Sometimes I hesitate to host live workshops as part of my solopreneur coaching business. I know it can help to grow a business because it has helped me, but then the introvert and highly sensitive person (HSP) in me resists it. So how do I reconcile my resistance and my desire to do it?

I hosted a workshop last month for the first time in over a year, and I observed what happened more closely, to see how it can go now. I’ll share some lessons learned and perhaps you’ll find a lesson or two for yourself.

What Happened with My Nerves and Resistance

The workshop last month was called “Calmer Career Transition for Sensitive Souls,” and it was along with a beloved team member, Marci Shaffer, a job search coach. It was good to have “calmer” in the title as a reminder for me too. Marci’s calm was also a balm.

I noticed some interesting things in myself as a workshop host. For instance, once registration opened a few weeks before, I could feel mild nervousness creeping in. Every time I saw someone’s registration come through, I had two simultaneous feelings: “Oh how nice.” and “Oh my gosh it better be good because that’s more people to see me in the front of the room.” So humbling how the mind works.

Overall though, I was good so far. Having done this before was helping me.

Then, for about 24 hours leading up to the event, I got pretty buzzy in my mind and body. At least I slept OK, which was progress on the eve of leading a workshop.

But that morning before we began, my very thinky (sparkly!) brain started thinking about the many moving parts and possibilities to consider. I wanted to tend to it all, at once. I got a bit too revved but not too terrible. Texting with Marci that morning was helpful! She was a calming force. Two points for collaborating with a trusted colleague.

Luckily, once people arrived, my clear mind and flow of words showed up, like a blessing. This happens to me every time:

There’s something about being with my people that works for my brain and feels so good.

At the workshop itself, Marci and I were so pleased with the turnout, the way they engaged, and their feedback. It was a pleasure to be with her and all the sensitive souls there. Lots of love in the room.

How It Went for Participants, in Their Words

It felt so good to hear all this:

• The workshop was the nicest part of my day!
• Thank you for giving introverts/HSPs a special space!
• Thank you for your time and supportive presence!
• I feel seen!
• This was a great session. Thank you both!
• Excited to explore possibilities.
• Good information to process. Also, you guys are a nice balance of emotional and logical support. 🙂

Yay! We basked in the aftermath to restore ourselves after all the work that went into it. We took it in that it was all worth it!

If you’re curious about what the participants learned, you can view their workshop takeaways over here.

My Takeaways as an Introverted/HSP Solopreneur Host

1. I love collaborating with someone I know and trust, and we bring balance to the topic. It makes it so much easier and enjoyable. A lighter lift. (I never go it alone with live events.)
2. It’s OK to be a little nervous. I can handle it, and thanks to my teaching background, it tends to work out.
3. I’m reminded the best outcomes usually have a bit of challenge to them, if they point you in a direction you really want. I like to say no to overwhelm but yes to good growthful challenges.
4. Short live events with low prices ($37 in this case) is such a helpful thing to do, for others, and for my business. I saw people signing up who had been wondering wondering what to do but perhaps nervous to take another step. Offering them a small step feels kind, like offering a branch of hope to hang on to.
5. I think offering things like this is a good way to grow and nurture my audience. Even before the workshop I saw benefits from it, such as more inquiries for our offerings. Not to mention the insights from questions we received before, during, and after. I’m reminded that hosting short workshops is the main way I got my business off the ground. Oh, right.
6. Next time, I’ll keep the structure simpler to reduce my prep nerves. I like to refine things until I get to the sweet spot for my energy and still offer good value.

Suggestions for Other Introverted or HSP Solopreneurs

1. I recommend considering hosting short simple, low-budget live events, and it can be worth a bit of nervousness.
2. If it feels overwhelming or if you don’t have experience leading workshops or presentations, workshops might not be a fit, at first. But there are similar ways to be visible that do align with your strengths and experiences, such as being a guest on a podcast, or answering questions on a panel.
3. Nervousness can be reduced by creating a simple and collaborative structure for it. Choose a format that aligns with your easiest style – slides, open discussion, Q&A, in-person or not, etc.
4. Hosting workshops is not for everyone, but it can be for more people than you might think. Even introverts.