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A little over 7 years ago, I gave my first ever conference talk at XPDay in a tiny room in London. I initially submitted a talk proposal that wasn't very good, but, @PapaChrisMatts took pity on me, worked with me, and eventually we landed on a topic:
1/11
1/11
"Make Working from Home Work for You!"
I don't remember if my voice shook (it probably did), but I vividly recall standing behind the podium where my laptop sat and being absolutely terrified to move from behind it. I was unable to will myself to move.
2/11
I don't remember if my voice shook (it probably did), but I vividly recall standing behind the podium where my laptop sat and being absolutely terrified to move from behind it. I was unable to will myself to move.
2/11
So I stood like a statue for my entire talk.
I shared a timeslot with @SalFreudenberg who had the wisdom to know that I should present before her, so I didn't have to sit there and make myself even more nervous while she spoke.
3/11
I shared a timeslot with @SalFreudenberg who had the wisdom to know that I should present before her, so I didn't have to sit there and make myself even more nervous while she spoke.
3/11
I have no idea if my talk was any good (it probably sucked, because that's what happens when you do anything new for the first time), but everyone was kind to me.
So I decided to keep trying to speak at conferences.
4/11
So I decided to keep trying to speak at conferences.
4/11
Over the years, I've spoken at a variety of conferences on a variety of topics. I've practiced, I've worked with speaking coaches, and I've gotten better.
5/11
5/11
About two years ago, @mlynn asked me to reflect: "What is one goal you would set for yourself if you knew you couldn't fail." I answered that I would like to keynote a conference. It felt like such a faraway and impossible goal at the time.
6/11
6/11
Tomorrow I'll be achieving that goal. I'll be giving my first-ever conference keynote at #Devnexus. The topic?
Top Ten Tips for Making Remote Work Actually Work Right Now
7/11
Top Ten Tips for Making Remote Work Actually Work Right Now
7/11
That's right. My first conference talk and my first keynote are about a topic that is near and dear to my heart: #RemoteWork.
8/11
8/11
Me when I found out I was going to give a keynote:
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9/11
It feels soooo good to achieve a goal years in the making.
I want to thank everyone who encouraged me and gave me advice along the way. Without it, I may not have continued down this path.
10/11
I want to thank everyone who encouraged me and gave me advice along the way. Without it, I may not have continued down this path.
10/11
I encourage you to encourage someone else today. You never know what the results of that encouragement may be. 
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11/11
