One inquirer said something, though, that caught my attention. He said he had speaking down to a science, and that he could speak exactly 20 minutes, 19, or whatever was needed. Always exact length of time, though!

While there are certainly speakers who need to pay attention to clock, I don't know of any who are hired simply because they do. Audiences aren't looking for robots. They want real people.

Because audiences want real people, they generally aren't looking for orators, either. They want effective, down-to-earth communicators who have earned right to speak, through extensive research and/or experience, and who are well prepared to speak from heart. If you use humor, someday, after giving many speeches for free, you might even get paid.

Yet, such is still a long way from being successful in speaking business. Much depends on how greatly a person believes in his or her message, and whether, with a good marketing strategy, a person is able to convey that belief in marketplace.

www.the5yearjournal.com info@the5yearjournal.com Whether you journal, diary or use diaries, now, or have never, you can keep a 30 day journal. Journaling for 30 days about one specific topic, can support you in many ways. Recording your thoughts, feelings, dreams, and desires, even recording just-the-facts, for 30 days is a powerful tool. You can track your ideas and experiences, realizing both your joys and your fears about a single topic. You can use this 30 day system for most topics, and throughout your journaling.

Think about what is happening in your life right now. Then think about a topic you would like to track or record on a daily basis: Your diet, finances, a relationship, a new experience, your job, a dream you've always had, a change you want to make.

Getting started

Decide if you want to use computer, a blank book, a notebook, or sheets of paper for your journal. If you are writing, pick a pencil or pen that is easy to use and is comfortable for you. Set aside a time and place every day for your journaling. Make this your time for you.

You may or may not want to date your journal. You can even include time of day when you journal, especially if you are journaling about feelings, health or diet. The time of day can affect our outlook. For example, at certain times of day we may have more energy or be more tired.

Write as much or as little as you want. Some days you may have more to write about than other days. There is no set amount you need to write each day. Slow down as you begin to write and feel what your thoughts are on that day about your topic. It may help to close your eyes, calm your thoughts, and remember to breathe easily.