A few weeks ago, I was in San Diego with Kim and Ginny for the annual convention of the National Speakers Association. One of the highlights for me was getting recognized for achieving Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) status. Less than 10% of professional speakers have earned this designation, which is based on number of paid speeches given, income earned, client evaluations and a peer review panel.
I cracked up at some of the alternative ideas for what CSP could stand for, as suggested by people on our Facebook page: Celebrated Silly Person, Childlike Super Powers, Causes Smiles Permanently, Captain Smarty Pants, and my favorite, Can’t Speak Portugese.
Another personal thrill was that I was in the same CSP class as big Mark Eaton, the all-star center with the Utah Jazz who played with Karl Malone and John Stockton and against people like Michael Jordan and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. I had a bunch of his basketball cards growing up and got a picture with him a few years ago. I’m around six-feet-tall and he makes me look like an Oompa Loompa!
The best part of each convention for me is being able to hang out with my speaker buddies as well as being inundated with great information and inspiration. In fact, most of my best gems are just as relevant for folks who don’t earn a living running their mouth. Here are a few:
“Don’t start with what’s possible. Start with what’s cool. Write music that you can’t play. Do whatever it takes to play it.” —Mike Rayburn
“Just because something could be worse doesn’t mean you don’t deserve for them to be better.” —Kat Cole, CEO of Cinnabon
“If you can’t explain something to a child, then you don’t really know it.” —Sean Stephenson
“Don’t just ask questions. Question your answers.” —Eric Chester
“To get really good at (anything), you need to log flight time.” —Penn Gilette
“Your mind is always eavesdropping on your self talk.” —Jim Kwik
“One of the best ways to transform people is through story.” —Nancy Duarte
“A list of ingredients doesn’t make someone a chef.” —Jay Baer (on the concept of freely giving away your knowledge)
“To do things you haven’t done, you have to start doing things you haven’t done.” —Mike Rayburn
Which one resonates most with you today?
Sign up to get the best this blog has to offer, including FREE weekly tips for fighting Adultitis. It's like milk and cookies for your inbox! (
JoAnn says
7/20/2014 at 9:23 amI really like these two:
1. “If you can’t explain something to a child, then you don’t really know it.” –Sean Stephenson
I tried telling my 3-year old granddaughter why I was going to church one Sunday morning when her parents had never even told her about God. :( Wow, that stretched my thinking processors! It made me really think about why I am doing this even though I thought I already could be able to explain such things. But I think I came up with a good explanation, and it made me feel even better about going to Mass. (For her part, she just stared and me and didn’t ask any questions. I took that as being an excellent explanation!)
2. “One of the best ways to transform people is through story.”
I like this idea! A story will relax people and trick them into actually listening to you. And it’s fun for the listener as well as the speaker. It will also go a long way into a better explanation than just saying information. Also, it’s what Jesus did!
Sarah J says
7/20/2014 at 9:33 am“Your Mind is always eavesdropping on your self talk”. \O/
What a great reminder to be more positive! :-)
Helen O'Toole says
7/20/2014 at 9:05 pmNothing is forever!
Alina says
7/24/2014 at 11:45 amI was suggested this website by my cousin. I’m not sure
whether this post is written by him as no one else know such
detailed about my difficulty. You’re incredible! Thanks!