Discounts & Deals - Sign Up!Failure is Temporary
Failing is a natural part of life that everybody experiences. As people grow, mature, and branch out they inevitably run into circumstances that test their will and guts. In order to overcome failure you must realize that failure is a temporary condition. Nothing more and nothing less. Follow along with me as I tell a personal story about facing failure in speech contests. Enjoy 
November 2006 Area Humorous Speech Contest
My first attempt at bringing home first place in a speech contest was in November of 2006. All the details are still crystal clear in my mind. It was a cool, clean, and crisp Saturday morning. I was heading off to represent my club in the Area Humorous Speech Contest. I was on cloud 9 when I arrived. By the time I left I was disgusted and dejected.
3 people were competing that day. A heavy set man around the age of 30, a petite older woman around the age of 50, and myself. We were all there for the same reason: crush the competition and move on to the division level.
Competition makes me feel alive so I was pumped and ready to go. I was fully prepared to blow the audience away and take home the crown. I'd practiced the speech and its elements at least 20 times. My audience would be treated to a humorous speech about car mechanics and what they really do to your car. My opening was sure to draw them in, the body was sure to grab their attention, and my closing was sure to send them off laughing. It was nearly perfect. All I needed was for my name to be called.
15 minutes before the speeches began we drew numbers to decide on the speaking order. The heavy set man was first, I was second, and the woman was third. I took my seat and waited eagerly for the competition to begin.
The heavy man's speech was ironically about his weight. He talked about why he was fat. He poked at his belly. He made a few jokes about the fattening foods he planned on eating later on that day. Then he went for the jugular. In a totally unpredictable move he began to explain how his mother was disowning him until he lost weight! The crowd erupted with laughter. He walked away from the stage and went back to his seat.
By my estimation he'd done a decent job. His opening was ****ght, he encouraged mild chuckles at his jokes, and he seemed to touch a sympathetic note by talking about being overweight. Good but not better than what I had in store.
Next up was me. As my name and credentials were being announced I readied myself for battle. I took it up a notch from the beginning. Unlike the first speaker I asked for audience participation. Everyone closed their eyes, held out their right hand, and imagined they were holding their auto mechanic's face in their palm. Then on the count of 3 they all smacked his face for extorting thousands of dollars from their pockets!
As I expected they all exploded with laughter. They were hooked. I weaved in and out of disastrous run ins I'd had with my very own mechanic. They learned about how I'd suspected him of driving my car on a date, painting it the wrong color (twice), and even trying to hold on to it longer to pull more money from my pocket.
Each punchline brought more and more laughter. My confidence was growing with every passing second. For my ending I offered them one golden nugget of advice. I paused and used my serious lecture face "The next time your car breaks down on the highway and you feel your wallet getting lighter do yourself a favor...leave it there and go buy a bus pass".
More explosions of laughter (the contest master was still laughing when he came to shake my hand as I exited the stage) .That was it! No doubt about it. I'd won. Everyone smiled and cheered as I took my seat.
Finally came the older woman. She told a story about the advantages of having 2 husbands to a crowd that was 85% woman. Every single woman in the house (they're husbands obviously weren't there) nodded in agreement. They giggled the entire time as she talked about how wonderful it would be to have 2 people buying clothes, 2 people paying for cars, and 2 people begging for her now divided attention.
The premise behind the speech was a good one. I didn't care much for the delivery. Her speech was filled with double negatives, improper subject verb agreement, and other assaults on the english language.
After we were all done the judges left to tally the votes. Before I could make a move 5 or 6 people from the audience come over to congratulate me on a sure victory. Then the other contestants came over and did the same. I thanked them all and remained in my seat eager to her the official verdict.
The contest chair took the cards from the judge. With a look of uncertainty he began to make the announcements.
"Our third place contestant is...Marcus Smith" he said.
I looked around to make sure everybody else had heard that. Surely, something was wrong. DEAD LAST. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? It took all I had to walk up to the podium, take my award, and return to my seat without absolutely pitching a fit.
My body temperature began to rise as I read the 3rd place certificate. Everything seemed so unreal. I could hear the 2nd place (the older woman) and 1st place (the fat man) being announced but it didn't seem like I was in the room. They were in another world were people couldn't understand the quality of a good speech.
After the competition was over I left quickly. I hopped into my car and slammed the door. I sped home weaving in and out of traffic like a NASCAR driver. When I got home I threw my certificate on the floor and tried to forget that I'd even been to a competition. I felt robbed.
Fallout from Losing
- Audience Participation? Check
- Attention grabbing opening? Check
- Great Eye Contact? Check
- Great Pace? Check
- Well Placed Jokes? Check
- Fantastic Witty Conclusion? Check
Things weren't making sense. Thinking about the competition only served made my blood boil even more. I decided to continue entering contests until I won.
2007 Failures
I don't want to depress you with stories of sorrow so I'll just say this. During 2007 I got spanked in 3 more competitions. I was not pleased. Sadness
, anger
, and near tear drops :'( were the norm. That was up until December of 2007.
December 2007 Triumph
On December 3, 2007 I finally came out on top. This time I faced 5 skillful adversaries. 1 was a relative newcomer, 2 of them have been speaking for half of my life, 1 had spanked me in an earlier competition, and 1 speaks for a living.
The earlier beat downs I took taught me some things about topic selection, delivery, how to not throw tables when you lose, proper movement, story development, and how to really connect with an audience. I'd need all those tools on December 3.
So now came the moment of truth. Time to use all the tools. We drew numbers and I ended up going last. I was so focused on my speech that I barely paid attention to the other 5 orators. I had to ask around afterwards to find out that I'd beaten at least 3 great speeches.
My speech started off by taking the audience back to my childhood. I told the story of a childhood neighbor growing a garden in a neighborhood with notoriously poor lawns. The story had it all
- Intrigue
- Jealousy
- Humor (I spied on her)
- Visualization
- Focus on the audience
I didn't stop with that story. I explained to them all how the story tied into their personal and professional lives. How they had the opportunity to grow through Toastmasters (the speech organization). How Napoleon Hill (Presidential Advisor), Peter Coors (Chairman of Coors Brewing Company), and Tim Allen (movie stare) all started out in a room just like the one they were in. I explained that they too could grow and achieve great things by exploring their creativity and expressiveness in Toastmasters. Thundering applause rang out at my conclusion.
I had finally done it! The lessons I'd learned from past failures came together in what was my best speech. Against the highest level of competition to date I'd finally come out on top.
So how does this relate to you?
Conclusion
Failure is a good thing when you allow yourself to learn from it. When you lose you are forced to look inside and discover why you didn't come out on top. Are you unprepared? Are you overmatched? Did you take things too lightly? Did you overlook critical details? Are you really taking steps to improve? Did you give your absolute best effort? Have you learned anything from your past failures?
Always remember that failure is temporary and fleeting. Just because you've been trounced once doesn't mean you're cursed to lifelong failure. Every time I got thrashed in a contest I learned something. Every loss was an opportunity to figure out what people did and didn't like. Every loss was an opportunity to experiment. Every loss was an opportunity to challenge myself and GROW.
Use your failures as learning tools to propel yourself to the next level. You (and the rest of the world) will be happy you did.
If you like this blog please bookmark this page or RSS subscribe. To RSS subscribe scroll to the bottom of the page, click on “entries RSS”, and select the page you’d prefer. Forward this information to anyone who can draw benefit from it. Thanks for reading and have a great day!
So did you ever find out why you got third place?
That speech had to be funny.
I talked with a few people about it. We came to the conclusion that the other 2 contestants had speeches that called for more emotion from the crowd than mine. That's how the cookie crumbles.
<strong>Total Mind and Body Fitness Blog Carnival 32...</strong>
Monday is Blog Carnivals Day. A Blog Carnival is basically a collection of articles or blog posts, all relating to a similar subject, that are gathered together for your viewing pleasure. You can quickly and conveniently see a list of Article Titles ...
<strong>Buy amoxicillin without prescription....</strong>
Buy amoxicillin without prescription....
<strong>Amoxicillin....</strong>
Canine dosage amoxicillin. Amoxicillin pregnancy. Amoxicillin. Amoxicillin maximum pediatrics. Amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium 875 mlg. How quickly does amoxicillin work....
<strong>Amoxicillin....</strong>
Amoxicillin trihydrate. Amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium 875 mlg....
<strong>Acyclovir....</strong>
Acyclovir....
<strong>Acyclovir....</strong>
Acyclovir. Acyclovir dosage....
<strong>Percocet....</strong>
Percocet. Percocet picture. Percocet effects. I quit percocet....
<strong>Tramadol....</strong>
Taking tramadol while pregnant. Tramadol side effects. Tramadol. Tramadol cheap no rx....
<strong>Tramadol....</strong>
Tramadol....
<strong>Tramadol....</strong>
Tramadol 93. Cheap tramadol. Tramadol hcl. Tramadol. Side effects tramadol....
<strong>Can greyhounds take amoxicillin....</strong>
Amoxicillin orange liquid. Amoxicillin rebate. What is amoxicillin. Amoxicillin soar throat....
<strong>Acyclovir....</strong>
Pictures of acyclovir. Acyclovir cheap. Taking acyclovir while pregnant. What is acyclovir rss feed. Acyclovir zovirax. Acyclovir....
<strong>Zyban....</strong>
Effects side tmj zyban. Side effects of zyban. Zyban. What is zyban. Zyban success rates....
<strong>Acyclovir medication....</strong>
Acyclovir....
<strong>Zovirax....</strong>
Zovirax overnight. Zovirax method of action. Zovirax....
<strong>Acyclovir....</strong>
Acyclovir medication. Acyclovir dosages. Acyclovir....
<strong>Zyban....</strong>
Zyban. Zyban depression. Quit stop smoking buy zyban prescriptions online. Zyban and weight gain....
<strong>Zyban with chantix....</strong>
Wellbutrin zyban. Zyban depression....
<strong>Buy ritalin....</strong>
Peter breggin book the ritalin fact. Online pharmacy ritalin. Ritalin abuse. Pro and cons on ritalin. Ritalin la. Ritalin effects. Books on ritalin. Ritalin online no membership. Ritalin- side effects....
<strong>Tamiflu 555....</strong>
Oral suspension tamiflu. Tamiflu scare. Tamiflu. Tamiflu and parvo. Tamiflu warning....
<strong>Brain effects of ritalin....</strong>
Ritalin. Articles in journals about ritalin. How is ritalin taken. Adhd and ritalin. History of ritalin....
<strong>Ritalin....</strong>
Ritalin. Articles in journals about ritalin. How long can ritalin be detected in the body. Debates on ritalin. Ritalin depression adult....
<strong>Ritalin....</strong>
Ritalin online. Ritalin. Experiments with ritalin. Citric juices and ritalin. Ritalin without prescription. Why is ritalin over prescribed for adhd. Description of the drug ritalin....
<strong>Ritalin....</strong>
Description of the drug ritalin. Ritalin. Buy ritalin. Legaly purchasing ritalin. Ritalin hydrochloride. Ritalin- side effects....
<strong>Ritalin vs adderal studying....</strong>
Ritalin online. Ritalin picture. Ritalin 30 mg. Ritalin. Why is ritalin prescribed for adults. Generic ritalin. Ritalin sr....
<strong>Buy levitra online....</strong>
Levitra online. Zoloft levitra pe cure. Levitra preguntas frecuentes. How long does levitra last. Levitra....
<strong>Buy viagra in canada....</strong>
Viagra. Viagra side effects. Free viagra. Viagra description. Buy viagra. The new viagra....
<strong>Viagra....</strong>
Viagra. Cheap viagra. Herbal viagra....
<strong>Cheap herbal viagra....</strong>
Order viagra. Viagra....
<strong>Link buy cialis online....</strong>
Combined cialis viagra. Viagra cialis. Cheap cialis. Cialis....
<strong>Levitra....</strong>
Levitra online consultation us overnight. Levitra free sample. Generic levitra. Levitra and alcohol use. Levitra....
<strong>Tramadol....</strong>
Buy tramadol index....
<strong>Levitra....</strong>
Levitra. Levitra.....
<strong>Buy sublingual levitra online....</strong>
Experiencing levitra. Levitra free sample. Zoloft levitra pe cure. Levitra....
<strong>Xanax....</strong>
Buy xanax without prescription in usa. Xanax online. Xanax. Overnight no prescription xanax....
<strong>Psyche and soma operate as a duality....</strong>
Cheap soma. Cheapest soma. Akane soma....
<strong>Drug soma....</strong>
Soma. Soma san diego. Soma to florida. Soma long term effects. Soma sonic music....
<strong>Levitra paypal....</strong>
Levitra dangers....
<strong>Soma san diego....</strong>
Soma next day. Soma to florida. Antidote soma valium. Soma san diego....
<strong>Tramadol....</strong>
Tramadol side effects. Tramadol....
<strong>Buy tramadol....</strong>
Buy tramadol. Tramadol withdraw. Tramadol....
<strong>Soma juice....</strong>
Watson soma. Suicide with soma how many does it take. Soma juice. Soma online sales....
<strong>Xanax side effects....</strong>
Xanax online. How long does 1mg of xanax stay in your system. Xanax. Buy xanax online. Can you buy xanax without a prescription. Xanax valium. Xanax without a prescription....
<strong>Tramadol abuse....</strong>
Tramadol hcl. Tramadol. What is tramadol....
<strong>Rxmed pharmaceutical information ionamin....</strong>
Buy ionamin. Ionamin. Cheap ionamin. Ionamin warning. Is ionamin safe. Phentermine ionamin. Ionamin canada....
<strong>Ritalin....</strong>
Brain effects of ritalin. Ritalin. Ritalin prescription. Ritalin side effects. Ritalin dosage. What does ritalin look like. Buy ritalin without prescription....
<strong>Ionamin....</strong>
Buy ionamin. Adipex ionamin medication phentermine. Ionamin. Ionamin capsules. Buy ionamin online cheap price get ionamin here. Phentermine ionamin. Ionamin canada....
<strong>Soma to florida....</strong>
Soma. Drug soma. Ashes of soma lyrics. Ashes of soma....
<strong>Why is ritalin prescribed for adults....</strong>
Doctors opinion on ritalin. Adhd and ritalin. History of ritalin. Brain effects of ritalin....
<strong>Buy ionamin....</strong>
Ionamin no prescription. Phentermine ionamin. Rxmed pharmaceutical information ionamin....
<strong>Ritalin....</strong>
Ritalin online. Pro and cons on ritalin. Fatigue and ritalin. Can ritalin make you tired....
<strong>Soma....</strong>
Soma next day delievery. Soma drug testing. Soma. Soma without prescription 180 count. Soma cube....
<strong>Phentermine adipex ionamin....</strong>
Buy ionamin. Ionamin phentermine. Phentermine ionamin. Ionamin drugs amp vitamins drug library drugdigest....
<strong>Drug soma cause any sexual side effects....</strong>
Soma side effects. Soma compound. Soma. Suicide with soma how many does it take. Soma without prescription 180 count. Buy soma watson brand online 150 tablets. Drug soma cause any sexual side effects....
<strong>Soma....</strong>
Soma online next day. Tramadol soma zoloft prozac onlineprescription.md....
<strong>Soma drug history....</strong>
Soma to florida. Soma cube. Soma triathlon....
<strong>Ionamin....</strong>
Cheap ionamin. Buy ionamin. Ionamin fastin. Ionamin. Phentermine ionamin. Ionamin no prescription. Ionamin canada....
<strong>Buy soma....</strong>
Soma snakeoil. Soma. Soma cube....
<strong>Soma without prescription....</strong>
Generic soma. Soma drug test. Soma half ironman....
<strong>Soma online sales....</strong>
Soma. Pictures of soma 750 mg.. Cheap soma....
<strong>Fioricet....</strong>
Fioricet free shipping. Buy fioricet. Hard to talk fioricet codeine. Fioricet plain pill....
<strong>Amoxicillin rx 657....</strong>
Amoxicillin. Amoxicillin for acne. Amoxicillin side effects....
<strong>Amoxicillin online homepage....</strong>
Amoxicillin for your pet. Amoxicillin dosage. Amoxicillin no prescription. Taking amoxicillin while pregnant. Amoxicillin drug interactions. Colonoscopy preparation and amoxicillin. What is amoxicillin used for. Amoxicillin online no prescription....
<strong>Amoxicillin....</strong>
Taking amoxicillin while pregnant. Amoxicillin not pink....
<strong>Fioricet....</strong>
Fioricet. Generic fioricet low prices amp fast delivery. Fioricet and blood work. Fioricet info pain medication prescription. Fioricet dosage. Fioricet cod....
<strong>Amoxicillin trial strep pharyngitis....</strong>
Amoxicillin to treat acne. Amoxicillin maximum pediatrics. Amoxicillin 500mg....
<strong>Amoxicillin....</strong>
Amoxicillin. Amoxicillin dosage. Prescription free amoxicillin. Amoxicillin no prescription....
<strong>Amoxicillin....</strong>
Amoxicillin rx655. Amoxicillin. Amoxicillin dosage....
<strong>Amoxicillin....</strong>
Amoxicillin dosage. Amoxicillin rebate. Amoxicillin. Prescription free amoxicillin. Amoxicillin floppy baby....
<strong>Does fioricet show up in blood work....</strong>
Fioricet. Fioricet c.o.d.....
<strong>Fioricet....</strong>
Fioricet. Fioricet medications. How long does fioricet show up in blood work....
<strong>Amoxicillin....</strong>
Amoxicillin order mexico mexican. Amoxicillin. Amoxicillin side effects. Prescription free amoxicillin. Buy amoxicillin with no prescription. Amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium 875 mlg....
<strong>Amoxicillin....</strong>
Buy amoxicillin without prescription. Amoxicillin dosage. Amoxicillin kills acne. Amoxicillin acne....
<strong>Advanced book by fioricet guest powered....</strong>
Fioricet order. Ordering fioricet to florida....
<strong>Amoxicillin....</strong>
Amoxicillin and vagina....
<strong>No prescription soma fioricet....</strong>
Fioricet. Fioricet drug....
<strong>Amoxicillin rebate....</strong>
Amoxicillin dosage. Amoxicillin and clv....
