Becoming a keynote speaker

I’ve seen a lot of keynote speakers. The best ones all have something in common. They have a great story. I’ve seen professional athletes and people that have overcome tragedy in life. I’ve seen adventure racers and leading executives from companies that have changed the world. I’ve seen every type of leader, inspirational speaker and winner, and you might think…that’s not me. You haven’t had to make a life or death decision, or led a team or company to greatness. You’re not a keynote speaker.
​
But you could be.

Life lessons aren’t just learned when you’re trapped on a ledge in the Andes mountains. You don’t need to have a billion dollar company to make important decisions. Deciding whether to change your children’s school by moving, or whether you’re going to leap from your current career to another can be a major story because the people in your audience can learn from it. That’s the key, can your story teach a lesson that will resonate with an audience, and can you tell it in a way that engages them?
How do you build your keynote story?

1. Take an inventory of your life experiences
   1. Look for moments that were difficult or meaningful to you
   2. Review and document why they were meaningful and any lessons learned
   3. Decide on an overriding theme for your talk based on your stories
2. Look for themes that can connect 3 or 4 of your life experiences
3. Order your experience stories in a way that builds in meaning or excitement
4. Define your summary that teaches a major lesson based on your experiences
5. Work with a coach, confidant, colleague or friend to create a 45 minute talk with any supporting audio or visuals that showcase your personality and style.

​
Everyone has experiences that have taught lessons, and your life has taught you many that can be helpful to others. The key is to find a theme that is both educational and interesting and hone your skills to create and tell that story.