Three Simple yet Powerful Words for Success!

Opportunity. Experience. Knowledge.

As a long-time Toastmaster, I continue to look for ways to sharpen my speaking and leadership skills to be ready to make a presentation to a local organization or club meetings. Years ago I believed that at some point, I would know it all and not need to do anything else. Of course, I learned that it doesn’t work that way because progress takes constant planning and execution.

So how do these three simple yet powerful words that work together keep me motivated to press on to achieve my speaking and leadership goals?

Opportunity. My fellow Toastmasters know that I am all about opportunities and I say "Yes!" as many times as possible. There were times the early days of my membership when I almost backed out of giving a speech. I am so glad I didn’t because I had a great time and would have missed out on meeting people or learning something new. This also including creating opportunities for yourself by talking with others and looking for ways to “make things happen.”  If you don’t answer the door when opportunity knocks, that door may not open again or not very often

Experience. A great quote by Eleanor Roosevelt says it all for me: “I believe that anyone can conquer fear by doing the things he fears to do, provided he keeps doing them until he gets a record of successful experience behind him.” When I take an opportunity it usually leads to more opportunities where I gain more experience; it all works together for success. There is nothing like good ole experience to enhance your skills. Learn by doing; that is what experience is all about.

Knowledge. Now that I’ve accepted an opportunity and gained value experience, the last part is reflecting on the whole process to make changes for future endeavors. I value feedback from others and I also know the skills I want to possess and it helps me create a plan to tackle those improvements. Knowledge is power so make it count. Take the knowledge to figure out what is working and what needs to improve.

Effective communication and leadership skills takes continuous practice to develop your own personal style and comfort level to speak in front of any audience or any person. Go for it!