"YOUR PAST WAS PERFECT..."

Motto: "Your past was perfect to get you where you are today."
Reference:  www.peterursbender.com/profile.html

Thank you Mr. Bender.

I had an immediate, personal connection when I read this quotation while researching for today's post featuring the wisdom of  Peter Urs Bender.  This motto so closely echoes my own personal self talk, it gave me pause.  I've added to mine the following, "...therefore, have no regrets for what has happened in your life so far. It is all relevant!"

The experiences of my life have given me the story of who I am.  My past offers the clues to the woman I could be in the future if I choose to take certain paths as they are presented to me -- and, I believe, no matter what age I may be now, there are still many doors remaining to be opened; until the last chapter, new experiences will call to me. 

And about regret; was I foolish at times?  You bet!  I lived on campus in university.  What student can say they did not give in to "foolish" at some point in their four years before or after graduation.  Some of us may have a 30's something story, perhaps not foolish so much as ill advised, in the mix somewhere!  Can't you recall a coming of age story that might curl the hair of your parents (or children for that matter)?   It is all part of the great plan -- it is how we discover our values, our vision, our worth.  Some of us seek the guidance of mentors, teachers, friends, faith leaders and employers.  Some of our most valued experience to set us on the road to success was or will be the failure of a project, the loss of a job, or a best friend's too blunt advice to get our head out of our backsides and get on with it!  Aren't we lucky to have a few friends like that!  These lessons teach us how to lead ourselves, and by extension to lead others and to make the best use of our unique talents.  No part of the journey should be clouded by regret.  Celebrate who you are! Start from here!

Peter Urs Bender has been described as a self-taught leader.  His journey was not without teachers however, as many came into his life because of the smart choices he made along the way.  He had to overcome the challenges of dyslexia to be able to certify as an accountant, to learn English, to achieve success as a salesman.  He did not do it alone, and he had a system that he applied to everything he did in order to guarantee success.

The Dale Carnegie® Training courses and the Toastmasters International membership were life changing decisions that would lead Mr. Bender to a 15 year teaching position at Ryerson University and to documented success as a public speaker and author.  He restates his system for effective communication in all his written work.  The essentials for business presentations are outlined in the text by Guffey, et. al,  as featured in Secrets of Power Presentations.

• Plan
• Research your topic
• Relate to the interests of your audience
• Write
• Customize the message
• Practice
• Practice
• Practice

I wish to acknowledge the work of other Sheridan College Students encountered in my research for this post.  Each of these individual works offer its own approach and I congratulate the authors.  One piece stood out, which I share with you here.  We learn from each other.  Peter Bender endorsed this aspect of learning many times in his own work.  Enjoy and stay tuned for future posts and my interpretation of the wisdom of Peter Urs Bender.
KG

Ref: R. O'Keefe: December 2012 - Sheridan College Business Communications 12423