We were all standing with a partner and asked to keep our arms straight while our partner would try to pull it down. I made a fist and stretched my arm up in the air. After an intense effort my partner succeeded in pushing my arm downward.

Being present

Robert noticed we all had closed fists and asked us to redo the exercise. But this time, he invited us to open our fists, keep our palms open and to concentrate on our partner. The result was amazing. My arm did not bend. And it was so much easier to do, with hardly any effort.

Robert explained it all had to do with being present. The concentration gave us focus and the open hand made it possible for the energy to pass through our bodies and arms, giving it strength. It allowed the energy to be present.

Human beings all have that strength and energy in them.

But when standing in front of groups most of us loose it. Our energy disappears in a mist of nervousness. How nervous are you usually when explaining something to a group, leading a discussion or giving a presentation? And how many strategies have you tried to get rid of this nervousness? Do they increase of decrease your nervousness?

Sometimes my nervousness never totally goes away. Whatever I do.  And as a facilitator that can become annoying for me and for the group because they sense my nervousness. They sense the blocked energy and as a result they will keep their energies blocked too. It increases their resistance during the session.

Harnessing the mist of nervousness

The mist is the metaphorical fist we make when trying to resist.

And the strategies we learn ourselves are just ways to handle the mist. That’s exactly what you learn at all those trainings to improve your presentation or facilitation skills. They give you techniques to handle your mist of nervousness. But ultimately, you need to be standing there with all your positive energy. And for that you need to open your fist. It’s the only way to invite others to open their fists too and let the resistance disappear in a group op people.