Are You A ‘Someday’ Speaker?

     Often I'm approached after a speaking appearance by people who say, "I'd really like to be a better speaker." 

     "Great!" I respond. "How can I help?"
     "Oh, well, I'm doing all right at the moment," they reply. "I'd like to speak better, but I've got other things I have to take care of first. But someday I'd really like to talk to you about it."
     Are you a Someday Speaker? Are you a Someday Book Author, Article Writer, Workshop Presenter, or... you name it, there's probably something connected to your business that you fully intend to do "Someday".
     What are you waiting for? Ask yourself honestly: is Someday really ever going to come? Chances are it isn't.
     Why not? What's holding you back? Who's the gremlin that's whispering in your ear, "You're doing okay the way you are. You don't really need this, do you? It's too much effort. So why bother?"
     The gremlin has a name: Procrastination. And most of us are experts at it.
     What makes us procrastinate, anyway? Is it fear of the unknown? Taking a risk? Making a mistake? Feeling ridiculous or humiliated?
     If it's not fear, is it simply lack of knowledge? Not knowing exactly what steps to take? Not having enough information to evaluate whether the step is the right one? Not knowing who to ask, where to find the appropriate research?
     Sometimes procrastination hides a secret anxiety that if we become really good at the thing we've been avoiding, it will change our relationship with the people we're closest to or care most about. They'll be jealous of our success or unhappy that we don't have as much time to spend with them as we used to. We'll be moving in new circles they may not feel comfortable in. Worry about the effect our success might have on the ones we love is often a secret anxiety we don't even know exists.
     What does it take to end our love affair with procrastination?
     Take a good hard look at yourself in the mirror and ask, "Why don't I want to do the thing I know I need to do to be the person I want to be? Why don't I want to do what it takes to become a better speaker, write my book, create my workshop, be attractive to more clients?"
     Listen to whatever comes up to answer that question. Write it down! Make as long a list as you need. Is it fear of being really good or fear of not being good enough? Is it fear of asking for help or of not getting the right help? Is it a belief about yourself and your place in your family, your work, or your world that will be irrevocably altered if you take the big step forward? Will that alteration be good or bad?
     Then get the help you need to deal with what you've learned. Talk to a trusted friend or professional coach if that's what you need. Go online and ask the questions your clients might ask. Hire someone with the expertise you need to help you get the job done. You never have to struggle all alone. Whatever you need, help is out there. You only have to ask for it.
     If you want to become a unique and sexy speaker as quickly and painlessly as possible, ask me for help. Let's end your procrastination together!