I've wondered for a long time how people readily speak up in group settings, whether casual or professional, and in which situations it might be advantageous to remain quiet. Is there a difference between speaking up to fuel the ego vs. sharing one's unique voice to remembered when it counts? What's a good approach to take to practice speaking up when it matters most?

I watched a video from @nicksaraev on first principles thinking, and it made me reflect on how I want to build this community. So I sat down and defined mine. Here are the principles we’ll train around: • Clarity > Fluency: Clear ideas delivered simply matter more than speaking fast or perfectly. • Communication = performance under pressure: Your real skill shows in meetings, decisions, and high-stakes moments. • Think first. Speak second: Decide on your message before you open your mouth. • Structure creates authority: Organized thinking makes you sound confident and credible. • Regulation controls delivery: If your body is calm, your message stays controlled. • Less words, more power: Say it once, clearly, and stop. • Practice > information: You improve by doing, not by consuming more content. • Real situations only: Everything we train applies directly to your work. • Authority is felt, not said: People judge your tone and presence more than your words. This is the foundation. Everything we do here—trainings, feedback, exercises—will come back to these. Because the goal is not to “speak better English.”It’s to think clearly, stay controlled, and communicate with authority when it actually matters. Credit to @nicksaraev for the inspiration on first principles thinking. Here is the video if you are curious: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOhndexmOj4&t=1s Which one do you feel you struggle with most right now?

I've just reached Level 2 in the community! Heck yes!! Today I went through Part 1 of the Mini Course. Breathing techniques have been a critical resource for me to stay regulated in all kinds of situations. I'm excited to try this out the next time I present in a public setting. As a student of yoga myself, I have found breath awareness to be a game-changer for my holistic wellbeing. I look forward to proceeding to Part 2 of the Mini Course✨ I am grateful for this knowledge and these resources here in the Mini Course.

Today I began the Mini Course by watching the overview video! I'm so excited to dive into the Mini Course and implement the knowledge shared there, one part at a time.

I wanted to share that I've successfully completed the Free Training Library and will be moving on to the Mini Course!! :) The most eye-opening video for me was "The Hidden Cost of Over-Explaining". In the past, I had a lot of issues feeling the need to over-explain myself, accommodate others, etc. It's empowering to know that I can continue to make progress in staying concise with my communication to effectively embody my unique authority. The final video in the series, "I Don't Have Anything Valuable To Say", covers the issue that I still likely struggle most with, overcoming thoughts of self-doubt when I try to speak up and share my ideas in group settings. I look forward to learning more of the tools and developing my confidence and a system to combat this in the Mini Course! :) I discovered Alice on YouTube in 2024. In August 2025, I took the leap into working with her one-on-one because her unique approach resonates so well with my own interests and values, including her focus on yoga and wellness. Since working with her, I have seen drastic improvements in my mental outlook and interpersonal communication. People notice it too. Friends and family told me they noticed changes :) I'm excited to be here in the community and keep learning!! Jake✨