Nikki Bradley pictured in the Optimal Fitness gym in Letterkenny. Photo: Declan Doherty
THIS week I have been thinking a lot about a New Year’s Resolution I made at the beginning of the year.
I promised myself I would become a motivational speaker by the end of 2014. I gave myself twelve months to battle my nerves when speaking publicly and I am pleased to say that so far I am only a little behind schedule!
The plan was to contact schools and go in to talk to the students, so I did the first part. I sent an email around to the local secondary schools, but then the fear kicked in. It is easy to send an email from the safety of your office but what happens if, God forbid they reply, or worse still, they invite you to come in!
This scared me more than I thought it would, but thankfully those nerves are beginning to settle now.
I was lucky enough to meet Gerry Duffy in February who gave me some great advice. Shortly after that I was accepted onto the Business Bootcamp Programme. Through this programme I was assigned a business mentor, a Mr. Joe McCormack. He is a great person to be around.
I find him very motivational and have pushed myself to keep this long-term goal as a result of his and others influence.
Standing up and speaking publicly is scary. Anyone that says otherwise is lying! However, I realised during my weekend in Roscrea that you can channel that nervous energy into something good.
I also spoke with Jason Black in the last week also and felt really motivated afterwards. He is speaking in An Grianan Theatre on April 30 and I urge you to go and listen to what he has to say. My friends and I have booked our tickets and can’t wait to go.
Jason Black with Letterkenny Lions Club members Dermot Donohue and Eamon Stevenson at An Grianan Theatre.
TRAINING TALK
Last Wednesday I was due to train alone at Optimal Fitness as Michael (Black) was unavailable. When I got to the gym Aoife (McGill) was just beginning a circuit class and invited me to join in.
I haven’t taken part in one of her classes in a while but I always feel great afterwards! What I love is that I always surprise myself with my own abilities.
I have a habit of saying ‘I don’t think I will be able to do that’, but nine times out of ten I end up proving myself wrong.
After the class I left feeling exhilarated, so much so that I have decided to make her class a regular part of my Wednesday training. Michael from 9 – 9:45 and Aoife from 9:45 – 10:45 work permitting of course. Now, in theory, this is a great idea, but let’s just see what the reality looks like next week.
NATIONAL PUBLICITY
Last Tuesday my story was featured in The Irish Independent thanks to Ramelton-based freelance journalist Anita Guidera.
I felt so proud to see my picture in Ireland’s top-selling newspaper! It felt weird, a good weird. I was in Tesco that evening and spotted the newspaper stand and a little devilment came out in me.
I turned one of the papers to page 39 and tucked it into the featured paper slot so everyone walking into Tesco would see my big smiling face – I’m a rascal.
Donegal News photographer Declan Doherty took the photos for the feature and I was so pleased with them. It was fun being in front of the camera. You could very easily get used to that lifestyle!
Nikki Bradley pictured in the Optimal Fitness gym in Letterkenny. Photo: Declan Doherty.
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