Like many people, you’re intrigued by
speaking profession. So was I. Ten years ago, I was teaching English as a Second Language to adult immigrants and bored silly. I was looking around for a profession that would supplement my income.
When my friend Danniel Star took a leave of absence from his teaching job, he started speaking to groups. He was getting paid more as a speaker than as a teacher and he got to repeat his material! Sounded good to me.
Danniel’s first year as a speaker was a little lean financially, though. When his leave of absence was over, his old employer called him in for a new opening for a part-time position. Danniel agreed to an interview and then later called to cancel it.
I thought he was nuts! I said “Danniel, you know speaking is not that secure a profession. It’s good to have something to fall back on!” And he said something that changed my life.
He said, “Cathleen, when you have something to fall back on, you fall back!”
It rang so true! I saw immediately and with a shock that teaching job that I thought provided a financial cushion in fact was holding me back from pursuing my true talents and interests.
Or, as Robert Allen, author of Multiple Streams of Income puts it: “You can take door marked ‘security’ or door marked ‘freedom’. Just remember that door marked ‘security’ lies. The only security is found within yourself.”
