Typically I try to avoid writing broadly on the idea of ‘success’.
To me, the concept is talked about so much that it becomes bland.

Recently, I was asked by another emerging speaker for some tips on how to improve her professional speaking success. Instead of talking broadly, I started listing a bunch of things I regularly did that have helped me get results.

I wear the same outfit every time I speak.
I don’t eat anything for two hours before I speak.
I record every speech on my video camera.
I ask for written feedback from the group so that I can read it afterward.

I review the video of my talk myself even though it makes me cringe.



It was then I realized just how much of what I do is a system.

In fact, I would say that my emerging success as a speaker is only happening because I’ve started to develop a system. My system.

I know this is obvious.

Those people who excel at something have a daily, weekly, and monthly system they follow that guides their actions. Through their system, they get results almost by default.

But here’s the most interesting thing: it’s their system. It’s unique to them. 
It might have elements of other people’s systems, but they have made their own version.

I think that is the key point: if you want to grow your success in any area, you need a system that works for you. It must be designed by you, and work with your life.

Because of the abundance of knowledge and ideas we have available today, it can be tempting to think we have to do everything just like another person does. But the reality is what works for them won’t work exactly for you.

The challenge is knowing what to do, and what not to do for yourself.

I believe this comes down to one thing: you must test. If you try something several times and it works for you, then keep doing it. If it doesn’t then try something else.

You must take the time and effort to develop your own systems of achievement. Your routines and habits can be very different to others and still gain you success in your own way.

Your system only works for you.
Test it, tune it, and trust in it.