Last week I ran a large event in the city, attended by more than 400 people. I’d spent weeks organising speakers and promoting ticket sales. The event started at 5pm and I was to give the opening address at 5.15pm. At 4.30pm, I was still adjusting seating arrangements and printing out the guest list. I had no idea what I’d say in my opening or closing talks.

At 4.45pm, I began to pace in a quiet corner of the building and construct my speech out loud as I walked. Only 15 minutes until doors open. Why hadn’t I written this earlier? Lines tumbled together as I grasped for an introduction and a few key points to make. I felt a strange mix of terror and confidence. “I’ve spoken in public hundreds of times,” I thought. “If I don’t prepare, it’ll still be good.”