What's Your Story

June 20, 2023

It’s been a month since I wrote my last newsletter. (Sounds like a confession.) I took a break to sort out my life, catch my breath, and spend time with my family. I’m glad to be back on track with my writing; it’s something I love to do.

Last Thursday through Saturday, I attended the Speaking Consulting Network (SCN) Annual Summit in Nashville. I arrived Wednesday night at 9:30 pm. I was tired and a bit discouraged having recently faced some disappointments.

After spending three days with my colleagues, I returned home feeling loved, recharged, and rejuvenated. While there, I repeatedly asked myself, “What’s your story?”

The answers I got came from two sources, the awesome speakers, and from the dear colleagues who listened to me, gently offered me their wisdom, and spoke words of encouragement into me.

I relearned that it’s important to “just relax and let your life unfold,” and that the only story that matters is your own. “Be passionate about what you do and live your life, your story, and nobody else’s.” This concept was not new to me, but somehow, I’d forgotten it. My own thinking had been sabotaging me.

On Saturday morning, three song writers, John Morgan, Lydia Vaughan, and Michael Tyler, shared their stories and their songs with us.

They talked about their passion for song writing, and about moving to Nashville with nothing but the “clothes on their backs,” having no formal plans, and no place to live.

All three of them said, “We had no clue what we were doing. The only thing we knew was that we loved country music and wanted to write songs.”

Their stories were real. They talked about their first cockroach-infested apartments and playing at “songwriters roundtables.” They shared funny stories about their less-than-ideal side gigs, waitering, dishwashing, selling their blood, working for Lucky Brand, and doing whatever they needed to do, to make ends meet.

They persevered with determination, their passion for songwriting, and with lots of grit. Eventually people like Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood came into their lives and recognized their talent. From there, their careers took off. Living out their own story had paid off.

Later that day, in her presentation “Follow Your Breadcrumbs,” Frankie Stanton, a singer, songwriter, and pianist, shared stories about her passion, her setbacks, and eventually her success…when she least expected it.

As she “tickled the ivories,” she shared stories about the many restaurants and hotel lobbies she’d played in and how some of her gigs went well and others, not so well.

She shared stories about some of her “not so nice” bosses and said, “Whatever you do, be gentle and kind to everyone, even to those cranky bosses.”

Finally, it happened... one night while she was singing and playing at one of her hotel gigs, Dolly Parton approached her and told her how much she loved her music. Eventually, Frankie ended up playing the keyboard and singing at the Grand Ole Opry.

Lastly, I want to share my own story. At this meeting, I competed in a speaking competition called “Spotlight on Speaking.” I had competed at past summits, 2018 and 2021, and had lost both times.

This time however, I won! I knew it was because of my hard work and my determination, but also because of the lessons I had learned from my past defeats.

With this speech, I spent many more hours writing and rewriting it, more than I ever had in the past. I practiced it and recorded it on Zoom numerous times. I’d watch each recording, pick it apart, reedit it, and rerecord it over and over and over again.

I’d rehearse it in the shower and on many long walks. The week prior to giving the speech, I presented it to my Toastmasters club and got their feedback.

Eventually, the words became implanted in my long-term memory allowing me to focus on and connect with my audience. I knew that I was prepared; I was excited to share my message, my story. I spoke from my heart and left it all on the stage. It was a magical moment.?

From this experience, I learned five lessons.

1. Live your story, pursue your dreams, and never give up.
2. Keep putting out good stuff out and know that it will come back to you.
3. Take chances, try stuff out, and if it doesn’t work, try something else.
4. Whenever you’re feeling discouraged, turn to a friend to help you get back on track.
5. Recognize the blessings of failure and know that they are the steppingstones that will lead you to your success.

So, what’s your story? Go out live it…and have fun!

Wishing you more joy, more fulfillment, and greater financial success.

Rob Maguire

Dr. Robert Maguire, DDS, MASCL had a successful solo private practice in Wolfeboro, NH for twenty-eight years. He also has a master’s degree in strategic communication and leadership. He is now a speaker, author, coach, and a consultant. He loves helping dentists find fulfillment and clean up the chaos and confusion in their dental practices. To learn more about Dr. Maguire and his “hands, head, and heart approach,” visit www.thefulfillment.coach.