“You have power over your mind–not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.” – Marcus Aurelius

We have all read books, seen videos, and taken courses that purport to teach you the quick and easy way to riches.

The good news is you can indeed find riches in your own speaking business.

The bad news is that it takes hard work. To attain these riches in your speaking business, you must have (1) an organized mind, (2) the ability to remain focused, and (3) the ability to keep on keeping on.

Your Organized Mind

Have you ever read a mystery novel with too many “red herrings” and murder suspects, and a detective always following the next shiny object? If you have, you probably did not read it past the first chapter. Why? Because the book was disorganized and did not follow how life is.

You might think you will live forever and have plenty of time to do everything you want to do in your speaking business. Sadly, you and I will not live forever. You must have a plan for your business, prioritize the most important things to do, not the most urgent, and work your plan.

So how do you make a plan for your speaking business? Start with milestones like writing a book, starting a blog, or speaking to more audiences. Then decompose these milestones into quarter stones and then inch stones. Finally, tie these to a schedule. There is your plan. It is essential to connect things to do to a schedule. Without this, your priorities are just dreams.

A great book to read on how your mind organizes your thoughts and converts them into your reality is The Power of Your Subconscious Mind by Dr. Joseph Murphy.

So an organized mind is an essential attribute you must possess to succeed in your speaking business.

However, as essential as an organized mind is, you will not accomplish much without focus.

Your Focus

In his book, Business Made Simple, Donald Miller says, “Say no to distractions, so you have the freedom to say yes to your priorities.”

You must put quality time into deciding your speaking business priorities and then focus on those priorities with all your strength and faith in yourself.

You have probably heard of the college student who is constantly changing their major and find themself in their seventh year of college without a degree.

What’s sadder is for this college student to find out they are forty-five after jumping between industries and, therefore, not advancing in any industry.

Many years ago, there was a book written by Alan Lakein. It was entitled How to Get Control of Your Time and Your Life. The title was apt. Your time is your life, and if you waste it on low-priority tasks in your business, part of your life will also be lost.

Unfortunately, Alan Lakein’s book is out of print. However, a time management book I recommend still in print is First Things First by Stephen Covey, A. Roger Merrill, and Rebecca R. Merrill. It talks about priorities and focusing on those priorities.

So an organized mind and your ability to remain focused are essential attributes for you to succeed in your speaking business. However, you will encounter many challenges in your speaking business. Therefore, your ability to keep on keeping on is also essential for you to succeed in your speaking business.

Your Ability to Keep On Keeping On

I was going through a rough time in my life thirty years ago. My mom, God rest her beautiful soul, gave me the book You Can If You Think You Can by Dr. Norman Vincent Peale. It was a lifesaver for me, and it can be for you also.

That book made me realize our success is within ourselves. Your ability to keep on keeping on and not giving up in the face of adversity is key to your success.

Henry Ford once said, “Whether you think you can, or think you can’t … you’re right.” Your thoughts determine your future. So be careful only to think positive thoughts.

Your ability to keep working at your speaking business priorities when everyone is advising you to quit is also essential for you to be successful in your speaking business.

There are plenty of naysayers out there. Don’t listen to them, associate with them. or believe them!

Associate with positive people, successful in their own lives, and support you in realizing your dreams.

If you want to be successful in your speaking business or any other part of your life, acquire and keep an organized mind, nurture and practice your ability to remain focused on your priorities, and always keep on keeping on.

Life and success are marathons, not sprints.

Remember, the slow turtle beat the swift rabbit in the race!

Call to Action

• Set a few priorities in your business; be prudent in changing them

• Tune out distractions and focus on working your priorities

• Have faith in yourself and keep on keeping on

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 through improving their presentation skills, communication, and personal presence. Frank can be reached 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