Monday, November 5, 2012

The Day That Turned My Life Around


The day was a most beautiful one. A perfect day for the challenge at hand. I was feeling terrific and confident too. I knew this was what I must do. I didn't get a lot of encouragement. I was ready for the jump anyway.

What a view! It was better than I ever expected it would be. Ah! The feeling of perfect freedom was so exhilarating. That confident feeling now swelled in my chest even more than before. I was getting closer & closer to my target now. I was sure everyone would eventually accept my decision to take on this challenging experience.

It wasn't long before I had my feet solidly planted on the ground. The applause was unbelievable. I had reached my target. I was confident my decision would eventually enhance my life dramatically. I had finally reached a goal I had planned for a long time.

Did you really think I made a parachute jump? No I didn't. This was some part of a 5-minute speech I made at the National Convention of the Dale Carnegie Organization several years ago. I don't know if it were the exact words or not. But it is the best I can remember.

The speech was an analogy of my decision to leave the family florist business and pursue a sales career. All the words I used and the incidents I described were very realistic to the challenging decision I made. I really believe I left the audience mesmerized. The emotions I expressed were very convincing. I did explain in the final minute of the speech what it was all about however.

But the day turned out a little disappointing. I lost the contest. My speech went over the time limit by 2-3 seconds. It was the agreement of the judges I only lost because I went over the time limit. I was so emotionally involved in that speech that I didn't pay enough attention to my wife and a couple of other people giving me time signs from the back of the room.

I did learn a valuable lesson that day and it was this. Defeat is very disappointing but it's never permanent. I try to spread those words to anyone who’s ever had any disappointment in life. I encourage them to not give up. I tell them if they will just hang on and keep at it sooner or later success will come their way.

In the years that followed I did win some local and regional speech awards but I never got the chance to enter another national contest. I did become a graduate assistant with the Dale Carnegie organization eventually. I was required to present sample speeches to the new members of the course each week. I had a lot of fun and enjoyed working with the instructor.

I eventually joined ten National Speakers Association with the goal to become a professional speaker. I did get some contracts for speeches and made some money from them. However I never realized my big dream. But I think I finally found my niche in life when I became a sales supervisor training a team of salesmen. This was one of the most exciting and profitable times of my life. It was gratifying to see how I was able to help them develop profitable territories.

I believe you have to come to realize that your life doesn't always turn out the way you expect. It's been my experience that being persistent. Then having a strong passion to achieve your goals and initiating a well devised plan daily. That eventually you will create your ideal lifestyle. Just go for it and see if that's not true. Here’s where you can get started. Click here for more information now

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