I am afraid to speak in front of a group
“I lead a large team but the moment I have to speak in front of a group I freeze. It’s limiting me in my leadership. I’ve tried everything even spoke to a psychologist but it keeps holding me back. Someone mentioned your name. Apparently you do ‘magical things’ with NLP. Can you help me?”
That was a powerful question from Ethan (*), an ambitious manager with an international career. He is Israeli and works in the Netherlands for a large company. In our first session I explored with him where this fear came from. Because fear is rarely just fear. Sometimes the cause is known often it’s deeply buried in the subconscious.
After our initial introduction I started working with him and began to analyze the root of his fear. I enjoy digging into the underlying cause. Sometimes it’s clear sometimes it’s stored unconsciously. So what had happened? During his military service he once stood on a stage to address his troops. He had a blackout. Though he finished his speech he never felt safe again speaking in front of others. Once I completed the analysis it turned out he had a trauma a fear and a limiting belief. A limiting belief means you’re restricting yourself with the words you use. For example “I’ll probably never be able to speak in front of a group.” A trauma is deeper than a negative emotion. So how did I help him? Through Time Line Therapy.
Time Line Therapy®
Time Line Therapy® consists of a set of techniques that allow for rapid effective and lasting change. These techniques are a form of therapy designed to safely and permanently release deep-rooted emotional blocks using someone’s personal timeline. We always begin by mapping that individual timeline. Depending on the analysis (fear limiting belief emotion trauma) different interventions are used. In addition to the ambitious goals my clients often have it’s equally important and valuable to work through the hidden blocks that stand in the way of those goals. Once those are removed progress becomes much easier.
In our first session I was able to help Ethan release the trauma. When he returned for our second session he told me he had delivered a presentation in front of a group for the first time. “Wow” I said “that’s amazing.” He added that he had still experienced some anxiety during the presentation. I told him that was completely understandable because that day we were going to eliminate the fear. So in that second session both the fear and his limiting belief were resolved.
In our third session I explored if anything unresolved remained if anything was still stuck or needed clearing. But the interventions had worked well and Ethan was satisfied. During that session and the fourth we focused on strengthening his presentation skills. How do you stand confidently in front of a group? How do you make an impact with your story? These were also the moments where he practiced with stories of his own and shared captivating anecdotes about nightlife in Tel Aviv. I was proud of him and even with video recordings of his presentations he stood strong and spoke inspired without fear or limitation.
What if nothing holds you back anymore
I regularly work with professionals who have carried something around for years that holds them back. Sometimes they know exactly what it is sometimes they don’t. And often they’ve already tried different approaches without success. What makes this method special is that it works quickly goes deep and brings lasting results.
Ethan is a powerful example of that. But his story is not unique.
Do you give yourself that same chance
Are you still holding yourself back in your leadership journey? Have you been carrying a fear or block for a long time that you’d rather let go of?
Then reach out for a free introductory session. Together we’ll explore what’s still standing in your way and how you can let it go.
Because what if nothing holds you back anymore
(*) Ethan is not his real name. His story is shared with permission.
