If only we all embraced our humanity already! We are not perfect and never will be. Perfection is stillness and human beings are simply organic beings…we are always moving, creating and expanding in this wonderful universe. In my seminars, I always stress the difference between perfection and excellence. Perfection (like a painting) does not move, it is still. Excellence is often the result of our enjoying the practice of something so much that we develop a polished skill in a particular area.
One of my greatest skills is public speaking. I never read a single book on it, but I practiced my craft all over the united states and now beyond. My excellence came from my experiencing a countless number of situations I had to learn to respond to well. It came from making and correcting mistakes over many years. I conducted successful programs under great pressure and around challenging circumstances. My only goal was that folks love the program, leave happy and feel inspired to do something great for themselves…whether it be polishing their professional image, organizing their stuff or staying in balance under great stress.
I drove through fires, missed a tornado by 2 miles, had hail balls dent my rental car, was flooded out somewhere in Kentucky, experienced what I considered to be the most frightening lighting EVER in Texas, managed a room with smoke so thick you could not see the last row and found ways to still deliver.
When the certifications and opportunities to take my craft even further came, I was open, willing and ready. And in every public speaking class I teach, I offer my best ideas, strategies and tools to my participants – so that they can reach excellence without the fires, tornadoes, over booked rooms and every other hurtle I jumped to deliver content with ease.
Practice brings excellence. Strive for that, not perfection. And besides, its never the destination but the journey that carries the most fun, isn’t it?
…where’s my luggage….
