The Initial Step
Have you ever had a single encounter that completely changed your life
?
So there I was; it was March of 2002. I had scheduled a meeting with Ron, my recruiter, determined to find out what my next career move would be. I was at a crossroads moment in my life. Although I was a 31 year old executive in the automotive field, and I appeared to be doing well, I couldn't ignore that voice inside that said, "Eric, there's got to be more."
What about you? Have out ever felt like there's got to be more in your life?
I told Ron about my idea pursuing pharmaceutical sales; it was the up-and-coming field, and I had quite a few friends that were doing well.
Ron told me: "Eric. That sounds like a pretty good plan, except for one small detail: I'm looking at your background, and there isn't a manager in his right mind that will hire you! But other than that, it's is a great plan - go for it!
He then asked me a profound question: "What do you really want to do?"
[Eric:] "Well, Ron, I want to do something where I don't have to work weekends, and I can earn a good salary."
[Ron:] "That doesn't answer the question, Eric! What do you want to do?"
[Eric:] "Ron, I want to do something that I'm good at!"
[Ron:] "You still didn't answer the question, Eric! What do you want to do?"
And there was silence.
For the first time, I realized: I didn't know what my true calling in life was.
[Ron:] "Eric, what are you passionate about? And what would you try if you knew that you wouldn't fail?"
I reflected on Ron's questions, and I realized that I felt the most passion when I was up in front of an audience speaking. And this led me to the discovery that public speaking was my calling in life.
By finding my calling, I had taken the initial step towards living my dream.
I was excited! I was on fire! I was so excited and on fire that for the next three years I did nothing! That's right: for three years, I didn't do anything to pursue my dream. The mistake I made was that I thought I had to have all the details in perfect order before I started to move.
But then, one day, I had an encounter with my GPS system that taught me what to do next. On this particular day, I had an appointment that was over an hour from my house. I got in the car, I punched in the address, and I became frustrated that I couldn't get any directions. I was so frustrated that I called my customer service representative, and what he told me applies to our discussion today.
He said: "Mr. Twiggs, sometimes you will fail to get direction as long as you are stationary in one location."
[Customer Representative]: "But once you start moving towards your destination, your system will engage and tell you where to turn next!"
I decided that I would apply this GPS lesson to my public speaking. I started moving by speaking in my local community. At one of these speaking engagements, there was a member of the public speaking group, "Toastmasters International", in the audience. Now, for some reason, he was frowning and shaking his head throughout my entire presentation. I think I made an impression on him, because afterwards, he told me that I really needed to join Toastmasters. As a matter of fact, I needed to join so badly, that he was willing to pay for my membership!
Later that year, I joined my local Toastmasters club which really helped me develop as a public speaker. If I hadn't taken the initial step of speaking at my local community, I wouldn't be living my dream as a public speaker today. This whole experience taught me not to let "perfect" become the enemy of progress.
The next lesson I learned was not to let "comfort" become the enemy of my calling. For several years I had become comfortable with my routine even though I didn't the results that my routine produced. I'm reminded of the famous story of two construction workers named Joe and Mike.
Joe and Mike were on the construction site one day, and they were about to have lunch. As they opened their lunch boxes, Joe says to Mike: "Baloney again! I just hate baloney! This is the third day this week that I'm having baloney!"
To which Mike replied: "Why don't you just ask your wife to make you something different for lunch?"
[Joe:] "Mike, I don't have a wife! I made these sandwiches myself!"
Now, I hate to admit it, but I was just like Joe. I was comfortable with my routine; I complained about the result even though, at the end of the day, I was responsible. If you are tired of the same baloney, you can change the menu by taking the initial step towards your dream!
Remember: don't let "perfect" become the enemy of progress, and don't let "comfort" become the enemy of your calling.
And as I conclude this message, I leave you with this final question: What is the initial step that you need to take to start living your dream?
by: Eric Twiggs
4 Ways You May Be Hurting Your Own Guitar Playing Progress Addiction To Alcohol Granulated Skin Under The Abdomen In Obese People - Lose Weight End Your Misery Are You Moving? All You Need To Know As For How To Make Your Move A Breeze Is Here! The Theory Behind Dual Diagnosis How To Prevent Dual Diagnosis Relapses Morbidly Obese Is An Issue That Affects Everyone Every Independent Retailer Must Get Profitable - Now! Morbidly Obese People Do Not Always Need To Go Under The Knife Get Your Former Mate Boyfriend Backside - Why Should He Overlook You Once You Be Sure He Understands Getting The Excursion Of Your Respective Existence With Your Furry Friend Simple Tips To Keep You From Piling On The Pounds When You Dine Out Die Vermhlung - Ein Traum Wird Wahr