Daily writing prompt

Have you ever performed on stage or given a speech?

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As a person, I have always avoided limelight – stage, or otherwise – in workplace, etc. More like a background presence person, but if the person is not there everyone will wonder what went wrong.

By nature, music is a performing art. So you need to be a stage performer. In my musical journey of learning the Indian musical instrument – Tabla, all students are made perform at the institute’s annual event. I have given two performances so far:

Previous performance is available on my older post about Atomic Habits book review.

In addition to these, at my previous job, the CTO; Swanand pushed each of us to provide a flash talk on any random topic at the annual gathering. That was by far, my first talk in front of an audience of about 50 people. My previous manager, Aram was even pushing me to give a talk at RubyConf India, but unfortunately I couldn’t come up with a topic.

So far, the total number of stage appearances is three. At the first two, I was quite nervous. In the most recent Tabla performance I didn’t feel the same nervousness. A sign of progress.

My realization after personally performing and attending conferences is that, to reap disproportionate rewards in this world, you need to be in the limelight. A stage performer; a speaker; etc.

Being in background means you will be recognized only when you are missing in action. I’m trying to slowly change myself… who knows, in the coming years I may be speaking at some conference.