A friend told his daughter that he hoped she would find a career where she was fully engaged and thrilled to be part of her industry. He added that of all their friends, nobody loved their job as much as I did. He told her to watch the passion I have for being a speaker and master of ceremonies, and how I want to impact those I encounter, and seek out a similar way to work when she grew up.
When I heard this I was a little embarrassed, as I was not sure the my career path is the best example of a road to happiness. Along the way I made some bad choices and had a few bosses who were awful. I work many days and screamed out loud in my car as I commuted to the office. I always worked hard, but too often I had my ladder against the wrong wall, or was in a situation where the money took president over my total satisfaction.
Seven years ago I began my career as a professional master of ceremonies and keynote speaker. Working for myself has been both amazing and frustrating, but my friend is right about how much I enjoy what I do for a living. I really love my job.
My business is still growing and I believe that I should be doing a lot of things more efficiently. I am struggling to keep up the momentum that I have created, as competition is everywhere. Meeting planners, committees, and everyone in an association or company has an opinion about who is the right speaker and what is the appropriate topics for their events. Too often speakers miss the mark, and thus everyone is suspect of who they hire and seek reasons to justify why or why not make a speaker selection.
But if this business was easy, there would be more people working as speakers, because it is truly and awesome way to make a living. Last week I spoke to a group in the building and construction trade and the planner was such a nice person with a giving soul. In our conversation after my speech she told me that when anyone she knows is having a tough time she gathers up her nieces and they bake cookies. She tells the kids that the person getting the treats is in need of "extra love" in the cookies and makes sure her assistants knows the purpose of their baking. The cookies are a nice gesture, but I was blown away by the message this sends to these young girls in her kitchen. It is stories like this that reminds me of all the good in the world.
I am not sure everyone gets to encounter as many people as I do in such positive ways. Those who plan events work hard and have a lot of stress, but in the end they are creating experiences for others, and most planners love their jobs and the meetings the curate. Being with them, and adding to their attendees experience, means I am surrounded by good vibes. In over seven years I only encountered one meeting organizer who had a dark soul. She was like a robot. We did not see the world the same way, and she did not like me at all. That is a pretty good ratio: 300+ were wonderful and one was not. I will take those odds all day long. Most people I encounter are amazing.
For the past six months I have been writing a one-man-show that can be used in place of a keynote. The message is about finding creativity and more satisfaction in career and life. It is a keynote in the fact that it is both content rich and motivational, but is presented in a way that will not be what audiences expect. This "play" is a unique way to tell a story and share ideas for success with business and association convention audiences.
Most planners will never take the risk of putting a professional speaker on stage as an actor who is playing a role. However, some will (I am already talking to a few adventurous meeting organizers who like the thought of an out of the box show). When it all works together we will have more fun than anyone could imagine at a conference. Imagination does not have to lay dormant in you work either. I am living proof of this. One does not have to leave a corporate job to work as a solopreneur to find this level of excitement and joy at work. It is just about being open to the idea of loving your job.
The friend who told his daughter that he wants her to enjoy her career as much as I do is right. I want that for my kids. I want that for everyone.
Have A Great Day
thom singer
No comments:
Post a Comment