I’m not even sure where to begin or, really, how to write today’s post.
I had an experience last week that I am at a loss for words to explain.
As a Christian I believe that God is speaking to me through this experience and that he is calling me to something but I’m not sure what.
I know that not everyone reading this believes as I do but I encourage you to read to the end and then comment if you wish.
As you may or may not know I am building my own speaking business around the topic of courage. It is something I battle everyday as I wonder if I’m good enough and wonder why anybody would want to hear what I have to say.
I have a plaque on my wall in my office. It’s the verse Joshua 1:9 which says, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Each day I pray for glimmers of hope and nudges from the Holy Spirit that I am to continue this path that I believe God has called me to. I have conversations almost daily with people who express their fears and anxieties about being good enough or meeting others expectations and staying stuck rather than having the courage to step out in faith. I know that my topic is relevant in today’s world. I just wrestle with whether or not I’m one to tackle the topic.
While I don’t get those glimmers and nudges everyday, or even every week, I do get them often enough to be encouraged to continue.
However, I also hear those subtle voices telling me to stop because I’m not good enough. There is no substance to what I have to say so I should quit. I do hear those voices every day.
Every once in a while God realizes I’m kind of a slow learner and he needs to whack me upside the head to get my attention to keep going. That’s what happened, again, last week.
Last November a good friend offered me the gift of registration to Michael Hyatt’s Platform Conference. This is a conference for people like me who are building a platform to share with the world. My platform is on courage.
I’m guessing there were 200-250 people at this conference. It was amazing. I met so many great people and gathered such great information from amazing speakers.
Several times each day they gave away door prizes. In order to win you had to be tweeting about the conference and they would give the prizes to people who sent out those tweets.
I have a twitter account but I’m not very active and still struggle to see the value in it. I tried tweeting to be eligible but would miss information while I slowly tapped out my tweet. I gave up on the first morning believing the information I was missing was too valuable to miss.
As a result, I wouldn’t be winning any door prizes.
On the final day of the conference they were giving away a registration to Ken Davis’s Launch Conference. This conference is designed to help speakers and authors launch their business or their product or both.
It’s a conference I have always said I would love to attend someday, if, my business ever got big enough to where I could afford it.
As I looked around the room I saw many people I had met during the conference who were already highly successful with their platforms. I assumed someone like that would win this great prize.
On the plus side, winning didn’t require a tweet so I at least had a chance.
As the conference was coming to a close, the emcee, Joy, went to the front of the room to announce the winner.
She said this prize was valued at $2,000 and so she wanted the winner to really make a lot of noise to equal the value of the prize.
She read the name of the winner.
Dave Cornell.
I sat in stunned silence and disbelief. This was more than a glimmer of hope or a nudge. This was a smack upside the head. Keep going. Your message has value. You are making a difference for others.
The Launch Conference was held last week in Orlando and it was amazing. This conference is designed to help speakers with the business side of speaking to build a lasting career.
Just as with the Platform Conference there were great presenters and great material that will help me as I grow. Comedian and author Ken Davis, Dan Miller, author of 48 Days to the Work You Love, and Danny DeArmas, Ken’s former manager and the creator of the system used to grow Ken’s business exponentially were the main presenters.
Because there were only about thirty people in attendance it allowed for time to visit one on one with each of these amazing and successful men. Each of them was incredibly humble and just wanted to help me and everyone else in attendance. What a great experience.
Throughout this conference they gave away door prizes as well; more books, dvds, audio tapes, coaching sessions and more. I tweeted more this time but didn’t win anything.
At the end they were giving away a registration to the Ken Davis SCORRE Conference. This is designed to help you really fine tune your speaking skills and fine tune your message to have the greatest impact.
This is another bucket list Item I hope to get to someday but now is not the time financially.
Again, Joy was the emcee of this event and she took the stage to select the winner. She called Ken up to the stage as well to select the winner.
Ken reached into the pile of names to come up with the name of one “lucky” person.
He unfolded the paper and read the name.
Dave Cornell.
Again, I sat in stunned silence and disbelief, another whack on the side of the head. Keep going. Your message has value. You are making a difference for others.
Coincidence? Luck? I don’t think so. I’m not sure what God is up to but I believe with all my heart that God’s hand is directing this. I believe he has something he wants to do through me.
I believe he has something he wants to do through each one of us if we are willing to listen, if we are willing to be strong and courageous and step out in faith.
Do you have the courage to listen?
Ephesians 3:20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.
Have a STRONG and COURAGEOUS day!
I’m jealous.
I have no comeback, Ron! I would be as well if the roles were reversed!
That’s fantastic Dave! Congrats on the two “wins”!
I decided to invest in myself/my business last year (2014) and attended the Launch and SCORRE conferences. Both were amazing. I learned a ton and also met some great people whom I still follow and stay in contact with through today.
I’m hoping to attend the Platform conference this year and complete the trifecta. Looks like you’ll get that achievement before me. 🙂
Jennifer, I’m glad to hear you’ve done both Launch and SCORRE already! You will find the Platform Conference to be of great benefit as well. I’m just amazed at how giving all of these people are who are running these conferences. They really are all about helping others!
I was glad to be there and witness the Giveaway you received. As I got to meet with you that week, you do have a message that needs to be shared. Thank you for sharing your life with Lori and I.
Thank you, Barry! I am still in shock at winning the prize. I appreciate your words of encouragement and wish you and Lori well in your journey as well!
Dave, you always have been remarkable.
Isn’t it funny that we never give ourselves the credit or the confidence we deserve. We were taught to be humble, and sometimes that translates into we are not good enough.
So I am saying to you Dave, you are a remarkable person and this truly is your calling. Go out there and teach everyone how to be courageous for themselves and others.
Patti, Thank you for your encouraging words.
I wholeheartedly agree with you that we all sell ourselves short. That’s one of the messages I try to get across when I speak. We are all far more capable than what we give ourselves credit for.
Your comment on humility and not good enough is something with which I really resonate!
It’s always so good to hear from you, Patti!
Congratulations, Dave!
The best part of all of this is that you are hearing… and listening! I am excited for you (and Amy) that you are pressing on to meet the goal and gain the prize.
Blessings,
Cindy
Thank you, Cindy! All too often I hear but I don’t listen. I’m working on it!
Love. This. Post. So glad you’ll be with us at SCORRE. 🙂
Thank you for taking the time to read and comment, Joy! Even though I won’t be there until the October session I can’t wait to get there! I look forward to being challenged and encouraged by you and your team. You all are such an amazing blessing to so many!
so excited for you! SCORRE was amazing! you will love it! I have your note to me taped to my huge whiteboard in my officE! You’ll be with me every step of the way while building my platform!
Tina, thank you so much for your encouraging words! I have heard so many
great things about the SCORRE conference so I can’t wait to get there
in October! I pray my words are an encouragement to you to move forward
in spite of your fear knowing you will make a dramatic difference in the
lives of those you speak to and, even more importantly, that God will
be with you wherever you go!