To celebrate Throwback Thursday, here's an update of a post I wrote in 2008 about marketing motivation for speakers.

It's a review of Rory Vaden's presentation for National Speakers Association Illinois.

Lucky for us, Rory's coming back to Illinois on September 14 to present . . .

"Rich, Famous, and Influential: How to use the power of personal branding to build an empire and make a difference"

Pick up your ticket today. And, share your thoughts with us in the comments.

Why Rory Vaden Takes the Stairs - And So Should You!

At a college preview, a sign said: take the stairs, you’ll get a workout and you’ll save energy. So, we did.

At the mall over the weekend, we tried to take the stairs. But, there are no more stairs. There are only elevators and escalators.

According to Rory Vaden, the world's leading expert, speaker, and author on personal self-discipline, therein lies the problem with a lot of what’s wrong not only with America, but with your business [and maybe your approach to life]: taking shortcuts in attempting to get to the top, a place he knows how to get to - fast.

For a young man under 30, Rory’s realized stellar success already, including being a world champion public speaking finalist – twice –  and leading a movement to be more disciplined.

After years of selling children's books door to door, Rory co-founded a leadership and sales training institute.

Anyone who’s ever sold anything door to door can relate to Rory’s stories.

I have – and I have to say that even though I dreaded knocking on doors, the lessons I learned in becoming the top-seller in high school served me well as an award-winning sales rep a few years later who revitalized two “dead” territories into the company’s hotter markets.

Did I quit?

Yes - I actually resigned from my job.

Did I keep going?

Yes - because my manager saw promise and persistence. With encouragement, and a new territory . . .

Did I get to the top?

Yes - I won the sales leader award, a trip to Hawaii and a new job as a national sales trainer.

I am so glad I kept going!!

Rory graciously agreed to let me share this picture with you as well as my highlights from his talk.

Here, I’ll focus on my takeaways from “Take the Stairs.”

"Successful people aren't born that way. They become successful by establishing the habit of doing things unsuccessful people don't like to do. The successful people don't always like these things themselves; they just get on and do them."
William Makepeace Thackeray

Successful people have the discipline to do the things even when they don’t feel like doing it.

3 Must-Have Habits of Successful Speakers - and Everyone

1 Sacrifice: it’s easy to be disciplined when you’re pursuing something that really matters

Isn’t this so simple and so true? If you’re finding that some things you think you should do aren’t getting done, maybe it’s time to ask yourself if they really matter – to who and to why?

2 Persistence: staying with it and dealing with failure and rejection is part of life

How did you get where you are? Failing is learning is it not?

“Success is never owned, it is only rented and the rent is due every single day. Any commitment made today must be made tomorrow.”  Rory Vaden

3 Action – taking action toward getting what really matters is the difference between people who get what they want out of life and those who stay stuck

One clarifier for me, personally: take action as soon as you can. Do ever delay taking action only to either forget or find it’s too late to be meaningful?

“It doesn't matter what you say. It matters how you act. It’s the person who makes the sacrifice that gets the gift.” Rory Vaden

Professional Speaking in Action

Lewis Howes recently interviewed Rory Vaden on "The School of Greatness" - take a look.

On Being Funny

At the college preview, we did take the elevator when we couldn’t find the stairs.

When we got into the even floor elevator, I said “We’re not on the funny elevator.”

[Rory says odd numbers are funny, even numbers aren’t.]

As my daughter and I smiled, a very distinguished gentleman turned to me and asked, “Where are you from?”

He then introduced himself as the college’s vice president.

Would we have met him if I wasn’t trying to be funny? Probably not. Thanks Rory!

Wondering what happened to that college student?

She's now a successful social media marketer. And, I am one proud mom!

Your Turn

How important is discipline to what you do?

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