It’s easy to think we have to
shave off parts of who we are
to fit into a mold or to think that
in focusing on one project,
we risk losing other parts of ourselves.
These concerns have certainly
riddled me at times in my life.
If I’m speaking to a corporate group,
do I need to hide that
I’m an artist at heart?
If I focus my energies on
producing and launching a film,
does that mean Rock The Room®
projects are now all in the past?
If I’m writing a book that’s soulful
and whimsical, does that erode
my standing with business audiences?
I used to worry A LOT about this.
The fact is, if you keep following
your Throughline, it all comes together.
Because the Throughline isn’t about
a particular goal or outcome.
It’s about that inner current, that force
which drives your actions and behavior.
And its expression may take many forms.
This past Sunday Oct 6,
Museum of the Moving Image (MoMI)
screened a documentary film
I conceived, co-produced, and launched
called Muppet Guys Talking (aka: MGT).
The film showcases the legendary
leadership style of Jim Henson
and how the culture he fostered
of risk-taking, collaboration, and play
generated such iconic work.
It’s been years since I watched the movie,
and it was incredible to see again
and experience it with a live audience.
Lots of laughter. Lots of smiles.
Afterwards, my husband and I
did a live Q&A on stage.
In prep, I used the skills
I teach in Rock The Room®.
And as I told the MoMI audience
(regarding the film which took
us five years to complete),
“Just because you haven’t worked
on something in a while doesn’t mean
you’re not meant to do it.”
(In fact, that very quote
which appears in Risk Forward
was inspired by my experience with MGT.)
The point is, you have an inner current,
––a Throughline––that drives your actions
and if you trust it and Risk Forward,
it will lead you to unimaginable
projects AND places.
And very likely, parts will come
together in unexpected ways.
As I say in the book,
“When your Throughline is buried,
it shows up as intuition.”
So Risk Forward, follow your Throughline,
Be Tenacious & Rock On,
P.S. Due to incoming requests, we’re planning to host a virtual, mini, Rock The Room® learning experience this winter for a limited group of people. If this is of sincere interest and you’d like to know more about it, please email me at victoria(at)victorialabalme.com and let us know. We’ll be sure to keep you posted.
Learn more about Keynotes, Communications Workshops and Rock The Room® Presentation Skills Coaching.
Photos provided by Eric Haynes at MoMI.
