Sense of Accomplishment

Years ago I worked for a U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in the File Room. During one particular week all Administrative staff members were given a survey to help judge how we handled stress among other outcomes being explored. One of the situations on which we were to comment had to do with specific tasks. The question was, “Do you feel a sense of accomplishment after completing a job?”

Surprisingly, one of my co-workers responded that, no, he did not feel a sense of accomplishment. Instead he felt that more pressure was just around the corner, and the stress was only building. In his estimation, there was no sense of accomplishment because more work was coming his way.

Of course he was right to a certain extent. Being employed most often means having tasks which consume each day. His job was critical to the performance of the entire office, and he did it well, but was unable to enjoy his own daily successes. Thankfully the work was unending – we stayed employed! We had a segmented and orderly flow of work. Success in each phase, led directly to success in the next and following phases until we had reached the end of the work day.

Now let us segue to all of life’s endeavors. Each day we start with a fresh slate even in the presence of work left over from the day before. There must be work to accomplish each day, in fact for six days each week, or we are in danger of losing focus and our edge. That may seem crazy, but it is the prescription followed even by God! Work six days then rest on the seventh day. Even when work is less than fulfilling, it still has meaning, and it is imperative that we look for the little victories in each day.

Whether we own our business, or exchange hours for money in the employ of someone else, we must identify where the victories will be found, then pursue them. When we are successful in prosecuting our tasks with this mindset, we find each week to be loaded with obstacles overcome, victories to build upon, and a life that takes on greater importance.

Each day we must make it our goal to be better than we have been the day before, and to do more than we have done before. This is my mantra and daily goal. I find that building my speaking business is loaded with challenges which compel me to conquer in the areas of time management, marketing, prospecting, public relations, writing, speaking, editing, publishing, physical networking, social networking, studying, and rehearsing. There must also be time to excel in eating properly, exercising adequately, and getting enough rest.

It can be a grind. It is also exciting, and I would not trade this life for another. I see great things ahead, and each day I relish in the accomplishment of a job well done.

Fearlessly,
JD

Paprika and Parsley

I learned a valuable lesson a couple of years ago when I was launching my speaking business, and soaking up all that Toastmasters has to offer (which is considerable, btw!). For an Evaluation Workshop I was charged with delivering the well-organized speech of a speaking veteran. I conceived a masterpiece, if I do say so myself.

A week prior to delivering this three-minute wonder of words, I realized I was rehearsing so much that I had memorized the speech. Memorization can be a trap for even the most seasoned of speakers, professional or not. When we memorize a speech we open ourselves to forgetting a line, a word, a transition. In so doing we may draw a blank on the next line, word, or section of the speech. On the night of, I did the unthinkable, and forgot an entire minute of the three minutes speech!

However, at the conclusion of my remarks I was warmly congratulated on a well-delivered, and wonderfully organized speech. Truly it was the work of a seasoned, speaking veteran! I smiled, received the well wishes, and turned to the voice in my head where I heard, “But it was only two-thirds of the speech!!”

Have you ever prepared a dish for a family reunion or the random potluck dinner?  Things happen as we know and you may not have the paprika for the deviled eggs, or the parsley to garnish your signature dish.  You have to serve what you brought, and cannot go by the store.  Guess what?  NO ONE NOTICES! 

Therein is the lesson…. Your audience, like the folks at the family reunion or potluck dinner, are not aware of all you have put into the recipe for your speech or presentation. If you deliver on the expectation of your audience, which for this speech was organization, you have done your job. Make note of your omission, goal yourself to learn from your experience, and next time check the pantry of your mind for paprika and parsley before taking the stage!

Fearlessly,

JD

The Voice Inside

Last December I was blessed to encourage a combination of children, tweens, teens, and adults during one of my Fearless Speaker clinics. The primary message delivered that day was that our voice is important. As my audience learned that day the physical voice manifested through the interplay of diaphragm, vocal chords, lungs, and tongue is only the most obvious voice we possess.

Our inner voice, the one we define as the voice of our spirit, soul, or mind, is of singular importance. We may call it a still, small voice or a whisper of the mind, but let us never call it inconsequential, irrelevant, or unimportant. This is the voice of dreams, aspirations, and inspiration.

Most recently I followed this theme as a keynote in a business luncheon and encouraged the men and women in attendance to listen once again to that voice. It was just four years ago that I listened and set upon the life change I now celebrate every single day! My goal each day is to be better than I have been, and to do more than I have done.

Find that voice of your dreams. They can still come true. This is my testimony….

Fearlessly,

JD