Showtime!<\/h1>\nInspiration shot June 2025<\/h3>\n<\/div>![](\"https:\/\/estherjacobs.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/theater-show.jpg\" "\\"theater")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Only 4 weeks to go. Preparations for my theatre show on June 28 are in full swing. Are nerves getting the better of me? No, not really. Even though there\u2019s still a lot to be done, I mostly feel a deep trust that it will all come together.<\/p>\n
But what\u00a0is\u00a0happening: I\u2019m learning. A lot. About letting go. About trusting the moment. About the tension between spontaneity and planning. About myself.<\/p>\n
In this Inspiration Shot, I\u2019ll take you behind the scenes. Not just of the theatre, but also of the creative process. Because making a show might look spectacular from the outside, but on the inside, it\u2019s mostly a journey. A search for what feels right. For how things could be done differently. And how I can make my own rules.<\/p>\n
Maybe you\u2019ll recognise something in my process. Maybe it will inspire you to create your own \u2018show\u2019 in your own way.<\/p>\n<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Stage fright<\/h2>\n<\/div>Stage anxiety, also known as glossophobia or fear of public speaking, is one of the most common fears in the world. Around 70 to 77% of people feel uncomfortable or nervous when speaking in public. About 30% even experience serious panic at the thought of standing in front of a group. In some studies, this fear scores even higher than the fear of death. Pretty intense, right?<\/p>\n
Usually, it’s not the speaking itself that\u2019s scary, but the attention and judgment that come with it. What if you say something wrong? What if people look at you strangely? What if you get exposed as a fraud? It\u2019s a cocktail of external pressure and inner voices telling you you’re not good enough.<\/p>\n
For me, it\u2019s exactly the other way around. After more than 1,000 keynotes, the stage has become my comfort zone. Not because I don\u2019t feel nervous. But because I\u2019ve learned something important:\u00a0It\u2019s not about me.<\/p>\n
When you focus on what\u00a0you\u00a0want to say, you\u2019re stuck in your head. Then you’re focused on yourself. But once you clear your mind and make space for the moment, magic happens. Something flows through you that\u2019s exactly right\u00a0for that audience, in that moment.<\/p>\n
I rarely prepare. Maybe a strong opening or closing line. Or a few talking points. But mostly, I leave space to connect, to feel the energy in the room, and to go with it.<\/p>\n
And that is exactly what makes\u00a0my theatre show<\/a>\u00a0a challenge.<\/p>\nBecause while I prefer to decide what I\u2019ll say or do at the last minute, the team around me (lighting, sound, tech, video) wants to know everything in advance.<\/p>\n
What time does it start? What\u2019s the order? Which visuals? When does the spotlight come on?<\/p>\n
Yeah. Structure versus flow.<\/p>\n
I get them. And they get me.<\/p>\n
So we\u2019re finding a way where my spontaneity and their preparation can exist together.<\/p>\n
Because when I\u2019m on that stage, I want to be fully present, not stuck to a script.<\/p>\n
Are you afraid of standing in front of a group? Know this: you\u2019re not alone.<\/p>\n
But also know: it can change.<\/p>\n
Not by trying harder, but by trying to control less.<\/p>\n
By simply being there.<\/p>\n
For your audience. And for yourself.<\/p>\n
P.S. the photo is from the recent Dynamite Circle conference in Mexico, where I was unexpectedly asked to facilitate a group discussion. No problem, when you have the mindset described above: I am here for them.<\/p>\n<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>![](\"https:\/\/estherjacobs.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/podiumvrees.jpg\" "\\"podiumvrees\\"")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>How is it supposed to be?<\/h2>\n<\/div>\u201cI\u2019ve never done it before, so I think I can do it\u2026\u201d<\/em><\/p>\nThese wise words from Pippi Longstocking are pretty much my life motto.<\/p>\n
Still, I\u2019ve learned that when you\u2019re doing something new, it\u2019s smart to take advice from an expert instead of reinventing the wheel. So I ask questions like: how many scenes are there usually in a theatre show? How long is an average scene? How long is a show supposed to be?<\/p>\n
The honest answer? There\u00a0is\u00a0no right answer.<\/p>\n
And besides, this is MY show.<\/p>\n
I know exactly what I want to say and what I want my audience to experience. So I create my own program, my own rules.<\/p>\n
Through this process, I\u2019m rediscovering my own wisdom and entrepreneurial spirit.<\/p>\n
It IS possible.<\/p>\n
And you know what? That\u2019s not just true for me.<\/p>\n
Maybe this is your invitation too, to ask less often \u201chow is it supposed to be?\u201d and more often \u201chow do\u00a0I\u00a0want it to be?\u201d<\/p>\n
The world doesn\u2019t need more copies, it needs more people who dare to create from their own wisdom. Long live our inner ‘Pippi’!<\/p>\n<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>![](\"https:\/\/estherjacobs.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/hoe-hoort-het.jpg\")
<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Inspiration bites<\/h2>\n<\/div>
<\/span><\/div><\/div>Only 4 weeks to go. Preparations for my theatre show on June 28 are in full swing. Are nerves getting the better of me? No, not really. Even though there\u2019s still a lot to be done, I mostly feel a deep trust that it will all come together.<\/p>\n
But what\u00a0is\u00a0happening: I\u2019m learning. A lot. About letting go. About trusting the moment. About the tension between spontaneity and planning. About myself.<\/p>\n
In this Inspiration Shot, I\u2019ll take you behind the scenes. Not just of the theatre, but also of the creative process. Because making a show might look spectacular from the outside, but on the inside, it\u2019s mostly a journey. A search for what feels right. For how things could be done differently. And how I can make my own rules.<\/p>\n
Maybe you\u2019ll recognise something in my process. Maybe it will inspire you to create your own \u2018show\u2019 in your own way.<\/p>\n<\/div>
Stage fright<\/h2>\n<\/div>Stage anxiety, also known as glossophobia or fear of public speaking, is one of the most common fears in the world. Around 70 to 77% of people feel uncomfortable or nervous when speaking in public. About 30% even experience serious panic at the thought of standing in front of a group. In some studies, this fear scores even higher than the fear of death. Pretty intense, right?<\/p>\n
Usually, it’s not the speaking itself that\u2019s scary, but the attention and judgment that come with it. What if you say something wrong? What if people look at you strangely? What if you get exposed as a fraud? It\u2019s a cocktail of external pressure and inner voices telling you you’re not good enough.<\/p>\n
For me, it\u2019s exactly the other way around. After more than 1,000 keynotes, the stage has become my comfort zone. Not because I don\u2019t feel nervous. But because I\u2019ve learned something important:\u00a0It\u2019s not about me.<\/p>\n
When you focus on what\u00a0you\u00a0want to say, you\u2019re stuck in your head. Then you’re focused on yourself. But once you clear your mind and make space for the moment, magic happens. Something flows through you that\u2019s exactly right\u00a0for that audience, in that moment.<\/p>\n
I rarely prepare. Maybe a strong opening or closing line. Or a few talking points. But mostly, I leave space to connect, to feel the energy in the room, and to go with it.<\/p>\n
And that is exactly what makes\u00a0my theatre show<\/a>\u00a0a challenge.<\/p>\nBecause while I prefer to decide what I\u2019ll say or do at the last minute, the team around me (lighting, sound, tech, video) wants to know everything in advance.<\/p>\n
What time does it start? What\u2019s the order? Which visuals? When does the spotlight come on?<\/p>\n
Yeah. Structure versus flow.<\/p>\n
I get them. And they get me.<\/p>\n
So we\u2019re finding a way where my spontaneity and their preparation can exist together.<\/p>\n
Because when I\u2019m on that stage, I want to be fully present, not stuck to a script.<\/p>\n
Are you afraid of standing in front of a group? Know this: you\u2019re not alone.<\/p>\n
But also know: it can change.<\/p>\n
Not by trying harder, but by trying to control less.<\/p>\n
By simply being there.<\/p>\n
For your audience. And for yourself.<\/p>\n
P.S. the photo is from the recent Dynamite Circle conference in Mexico, where I was unexpectedly asked to facilitate a group discussion. No problem, when you have the mindset described above: I am here for them.<\/p>\n<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>How is it supposed to be?<\/h2>\n<\/div>\u201cI\u2019ve never done it before, so I think I can do it\u2026\u201d<\/em><\/p>\nThese wise words from Pippi Longstocking are pretty much my life motto.<\/p>\n
Still, I\u2019ve learned that when you\u2019re doing something new, it\u2019s smart to take advice from an expert instead of reinventing the wheel. So I ask questions like: how many scenes are there usually in a theatre show? How long is an average scene? How long is a show supposed to be?<\/p>\n
The honest answer? There\u00a0is\u00a0no right answer.<\/p>\n
And besides, this is MY show.<\/p>\n
I know exactly what I want to say and what I want my audience to experience. So I create my own program, my own rules.<\/p>\n
Through this process, I\u2019m rediscovering my own wisdom and entrepreneurial spirit.<\/p>\n
It IS possible.<\/p>\n
And you know what? That\u2019s not just true for me.<\/p>\n
Maybe this is your invitation too, to ask less often \u201chow is it supposed to be?\u201d and more often \u201chow do\u00a0I\u00a0want it to be?\u201d<\/p>\n
The world doesn\u2019t need more copies, it needs more people who dare to create from their own wisdom. Long live our inner ‘Pippi’!<\/p>\n<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Inspiration bites<\/h2>\n<\/div>
Stage anxiety, also known as glossophobia or fear of public speaking, is one of the most common fears in the world. Around 70 to 77% of people feel uncomfortable or nervous when speaking in public. About 30% even experience serious panic at the thought of standing in front of a group. In some studies, this fear scores even higher than the fear of death. Pretty intense, right?<\/p>\n
Usually, it’s not the speaking itself that\u2019s scary, but the attention and judgment that come with it. What if you say something wrong? What if people look at you strangely? What if you get exposed as a fraud? It\u2019s a cocktail of external pressure and inner voices telling you you’re not good enough.<\/p>\n
For me, it\u2019s exactly the other way around. After more than 1,000 keynotes, the stage has become my comfort zone. Not because I don\u2019t feel nervous. But because I\u2019ve learned something important:\u00a0It\u2019s not about me.<\/p>\n
When you focus on what\u00a0you\u00a0want to say, you\u2019re stuck in your head. Then you’re focused on yourself. But once you clear your mind and make space for the moment, magic happens. Something flows through you that\u2019s exactly right\u00a0for that audience, in that moment.<\/p>\n
I rarely prepare. Maybe a strong opening or closing line. Or a few talking points. But mostly, I leave space to connect, to feel the energy in the room, and to go with it.<\/p>\n
And that is exactly what makes\u00a0my theatre show<\/a>\u00a0a challenge.<\/p>\n Because while I prefer to decide what I\u2019ll say or do at the last minute, the team around me (lighting, sound, tech, video) wants to know everything in advance.<\/p>\n What time does it start? What\u2019s the order? Which visuals? When does the spotlight come on?<\/p>\n Yeah. Structure versus flow.<\/p>\n I get them. And they get me.<\/p>\n So we\u2019re finding a way where my spontaneity and their preparation can exist together.<\/p>\n Because when I\u2019m on that stage, I want to be fully present, not stuck to a script.<\/p>\n Are you afraid of standing in front of a group? Know this: you\u2019re not alone.<\/p>\n But also know: it can change.<\/p>\n Not by trying harder, but by trying to control less.<\/p>\n By simply being there.<\/p>\n For your audience. And for yourself.<\/p>\n P.S. the photo is from the recent Dynamite Circle conference in Mexico, where I was unexpectedly asked to facilitate a group discussion. No problem, when you have the mindset described above: I am here for them.<\/p>\n<\/div> \u201cI\u2019ve never done it before, so I think I can do it\u2026\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n These wise words from Pippi Longstocking are pretty much my life motto.<\/p>\n Still, I\u2019ve learned that when you\u2019re doing something new, it\u2019s smart to take advice from an expert instead of reinventing the wheel. So I ask questions like: how many scenes are there usually in a theatre show? How long is an average scene? How long is a show supposed to be?<\/p>\n The honest answer? There\u00a0is\u00a0no right answer.<\/p>\n And besides, this is MY show.<\/p>\n I know exactly what I want to say and what I want my audience to experience. So I create my own program, my own rules.<\/p>\n Through this process, I\u2019m rediscovering my own wisdom and entrepreneurial spirit.<\/p>\n It IS possible.<\/p>\n And you know what? That\u2019s not just true for me.<\/p>\n Maybe this is your invitation too, to ask less often \u201chow is it supposed to be?\u201d and more often \u201chow do\u00a0I\u00a0want it to be?\u201d<\/p>\n The world doesn\u2019t need more copies, it needs more people who dare to create from their own wisdom. Long live our inner ‘Pippi’!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/span><\/div>How is it supposed to be?<\/h2>\n<\/div>
<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div>Inspiration bites<\/h2>\n<\/div>
![](\"https:\/\/estherjacobs.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Screenshot-2025-05-28-at-10.37.47.png\")
<\/a><\/span><\/div>