourself, “I’m excited to share this!” This mental shift transforms fear into energy.

3. Use Movement to Channel Energy

Self-consciousness often makes you stiff. Instead of freezing up, use natural movement—walk, gesture, or express through your body. Movement helps release nervous tension and makes your performance feel more engaging and dynamic.

4. Connect with Your Material Emotionally

Whether you’re giving a speech, singing, or acting, deeply connect with your content. When you feel something, your audience will too. Perform as if you’re speaking to one person who truly needs to hear your message.

“Many people die with their music still in them. Why is this so? Too often it is because they are always getting ready to live. Before they know it, time runs out.” ~ Oliver Wendell Holmes

• Do you dream of presenting or performing without fear but get stuck in “What if” thinking?
• Do you hold back from taking bold steps because of what others might think?
• Do you find yourself always preparing but never fully stepping out?

If you answered “Yes” to any of these questions, you’re not alone. So many speakers and performers—public speakers, actors, dancers, singers, comedians—struggle with the fear of looking foolish, making mistakes, or being judged. I’ve been there myself.

Let me tell you a story.

The Night I Learned to Dance

It was during my Doctoral Internship at a hospital in Georgia when a group of nurses and interns invited me out for the evening. After a long, draining day, I thought, Why not? A little dinner and laughter sounded like just what I needed.

But when we pulled up to one of the hottest dance clubs in the city, panic set in. You see, I had never danced before. Sure, I’d done a little Greek dancing at family weddings, but a packed nightclub with pulsating disco music? No way.

My overthinking had always “protected” me from looking ridiculous on a dance floor.

There was no escape. No car to leave in. No way out.

As we begin the journey into the New Year, it is an ideal time to re-focus your attention on taking charge of becoming a more effective and productive speaker. Here are 10 tips to make this your best year yet.

1. Know Your Audience Deeply

Understand your audience’s needs, preferences, and concerns. Use surveys, feedback, or research to tailor your message to resonate with them.

2. Master Storytelling

People connect with stories more than information and data. Create compelling narratives that highlight key points and evoke emotion to leave a lasting impact.

3. Focus on Authenticity

Audiences crave authenticity. Share personal anecdotes, speak from the heart, and let your unique personality shine through.