“Most shoes are shaped as if feet were made for shoes.” – Mokokoma Mokhonoana
Growing up in Miami, I loved to run around barefoot. Being barefoot is not something that my Cuban grandmother and great-grandmother supported.
“Niño!” They would scream. “Ponte medias porque vas a coger catarro.” (Put on socks because you’re going to catch a cold.) The matriarchs in my family were constantly battling MICROBIOS (microbes) and one simple weapon was putting on socks.
Thank you for following me this far to see how I tie in being BAREFOOT to PUBLIC SPEAKING.
Here’s the truth. I feel more free and connected to the ground when I take off my shoes. Since many of us are still doing presentations and deliveries from home, try standing on your bare feet. When you take that first breath, unlock those knees, and feel the soles of your feet on the ground.
If you’re feeling extra liberated and care free, kick off those shoes for your in person deliveries as well. I have been known to do so as well.
To honor the memory of my generations of Cuban matriarchs, keep the socks on.
Have a fabulous and fearless week!
Fearlessly yours,
Eduardo
Transcript
It is time for your Fearless Monday Minute. As we continue to public speak and deliver in a hybrid landscape, one of the things that we talk about at Fearless Communicators® is the opportunity to sit or to stand. And as you know, many of us have been hiding what we wear below the camera. And there’s one little hint and one little trick that I love which allows me to feel more grounded and more supported when I’m doing delivery from home. And that is to actually speak barefoot. So in this moment when I’m speaking to you, I don’t have my shoes on, I do have my socks. And what that allows me to do is actually feel the ground and feel my weight and allow myself to adjust to proper alignment. So if you’re looking for an extra way to feel a little more grounded in your at home delivery, try doing it barefoot.
