Speaking Is Not Always Easy

// May 18th, 2011 // Drinking & Driving

Hey Everyone, sorry it’s been awhile since I have posted anything. Life has been pretty crazy lately. Recently I was let go from my job as a Customer Service Associate with Columbia Fuels. I started with them in the fall of 2007 and advised them that I would need time off periodically to present and it was not a problem. Well before I was let go recently, I was advised by my manager that it was a different company I would have to choose, my job with them or my speaking. Well that was a no brainer. My life is my speaking and if the company I work for can’t accept that and work with me then it is their lose as I am one great loyal employee. So lucky for me I was able to travel to the states for three weeks and work with the Connecticut Burns Care Foundation. I have been speaking more here in BC with ICBC but that will slowly come to a season end here in a few weeks.

So now I am faced with the challenge of getting a job that will allows me the flexibility to have time to speak when needed. I must say I have had a few interviews this week and last week and now I wait with crossed fingers to see if they call me back for a second interview.

I must say that doing the speaking is very challenging while working fulltime. One thing I discovered is that it takes dedication to do this. Sometimes I feel it would be easier to just give it up and get a fulltime job and not do the speaking at all. Wow this would free up so much of my time and I could get a fulltime job where I wouldn’t have to worry about taking tme off to speak. The more I think about it the more I consider it. If it wasn’t for the fact that I know I have and will continue to, help so many people, I just might stop. I can’t stop though because it means too much to me. I will just have to stop and breath and refocus and keep at it.

Yesterday I had a great day. I spoke in the morning at Langley Secondary School to a great audience. The students were great and had some great questions after. I then went for a run in the evening with Leanne and Karen from ICBC. We ran 4.2 miles with a great view of the water and down through Whiterock. Thanks girls for the company on such a beautiful night for running.

Today I spoke at Yale Secondary School in Abbottsford, BC. This school was great as well and the students were wonderful. You can tell you really reach the students by the feedback and great questions they have. I really appreciate my contract with ICBC which funds these school presentations when the schools can’t afford them.

Now I am back on the ferry heading back home till my next presentation next week at LA Matheson Secondary School.