This week I was lucky enough to speak with Jim Canterucci, a Personal Brilliance coach, about my desire to become a paid public speaker. He gave me some very interesting and helpful tips on how to do it, but his opening advice struck me as most poignant. He said the secret to becoming a well-paid professional speaker is to be great at it.

At first glance, that seems obvious, right?  But, how often do we work toward something without this basic tenet at the forefront of our minds? We look at facts, we practice processes, we collect data, we research the how-to, but how much energy is actually exerted toward true greatness?

His advice really struck me as important, so greatness is my goal as I go about becoming a paid speaker. I will keep it in mind as I do all the other things, the nitty gritty, to market myself, get myself speaking gigs, etc. I will use the idea of greatness as my litmus test for whatever I choose to do next. And, I believe it will benefit me in ways that nothing else can. I am committed to devoting the time to develop greatness.

What about you? How much time this day, week, or month are you going to devote to being great at what you do? How much time did you devote to it last month? If you’re like most entrepreneurs, you probably got caught up in the business of running your business instead of taking the time to focus on being great at what you do. Don’t be hard on yourself – just resolve to shift that a bit.

How can you develop greatness? I’d recommend that you go visit Jim’s Personal Brilliance website for starters. He provides tips on how to use your personal brilliance to conquer any challenge. After my experience visiting with Jim, I have signed up for his updates. I find them valuable and I look forward to their positive impact on my progress.

Also, study your craft. For me, I will be studying the greatest speakers of all time to see what they do. I will practice, emulating the best of the best while developing my own strong message and style. Studying people who are great at what you want to be great at does not mean becoming a parrot or robot. Instead it’s about observing what works and using that as your launching pad. You are unique and that’s the greatest gift you have to offer the world, as no one else can give that. 

Lastly, and maybe most importantly, allow yourself the mental and emotional permission to admit your greatness. We are often taught that knowing our value is arrogance, that claiming our greatness is a mistake. False humility does no one any good. Thinking you’re great when you’re not, that’s arrogance. Actually being great (and knowing it) is your responsibility to yourself, your family, and the world. You weren’t put on this earth to be mediocre. No one was. Don’t feign commonness to fit it. Great leaders don’t fit in – they stick out and rise above to inspire and motivate others. Each of us are leaders in our craft, in our own way, so it’s time we acted so. Today is as good a day as any to start.

Go out and be great today. Focus your attention on the idea of greatness in your work, in the value you give your client, the contribution you make to your society. Become really good at it. Practice, learn, and then be it. I look forward to standing next to you and your greatness.

Together, we are stronger!
Vicki Flaugher, the original SmartWoman

follow me on Twitter: SmartWoman
follow Jim Canterucci on Twitter: Canterucci