Tomorrow is Christmas day. A day on which Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. In the bible we are told of the suffering Jesus endured to fulfil his purpose on earth.
The theme of this week’s issue of my speaking IDEAS newsletter is partly related to the above i.e. understanding how adversity and suffering help YOU achieve success as a paid speaker.
I’m not talking religion here though…
As those who’ve been reading my writing for a while will know, I stopped attending Church back in 1989, in my third year of study in the University.
My reason for taking – and sticking to – that decision will probably be the subject of a future article 
Instead I focus here on how having to lead bible study sessions – and come up with my interpretation of the passages for discussion with others – shaped my values systems – and character – as an individual.
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Is this email not displaying correctly? Publication: Tayo Solagbade’s Weekly Public Speaking IDEAS Page (PSIP) Newsletter Date: Monday 24th December 2012 No: 69 Title: You Will Be Sorely Tested 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.
No. 69: You Will Be Sorely Tested**** 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 **** I feel compelled to note here that I did NOT author the phrase which titles this writeup (I.e. “You Will Be Sorely Tested”). I came across it while reading James Cook’s “Startup Entrepreneur” years ago. Tomorrow is Christmas day. A day on which Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. In the bible we are told of the suffering Jesus endured to fulfil his purpose on earth. The theme of this week’s issue of my speaking IDEAS newsletter is partly related to the above i.e. understanding how adversity and suffering help YOU achieve success as a paid speaker. I’m not talking religion here though… As those who’ve been reading my writing for a while will know, I stopped attending Church back in 1989, in my third year of study in the University. My reason for taking – and sticking to – that decision will probably be the subject of a future article Instead I focus here on how having to lead bible study sessions – and come up with my interpretation of the passages for discussion with others – shaped my values systems – and character – as an individual. Stories In Religious Books About Trials & Suffering Can Be TherapeuticI cannot speak for my siblings, but having to prepare for – and lead – those bible study sessions was quite therapeutic for me. The stories were especially instructive for me in terms of the morals and values they taught. That was mainly because I was often getting into trouble at school, so that stories about David doing wrong and then singing his way back into God’s heart, for instance, tended to resonate with me. It taught me to forgive myself, and act better in future Then there is the David Vs. Goliath story. I’ve used it to educate many people – adults and youths – about why they must never let anyone (no matter how powerful) intimidate or oppress them. And I practice what I preach – by using it to inspire myself to fight back successfully against abusive powerful persons (e.g. politically connected clients with abusive tendencies). Guess what? In every instance, I found help (by taking relentless personal action) from totally unexpected quarters to the surprise of my opponents! (Google “Science of Getting Rich” and download the FREE PDF ebook to learn more about the philisophies I susbcribe to, which help me achieve these kinds of results). Another story I have always drawn inspiration from those I read in the bible, is that of Job. He had so much, then lost it all, and suffered humiliation, insults, from friends and his own better half, for a prolonged (seemingly hopeless) period. But he stayed strong and firm in heart and mind – refusing to give up hope or faith in the God he (and those who rebuked him for continuing to believe!) worshipped. And eventually his circumstances were turned around to the embarrassment of all those who’d mocked and scorned him. I STILL draw inspiration from that story today. As matter of fact, I am so keyed into that story that I’ve used it many times, to remind some persons who actually profess Christian beliefs NOT to give up in the face of adversity! So much so, that some have told me I should be a pastor… But again that’s where they MISS the point: It’s not about me becoming a pastor. It’s about ALL of us learning to take the lessons from the stories and using them to improve our abilities to achieve our valued goals! For me, I view those bible stories the same way I regard stories told outside religious circles (e.g. the boy who cried wolf). They are to be used to teach useful lessons that guide behaviour. But it’s not just the Bible that offers useful stories. The story of the life of Mohammed – the Muslim leader – is one that also demonstrates the power of persistence in the face of adversity. For over ten years, Mohammed endured hardship, poverty, and exposure to ridicule, before becoming a wealthy and powerful leader. A great story and truly inspiring story! Similar Stories About Today’s People Are Also HelpfulRobert Kiyosaki wrote about having to (as he put it) “become comfortable with being nobody and having nothing”, to recover from a massive business setback. He had gone from running an international multimillion dollar company to having no home and sleeping in his car. Why did this happen? Well, just like the bible’s David, he made some costly mistakes in personal decisions he took. He was a bit reckless with the wealth he acquired early in life. In his second coming as a millionaire, Robert is a changed man. And that’s the man most of the whole world now knows – and learns from – about building their own financial fortunes. Burt Dubin also has a compelling story, which he shares readily. On his website, he makes it known that he is a high school drop out. He had to deal with that handicap to get where he is today as a highly recognised mentor of paid international speakers. Now, that’s not all. During his journey to higher levels of success, Burt reveals he has also been bankrupt twice. But each time he dug in and persisted until he bounced back to reckoning. And he made sure to use the lessons he learnt, to keep from making the same mistakes again. Then again, maybe I’ve drifted too far away from home to get examples you can relate to. Right here in Africa, we have one of the world’s most inspiring stories of triumph over prolonged periods of adversity. I refer to the the story of the life of Nelson Mandela: 27 years in prison – standing firm on his belief in equal rights for his people. And eventually today, living as legend and icon of freedom recognised the world over! Now THAT is a great story that many people will draw inspiration from. Many Great People Were First “Sorely Tested”. To Become Great You Most Likely Will Too!It’s not a curse I’m just making a statement of fact. And I do so with reference, not just to my personal experiences (Lord knows I’m paying my dues in that regard!), but also to different true stories I’ve read – like those mentioned above. It’s important – IMPERATIVE in fact – that you accept that seeking TRUE greatness in any area of endeavour (including the business of paid public speaking) may cause you to be “sorely tested”, with “frequent bad experiences” which James Cook correctly referred to as “shrewd instructors” in his New York Times bestselling book titled “The Startup Entrepreneur”. Nelson Mandela, as we all know was “sorely tested”…physically, emotionally and psychologically – for decades BEFORE he achieved greatness. If he had cracked under the pressures mounted on him by government agents through those years, we would not be celebrating him today. In the same way, if YOU crack under pressures of adversity, there will be nothing people can celebrate you for. Period. In the bible, Christians are told of how Jesus got a point when he was so tested that he asked “God” that the “cup of suffering” be made to pass over him. But then he added ‘Let thy will be done.” Prolonged heart breaking struggles (as Cook described them in his book) will not be uncommon experiences for you, if you desire greatness. To achieve speaking (or business) success for example, you must be willing to relentlessly “smile and dial” to get clients to hire you, no matter how many rejections you encounter. Just in case anyone tells you suffering is bad, or “not your portion” or meant only for others, I want you to reflect on the examples drawn from the above stories. Some of the greatest people in the world are agreed on this point: There is benefit to be had in every adversity. Four Quotes To Inspire You To Grow – By Embracing Adversity – In 2013!In a week or so from today, we’ll be in 2013. Your mental attitude towards adversity may determine how much progress you make towards your goals, from the start of the year. We have the benefit of access to experience based wisdom about suffering and adversity (and how to respond to them), offered by people who have achieved greatness. I’ve compiled four of them for your consideration, as you get ready to hit the ground running in the new year… 1. James R. Cook, author of “The Startup Entrepreneur” wrote as follows:“My study of entrepreneurs so far seems to lead to the conclusion that a correlation exists between suffering and success. Entrepreneurs with modest objectives undergo moderate stress and adversity. Those with larger ambitions will, before they succeed, endure painful struggles and overcome long, bitter periods of intense anxiety. The greater the suffering, the greater seem to be the inevitable rewards” – James R. Cook (in The Startup Entrepreneur) 2. Here’s what the late Jim Rohn (another great man) said :“Life is destined to be story of achievement in spite of adversity, not in the absence of adversity; for without adversity, achievement could not exist…. Smile at adversity and act quickly to eliminate it. Expect adversity, for it shall surely appear. Be grateful for adversity for it forces the human spirit to grow – for surely the human character is formed not in the absence of difficulty but in our response to difficulty. All things, even adversity, have their worthy purpose.” – Jim Rohn. 3. The great Emerson also offers useful insight into the inherent benefits of adversity:“When man…is pushed, tormented, defeated, he has a chance to learn something; he has been put on his wits, on his manhood, he has gained facts, learns from his ignorance, is cured of the insanity of conceit; has got moderation and real skill.” – Emerson 4. And Burt Dubin (2 decade veteran mentor of paid international speakers) provides a fitting end to this Xmas edition of my speaking IDEAS newsletter message, with these words that have inspired me since 2001, when I first read them:“Surrender to your mission. Let it have you. Your time, your energy, your total focus, your resources. Everything you’ve got. Everything..Work resolutely, tirelessly, endlessly. Nobody said it would be easy… Never give up. Have I know I said this was not a religious piece…but you might want to say a loud “Amen!“to the last sentence in the above quote I’ve credited to Burt…:-) Have a very Merry Xmas!
Tayo K. Solagbade* Self-Development/Performance Improvement Specialist *Sole Agent For Burt Dubin’s Speaker Mentoring Service In Africa 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. Tayo earns multiple streams of income providing clients with performance improvement training/coaching, custom MS Excel-VB solutions, web marketing systems, freelance writing services, and best practice extension support services (for farm business owners). 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:1. Top Shelf [Click here] | 2. Mid Range [Click here] | 3. Budget Delight [Click here]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 So, make your choice:1. Top Shelf [Click here] | 2. Mid Range [Click here] | 3. Budget Delight [Click here] 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.
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