A strange quiet fell throughout the room as the door swung open. Everyone’s heads turned towards her, surveying and judging her capabilities. How much does she know, how useful would this be, they wondered.

She sensed their doubting minds, their disbelieving eyes boring into her as walked into the room. She’d done this a hundred times before. And she’d be doing it many times over. But that didn’t make it any less daunting. Each time felt new, and as she took the stage she dragged stress and self-doubt with her.

And then she delivered the TED Talk that inspired millions.

—

Thanks for the muse, Today’s Author.