You never really know if you will ever remember the words of advice or encouragement from a loved one, coach, adviser, or mentor. Or, for that matter, you never really know how those words of advice or encouragement can help you achieve success in your life, should you actually remember them.
Well, over the weekend, I had a chance to relive some advice I've gotten from one of my mentors. I was also able to actually use that advice for my success when I put my coaching and speaking skills to the test as a contestant in the South Division Evaluation Speech contest on Saturday, October 23 in Bridgeview, IL.
As a contestant in the Evaluation Speech Contest, I was charged with listening to a target speaker deliver a 5-7 minute prepared speech on a topic of their choice. Afterward, I had to give that speaker feedback and encouragement on what they did well and what they could improve upon for their next speech.
You would think since I've been a member of Toastmasters International for the past 11 years, this would be an easy task for me to do.
Not so.
Yes, having the years of experience with giving someone an effective evaluation made the contest familiar, but, conducting a 2-3 minute evaluation as one of six contestants, made it challenging.
As I was standing before the target speaker, delivering my words of positive encouragement and constructive feedback, I found myself combating nerves and struggling with such thoughts as "What am I going to say next?" "Why did I say that?" "Am I going to run out of time before I can get through all of my points?"
As I felt the seconds slipping away and heard my words escaping my mouth in a fashion in which I did not plan, all of of sudden, I found myself reliving some advice that I had gotten last year from my professional speaking mentor, Sporty King.
Sporty once told me that "You are always in competition - with yourself. Every time you speak, you speak to do better than you did the last time."
Those words of advice popped into my mind at just the right time, helping me to calm my nerves and clear my thoughts.
Most importantly, remembering Sporty's words of advice helped me to focus on my number one competitor - me.
No longer was I thinking about doing better than the contestants before and after me. I became focused on doing better than what I had done a few seconds, and even, two contests before.
As I returned to my seat, I sat down and marveled at how I remembered those words of advice at just the right time. I replayed in my mind how I had done and where I could have improved. By the time the next contestant was called to the stage, I was content with the fact that I had won - against myself.
I was confident that my response had secured me a trophy - even if it was not first place. Yet, when the names were called and first place was announced, I was happy to claim the prize.
I am glad that I did not discount those words of advice and encouragement that Sporty gave to me a year ago. They came in handy at just the right time and helped me to do better than I had done before - earning me another first place victory.
How about you?
Have you ever received advice that helped you to achieve success?
Share with me what happened. Post your comments below.
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