Autumn in New York

The days are getting shorter and there is finally a bit of a bite in the morning air. There's an energy in New York City that seems to have blown in with the seasonal chill. Everyone one has picked up their pace--not only the 50,000+ Marathoners who ran on Sunday. Walkers are briskly traversing the avenues in leather jackets and chunky sweaters. Greenmarket shoppers are scooping up the bounty of fall's harvest. The rhythm of life, never slow here, seems to have sped up a notch, as if it, too, has to move faster to stay warm.

My work this time of year thus becomes more challenging. When I work with clients, we focus on centeredness. We need to be still, in order to find and manifest authentic presence. To hold onto that, and use it whenever we speak or present, we must quiet the voice of our inner critic and maintain relaxed energy. In a conference room high above the city streets that's not so hard to do. But to hold onto that feeling when descending to those streets, walking elbow to elbow with throngs of New Yorkers and tourists--that’s the ultimate challenge!

A client recently asked me if I still got nervous when I spoke. I was honest, and said yes, especially in high stakes situations, or if I sense a challenge in the air. Then I need to lean on my technique a bit harder. Which got me thinking...maybe this year I'll apply that same concept at the start of the Season of Pre-Holiday frenzy. I'll more consciously rely on my technique, to guard against slip ups caused by a sudden surge of nerves. But that makes sense. It's kind of like doubling up on Vitamin C this time of year--or getting a flu shot!