A few months later, I quit my job, packed up my car, kissed my grown kids and friends goodbye and moved to a different part of country to try my luck as a writer or speaker. It was a little unnerving to take plunge in such a dramatic way but I’d been wanting to do it for a long time and finally, it was sink or swim time!

Well, I was initially so naïve about business and had so much to learn about speaking profession that I certainly got dunked many times. I did everything hard way and it’s one way to learn quickly. Ultimately, I thrived doing what I love to do. Because I was happier, my health immediately improved along with my outlook on life.

Speaking to large groups of people has never come easily to me. It’s a myth that speakers are extroverts. I’m not. I’m pathologically shy, yet somehow fact that I believe I have something to share gives me impetus I need to plow right through shyness and not only get up on stage but love it!

The route I chose was kind of hair-raising and wouldn’t necessarily work for everyone but there are many ways to get into professional speaking which I share with you in my book, Speaking for Money. You choose right route for you!

Cathleen Fillmore is owner of Speakers Gold, a proactive speakers bureau.