UPDATE(15th Jan 2013 at 11.57p.m Nigerian time): New price for the Feed Formulation Software (or Ration Formulator) is N12,500. The handbook remains available for N8,000!
The information below is relevant to my currently on-going year end bundled offer announced at the bottom of the following recent posts:
UPDATE(14th Dec. 2012 at 10.42a.m Nigerian time): Pay N10,500 and get the bundle – For 25 Buyers Only!
My attention has just been drawn to the fact that last year’s bundled offer price of N10,500 is what still appears on the FAQ/sales page here!
I have no idea what went wrong as I vividly recall updating that page before announcing this year’s N14,000 offer.
In light of the fact that many have already seen the lower offer, and as a gesture of goodwill, I’ve decided to bring the price down to N10,500.00.
This offer will however be for the first 25 persons who buy on or before midnight of 15th January 2013.
Once the offer expires the prices on that sales page will be updated to N18,000.
Send SMS with your name and email to me via 234-803-302-1263 to book your slot before all 25 are taken. You can also email your name and phone number to me via tayo at tksola dot com.
This is the second and concluding part of this issue of my Public Speaking IDEAS newsletter from last week. I narrate the story of a young man who learns the importance of never feeling inadequate in pursuing a valued goal.
My message is that you can pursue your speaking goals without waiting to have everything you “feel” you “need”. This is because many times, not having those other “things” may actually mean you do NOT need them to achieve the progress you seek!
“No enterprise would ever begin, if all obstacles were first to be overcome.” – Napoleon Hill
A Senior Colleague Warns Me To Stay Away From Her…!
As word about my relationship with Annugo gradually got out, a few colleagues began teasing me about it.
However, none came across as being resentful in anyway.
That is, until one day, when Udenihc (a senior colleague on a management grade above mine, who joined the company five years before me), took me up on the subject when he ran into me in the office shared by shift managers.
I’d gone there to reconcile manufacturing data I was collating for a report.
The following conversation ensued(in part):
Udenihc: “Oyat, I notice you’re getting close to that new IT girl – Annogu.”
This is the product to own if you can own only one. Why? Because in it you discover principles of platform mastership available to you nowhere else at any price.
You hear performance strategies you can emulate. You shorten your learning curve. You see ways to engage and delight audiences with both content and stories . . . plus you experience a bit of fun.
With its Money back if not delighted Guarantee hardly any are returned.
No. 67: You Already Have ALL You Need – Part 2 of 2
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NB: If you ever find yourself wondering what else I’ve written, some days after you’ve read THIS Speaking Ideas newsletter I send out on a Monday, here’s what you can do to find out:
Point your browser to www.sdacademy.org to read at least ONE new post added to my SD Nuggets blog on a different category from Tuesday till Saturday (sometimes even Sundays) in line with this publishing schedule
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This is the second and concluding part of this issue of my Public Speaking IDEAS newsletter from last week. I narrate the story of a young man who learns the importance of never feeling inadequate in pursuing a valued goal.
My message is that you can pursue your speaking goals without waiting to have everything you “feel” you “need”. This is because many times, not having those other “things” may actually mean you do NOT need them to achieve the progress you seek!
“No enterprise would ever begin, if all obstacles were first to be overcome. – Napoleon Hill
A Senior Colleague Warns Me To Stay Away From Her…!
As word about my relationship with Annugo gradually got out, a few colleagues began teasing me about it.
However, none came across as being resentful in anyway.
That is, until one day, when Udenihc (a senior colleague on a management grade above mine, who joined the company five years before me), took me up on the subject when he ran into me in the office shared by shift managers.
I’d gone there to reconcile manufacturing data I was collating for a report.
The following conversation ensued(in part):
Udenihc: “Oyat, I notice you’re getting close to that new IT girl – Annogu.”
Me: “So, what if I am?”
Udenihc: “Do you know she’s actually from my home town?”
Me: “How does that have anything to do with me – or indeed my interaction with her?”
Udenihc: “Oh, so you don’t get it ehn? I mean you should know it’s better for her to go with someone from her own tribe!”
Me: “I can’t believe you just said that to me. Since when did it become compulsory for girls to choose who they go out with based on tribal affiliation?”
Udenihc: “I knew you would argue about this. You’ve always been a stubborn guy. Anyway, I just want you to know I’m interested in the girl, so you leave her alone!”
Me: “Well, I think you’re wasting your time talking to me about that. Just go to her, and let her know how you feel. I’m sure if she feels the same way she’ll come to you, and stop coming to me!”
Just as I said that, another manager walked in and Udenihc gave me one last look and walked out. I still recall looking after him and shaking my head in mock pity at how comical he had made himself look before me – “a mere trainee” – over a girl.
When Annogu came visiting some days later, I mentioned my encounter with Udenihc, and she instantly burst out laughing.
Before I could ask her why, she explained that he had called her that morning on the company’s internal phone line to her department, and told her the same thing.
She added that she had simply told him she had a right to choose who she spent her time with.
So, as it turned out, I did not even have to exert myself to have the matter resolved in my favour!
A Valuable Life Lesson
I think about things a lot. It’s an instinct that’s always served me well. I seem to be driven to extract useful and relevant meaning from everything that happens to me, or that I observe.
Doing so has often enabled me become a better and more competent person.
For that reason, I always encourage those I coach to cultivate and nurture a similar habit, if they wish to make faster and more rewarding progress.
After reflecting on what had happened, it occurred to me that by being myself, I had let Annogu see who I really was, and she apparently had decided she liked what she saw.
This was enough to make her decline invitations from others who, apart from ranking higher than I did at work, were also financially and materially more endowed than I was.
It was a great eye opening lesson for me at the time, and made me resolve to continue being true to myself at all times, no matter what.
How Can This Help YOU As A Speaker?
I suggest you use the above narrative, as a reminder that you will often already have the most important things you need, to win over your client or target audience.
Instead of running around trying to acquire other tiny extras you feel will help you make a better impression, why not focus on letting those you approach see the authentic you, and make up their minds?
This way, you increase your chances of getting chosen by a prospective client whose values actually resonate with yours.
And when that happens, you’ll have a much better chance of enjoying emotionally rewarding, and profitable relationships with your clients – and audiences.
And it would have cost you much less in effort, time and money, compared to a situation in which you may have tried to win them over by trying to present yourself as having more to offer than you really do.
Too many times I have seen people obsess themselves with what, in my honest opinion, amounts to “over preparation”.
That ultimately keeps them from ever feeling ready to go out and do the necessary “pavement pounding” – literally, and figuratively speaking!
No One Wants To Buy The Box. They Want What’s INSIDE The Box!
My message in concluding this 2 part issue of my Public Speaking IDEAS newsletter, is therefore that it can be counter productive, to focus on the material possessions, or personal attributes you lack.
You can achieve more useful progress as a speaker (or one aspiring), by emphasising and building on what you already have, to get where you want to go.
Simply accept that you have to start where you are with what you have.
So many highly accomplished people became notable authentic successes by doing just that.
Many times all you really need to do is show up: make that call, send that email, visit that CEO or meeting planner. In other words, TAKE PERSONAL ACTION! (My favourite “War Cry“)
>> Who says you have to wear a designer suit to impress the board of directors as the guest speaker?
>> Do you really need to arrive driving a newer looking car, to command the attention and interest of the meeting planner?
>> Must your press kit and marketing materials be printed on painfully expensive stationary ,to convince a newspaper editor to do a feature on you?
The answer to ALL the questions listed above is ” NO”!
To Improve The Quality Of What You Have “INSIDE” Your Box: Get A Competent Coach!
Of course if you are fortunate to have the resources, then by all means go ahead and impress with your outer packaging!
However, except you operate in a market where merit and competence do not count for much, it would be naïve to expect that pretty packaging can in anyway cover for lack of tangible value in your offering.
Sometimes, even if the box is not so attractive, when people see that its contents offer useful value, they would still gladly pay a premium to get it.
I choose to see the stuff I lack as “missing” features of the box in which I offer myself to potential clients.
To enhance my chances of success, I explore creative ways to get my target audience to see what I’m really like inside. Where possible, I do what I can to “repair” the missing aspects, but I generally don’t sweat it if my efforts fall flat.
This attitude has repeatedly won me numerous opportunities to earn income and even get high profile marketing exposure in mass media (like TV and newspapers) at zero cost.
If I had let my mind dwell on what I lacked, that could qualify me to earn such rewards, I would never have plucked up the courage to go out and achieve those surprising wins like I did.
When next you’re in doubt, think about what I’ve said here!
[Psst: One of the ways I work to improve myself on the inside is by reaching out for competent support from a coach or mentor. I suggest you do the same.
To improve yourself from the inside, as a speaker, consider getting help from a tested and proven mentor of professional speakers.
As usual, I highly recommend Burt Dubin – and not just because I get rewarded for getting anyone to signup for his mentoring
I recommend Burt because I KNOW from applying his ideas, and also studying others who do what he does, that he truly offers the best value for the money clients pay.
You can choose to purchase Burt’s mentoring at any of the three (3) levels listed below:
Tayo Solagbade is a Performance Improvement Specialist & multipreneur. He works with individuals/businesses who want to achieve highly profitable outcomes, and also with parents who want to raise real-world competent children.
When he’s not amazing clients with his superhuman skills (wink), Tayo works as the creative force behind his Self-Development Nuggets™ blog, and Public Speaking IDEAS newsletter (which he publishes to promote Burt Dubin’s Public Speaking Mentoring service to experts working across the African continent).
==================
Have you been undecided about whether or not to become a paid speaker? Or have you been trying to get your speaking career off the ground with little success?
Here’s a tip: Burt Dubin works with people who want to be speakers, and with speakers who want to be masters. Click here to visit his website NOW and submit a contact form message telling him what challenges you’re facing, and how you’d like him to help you. Tell him I sent you, and you’ll get a pleasant surprise offer from him.
Comments?
What do you think of the above message? Do you have any personal experience to share on this subject? Are there some other points you feel can be added, to help persons looking for answers? Please share your thoughts!
Share this issue!
Do you know anyone who might benefit from reading this newsletter issue? Why not hit the forward button now, and send it to him/her with a short recommendation. You can also use share it via your social media channels. Thanks in advance.
What fears or doubts are keeping you from (a) taking up Burt Dubin’s monthly speaker mentoring, or (b) buying his products?
You can choose to purchase Burt’s mentoring at any of the three (3) levels listed below:
Burt’s three mentoring packages can be likened to the seating options offered by airlines: Budget Delight (Economy); Mid Range (Business); and Top Shelf (First Class).
At least that’s how I like to think of them!
All three will get you to your desired destination of “speaking success-ville” – so long as you meet the requirements/play your part well (your fare, abide by the set guidelines etc). During the “flight”, the seat you have will determine how much personal service attention and preference the provider will accord you. It’s that simple
Send me an e-mail with your questions via tayo at tksola dot com. In the meantime, why not get started by subscribing here to get his 7-Part Course (How To Succeed And Get Paid As A Professional Speaker) . . . and receive his monthly newsletter (Speaking Biz Strategies Letter) at no cost.
For over 25 years, Burt Dubin has provided a variety of speaker mentoring products and services to clients worldwide.
Do you want to learn how to finish anything you start, with worthwhile results to show for it?
Would you like to be able to set and achieve valued goals in your life regardless of delays, disappointments and setbacks you encounter?
If YES, then rest assured that you’re in the right place, and I CAN help you achieve the above – and a lot more.
Starting today (5th December 2012), I offer YOU access to my confidential paid coaching/consulting service.
When it comes to getting results no matter what goes wrong, under some of the most difficult and frustrating socioeconomic situations imaginable, my track record of achievements readily attest to my competence.
Reading through the experience based posts and articles on this blog for starters, will give you an idea of the depth of insight and know-how I can give you.
You need someone who knows what it takes to relentlessly climb back up after being knocked down countless times, until he reaches his goal.
That, IS me.
You need the help of a person whose unique versatility as a multipreneur equips him to appreciate issues you face from YOUR unique perspective.
Again, me.
You can make your dreams come true, if you choose the right coach to guide and support you.
I can help you, using my Spontaneous Coaching technique, developed and refined over the past fifteen years.
Your age, gender, education, country etc do NOT matter.
What matters is your interest, desire, passion, purpose and vision.
You most likely currently struggle to achieve your goals because you LACK access to information and guidance that can help you to:
(1). eliminate trial and error
(2). Identify potentially viable ways to get the results you want as quickly as possible.
With my help, you can quickly learn what to do, and how to do it.
I offer paid email and telephone based (as well as face to face) coaching/consulting that can help you take the guesswork out of what you’re trying to do.
Understand that I do NOT need to know the technicalities of your work or vocation.
My role will simply be to guide you to take needed steps as and when due, to achieve the outcomes you desire.
My past accomplishments from successfully delivering customised solutions to clients in widely differing industries (hotels, hospitals, consulting, health and fitness, manufacuring, real estate etc) prove that my multipreneurial aptitude equips me to understand, and adapt to different subject matter quite easily.
In other words, it is a valuable asset that benefits my clients.
And it will benefit you, if you choose to let me help you.
There is so much you need to know and do, in order to competently go after, and achieve, your challenging life goals.
I am a proven goal getter in my personal and work lives from my days as a student, through 7 years in paid employment and over the past 10 years as an entrepreneur.
In many cases my work speaks so well for me, that I do not need to say more. Learn more about me here.
I can show you how to achieve your own goals the way I do mine, even in the face of multiple daunting obstacles. You CAN become unstoppable!
Let me help you work out a real-world relevant ACTION plan, that provides ready-to-use remedies to setbacks and other forms of temporary defeat you are bound to encounter as you pursue your goals.
I can offer you experience based suggestions that can help you evolve smarter action plans, and ultimately make the most of the challenges you’ll have to face.
If you did not find this page yourself, it’s likely I sent you the link after you contacted me about my mentoring.
Here’s How You Get Started With Me…
In order to coach anyone, I must evaluate the quality of their drive, determination and CONVICTION by requiring them to take an initial leap of faith by sending me:
N20,000 (Twenty Thousand Naira) for an initial remote telephone consultation lasting 15 to 30 minutes.
If you’re not ready to do this, stop reading now. I cannot work with anyone unwilling to take the above first step.
If you’re ready to take that leap of faith, I offer you more details:
Note that the N20k you send is 100% refundable, IF you go ahead to signup for my full coaching program.
To help you maximise value from that initial consultation with me , I always recommend sending key questions or concerns in written form at least 5 days ahead of the session.
As a gesture of goodwill, I provide for every client, written responses where relevant and approriate, to each one, and send via email as PDF and MP3 audio to you before the session date.
This will enable you ask other questions or request more details/clarification by the time you call to speak with me.
At the end of the session, you’ll likely have greater clarity about what you should be doing specifically to achieve your purpose.
Only after that will coaching become relevant.
Let me repeat myself: The initial consultation session (which I call “Situation Analysis”) will help me evaluate your needs, and based on that, I’ll then propose a custom coaching program for you, with required investment (recall you’ll be able to deduct 100% of your initial N20k consultation payment if you choose to sign up for full coaching).
So, what will you do now? I recommend you ask yourself:
“Can I afford to proceed on this important journey without RELIABLE support and guidance?”
Think about that…
To get started with me, send a request for payment details using this contact form using “Re: Spontaneous Coaching Initial Consultation request” in the subject line.
In this week’s issue of my Public Speaking IDEAS newsletter, I publish part ONE (of a two part) true story that I believe illustrates the FACT that most times we already have ALL we need to succeed, but are often not aware of it or too scared to believe it!
Instead of a story about public speaking or marketing however, I share with you one about a 25 year old who thought no girl could be interested in him. Then one day he found himself being chosen over others by a VERY pretty new girl, who even his senior colleagues had their eyes on!
This is the product to own if you can own only one. Why? Because in it you discover principles of platform mastership available to you nowhere else at any price.
You hear performance strategies you can emulate. You shorten your learning curve. You see ways to engage and delight audiences with both content and stories . . . plus you experience a bit of fun.
With its Money back if not delighted Guarantee hardly any are returned.
No. 66: You Already Have ALL You Need – Part 1of 2
As a speaker (or one aspiring) one of the daily challenges you’ll most likely face – being the normal human being you are – will probably be periodic doubts and fears.
Thoughts like the following could fill your mind every now and then: “How am I going to face the CEO when that door is opened? What if she says no? Maybe others will laugh at me. What if I bungle my presentation?
It’s only human to periodically feel like that. However, those who achieve success learn to bring such emotions under control. They then make the best use of the talents they are born with, and other abilities they have developed, to achieve their goals.
This week, I publish part ONE (of a two part) true story that I believe illustrates the FACT that most times we already have ALL we need to succeed, but are often not aware of it or too scared to believe it!
Instead of a story about public speaking or marketing however, I share with you one about a 25 year old who thought no girl could be interested in him. Then one day he found himself being chosen over others by a VERY pretty new girl, who even his senior colleagues had their eyes on!
By the end of part 2, you will hopefully have discovered how quite often we keep thinking we’re not ready, when we’re already fully competent to compete with others, and win at what we want to do!
A Workaholic 25 Year Old…
It was less than 6 months ago that I joined the new plant as a trainee manager. But since helping to resolve a major problem with the Lotus macros driven Monthly Report program, news had spread quickly about me – and my self-taught skills.
Even the brewery head had me assigned to his office for 2 weeks, to help compile data and produce charts for an all important presentation.
When I was free, I studied plant manuals and process work instructions in the Training Centre. My goal was to know them inside out in theory and practice. So I stayed with floor operatives after office hours till 11pm, only to resume as early as 6.00a.m.
At 25, and living alone, I let nothing else interest me…
One Day, I Felt Something VERY Different, And Rather Pleasant…
But all that changed when one day, while taking a break for some air outside the training centre, I saw her…and time stood still.
Since the day – back in primary school – when a lying female classmate had accused me of peeping at her in the toilet, I had never spared any serious thought for girls.Anytime I saw one, all I felt was anger and resentment.
She was small statured, but confident looking and stunningly pretty in the stretchy tank top she wore on a mid-length pleated skirt. No females in the company dressed that way. I was mesmerized.
Suddenly, she turned her head and beamed a smile in my direction. I looked behind me, saw there was no one there, and realized it was meant for me. Goose bumps popped up all over my body. I stared as she walked into the administrative block. Then voices of factory trainees returning from break snapped me out of it.
“Stop it!” I told myself. “How Can You Let A Girl Get To You Like This?”
As the day went on, I wondered who she was. “She can’t be a graduate trainee“, I thought. Except she’s a late recruit. But I doubted it. She looked like she was still in school.
During lunch in the management dining room, I heard some male managers saying, “Have you seen the new Industrial Attaché girl?” One replied “Wow, she is really something. I hear she’s from a higher institution in the east. That girl certainly knows how to dress!”
I nodded silently in agreement to the last statement, then frowned as they began arguing about who would get to take her out first. “That’s not right”, I thought. “But that’s what guys do!”, a voice in my head told me. “Then I guess I’m just a freak since I will never join in”, I retorted.
I decided to avoid her. These were full managers, and I was just a trainee. If they were that interested in her, I was not willing to make enemies for myself.
But Fate Apparently Had Other Plans…
I could never have seen it coming. One afternoon, I was working on the monthly report program, with the TM pointing out changes he wanted.
Suddenly, we heard female voices. Not long after, the IT girl walked into the adjoining library with Ailedif, the secretary. I did a double take. The PC status bar showed it was break time. “Of all the ladies on site, she had to pick the one that works here?” I groaned.
Listening as they chatted excitedly, I tried to act normal, and looked calm and collected – at least outwardly. But I had all kinds of drums beating inside my chest!
Thankfully, my spreadsheet trouble shooting aptitude was intact. I soon rectified the persistent error reported by the TM. Very pleased, he openly commended me. As if on que, Ailedif and the others loudly chanted the nickname they had given me; “Guru!!” as the TM walked away.
Neb walked up behind me, and put his hand on my shoulder, then turned to the IT girl and said, “Look this guy is a guru. He can make this program do anything he wants. See my boss who just left grinning from ear to ear? That’s because of guru himself.”
I laughingly told them to stop, but they would not be deterred. So, I focused on printing out the needed usage rates and variable cost analyses report sheets from the application.
For a while after that, I could feel her look my way intermittently, as she spoke with the others. The secretary later saw her off, and returned to join me in stapling the printed report pages together for the technical review meeting.
As she walked to the filing cabinet behind me, she said “I think Annogu likes you. She asked me a lot of questions about you, and was particularly impressed when I told her you did not study computer science, and that you learnt to type so fast by yourself.”
I replied “Oh come on Ailedif. I’m not in the mood for that kind of talk. You know I don’t have time for girls.”
She replied “I know you’re a workaholic. But I really think the two of you actually fit each other. Anyway, I’m telling you now that she likes you. Don’t be surprised if she comes looking for you one of these days”.
I snorted in disbelief, saying “Forget it. You know that’s not going to happen.”
Thinking To Myself I Said…
“I mean who’s she kidding. Everyone knows I’m not much for looks. Back when I was a trainee on the Lagos plant, I recall RC jokingly saying ‘God you’re ugly!’, one day when I walked in sweating, from the process area. And he was someone who was actually quite fond of me!
Talk less of a girl like this, who from the way they’re all acting, is the prettiest that most guys on this plant have set eyes on in a long time. To make matters worse, I don’t even use a car. Add that to my lack of good looks, and it’s clear she could never be interested in someone like me!”
Oh, But How Wrong I Was!
The first time it happened, I was alone in the office. Luckily for me, one of the training instructors had given me a heads up via intercom (while the others hooted with laughter in the background) that Annogu stopped over at the workshop to ask if I was in.
Few seconds afterwards, she knocked and came in, smiling.
And so it began. Since I spent most afternoons working on the PC typing work instructions, she would often come over and sit with me (sometimes till close of work), asking questions about work and people in the brewery.
The time we spent together often felt like we were in some kind of paradise. We simply lost track of time!
As the weeks went by, we got to know each other better. She was a student from a higher institution in the east.
When she told me her Dad was a High Court Judge, I jokingly asked if he would not have me thrown behind bars if he found out she was going around with a Yoruba guy (she was of the Igbo tribe).
A Senior Colleague Warns Me To Stay Away From Her…!
Tayo Solagbade is a Performance Improvement Specialist & multipreneur. He works with individuals/businesses who want to achieve highly profitable outcomes, and also with parents who want to raise real-world competent children.
When he’s not amazing clients with his superhuman skills (wink), Tayo works as the creative force behind his Self-Development Nuggets™ blog, and Public Speaking IDEAS newsletter (which he publishes to promote Burt Dubin’s Public Speaking Mentoring service to experts working across the African continent).
==================
Have you been undecided about whether or not to become a paid speaker? Or have you been trying to get your speaking career off the ground with little success?
Here’s a tip: Burt Dubin works with people who want to be speakers, and with speakers who want to be masters. Click here to visit his website NOW and submit a contact form message telling him what challenges you’re facing, and how you’d like him to help you. Tell him I sent you, and you’ll get a pleasant surprise offer from him.
Comments?
What do you think of the above message? Do you have any personal experience to share on this subject? Are there some other points you feel can be added, to help persons looking for answers? Please share your thoughts!
Share this issue!
Do you know anyone who might benefit from reading this newsletter issue? Why not hit the forward button now, and send it to him/her with a short recommendation. You can also use share it via your social media channels. Thanks in advance.
What fears or doubts are keeping you from (a) taking up Burt Dubin’s monthly speaker mentoring, or (b) buying his products?
You can choose to purchase Burt’s mentoring at any of the three (3) levels listed below:
Burt’s three mentoring packages can be likened to the seating options offered by airlines: Budget Delight (Economy); Mid Range (Business); and Top Shelf (First Class).
At least that’s how I like to think of them!
All three will get you to your desired destination of “speaking success-ville” – so long as you meet the requirements/play your part well (your fare, abide by the set guidelines etc). During the “flight”, the seat you have will determine how much personal service attention and preference the provider will accord you. It’s that simple
Send me an e-mail with your questions via tayo at tksola dot com. In the meantime, why not get started by subscribing here to get his 7-Part Course (How To Succeed And Get Paid As A Professional Speaker) . . . and receive his monthly newsletter (Speaking Biz Strategies Letter) at no cost.
For over 25 years, Burt Dubin has provided a variety of speaker mentoring products and services to clients worldwide.
In this week’s issue of my Public Speaking IDEAS newsletter, I focus on a key benefit of being (or becoming) a speaker that I have personally found most satisfying. And that’s the opportunity to earn multiple streams of (often passive) income.
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No. 65: Smart Entrepreneurs Make More Money By Speaking
Publication: Tayo Solagbade’s Weekly Public Speaking IDEAS Page (PSIP) Newsletter Date: Monday 26th November 2012 No: 65 Title: Smart Entrepreneurs Make More Money By Speaking Author & Publisher: Tayo K. Solagbade [234-803-302-1263] Blog URL:http://www.spontaneousdevelopment.com/blog Archive (For E-mail only version started 14th May 2012): Click here to view Archive (For Blog version started 24th September 2011):Click here
Hi,
Please find below the latest issue of my weekly Public Speaking Ideas page for 2012.
This is the product to own if you can own only one. Why? Because in it you discover principles of platform mastership available to you nowhere else at any price.
You hear performance strategies you can emulate. You shorten your learning curve. You see ways to engage and delight audiences with both content and stories . . . plus you experience a bit of fun.
With its Money back if not delighted Guarantee hardly any are returned. Find out why
No. 65: Smart Entrepreneurs Make More Money By Speaking
In this week’s issue of my Public Speaking IDEAS newsletter, I focus on a key benefit of being (or becoming) a speaker that I have personally found most satisfying. And that’s the opportunity to earn multiple streams of (often passive) income.
More People Could Be Entrepreneurs
Entrepreneurship is about creating value in order to earn income. Bottom line, that’s what it’s all about.
Smart entrepreneurs routinely explore ways to earn repeat income through as many channels as possible, for work they only need to do once or a few times. Today’s technology makes it easier to operate in this manner – and you can do so without even needing to give up your day job (I explain below.)
The sad truth is however that many people who have the desire to be entrepreneurs are not in business. Most lock themselves up in blue-chip companies for the better part of their useful years. By the time they retire, they discover they have little left to offer anyone – including themselves!
If more of such people took action to become entrepreneurs, they would develop their potentials and become useful resources to their countries – and even the world.
Incidentally, today’s technology makes it possible to (almost) eat your cake and have it, as it relates to starting a business. By this I refer to the ways in which the Internet can be used by almost anyone to earn income by providing products/services from the comfort of her home on a part-time basis.
Nothing stops you from hanging on to your day job and running a business part-time until you retire. By then you would have gained valuable experience and also built a reasonable income base on which to expand your interests.
That would be better than having to start from ground zero AFTER you retire, resign or are “downsized”. Think about that.
More Entrepreneurs Could Be Paid Speakers
A paid speaker is a kind of entrepreneur. What I like about this group is that unlike most other entrepreneurs, they often need little or no startup capital. Just the ability and willingness to dois all that is required to get their “business” up and running.
These kinds of people are used to starting with nothing and making money using just their knowledge and ability to communicate. I personally consider it one of the most fulfilling vocations any human being could engage in(i.e. selling one’s knowledge)!
The best part is that it is open to virtually anyone.
Just like more people could be entrepreneurs, I believe more experts, professionals and business owners could become competent high earning “Experts-Who-Speak”, if they would only be willing to try.
I have worked very closely with business owners out here – both male and female. It is my considered opinion that many do not know how valuable their expert knowledge is.
This lack of insight into the marketability of their know-how limits them in terms of their ability to earn commensurate remuneration for the wealth of experience they’ve gained.
For those I found to be aware of the value they could add to others, I discovered that a fear of “failure” held them back from trying to start out as speakers. Even when I showed them how great their chances of success were, they still balked. What a shame.
By Speaking, Entrepreneurs Can Generate Multiple Streams Of Income!
When you address audiences as a speaker, you become a reference person or authority with respect to the subject you speak about. At some point, you may even get quoted by industry stakeholders, or the mass media.
The resultant credibility conferred on you by such unsolicited “mentions” can over time stimulate interest in your products and services. You’ll acquire a celebrity status in your niche market. And those who need what you offer will be drawn to you – with most being prepared to purchase more or less any other resources or solutions you offer.
Would it not be great to be able to effortlessly generate additional income on the side, separate from the revenue your main business brings you?
For instance, as a financial consultant, you most likely get paid to provide a variety of services to your clients.
Now, imagine being able to generate just as much (if not more) income as you currently earn, via a speaking service based on your area of expertise. Wouldn’t that make it easier for you to plan for that holiday you’ve been saving up for?
The best part of this is that once you begin giving talks and facilitating learning events based on your expertise, you are likely to get hired by NEW clients who become convinced you can help them from hearing you speak.
That’s one indirect benefit accruable from being a public speaker: You actually get paid to market yourself to large numbers of potential clients at once. Which means you’re likely to get even more clients for your core business through your part-time speaking efforts!
It of course goes without saying, that any smart speaker will build up a library of additional resources that people can buy during and after her events.
With respect to the above, here’s a well known fact: Back room sales at speaking events (and from a speaker’s website) have been known to sometimes exceed the speaker’s income. So this is a strategy worth keeping in mind.
I refer here to recordings of your live events on DVDs, special versions of your learning programs in print, downloadable versions of your talks in video and MP3 format. These would generate a complementary stream of passive income for you. Basically, you would do the work (of creating them) once, and subsequently earn repeat income from their sales for years afterwards!
Final Words
Public Speaking is one of the most cost-effective strategies known to man, for achieving high impact “mass marketing” – for business purposes.
The minute you get your name in front of audiences as a speaker (be it guest, invited etc), your marketplace credibility moves up a notch or two. If you run a company, it benefits because when your name is mentioned, the company is also likely to be mentioned too e.g. “The Guest Speaker, Mr. John Doe of XYZ Solutions Limited”.
Anything you – or your company – offer for sale in the market place automatically benefits from that enhanced marketplace perception. And that includes side products and learning resources you can (and should) produce to generate multiple streams of income.
Have you been undecided about whether or not to become a paid speaker? Or have you been trying to get your speaking career off the ground with little success?
Here’s a tip: Burt Dubin works with people who want to be speakers, and with speakers who want to be masters. Click here to visit his website NOW and submit a contact form message telling him what challenges you’re facing, and how you’d like him to help you. Tell him I sent you, and you’ll get a pleasant surprise offer from him.
Comments?
What do you think of the above message? Do you have any personal experience to share on this subject? Are there some other points you feel can be added, to help persons looking for answers? Please share your thoughts!
Share this issue!
Do you know anyone who might benefit from reading this newsletter issue? Why not hit the forward button now, and send it to him/her with a short recommendation. You can also use share it via your social media channels. Thanks in advance.
What fears or doubts are keeping you from (a) taking up Burt Dubin’s monthly speaker mentoring, or (b) buying his products?
You can choose to purchase Burt’s mentoring at any of the three (3) levels listed below:
Burt’s three mentoring packages can be likened to the seating options offered by airlines: Budget Delight (Economy); Mid Range (Business); and Top Shelf (First Class).
At least that’s how I like to think of them!
All three will get you to your desired destination of "speaking success-ville" – so long as you meet the requirements/play your part well (your fare, abide by the set guidelines etc). During the "flight", the seat you have will determine how much personal service attention and preference the provider will accord you. It’s that simple
Send me an e-mail with your questions via tayo at tksola dot com. In the meantime, why not get started by subscribing here to get his 7-Part Course (How To Succeed And Get Paid As A Professional Speaker) . . . and receive his monthly newsletter (Speaking Biz Strategies Letter) at no cost.
Mobile: 234-803-302-1263 http://www.spontaneousdevelopment.com Tayo Solagbade is a Performance Improvement Specialist & multipreneur. He works with individuals/businesses who want to achieve highly profitable outcomes, and also with parents who want to raise real-world competent children.
When he’s not amazing clients with his superhuman skills (wink), Tayo works as the creative force behind his Self-Development Nuggets™ blog, and Public Speaking IDEAS newsletter (which he publishes to promote Burt Dubin’s Public Speaking Mentoring service to experts working across the African continent).
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For over 25 years, Burt Dubin has provided a variety of speaker mentoring products and services to clients worldwide.
“One thing is certain: the accepted way to learn to swim is to plunge into the water” – Dale Carnegie in his book titled ‘How To Develop Self-Confidence and Influence People By Public Speaking’.
Public speaking is a very practical endeavour. There is only so much you can learn by reading up on it. To really make progress you must at some point commit deliberate effort to put what you learn into practice.
No. 64: Enough Reading – It’s Time You Started Giving Talks!
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“One thing is certain: the accepted way to learn to swim is to plunge into the water” – Dale Carnegie in his book titled ‘How To Develop Self-Confidence and Influence People By Public Speaking‘.
Public speaking is a very practical endeavour. There is only so much you can learn by reading up on it. To really make progress you must at some point commit deliberate effort to put what you learn into practice.
In 2002, when I started out in business, the only real experience I had of speaking in public was from my participation in the Nigerian Institute of Management’s Young Manager’s competition at the zonal and national finals – where I placed 5th overall (after flopping badly).
Nothing I had done in Guinness Nigeria as a paid employee compared to the experience of standing before a hall filled with strange faces from different parts of the country, silently evaluating my every utterance.
Amongst them were Ph.D. degree holders as dignitaries and judges. Others were journalists from different media houses. The attention of everyone in the packed auditorium was focussed exclusively on each presenter for his/her 15 minutes in the spotlight.
The rush of adrenaline I had felt each time I stood before the audience as the competition progressed was what convinced me I wanted to be a speaker. The irony was that rather than look for a school where I could learn to speak effectively, I chose to purchase a copy of Dale Carnegie’s above mentioned book and devour it from cover to cover more times than I can now remember.
I’ve always been that kind of person – with a DIY and self-tutoring mentality.
In January 2002, I decided I would use public speaking to simultaneously earn income and also promote the products and services I offered to the different audiences I spoke to. As I’ve explained in past write ups, this approach not only got me invited to speak to audiences in places like the Centre for Management Development (CMD), it also enabled me win orders for my information products, as well as my natural aquariums.
What’s important to note is that I did the needed reading up, and then went out to put what I’d learnt to use in the real world. And that’s what I’m asking YOU to start doing from today!
Should You Be Afraid When Looking For Gigs?
Was I afraid when I first did it?
Not that I can remember – and I mean that honestly…not to brag.
You see, the truth is I needed to succeed so badly that I knew I could not afford to let myself become afraid of taking action to find PAID speaking opportunities.
That’s what Napoleon Hill said would happen to those who burn all their bridges, to cut off all sources of retreat. They effectively put themselves in a situation where going forward is the only logical thing to do.
You basically realise that fear is not an option. You either succeed or sink!
Looking back now, I realise I was probably a bit too ambitious, because I actually started out looking specifically for paid speaking opportunities.
And when I smelt one, I proved quite a hard nut to crack during negotiations. Mr. Akindele of CMD said that much by the time we managed to agree a revised amount for the honorarium he offered me based on what past speakers had been paid.
Should YOU be afraid as you go out to look for speaking gigs – whether paid or free?
It’s not bad to feel afraid, but my experience suggests that with proper preparation fear will become less of a concern for you by the time you decide to go hunting for gigs.
Suggestions About What You Can Do
1. Write And Publish Something Authoritative..And Use It To Get Invited
When I launched out in January 2002, I sent copies of my new paper to key experts, and professionals in different organisations, with a cover letter stating that I would be glad to deliver a talk to share my insights based on the paper’s findings.
As I’ve noted elsewhere, this strategy also got me invited by (then Dr.) Pat Utomi to meet with him in his office at the Lagos Business School.
When you create something new, unique or different, and do it to a high quality standard, those who matter will take conscious notice of you. What’s more, what you offer will be appealing because people who matter usually like to be seen as thought leaders, and may wish to put it on record that they saw and acknowledged you first.
I have repeatedly used variants of that same strategy via low cost media like the Internet to create self-marketing opportunities for myself. Most recently, I’ve published a new ebook (titled “Why You Keep Failing To Achieve Your Writing Goals!“) which is already yielding beneficial exposure, leads and sales for me just 2 weeks after I published it in my online store.
NB: One of the students who heard me mention the above when I spoke to them at the University of Lagos auditorium asked me how I found the courage to contact “big people” like Pat Utomi.
I answered him by saying I basically reminded myself that “Pat” and all the other “big people” were made of flesh and blood just like the rest of us.
That, to me, implied they were not spirits to be feared, but high performing persons to be emulated.
And to emulate them, I needed to reach out to them and LEARN from them. Once I got that clear in my mind, finding the courage to contact them became easy. Try it, and you’ll see it works, I told him.
Now, I’ve told YOU as well!
2. Re-Package What You’ve Written In Other Forms, Then Use It To Offer Other Talks, And To Generate Back Room And Other Sales
In that same first year (2002), I was engaged by the Corona Schools Trust Council to speak at all six branches of their school over a two month period. This happened after I delivered a free talk to an audience comprising the Executive Director and other members of staff at the Trust Council.
About a year later, two of the teachers who’d heard me speak at their branch had moved on to head their own schools. And both separately hired me to build my custom natural self-cleaning aquariums (which I’d mentioned during my talks as being useful teaching and learning aids) for their new schools.
By the end of that year, I’d converted that talk to an e-course which people subscribed to online. A year later, I’d made it into an MS Word based book manuscript – which I would eventually convert to PDF and publish as a print manual (called the Self-Development Bible) using Print On Demand Technology in my online store.
By 2004, I had written about 5 additional reports designed to interest decision makers in target organisations I had in mind. Then I went out and promoted them using a flyer, offering to speak FREE to teaching staff and administrators in schools. Adrao International School on Victoria Island invited me to deliver a talk based on my new report titled “How To Be A Jack Of Many Trades, And Why It Can Make You Succeed More Often“.
I used a lot of the ideas I’d learned from reading Burt Dubin’s articles, to find out what interests they had. Then I built what I learnt into the talk. By the time my one hour talk was over on the agreed day, the principal gave a vote of thanks and then led the others in placing advance orders for virtually all the reports and books that I had on display in the back room. 48 hours later, I delivered the reports, and got paid.
3. Talk About What You Do, Whenever You Sense Value To Be Had
I think someone called it having a nose for business or something. If you really apply yourself to what you do, you’ll actually get to a point where your senses become so finely tuned, that you can literally “feel” an opportunity when it becomes available.
I cannot explain it, but most authentic entrepreneurs will confirm that this does happen.
You develop a sixth sense that helps you identify useful selling opportunities, so you can make the most of them. I do this a lot, and interactions that would normally have ended on a friendly social note, sometimes evolve into a serious business transaction within 24 to 48 hours as a result.
Basically, what I do is indirectly talk about my products and/or services (including talks I offer), by narrating entertaining anecdotes to interest listeners. Once I get their interest, I then try to steer the conversation towards discovering whether or not I can offer a similar solution to those I speak to.
Interestingly, sometimes doing this may not yield any immediate results. Then one year later, you could get a call from one of those you told your little story. And she could invite you to give a paid talk at say, a one week training event she’s conducting for a corporate client of hers.
The above financially rewarding experience happened to me. And I could not help thinking if I had chosen to be “over-humble”, and not spoken up about my CMD outing to the consultant, he would never have thought I could be useful to him in that manner.
Final Words: Don’t Wait Any Longer – Get Started Giving FREE And/Or Paid Talks Today!
It’s important to avoid becoming a professional student.
There’s a time to learn and a time to put what you learn to work in the real world. Why not think up a 30 minute (or one hour) talk on a topic relevant to your niche or target market? Then offer it to target organizations fitting the profile you have in mind.
If no invitations are immediately forthcoming, consider approaching non-profits and socio-religious organisations. Many have members who are decision makers in organisations you wish to reach. A good showing in such outings could make those decision makers tell their companies about you – or even contact you there and then.
The point I’m making in this issue is that you need to put together an action plan to get your public speaking business started.
And there are many ways you can go about doing so. What’s worked for me may not necessarily work the same for you. However, there’s often only one way to find out – and that’s by JUMPING into the pool of life, and getting yourself wet with learning by discovery.
Don’t wait any longer. Get started today. And if you need help, consider getting coaching support from Burt Dubin, creator of the Speaking Success System, who has done it, and coached others to do it VERY WELL, for over 25 years – details provided below!
Comments?
What do you think of the above message? Do you have any personal experience to share on this subject? Are there some other points you feel can be added, to help persons looking for answers? Please share your thoughts!
Share this issue!
Do you know anyone who might benefit from reading this newsletter issue? Why not hit the forward button now, and send it to him/her with a short recommendation. You can also use share it via your social media channels. Thanks in advance.
What fears or doubts are keeping you from (a) taking up Burt Dubin’s monthly speaker mentoring, or (b) buying his products?
You can choose to purchase Burt’s mentoring at any of the three (3) levels listed below:
Burt’s three mentoring packages can be likened to the seating options offered by airlines: Budget Delight (Economy); Mid Range (Business); and Top Shelf (First Class).
At least that’s how I like to think of them!
All three will get you to your desired destination of “speaking success-ville” – so long as you meet the requirements/play your part well (your fare, abide by the set guidelines etc). During the “flight”, the seat you have will determine how much personal service attention and preference the provider will accord you. It’s that simple
Send me an e-mail with your questions via tayo at tksola dot com. In the meantime, why not get started by subscribing here to get his 7-Part Course (How To Succeed And Get Paid As A Professional Speaker) . . . and receive his monthly newsletter (Speaking Biz Strategies Letter) at no cost.
Tayo Solagbade is a Performance Improvement Specialist & multipreneur. He works with individuals/businesses who want to achieve highly profitable outcomes, and also with parents who want to raise real-world competent children.
When he’s not amazing clients with his superhuman skills (wink), Tayo works as the creative force behind his Self-Development Nuggets™ blog, and Public Speaking IDEAS newsletter (which he publishes to promote Burt Dubin’s Public Speaking Mentoring service to experts working across the African continent).
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For over 25 years, Burt Dubin has provided a variety of speaker mentoring products and services to clients worldwide.
“Even if you’re on the right track, you will get run over if you just sit there” – Anon
I’m good at learning and doing new stuff by myself. Yet, I readily take advantage of any opportunity to improve myself by learning from others. My personal philosophy is based on the principle of continuous improvement, and this corresponding definition of success:
“Success is a journey in the never ending pursuit of excellence – and not a destination.”
I happen to believe I can learn from anyone regardless of age, gender, race or any other factor. As far as I’m concerned, as long as that person knows (or can do) something I want to know (or be able to do) to become better, s/he can be my coach. Period. Those who know me will confirm I practice what I preach.
“Even if you’re on the right track, you will get run over if you just sit there” – Anon
I’m good at learning and doing new stuff by myself. Yet, I readily take advantage of any opportunity to improve myself by learning from others.
My personal philosophy is based on the principle of continuous improvement, and this corresponding definition of success:
“Success is a journey in the never ending pursuit of excellence – and not a destination.”
I happen to believe I can learn from anyone regardless of age, gender, race or any other factor. As far as I’m concerned, as long as that person knows (or can do) something I want to know (or be able to do) to become better, s/he can be my coach. Period.
Those who know me will confirm I practice what I preach.
This attitude has helped me achieve tremendous success in a wide variety of endeavours – to the surprise of many.
And that’s why I also make a point of giving credit to those who “coach” me to success in any areas of my life.
My First Personal Paid Coach
For instance, up till this day, I tell all who will listen, that my strong foundation in basic HTML, which proves so valuable – even today – in managing my websites and blogs, was developed way back in 1998.
Back then, over a period of about 8 weeks (of one-on-one personal paid coaching), Victor – a light complexioned teenage operative in Benin city’s Prest Cyber Cafe painstakingly taught me most of what I know today about HTML website design.
Understand this: I was a high performing middle level manager in a large corporate multinational. When the Internet “movement” came into town, I quickly saw the opportunities it could create for me.
So, in my usual early adopter manner, I went all out to find out what I could do to get competently involved in its use. A few visits to cyber cafes around soon made it clear there was a lot to learn before one could graduate from being just a content viewer/user on the Internet, to become a contributor (e.g. content publisher) on it.
And I instinctively knew I wanted to belong to the latter group. So, I dispensed with my advanced spreadsheet applications developer “bragging rights” earned inside my company, and accepted the humble cap of a “website developer wannabe” – with my teenage coach.
For me, it took only a few seconds to make this mental switch.
I however realise that for some people in a similar position (especially in my part of the world), it may take considerable effort to do what I did.
That is: to “travel by bus” – everyday – from my air conditioned office, to a run down cafe on the other side of town, to learn from a “small cyber cafe operator boy” who did not even have any formal credentials to show
Build On What Your Coach Gives You
The way I saw it, all I needed to know was that he could create web pages using HTML code in notepad, and add (at the time) impressive looking GIF animations to them.
That was enough for me. And I knew that once I had learnt the basic stuff from him, my well developed aptitude for self-tutoring would take over.
It’s over 14 years afterwards, and that’s exactly what has happened.
Without attending any other formal coaching classes, I have successfully built on the foundation Victor gave me, to become highly proficient at developing websites, and other web based resources.
But even during that time, I’ve periodically identified a need to get coached by different people in other areas of interest. So, you see, it’s a continuous process.
And it should be that way for every person who wishes to operate at close to his/her fullest potential at all times. No one ever knows it all.
We must continually strive to improve ourselves – even when people already call us the best. That’s what keeps true champions at the top of their fields (or sports) for decades on end e.g Pete Sampras, Roger Federer, Michael Jordan etc. You know their kind
Not Everyone Can Successfully Self-Tutor: Coaching Support Can Take You To The Next Level!
Fifteen years of coaching people from different backgrounds and age groups, have however taught me that not everyone is comfortable with self-tutoring like I am.
This does not mean they are weak. We all just have different learning styles. Some of us do better when we have someone – constantly available – to guide and challenge us (and even cheer from the sidelines), as we aim for new heights of achievement.
Indeed, certain people who have already reached a respectable level of success may nowneed coaching intervention to revamp their “plateaued” careers!
For instance there are the seeming one-hit wonders in different fields e.g. The guy who made it big last year and has since “gone quiet”. Quite often coaching support can help such persons rediscover themselves.
A coach can guide you to effectively address factors that may be affecting your progress. In addition s/he can help you hone your skills so that you become better over time.
Even people who are already doing well, look for coaching support to improve themselves. This applies to all areas of our lives – including public speaking.
Avoid The Trap of Thinking You CANNOT Need Help
As experts-who-speak, there’s a real danger of assuming that because people look up to us for learning or information, we may not need anyone to learn from.
The reality is however very different. Majority of the world’s most productive people have been known to readily acknowledge specific people in their personal and work lives for providing them with valuable coaching feedback.
The relationship may be formal or semi-formal (like the one Oprah Winfrey shares with her popular fitness and health coach). At other times it could be informal– like the one Michael Jordan shared with his late father.
What is important to note is that these successful people realised they needed help to not only stay at their best, but also to improve on their achievements.
The minute you conclude you have nothing new to learn from anyone else, you set a trap of ultimate retrogression for yourself.
And it WILL show through eventually – because when you do not seek ways to add value to yourself, you will eventually run out of “value” you can add to others. And those who learn from you will eventually discover that you have less to offer.
When you no longer add value to audiences as a speaker, guess what will happen when next they seek a speaker for their event…? Your phone may probably not be the one that rings…I’m sure you know what I mean
Final Words: Nature, Indeed Life As A Whole, Abhors imbalance!
The Chinese famously talk about the opposing “Ying” and “Yang” life forces. In science we learnt about action and the equal and opposite reaction.
You and I – we all – are a part of a balanced universal ecosystem. You cannot be different when it comes to this rule: you must strike a similar balance in your own life, otherwise you will struggle to achieve your full potential.
Yet again, the amazing (late) Jim Rohn comes to my rescue with another very apt quote:
“We could all use a little coaching. When you’re playing the game, it can be hard to think of everything.” – Jim Rohn
So, let me now urge you to take a deep and honest look today at yourself. Where are you NOW, in your career as an expert-who-speaks?
Ask yourself if you could do better than you are currently doing.
Then look around (online and off the net) for persons who can help you improve yourself.
It’s important to emphasise here that you do NOT necessarily have to make direct contact with the individual you decide to make your coach.
If s/he offers resources like websites, blogs, newsletters you can use to gain access to his/her “wisdom”, start with those. Then over time, gravitate towards making direct contact if/when you feel prepared to take your relationship to that next level.
Sometimes what you get through the remote resources may end up being all you need. At other times, you may discover you need more personalised attention via paid telephone mentoring and so on.
What’s important is that you take action to get the coaching help you need. By so doing, you’ll be better positioned to achieve your most valued goals. And one day you will look back with a sense of fulfillment at your worthwhile accomplishments.
Comments?
What do you think of the above message? Do you have any personal experience to share on this subject? Are there some other points you feel can be added, to help persons looking for answers? Please share your thoughts – click here to post a comment on the blog!
Share this issue!
Do you know anyone who might benefit from reading this newsletter issue? Why not hit the forward button now, and send it to him/her with a short recommendation. You can also use share it via your social media channels. Thanks in advance.
What fears or doubts are keeping you from (a) taking up Burt Dubin’s monthly speaker mentoring, or (b) buying his products?
You can choose to purchase Burt’s mentoring at any of the three (3) levels listed below:
Burt’s three mentoring packages can be likened to the seating options offered by airlines: Budget Delight (Economy); Mid Range (Business); and Top Shelf (First Class).
At least that’s how I like to think of them!
All three will get you to your desired destination of “speaking success-ville” – so long as you meet the requirements/play your part well (your fare, abide by the set guidelines etc). During the “flight”, the seat you have will determine how much personal service attention and preference the provider will accord you. It’s that simple
Send me an e-mail with your questions via tayo at tksola dot com. In the meantime, why not get started by subscribing here to get his 7-Part Course (How To Succeed And Get Paid As A Professional Speaker) . . . and receive his monthly newsletter (Speaking Biz Strategies Letter) at no cost.
Tayo Solagbade is a Performance Improvement Specialist & multipreneur. He works with individuals/businesses who want to achieve highly profitable outcomes, and also with parents who want to raise real-world competent children.
When he’s not amazing clients with his superhuman skills (wink), Tayo works as the creative force behind his Self-Development Nuggets™ blog, and Public Speaking IDEAS newsletter (which he publishes to promote Burt Dubin’s Public Speaking Mentoring service to experts working across the African continent).
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For over 25 years, Burt Dubin has provided a variety of speaker mentoring products and services to clients worldwide.
That was the question my 9 year old son – S – asked me yesterday.
“Huh…What kind of funny question is that?“, I asked him, sounding a bit irritated. (If you wonder: YES, I insist that my kids call me my first name. The WHY, is a subject for a different write-up).
S had asked me that question thrice before I responded. I’d ignored him at first, because I felt he would realize I considered it a silly question from my silence.
Publication: Tayo Solagbade’s Weekly Public Speaking IDEAS Page (PSIP) Newsletter Date: Monday 5th November 2012 No: 62 Title: To Succeed, Prepare To Grow Grey Early! Author & Publisher: Tayo K. Solagbade [234-803-302-1263] Blog URL:http://www.spontaneousdevelopment.com/blog Archive (For E-mail only version started 14th May 2012): Click here to view Archive (For Blog version started 24th September 2011):Click here
Hi,
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No. 62: To Succeed, Prepare To Grow Grey Early!
“Tayo, are you getting older or younger?”
That was the question my 9 year old son – S– asked me yesterday. “Huh…What kind of funny question is that?” I asked him, sounding a bit irritated. (If you wonder: YES, I insist that my kids call me my first name. The WHY, is a subject for a different write-up).
S had asked me that question thrice before I responded. I’d ignored him at first, because I felt he would realize I considered it a silly question from my silence. When he asked again, I almost accused him of being drunk, but quickly recalled that was a highly unlikely possibilityJ. And that was when I turned to ask him what exactly he meant.
Having gotten my attention, he went on to explain as follows:
“Ehm, we saw a man in church last week who said he was celebrating his 40th birthday. But one lady looked at him in surprise and said ‘You’re 40, and you look so old already?’ That’s why I wanted to ask you if you’re getting younger, because you told us you’re 42 – but you look much younger than that man!”
As he said this, his brothers nodded in agreement. Now, I’ll be honest here, I simply could not help bursting out in laughter as he said this. And they joined in too!
When I finally managed to regain control of myself again, I assured them I was getting no younger, and that I had no idea why I looked younger than my age suggested.
I should add that my kids were not the first – or only ones – to make the observation about my supposedly youthful looks.
I’ve actually gotten used to hearing people say “Wow, you don’t look your age” or “You haven’t changed a bit since X years ago that I last saw you”. Most of those who said this had no reason to flatter me in this manner. And many times they made those statements spontaneously.
At a point I concluded that some kind of “youthfulness” gene runs in my family. This is because my parents have also always looked younger than they really are. What’s more, they carry themselves better than most of their peers – even now.
It would appear they have passed those genes to their offspring. I say this because all my siblings display this same trait of youthfulness as well. I exaggerate not
Me…As "Benjamin Button"? No way!
Certain people appear to be blessed with a kind of in-built time machine that seemingly keeps turning time backwards exclusively for them. Every time you see them, they look like they did in the photo you took of them five or ten years before.
I am sure you can think of a few people who fall into this category – possibly you do too!
If you watch movies a bit, the movie titled "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” – who aged in reverse – would probably have flashed across your mind at some point while reading the anecdotes I shared above…
If you have not watched that movie, you should. It’s an American fantasy film that was directed by David Fincher. Briefly, Button was born as an old, wrinkly, ugly looking baby who in an even more bizarre development went on to age by getting younger!
No matter what anyone tells me about how young I still look inspite of my age, one thing I’m sure about, is that I’m not ageing in that freakish Benjamin Button manner
Some People Grow Grey, While Still Young!
Here’s an interesting paradox: Just as I’m being told I look younger than my age, a few silver hair strands now pop up among the black hairs that grow on my head and chin!
They do not however bother me, because when she was in her forties (and I in my twenties), my mother already had silver strands of hair mixed with the black on her head too. But she retained her youthful appearance for many years afterwards.
I think I always knew I was likely to inherit that trait from her. So, it came as no surprise when they began showing up last year, after I clocked 41. Even now, they’re hard to spot, but they’re there. I see them 😉
But What Do Ageing & Grey Hairs Have To Do With Speaking Success, Tayo?
Blame it on Burt Dubin!
He made the link in some promotional copy I read many months back as follows:
“If these realities excite and inspire you, prepare for a few white hairs ahead of their time . . .” – Burt Dubin
Burt was laying down requirements for achievement of speaking success under his mentorship e.g. it is not for the faint hearted…and it certainly will not come to those seeking free rides in fancy cars (hat tip to Will Smith of theFresh Prince of Bel Air comedy fame).
My message this week is therefore that to achieve success as a paid speaker, you MUST be prepared to do the required work. Don’t expect to have it handed to you on a platter.
Working to achieve speaking success and/or mastery will require plenty of hard work…and if you do not already have white hairs, some might just make their appearance ahead of time, as you pursue that challenging goal.
BUT, I’m sure you’ll agree that going grey prematurely, will be a small price to pay for achievement of your dream of significant speaking success!
That Brings Me to This Important Confession about My Premature White Hairs
I would really love to think the few white hairs now popping up on my head are all genetically induced.
The truth however is that I am strongly convinced a good number of them are showing up due to the point Burt made. In other words, they are the result of exerting myself to reach my cherished goals
There, I said it. But what a shame it had to end…I so much enjoyed being able to claim that my early white hairs were a hereditary trait…lol!
Do you know anyone who might benefit from reading this newsletter issue? Why not hit the forward button now, and send it to him/her with a short recommendation. You can also use share it via your social media channels. Thanks in advance.
What fears or doubts are keeping you from (a) taking up Burt Dubin’smonthly speaker mentoring, or (b) buying his products?
You can choose to purchase Burt’s mentoring at any of the three (3) levels listed below:
Burt’s three mentoring packages can be likened to the seating options offered by airlines: Budget Delight (Economy); Mid Range (Business); and Top Shelf (First Class).
At least that’s how I like to think of them!
All three will get you to your desired destination of "speaking success-ville" – so long as you meet the requirements/play your part well (your fare, abide by the set guidelines etc). During the "flight", the seat you have will determine how much personal service attention and preference the provider will accord you. It’s that simple
Send me an e-mail with your questions via tayo at tksola dot com. In the meantime, why not get started by subscribing here to get his 7-Part Course (How To Succeed And Get Paid As A Professional Speaker) . . . and receive his monthly newsletter (Speaking Biz Strategies Letter) at no cost.
Mobile: 234-803-302-1263 http://www.spontaneousdevelopment.com Tayo Solagbade is a Performance Improvement Specialist & multipreneur. He works with individuals/businesses who want to achieve highly profitable outcomes, and also with parents who want to raise real-world competent children.
When he’s not amazing clients with his superhuman skills (wink), Tayo works as the creative force behind his Self-Development Nuggets™ blog, and Public Speaking IDEAS newsletter (which he publishes to promote Burt Dubin’s Public Speaking Mentoring service to experts working across the African continent).
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For over 25 years, Burt Dubin has provided a variety of speaker mentoring products and services to clients worldwide. The following links lead to pages describing products and services that can help you attain professional mastery as an expert-who-speaks (from the comfort of your home):
The lessons I share in this article are based mainly on a true-life experience I had, in 1997, at the age of 27. I was delivering a management research paper at the National Finals of the (now repackaged) Young Managers Competition, organized by the Nigerian Institute of Management(NIM). I provide graphic details of how my inexperience made me take certain important preparatory steps for granted.
You will learn how that eventually led to a botched presentation that earned me considerable embarrassment, and a 5th place position that I would have bettered on a good day.
Ironically, the “equivalent benefit” of that adverse experience came to my rescue about 5 years later (in 2002) – during my first year in self-employment as a Self-Development/Performance Enhancement Specialist.
Then I used the lessons from my failed presentation to deliver a successful presentation at the Center for Management Development(CMD). This, despite being told midway through my presentation to finish in one (1) instead of two(2) hours. And in spite of the fact that a power cut occurred that forced me to fall back on my printed speaker notes to finish my presentation.
Read this article. It provides a comprehensive summary of useful learning points, and also offers very practical ideas about what can go wrong. Plus, how you can improvise to STILL deliver a successful presentation.
Background: It all began in November 1997, while I was observing my annual leave from work(as a 27 year old brewer in Guinness Benin Brewery)
After coming across the call for entries in a national daily, I wrote and entered a paper titled “Statistical Process Control (SPC) and Target Setting” for the 1997 edition of the Nigerian Institute of Management’s Young Manager’s Competition.
Invitation letter – After coming across the call for entries in a national daily, I wrote and entered a paper titled “Statistical Process Control (SPC) and Target Setting” for the 1997 edition of the Nigerian Institute of Management’s Young Manager’s Competition.
The paper was based on work I had done(mostly in my free time) in setting up various process control/reports computerization systems in departments(Production/Brewing and Packaging/Bottling) where I worked.
The paper discussed the use of CUSUM(Cumulative Sum Deviation) charts, and other simple Statistical Process Control(SPC) tools that I had used in real-life projects I had carried out at various times during the course of the year(1997).
Entry form for the competition – insideEntry form for the competition – outer side
One of them was ” Total Waste Unaccounted For(TWUF)™” – a statistical process control index I developed by myself…
Regarding TWUF™, I had returned to the brewing department from another secondment as Packaging Shift Manager to the Packaging (bottling) department in February 1997, when I was recalled on the request of the Packaging Manager – Alex Okorodudu.
He asked me to carry out a beer waste investigation on one of the bottling lines.
In the course of that investigation, I developed the concept of TWUF™, which through mass balancing made it possible to quantify beer losses that could not be traced to a known waste point.
Eventually, I used TWUF™ to identify the startup and shutdown operations at the bottle filler machine as being responsible for creating an apparent(i.e. false) beer waste situation. Modification of the mentioned filler procedures led to an immediate normalization of waste values recorded.
I intend to publish a formal paper on TWUF in a few weeks from now. It’s a concept that can be used in ANY process.
Deciding To Enter For The Competition…& Getting Approval From Management…
My decision to enter for the NIM competition was influenced by a need I felt, to share the experiences I had gained in the practical application of statistical tools for useful purposes in a business.
Prior to entering that paper for the competition, I had given out copies of it to senior managers in the company’s Lagos office, like Alistair Reid(then Operations Manager, Lagos), and Abiola Popoola(Head of Human Resources).
Apart from seeking their input, I did this to get their consent and be sure it was okay to use the company information I had included.
Important Note. If you plan on using any data from your current workplace in an activity outside the company, it is imperative that you consult competent officers of the company to advise you on how to go about doing it. Play safe by getting the responsible person(s) to give you the go-ahead, before you send out any information or material regarding the company’s activities. That way, you are unlikely to make the mistake of giving out sensitive information that could get you into trouble.
You may not have plans to enter a paper for a competition like I did, but you might want to send out an article for publication in a newspaper or other media.
Check with those concerned to be sure that all you have put into your write-up is “safe for public consumption”.
Presenting The Paper At The Zonal Finals In Ibadan, Oyo State
On 15th November 1997, I presented my paper before a packed audience in Kakanfo Inn (Ibadan, Oyo State) at the Western Zonal finals. By the end of the day, I was announced as runner up, which meant that I had qualified for the Lagos national finals along with the winner of the zonal competition.
Looking back, I recall feeling very confident during the delivery of my paper on that day.
Not long after I resumed work from my annual leave, I informed my boss – Greg Udeh – of my outing at the NIM zonals, and the fact that I would have to travel to attend the National Finals in Lagos.
He was naturally pleased to learn of my initial achievement at the zonals and the next day, announced my achievement at the brewery meeting for departmental heads.
I soon found myself – midway through conversations – getting asked about the competition and being wished best of luck etc. Maybe all that attention got to me, and made me “forget” to at least mentally rehearse my presentation.
Traveling from Guinness Benin Brewery, in Benin City, Edo State to Lagos For The National Finals
Due to limited number of brewers available that day, I had to cover afternoon shift duty on Friday (2.00pm till 9.00pm) before I could take off on my journey to Lagos.
It was nobody’s fault really – just one of those unexpected developments that shift workers have to deal with.
The finals were scheduled to hold from 9.00am prompt on the morning of Saturday December 13th 1997. So I knew I had to get into Lagos before 7.00am, in order to pick up a cab in time to reach the Victoria Island “Management House” of the NIM – venue of the finals.
Within thirty minutes of arriving at the ever busy Benin city’s Iyaro motor park, the Peugeot station wagon I boarded took off with six passengers for Lagos.
This was at about 10.30pm(Yes – at night).
Some four hours later, we arrived at Ojota park in Lagos. All the cabs and buses had retired for the day by this time(this was approx 2.30am Saturday morning)
So there was nothing else to do but plead with a taxi driver to let me catch up on some sleep in the passenger front seat of his cab.
Suddenly I heard the loud chanting of a bus conductor calling passengers for Palmgrove.
The time was about 5.45 am.
I quickly thanked my “sleeping companion” and picked up a taxi heading towards Pedro/Shomolu. Arriving at my parent’s house in Gbagada Estate, I hurriedly took a shower, changed my clothes, and explaining to my surprised mother that I had little time left, jumped back into the taxi, which sped off towards Victoria Island.
At about 7.30 am, the taxi dropped me off in front of the NIM Management house on Idowu Taylor street.
Feeling relieved, I quickly went in and confirmed that start time was 9.00am. That was when it dawned on me that I had not eaten anything since the night before.
One of the security men at the gate kindly directed me to a “quick-snacks corner”, where I “quickly” downed some, with a bottle of soft drink.
Returning to the NIM premises, I found a place to sit that enabled me observe preparations being made for commencement, while I opened my folder and began studying the paper copies of my presentation (projector) transparencies.
Presenting At The Lagos Finals – The Unthinkable Happens!
My fellow contestants
Not long after, following some welcome speeches/opening remarks and introductions, the competition commenced.
When the 3rd (of eight) finalists – Mitchell O. Elegbe – finished presenting his paper (titled “Achieving Competitive Advantage Through Information Technology In Emerging Economies”), I heard my name being announced. Minutes later, I was standing in front of the packed auditorium introducing my self and paper.
Waiting for my turn to deliver my paper
Based on hindsight, I now realize that the unavailability of a projector at the zonal finals (which caused the organizers to ask us to dispense with our transparencies and speak freely referring to any speaker notes we had) probably blinded me to the need to rehearse for the National finals with a projector.
As “luck” would have it, the projectors had been made available at the National Finals and I found myself having to pause intermittently to slot in the appropriate slide for the next set of points I wanted to make.
This went well initially, but since I had not really taken time to rehearse since the zonals, especially following from the fact that I had found no need to use the slides back then, I struggled quite a bit.
I cannot be certain, but it is possible that THAT also contributed to my not thinking “clearly” when I later experienced a little setback during the presentation.
To cut the long story short, about ten (10) minutes through my presentation, I turned to pick a slide containing charted data depicting the use of the CUSUM concept, but found it was missing.
Feeling my heart skip a beat, I lifted the other slides up by the edges to see if the CUSUM chart was there but it was not.
Speaking into the microphone, I apologized to the puzzled audience, explaining that I was missing a slide. One of the judges, after some seconds had passed, said “Mr Solagbade, your time is fast running out”.
I nodded, but kept on looking – convinced I could still find it in enough time to use it and finish the presentation!
Unfortunately when it was about 1 minute left (out of the 15 minutes allowed) I still could not find it. I had wanted so badly to impress the judges and audience like I had done at the zonals, that I could not help feeling at this point, that the mishap would have killed any chance I had of getting anything better than last place!
I felt so bad about my blunder, that I declined to take up an offer from the judges to allow me three(3) extra minutes to do a decent round up of my presentation.
Instead, I told the audience – in a very serious tone – that I was convinced the paper had a lot of useful information for companies in the manufacturing industry.
Then I encouraged them to take time to visit the NIM library and read through it in future.
Dropping the microphone, I returned to my seat as muffled applause/murmuring from the audience continued.
Surprise! Despite My Blunder, I Still Get Placed 5th Overall
But I was in for a shocked when the judges announced the final results later in the day.
They pointed out that the verbal presentation(which I had flunked) only carried 20% of total marks, while paper’s “quality” carried 80%!
However, before they announced the results, they also read out other criteria for rating the contestants, one of which they defined as “the confidence demonstrated by a contestant in his/her paper”.
Looking back, I believe it was the confidence with which I had recommended my paper to the audience, that led the judges to award me enough points to place 5th, despite my bungled presentation.
So it happened, that despite an aborted presentation, my paper which was adjudged to be of high standard (with the concept of Total Waste Unaccounted For – TWUF™ – being singled out for mention) eventually placed me 5th out of eight(8) finalists.
Speech and announcement of winners by a management representatieve of the sponsoring company – makers of NESCAFE…I think NESTLE.Dignitaries present (and I think the judges too)
As the results were being announced, my mind went back to what one of the judges had said to me during lunch after the last contestant – Friday E. Eboh – had completed his presentation(titled “Public Relations In Management: Issues and Challenges”).
He had said “Solagbade, you should have simply continued with your presentation when you could not find the slide quickly enough. You were doing well up to that point, and to be honest, I don’t think anyone would have noticed if you did not show THAT particular slide.” I realized he was right. I alone knew the slide existed – they did not! So, if I had chosen to skip it during my presentation, they would not have known better!
Receiving my gifts
I learnt a painful but useful lesson that day, to always rehearse my presentation well ahead of time, no matter how well I think I know it.
The experience also impressed upon me, the importance of running through a checklist of all the items I need to take with me for a presentation so as to avoid missing out any important ones – like I did the CUSUM charts slide.
Final positions of the contestants at the National Finals
Finalists – we took a picture together at the request of the media photographers who were present, AFTER the event ended.
Back At Work – A Senior Manager Tells Me Where I Went Wrong
When I returned to work the following week, I sent a little note about the outcome of the finals to one of the senior executives in Lagos: Ian Hamilton – who had been particularly supportive.
In it, I told how bad I felt for not having done better etc. He sent back a post-it note attached to my note, on which he wrote:
“Tayo, 5th place overall in NIgeria! You should be proud of yourself “
Then regarding the mishap during my presentation, which betrayed inadequate “practice” on my part, he wrote: “Even the members of the (Guinness) board rehearse their presentations many times before they have to deliver them!”
I took his correction to heart and used it to drive myself to become proficient in delivering presentations subsequently.
I believe an indication of how proficient I had become was evident during a presentation I was invited to deliver at the Center for Management Development, in Lagos.
This event took place in September 2002, about 9 months after I had voluntarily resigned my appointment with Guinness to go into business for myself. (Read my article Should You Quit Your Job Or Start Your Business Part-Time? to learn why I decided to quit my job despite the promise of a bright career future in the company.)
On that day, less than 15 minutes after I was introduced/began delivering my paper, the following happened within about 5 minutes of each other:
a. The center’s Training Manager slipped me a note asking that I “Please finish in 1 hour” (instead of the two hours I had been originally told I would be making the presentation in).
b. An electric power cut suddenly occurred!
Both potentially disturbing/unexpected “changes” however did not bother me.
When the lights of the PC projector went out that afternoon in the CMD’s main auditorium, I was fully prepared in every way.
I simply picked up the printed power point speaker notes I had put on the table while preparing to start my talk, and flipped to the page containing the points I was making before the lights went out.
Then, after making a joke about the loss of power supply – continued, and eventually concluded, my presentation well within the revised one hour time slot.
At the end of the day, over 100 attendees who returned my speaker feedback form to me, scored me an average rating of approximately 4.0 (on a scale of 1 to 5, where 5 = Excellent).
Three of the many notable comments on speaker evaluation feedback forms returned to me by members of the audience read as follows:
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“Good insight for the much needed human revolution to drive creativity in this nation”
Oma Williams O.W. – Director, Center For Management Development, Lagos.
“A very worthwhile exercise. The package can however be improved by making it organization specific”
C. I. Okeke – AD/Research & Consulting, Center For Management Development, Lagos.
“The Speaker, Mr. Solagbade is an authority in his field. The Speaker is an achiever who is able to carry his audience along with him in his message/speech”
Confidential Secretary, Center For Management Development, Lagos.
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Letter of Appreciation from the Center for Management Development (in response to one that I sent them AFTER the event).
Useful Lessons You Can Take Away
Choosing to go for this competition enabled me connect with top managers in my workplace, on an informal level – and I got noticed/establish potentially useful relationships. If nothing else, my actions got them thinking of me positively, and probably played a role in many career advancement opportunities that later got sent my way.
Another benefit was that I got considerable attention across the brewery for getting that far in the competition. All of these would have made me get noticed by a larger number of decision makers – which would NOT have been the case if I had not gone for that competition.
I say the foregoing in light of the fact for instance, that a year later, in 1998, I would be nominated twice – first time for four weeks, and the next time ten weeks – to relieve the substantive Technical Training & Development Manager(TTDM) – on a management grade one-step above that which I belonged to.
The point I have tried to make above, is that you can intelligently create opportunities to showcase your unique abilities to decision makers, by engaging in activities that afford you the desired exposure.
However, it might be wise not to make impressing your superiors the main objective of venturing into such an activity as the one I took up for instance.
Towards improving your presentation skills, and taking needed actions/precautions, you may find the following lessons I learnt of some use:
1. Get Adequate Pre-Presentation Time:
I should have sought the support of my boss/brewery management to get away from work earlier so as to be able to travel for the event and arrive on time. This might have helped to get myself organized and I could have discovered the absence of the slide BEFORE the presentation.
2. Practice, Practice, Practice!
I would have fared better if I had made conscious effort to rehearse my presentation well ahead of the finals. The achieved familiarity with my presentation might have made me more confident to carry on despite being unable to find the slide.
3. Coaching Tips From Experienced Others:
I could have sought tips about handling hitches or problems during presentations. Experienced speakers – like many of the company’s senior executives may have been able to share their personal ideas about how to prepare with me.
Some may have prompted me to be ready for when things go wrong – drawing on their personal experiences.
For instance, today, if I have to coach anyone on making presentations, one of the most important topics I would cover is “What Can Go Wrong, And What You Can Do – In spite Of Setback(s) – To Ensure You Still Deliver A Good Presentation“.
4. Quitters NEVER Win:
If I had remained calm, and carried on with my presentation without letting on that something was wrong, I could probably have earned enough additional points to eventually do much better than winning 5th place.
Instead I let myself get upset upon discovering that my slide was missing.
You will want to avoid making the same mistake if/when you find yourself in a similar situation.
Final Words: Adversity ALWAYS Comes With Benefits …Which We Can Harvest If We Pay Attention!
Overcoming temporary defeat(i.e. failure) or adversity; recovering from setbacks, or correcting and learning from mistakes we make, will ALWAYS make us improve in our abilities to do what we do.
It is for this reason that I end this article by saying:
Even if you DO have a bad presentation outing, know that the experience presents you with a potential learning opportunity to become BETTER at delivering presentations.
Simply make up your mind to identify where you went wrong, and learn what you need to do differently in future, to make your presentation successful.
Do this as/when necessary, and you will eventually achieve your desired goal of being able to deliver successful presentations repeatedly and consistently.
…a multi-disciplinary blog for people passionate about reaching their goals!
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