You’ve probably heard about this ‘comfort zone’ thing, and how stepping out of it occasionally is good for your mental health. But do you really know why stepping out of your comfort zone is so beneficial? Your comfort zone relates to your anxiety levels. Places you go, routines you follow and things you do that are familiar and safe are also comfortable. They don’t give you too much anxiety, so they’re part of your comfort zone. When you try new things that are unfamiliar, or do something you’ve never done before, you have no idea what to expect. As a result, you naturally become more anxious about what might happen. It’s completely normal to want to get back to something you know and can p

“The success of your presentation will be judged not by the knowledge you send but by what the listener receives.” Lilly Walters I just got back from a work trip to Adelaide and had the pleasure of sitting next to a lady who teaches University lecturers how to be more engaging. It got me thinking about the number of events I go to where the presenters just don’t seem to connect with the audience and the negative effect this has on your experience (don’t even get me started about some of my lecturer’s all those years ago :-)) . I know that public speaking can be a terrifying occasion for many people, and just the thought of it can evoke nerves and anxiety. Most people are not used to having a