Get a bite out of dentistry

I know a man who evolved to spend his professional life working with dentists and orthodontists, though dentistry was never his ambition. I personally think he has already great teeth. He's not a dentist himself, but inadvertently learned about what they do anyway. Funny how life evolves!

After a variety of jobs, he decided he would begin to organize conferences to make his living. I'm unsure exactly why he zeroed in on dental professionals, perhaps he met a dentist he liked? Anyway, he recognized a market and that business was his choice. He was astute at researching which dental professionals were on top of their game, publishing developments and manufacturing technology in the industry. This man learned to persuade people about the benefits of what he had in mind. He invited individual speakers to present their ideas or innovative techniques to a group of peers. The seminar sessions lasted over a few days.

Now, this friend of mine happens to be Irish by birth. Somehow, he met and befriended a Scottish dentist. The Scotsman's popularity as a witty speaker led my friend to repeatedly invite the Scot abroad to participate in dental conferences. This friend of mine arranged the logistics for all his conferences and also introduced the speakers to audiences. His Scottish friend eventually suggested that the abrupt introductions could be improved with practice. So, my friend decided to become involved in Toastmasters (TM) public speaking.

For a long time, he attended TM meetings but only listened. Perhaps he couldn't decide if he really wanted to be there? Yet, as he built up his courage, he began to open his mouth. Much to his surprise, he sharpened skills he didn't know he had.  He developed his confidence and began to incorporate natural humor into his speeches. One thing led to another. The introductions he blended into his dental conference business became noticed. Audiences began to appreciate him so much, that dental professionals began inviting him abroad to speak about the dental industry. His career evolved from being in the background of speakers by choice, to become a major public speaker in their industry. It was unplanned, but most rewarding.

My friend still arranges professional meetings and conferences. Over 25 years experience helped him build a solid reputation in his field. What's really great about his own evolution is that he took steps to develop his inner self. What ensued were a variety of unexpected opportunities for personal growth, including public speaking, local and international travel, and professional networking in a discipline that began to attract him differently than before. He has taught me when you reach out to take risks to learn, life will evolve in ways you can't begin to imagine.

"The person who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing, is nothing, and becomes nothing." ~Leo F. Buscaglia

Comments

[cosmetic dentist in san diego]

That was amazing, I like what he said that when you reach out to take risks to learn, life will evolve in ways you can't begin to imagine. what a wonderful word. Thank you for the post.


-heather-

[Liara Covert]

Heather, many people think what they know about what they do is limited to what they have been told about it. That is in fact, not the case. Each person is only being partly honest about what he or she can do. It is through challenging ourselves to stretch that enables us to grow and truly begin to explore the potential we forgot we had.