Teenagers have more questions than answers. I was no different. When I was in high school, I loved to read history books. I’d often, lay across my bed—peering through my gold wire-rim granny glasses—and ask myself the same question: “How can I make a difference?” I wanted to impact many lives…to make a difference!
My first dream job was to be a teacher—to follow in the family business. My parents were university professors (they both taught at Southern University in Baton Rouge, LA for more than three decades). So, when I was in elementary school, I wanted to be a history teacher. Teachers can make a difference!
Then, as a high school senior my father saw me struggling to pick a college major. “Roz, what do you like to do,” he asked. “I like to write,” I said. Then Daddy said, “You should major in journalism”. So, I spent the next eight years chasing that dream. I wrote for my college newspaper and covered higher education as a newspaper reporter in Charlotte, NC. Then I realized I liked writing, but I didn’t love writing! Journalism was not my dream job.
Have you ever found yourself doing something that pays your bills but doesn’t feed your passion? I found myself doing that more times than I care to recount. I spent more than 20 years in corporate communications—churning out monthly newsletters and helping company executives craft messages—before I realized I liked corporate communications, but I didn’t love it. Being an internal communications writer/editor was not my dream job, either.
I kept looking for a job that lit the fire of passion in my belly. Then, in the spring of 2003, I fell in love. When I joined the Darden Toastmasters Club, I discovered the sweet joy of writing and delivering speeches. For nine years, public speaking was my side passion. But life has a way of putting you on the right path.
In 2012, I retired from Darden’s corporate communications team. A year later, I hit the dream job lottery. In 2013, I became a public speaking coach and started my own business communications training company, Better Speaking Skills. Now, I make a difference and impact lives.
How do I make a difference? One coaching client and presentation audience at a time. I’m on a mission to change each client and audience in three ways. I use my 3-D (distinctive, dynamic, delivery) coaching philosophy to help business executives, especially women:
- DISTINCTIVE – Bring your distinctive or unique skills, talent and strengths into your presentations.
- DYNAMIC – Craft a dynamic presentation that touches hearts and moves your audience to take action.
- DELIVERY – Deliver a message supercharged with your passion, power and personality.
Can your day dreams come true? Yep. My day dream came true. Now, I coach, present, and share tips, tools and techniques to help you make a difference in your company, community and the world! I’m living my dream!
To check out my power-packed training videos and easy-to-use presentation tips, subscribe to the Better Speaking Skills newsletter at https://betterspeakingskills.us/
