Published on April 20, 2025 | Tynnetta Sells LLC Coaching & Development | Personal Growth, Public Speaking, Leadership, Real-Life Readiness

When I got the call to teach an etiquette class, I didn’t know it would be one of the most defining moments of my journey.

The ask came just a week before the event. I assumed I’d be walking into a room with about 20 people. That was manageable. But when I arrived, I found out I’d be speaking to a crowd of 300 women.

What no one knew was that I had completely lost my voice the night before. I had been sick. I was also babysitting a friend’s child, trying to balance preparation with caregiving. I felt scattered, unsure, and not exactly "put together." But the moment I stepped into that room, I remembered something that carried me through:

I leaned on what I knew. I pulled from the depth of my lived experience. I invited support—my cousin and a former student helped me facilitate when my voice gave out. And despite everything working against me, I delivered.

Here are three lessons that day taught me:

1. Purpose Doesn’t Wait for Comfort We spend so much time preparing to feel ready, but sometimes, purpose shows up in the form of chaos. You might be tired, hoarse, or caught off guard. That doesn’t mean you’re unqualified—it means you're human. And often, it means you're exactly where you're supposed to be.

2. Your Voice Isn’t Just Volume I came in with a literal lack of voice. But what I had was presence, intention, and preparation. The lesson? Your impact doesn’t come from how loud you are—it comes from how aligned you are. I still led. I still reached hearts. I still got booked again.

3. You Don’t Have to Do It Alone One of the most powerful things I did was lean on help. I let others carry pieces of the session when I couldn’t. In doing so, I showed up as a leader who trusts, not just a leader who performs.

That day became more than just a speaking engagement. It became a spiritual checkpoint.

It reminded me that I wasn’t stepping into something new—I was walking in what I was already called to do.

So if you're holding back, waiting for the "right time" to move in your calling, let this be your sign.

The right time is when you decide to show up.

And if you’re looking to bring etiquette, presence, and purpose-driven leadership to your school, organization, or community—I'm booking for 2025. Let's build something impactful together.

Visit tynnettasells.com or reach out at [email protected]