Improve a Skill Because Progress is Happiness - Day 4

I am elated right now, having just given my first Toastmaster's speech. I'm flying high... not only because the speech went well but also because I got a lot of excellent constructive criticism.

I know just how a BetterPhoto student feels when one of our pro instructors tells him or her how to improve, along with giving words of encouragement. Feedback can be an awesome thing.

I want to be the best speaker I can be. And now I have a few areas I can focus on, in my efforts to take my public speaking skill up to the next level.

I can't tell you how thrilling this is.

You have to feel it for yourself.

So do this for me now. Fill in the blanks on the following two sentences. (click the "Comments" link below and tell us your answers... or print off this page.)

1. One skill I'd like to improve is:

____________________________________________________________________.

2. One action I can take (within the next 24 hours) to improve this skill is:

____________________________________________________________________.

Examples:

Want to build a more successful, profitable business? Find and get a top-ranked book on marketing.

Want to learn how to do HDR photography? Sign up for a class or buy a DVD.

Want to learn a foreign language? Spend twenty minutes at RosettaStone.com (or investigating another resource).

You don't need to master the skill today. Just take the first step. You'll soon feel as elated as I feel today.

Comments

[Laurie Shupp]

1. One skill I'd like to improve is:
Being able demo software and do webinars better

2. One action I can take (within the next 24 hours) to improve this skill is:
Look into classes or books on this subject

[Gregg Powell]

1. One skill I'd like to improve is:
Improve my organizational skills.

2. One action I can take:
Organize work and home desks. Re-visit the Franklin Covey system.

[Anne McKinnell]

Hi Jim,

Ok, I'm with you!!! One thing I have been wanting to do lately is to keep track of what I am learning in photography and also start to build an audience. One action I can take: finally start that blog!

I did it, yay! Hey, you're right, look, I'm happy :) It's pretty bare bones, but it is a start.

Thanks!

(I linked the blog to my name below.)

I look forward to following how this works out for you and I'll try my best to keep up!

[Jim Miotke]

Thanks Laurie, Anne, and Gregg! You are great friends and I'm so happy to see your comments!

Laurie, in addition to tutorial videos on Camtasia or Breeze or whatever you guys use, I have to say... at the risk of sounding like a crazy TM promoter... you might get a lot out of Toastmasters. I think it's going to help my webinars skill greatly.

Gregg, did I every talk to you about David Allen's "Getting Things Done". I think a combination of Franklin Covey and GTD is the way to go... but I'm still working on finding the perfect system.

Anne, your blog looks awesome. I love that photo in the header! And that is the prettiest bathroom I've ever seen. The men's rooms never look that good :)

[Melissa Heinemann]

One skill I want to improve is: There are so many...Updating my blog on a weekly basis! (I have one...started it 2 years ago...written in it 2 times...so here goes...trying to find it again!!)
I am going to update it tonight before I go to bed!! So, I think you can view it if you click on this...Photos By Sweetpea
http://photosbysweetpea.blogspot.com/?sp
I did it... so let's see what happens!
Thanks Jim!

[Jim Miotke]

The blog (and your studio) look great, Melissa!