by Jim Cathcart, CSP, CPAE
Professional Speaker, Author, Speaker Hall of Fame, Past President of the National Speakers Association (NSA)

I’ve been a speaker for over 30 years now and have delivered more than 2,600 speeches for audiences around the world. Regularly I have audience members ask me how they can become a professional speaker or generate some bookings to deliver their messages.
This has occurred so often that I created an entire company just to address their need. Bill Brooks, CSP, CPAE and Tom Antion, CSP joined with me to create The Professional Speaking Institute and to build a knowledge base on how to build and sustain a professional speaking business.

For more information on the Institute go to this link: Professional Speaking Institute.

To give you an easy and free way to look at how I approach this whole subject take a look at these video clips that I posted today on YouTube.
The first one is “How to get started as a professional speaker”. It is five minutes long and tells you how to define your message, identify your market and get the experience (“mileage”) you will need to become successful as a speaker.

Here is the link to the video.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfcNo1C36TM&rel=1]

The second one is titled “How do you get known in the speaking profession?”
It is just 3 minutes and 21 seconds long.
Here is the link to the second video.

If you like these samples then let me know and I’ll direct you to the other resources or chat with you about my professional coaching services. And if you want information about the National Speakers Association (our professional society of speakers) here is their link: NSA.

The speaking business has grown enormously over these past thirty years and it now contains thousands of speakers, hundreds of speakers bureaus and a multitude of suppliers who support the meetings and conventions industry.

In the words of my speaker Mentor, Earl Nightingale, “If you will spend an extra hour each day in study in your chosen field, you will be a national expert in that field in five years or less.” You can do it. I’m happy to help.

by Jim Cathcart

Last year was my business’ 30th Anniversary. In contemplation of how to best celebrate that milestone I did a scan of my “top 30s”. These were things like: my 30 best customers, 30 favorite memories, 30 top employees and coworkers, etc. Without realizing it until much later, I had stumbled onto a very effective checklist for reflecting on any of life’s transitions (like the beginning of a new year.)

As you look toward the next phase of your life and business consider your answers to the questions implied in this list. Whether it is a reflection on one year, ten, or fifty, take time to write your lists under each category. Carry the list with you and every week or so, take a casual moment with a favorite beverage and just reflect. My favorite is over breakfast as I begin a new day.

“Without reflection there is no true learning.” Kevin Buck

(In your list please substitute your number where I have inserted “30″.)

Thirty Things to Celebrate and Think About
1. 30 People I should take time to Thank
2. 30 Biggest Customers
3. 30 Best Customers & Why
4. 30 Most Fun Experiences
5. 30 Biggest Profit Items
6. 30 Mentors who helped me
7. 30 Life Lessons I’ve learned
8. 30 Changes that have paid off for me
9. 30 Top Achievements in my life
10. 30 People/Organizations I’d like to work with again
11. 30 Best Meeting Planners I’ve worked with
12. 30 Greatest moments in working with Speakers Bureaus
13. 30 Top Employees and Vendors I’ve worked with
14. 30 Milestones in my life
15. 30 Things I’m grateful for
16. 30 Things I’d like to do next
17. 30 Places to return to
18. 30 Colleagues I admire
19. 30 Best feedback messages I’ve received
20. 30 Coolest Moments of all
21. 30 Best Habits I’ve formed
22. 30 Books/Recordings I’ve learned from
23. 30 Favorite topics I’m interested in
24. 30 Ways I can say “Thank You”
25. 30 Favorite Songs
26. 30 Leadership Ideas I like
27. 30 Sales Ideas I can use
28. 30 Fitness Ideas I can use
29. 30 Ways to recharge my batteries
30. 30 Ways I can serve my customers even better

May God continue to bless you as you count these blessings and create more.

Copyright 2008 Jim Cathcart
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by Jim Cathcart

Now is the time, this is the place and YOU are the one!
Reflect for a moment on how far you’ve come in your life.
Now notice that you were able to do all of that without knowing everything you know now. Since now is your new starting point, look at how much more you can achieve!

Your mind may be presenting you with reasons why this might not be true. It may be saying, “But what about the economy? If only I knew the right people, had less debt, didn’t have my current problems to solve, had more spare time, was in better shape, didn’t face this project deadline, knew where the opportunities were…etc.”
Don’t blame your mind for this, that’s its job; showing you the potential obstacles. But please recognize this process for what it is, just the natural mental process for moving toward a goal. First it sees the goal, then it starts identifying the obstacles and threats…so that you can eliminate them. Seriously. That is how minds work.
If we permit our fears, warnings and alarms to stop us in our tracks then no progress will ever be made. We must advance intelligently despite our concerns. Yes, “despite” them.

2008 is your year. No kidding. It is very likely that you will live all year. It’s also likely that you will encounter many opportunities in addition to those that surround you today. So, how are you going to use this year? To wait or to work?

I suggest you make this your “year of engagement.” Pledge to yourself right now that this year you will be involved. When doubts occur, take action by getting in touch with someone else or attending an event or starting a project or volunteering to help someone. Raise your hand, speak up in meetings, stand up and be counted, let your voice be heard. Let people know what you think. Stand out from the crowd.

On New Year’s Eve I had a delightful conversation with a neighbor about fitness. He mentioned that he didn’t have “the self-discipline” that I have. I told him that though I do exercise almost every day, at least 80% of the time, at first I don’t want to get up and go exercise. Therefore I have formed the habit of getting myself to show up. Not to exercise, just to show up for exercise. I’ve found that when I can commit to just getting dressed for the workout and stepping out the door, everything else seems to take care of itself. So, I don’t dread the workout or the cold weather or the inconvenience of it all. I just dread the process of getting dressed and walking out the door. That is easy to overcome. So, I find myself working out six days a week on average, and I have no weight or fitness problems and seldom get ill.
What happens when you Show Up is…everything.
Until you speak out or take initiative or just begin something, the rest of your world waits to pitch in to help you. Even your mind won’t give you the best ideas until it senses that you have made a commitment to get something done.

So let this be the year when you get into the habit of making your moves. Let yourself and the rest of us know that you want “in” on what’s happening. We are eager to help you succeed.

In the Spirit of Growth,
Jim Cathcart

copyright 2008