By Dave Kelly
I got this month’s tip from a future speaking star! She is an energetic young lady who is one of the most positive people I know. She approaches life with fun and excitement and is great to be around.
When I asked her about this quote, she told me how important it is to know who you are and be that person.
Simple idea, huh?
Yet, how often do you act in ways that are different than who you really are? At work, school, even around friends, many times we put on personas that are not our “real person”, our inner self. We are told to grow up and relinquish things that give us joy. In the movie “Heathers”, the character played by Winona Ryder gave up playing with Barbie dolls with her best friend in order to join the “in” crowd, to become someone she wasn’t. After much mayhem, she found her true self and saved her friends from a horrible fate.
For years, I was a hot-shot mortgage broker with offices in several states. I was building a company in a business that I really did not enjoy. I played the part of business man for 10 of those years. I was successful, but not happy.
What I really wanted was to be on stage. I wanted to be in front of audiences. I wanted to help people change their lives in deep, meaningful ways.
So, I became who I was meant to be—a professional speaker. In mid-2004 I changed my focus from mortgages to speaking and my life has been so much better for it. I have an opportunity to “shine like a star” every day and especially each time I step on stage.
Oh, and that future speaking star with the super-positive attitude? Her name is Katie and she turns 7 on Thursday. If she understands this at her age, what is holding you back?
Time to shine!
Dave Kelly is a professional speaker and host of the website Gonzospeaks.com, and a contributing writer here on OutOfYourRut.com. His career story is also a feature here at Professional Speaking—Turning a Hobby Into a Career. Dave is available for speaking engagements either through his website or by emailing Kevin at OutOfYourRut
