Today, I tried the exercises outlined in THE NPC AUDIT Namely, when I woke up today I fought the urge to reach for my phone and scroll emails or social media. Instead I turned off my alarm, and check in with my own mind for a couple minutes of quiet time. Said my intentions for today in my mind. It helped me have a calmer morning!

The prompt asked "what part of me I am ready to activate in the next chapter of my life," and sitting with that question led me to reflect not just on my answer but on how I chose to show up in the process. There was also a clear instruction from Genesis not to fix anything. As someone who creates content and is used to presenting things in a polished way, this was a real challenge for me. I made a decision to simply turn the camera on and speak without adjusting or preparing myself. When I did, I was honestly taken aback by what I saw. I was in the middle of eating lunch, still in my gym clothes, with no makeup, no extensions, between hair appointments, and not styled in any way. The angle did not feel flattering and I felt exposed in a way I am not used to. It was uncomfortable to look at that version of myself. It is not the version I typically allow people to see. But at the same time, it was real. It is how I exist in my everyday life when I am at home working, in flip flops, moving through my day without presentation in mind. That is also me. The instruction not to chase perfection forced me to confront how much I rely on being polished and put together. I like things to feel complete and refined, and I take pride in presenting my best work. But I can see how that instinct sometimes slows me down or creates resistance where there could be simple progress. In this moment, I had to let that go in order to actually complete the assignment. And in doing so, I tapped into something honest. Maybe the part of me I am ready to activate is the version that allows itself to be seen before it feels ready, before everything is perfected, and trusts that there is value in showing up as I am.

One moment today when I found myself trying to hold attention was during a call for my organization, Gender Amplified. I was presenting and had my slides prepared, but I noticed a familiar tension come up. I often toggle between feeling like I am saying too much and trying to explain everything in a pitch. In those moments, I forget that clarity often comes from simplicity. I tend to rely on slides / graphics with lots of bullet points and ideas, which can create pressure and make me feel like I have to get through everything instead of actually connecting. In my body, I felt slightly anxious. There was a sense of urgency, like I needed to rush and move quickly through what I was saying. That feeling caused me to speed up my delivery, which made it harder to stay grounded and present. Reflecting on it, I can see how less really could be more, not just in what I say, but in how I allow space for the message to land.

Let's get to know each other! Go to the "Discussions" Tab and share where you are in the world, a photo of your workspace, and something you like to do for fun. 😊 I'll go first! I'm Genesis Be, founder of Main Character Lab. I love watching American Dad and playing Zelda on Nintendo Switch. I'm based in Atlanta! I'm so psyched to work with you all... lets goooooooo

My name is Ebonie Smith. I am a music producer based in LA. I’m excited to be here and step into this space with you all. I’m coming in with a deep interest in strengthening how I communicate my ideas, especially in a way that feels grounded, clear, and impactful. Public speaking is something I am comfortable and confident with, but I have never studied it formally. I want to grow into it more fully, not just in terms of confidence but in how I shape stories, hold attention, and connect with people in real time. I’m hoping to learn practical tools, refine my voice, and push past some of the limits I have. Looking forward to learning alongside you all and seeing how we each evolve through this process.