Sunday, January 7, 2024
“Your living is determined not so much by what life brings to you as by the attitude you bring to life; not so much by what happens to you as by the way your mind looks at what happens.”
– Khalil Gibran, Lebanese-American writer, poet and visual artist
In Earl Nightingale’s Lead the Field Program, he talks about “The Magic Word.” This magic word is the key to your success in your speaking.
The magic word is so simple and obvious, but very few people in our society use this “Magic Word” to achieve great success in life.
In this article, we will explore this “Magic Word.” By the end of this article, you should have guessed this “Magic Word.”
Poor Attitude – Poor Results
Quite often, we let other people determine our attitude. You are responsible for your attitude; no one else.
Whenever you allow others to determine your attitude, you give control of your life to another person. Former first lady Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” This may be a new thought to you and others. It is absolutely true.
The world is full of naysayers, some of which I am sure are in your network. Don’t discuss your speaking plans with these naysayers who will not support you.
Hopefully, you are not one of the people who seem to think their reality is determined by outside forces when nothing could be further from the truth.
With a poor attitude, you are defeated in a task before you start. Generally speaking, you’re right if you think you can or cannot do a task. Read the Norman Vincent People book You Can If You Think You Can sometime.
Your attitude when you are speaking is an essential element in determining your speaking success.
So, a poor attitude on your part will always result in a poor speaking performance.
Likewise, a good attitude leads to good results.
Good Attitude – Good Results
Do you want to be indistinguishable from other speakers on your topic?
Do you not want to be the speaker other speakers recommend on your topic?
Do you not want to achieve something that will positively affect the world?
If your answer to any of these questions is yes, you are, at most, an average speaker who will find it hard to be successful in the speaking world.
However, if your answer to all three questions is no, you are either a speaker who aspires to greatness or is already there.
It is as simple as that.
So, a poor attitude results in poor results, and a good attitude results in good success.
What you should strive for in your speaking is an excellent attitude, which will invariably result in excellent success.
Excellent Attitude – Excellent Results
There will be “bumps” along the way during your speaking journey. However, your excellent attitude will allow you to ride out the challenges that will inevitably come unbidden.
So, how can you develop and maintain an excellent attitude? This is an important question, the answer to which will assure you of a successful life.
You know that actions follow thoughts. You may not know thoughts also follow actions.
If you find your thoughts scattered, unorganized, and negative, one of the best ways to turn these thoughts into positive motivation is to throw yourself into an activity. This activity could be physical or mental. It matters not.
If you throw yourself into an activity before you know it, your thoughts will become organized and positive.
When your attitude is not excellent, you might compare yourself to the “lucky” people who succeed. Upon examination, you will find these “lucky” people don’t have fewer opportunities or fewer challenges than you do. Don’t compete against others. Compete against yourself.
Earl Nightingale defines luck as a condition where preparedness meets opportunity. Opportunity is always there. All you have to do is prepare for it.
As you create new positive thoughts for yourself, you may want to consider the thought of the world conspiring to make you successful.
So your poor attitude results in poor results, your good attitude results in good success, and your excellent attitude results in excellent success.
The key to your success doesn’t lie outside you but in you. Start developing yourself right where you are standing.
If you haven’t figured it out, the “Magic Word” is “Attitude.”
Keep yours excellent and succeed!
Call to Action
Don’t let others determine your attitude. You are the captain of your ship. Act like you are.
If you want to be distinguishable from other speakers, referred by other speakers, and contribute significantly to the world, develop and maintain an excellent attitude.
Use your Excellent attitude to “ride out” the “dangerous seas” in your life.
“You cannot control what happens to you, but you can control your attitude toward what happens to you, and in that, you will be mastering change rather than allowing it to master you.”
– Brian Tracy, Canadian American motivational public speaker and self-development author
_____________________________ Frank DiBartolomeo is a retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel and award-winning speaker, presentation and interview skills coach, and Professional Member of the National Speakers Association. He was awarded Toastmasters International’s highest individual award, Distinguished Toastmaster because of his outstanding work in public speaking and leadership.
Frank formed DiBartolomeo Consulting International (DCI), LLC (www.speakleadandsucceed.com) in 2007. The mission of DCI is to help technical professionals to inspire, motivate, and influence their colleagues and other technical professionals by improving their presentation skills, communication, and personal presence. Reach Frank at frank@speakleadandsucceed.com and (703) 509-4424.
_____________________________ Don’t miss Frank DiBartolomeo’s latest book!
“Speak Well and Prosper: Tips, Tools, and Techniques for Better Presentations”
Available now at Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com