Dr. Christiane Schroeter [00:00:00]:
Well, hello there and welcome back to the Happy Healthy Hustle. I’m your coach, Dr. Christiane, and I’m so glad you’re here today. Today I’m actually inviting you behind the scenes of my TEDx talk, and if you haven’t watched it yet, the talk is called How Small Steps Create Big Change. You will find the link in the show notes, and of course I would love for you to go and watch it. Hit the like button, leave a comment with your favorite takeaway, and share it with someone who might need that encouragement. What I want to share in today’s episode of the podcast isn’t just about the message of the TEDx talk. It’s about the preparation that made it possible.

Dr. Christiane Schroeter [00:00:44]:
TEDx isn’t just one day on stage. It’s months of rehearsing, refining, and also deciding on what shoes to wear. The preparation goes much deeper than practicing your script. It’s about how you set yourself up to show up fully. Most people assume that success on stage is about talent, memorization, or maybe charisma. The truth is, success often comes down to how well you reduce friction. In behavioral economics, this friction is called choice architecture. The idea is really simple.

Dr. Christiane Schroeter [00:01:28]:
When you design your environment, it changes how you behave. Think of how grocery stores place fruit at eye level to nudge you toward healthier choices. Or when you lay out your workout clothes, you’re more likely to exercise in the morning. The same is true for stage preparation. If I can remove distractions or friction—my clothing is wrinkled, my skin feels dry, my eyes look tired, my shoes are uncomfortable—then I can save my energy for what matters most: delivering my message.

Dr. Christiane Schroeter [00:02:06]:
Every small step I took before the TEDx talk was about shaping an environment that made me feel ready. Let me walk through the little things that supported me. Yes, I had a rug in my home that looked just like the rug on the TEDx stage. It became my practice stage. Every rehearsal happened on that rug, and by the time I stepped onto the TEDx red dot, it felt familiar. That’s a psychology concept we call embodied cognition. Our bodies influence our minds, so practicing in one spot trained my brain to associate that circle with confidence. I used an eye mask in the morning to look awake after long practice sessions, especially on the morning of TEDx.

Dr. Christiane Schroeter [00:02:56]:
The science here is simple. When you believe you look rested, you actually carry yourself differently. It’s a shift in self-perception that changes how you present. Of course, my mascara mattered. I picked one that doesn’t smudge in the lights. That may sound small, but it reduced one worry. Instead of thinking about how I looked, I could focus on connecting with my audience.

Dr. Christiane Schroeter [00:03:24]:
And again, that’s choice architecture at work. In the evening, I always prepared my hair with a revitalizing tonic so it looked and felt the same every day, whether I was practicing or stepping on stage. And I also want to point out that sometimes it really is simple. Even vitamin boosts can help because they keep up your energy naturally. Lotion was important too. It became a ritual and a quiet signal to myself that I was prepared. I also wore a necklace that reminded me to feel centered and grounded. And I gave my daughter a simple camera to take some fun pictures.

Dr. Christiane Schroeter [00:04:09]:
On the day of the talk, I wore golden low heels—comfortable enough to stand in for 15 minutes, stylish enough to give me that extra edge. Shoes matter more than most people think. They affect posture, and posture affects confidence. Again, embodied cognition: when you stand tall, you feel stronger. I also used a handheld steamer to make sure my outfit was long, lean, and crisp. I didn’t want wrinkles showing up. What I want to say is you have to record yourself, too. Asking for feedback is important. All of this is behavioral science at work.

Dr. Christiane Schroeter [00:04:55]:
Individually, none of these items made me a great speaker. But together, they created the conditions for me to step confidently into that moment. That’s where psychology gives us a powerful concept: self-signaling. Every small action sets a signal to your brain about who you are. When I applied lotion, steamed my clothes, or stepped into those golden shoes, I was signaling: You are prepared. You’re professional. You belong here.

Dr. Christiane Schroeter [00:05:23]:
You’re going to deliver an amazing TEDx talk. That’s why preparation is never wasted. It’s not about perfection. It’s about evidence—evidence you give yourself that you’re ready. And I want to leave you with something to remember.

Dr. Christiane Schroeter [00:05:39]:
The small steps matter. These Petite Practices build your confidence long before the spotlight hits you. So when you watch my TEDx talk—and I hope you do—I want you to notice not just the words, but the presence. That presence was built with dozens of little choices, with months of preparation. Each product, each ritual, each small step added up to that big moment. And here’s my ask for you: after you watch the TEDx talk, please take a moment to like the video, leave a comment, and share it with someone else.

Dr. Christiane Schroeter [00:06:15]:
Those small actions create ripple effects you can’t always see. Your share might be the reason someone else takes their first small step—their first Petite Practice. And because you’re here with me, you get a sneak peek at what’s next. I have a new book coming out soon called Runway to the Red Dot. It’s all about stepping into your voice. I’ll be expanding on the exact strategies I’ve shared today—the psychology, the behavioral sciences, and the practical tools that help you prepare for your own big moment.

Dr. Christiane Schroeter [00:06:50]:
Whether your stage is a keynote, a classroom, a podcast mic, a boardroom, or even TEDx, the principles in my book are the same. If you’re on my email list, you’ll start seeing teasers and tips—short, actionable insights you can use right away. Think of it as your ongoing stage prep, delivered one step and one email at a time. So that’s the story behind the rug, the eye mask, the shoes, and the necklace. Every detail was part of a bigger picture. Preparation is how you step into your voice. And those small steps are what create the change you want to see.

Dr. Christiane Schroeter [00:07:31]:
Go watch the talk. Share it, like it, forward it. And then come back here where we’ll keep building confidence and clarity together. I’m your coach, Dr. Christiane, and this was the Happy Healthy Hustle podcast. Keep practicing your Petite Practices. They add up, and I can’t wait to see you in the next episode. Thank you so much for tuning in.