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Masters of Success
by Darren LaCroix
2001 World Champion of Public Speaking
Darren was interviewed by David Wright for the upcoming book Masters of Success that was released in the Fall 2005.
(Here is part of Darren's Chapter)
David Wright:
What would you say to someone who wasn't funny, had severe stage fright, and told you they wanted to be a comedian? Darren LaCroix was not a class clown. In fact, in high school he was considered least likely to ever be funny. What is worse, when he told his family about his dream of becoming a comedian, it was the first time they ever laughed at something he said. He wasn't kidding. Not only did he go on to become a professional comedian, but he also took his story all the way to the World Championship of Public Speaking. In 2001, out of 25,000 contestants from 14 countries, Darren LaCroix was crowned the World Champion of Public Speaking. Darren LaCroix, welcome to Masters of Success.
David Wright:
What do you think are the biggest obstacles people face in trying to become successful?
Darren:
That's easy — their own thoughts.
Successful people think differently.
When I asked David Brooks, the 1990 World Champion, for advice, he pointed out that people who've never competed in the speech contest will give you advice that's the exact opposite of the advice given by the people who have won.
We need to learn to think like the people who are successful at whatever it is that we want to be successful at. The thought process comes first; the habits and talents will follow.
When I decided to do stand-up comedy, I went to successful comedians and asked them what is important to them; what is their "thought process."
The World Championship of Public Speaking is a speech contest with six levels. My decision to enter the contest was not to win, but to perfect the stories I was already telling in my keynote speeches. My comedy mentors had taught me it is not about writing new material but perfecting what you have—making it so good that people are willing to pay to hear it. In 2001 I still had a day job and was working hard to market myself as a speaker. I never took time to master my material. I joined the contest to force myself to perfect my own stories.
Many people join the competition with the goal of winning, and when they are not successful they are completely depressed. Many have aspirations of speaking professionally, and probably improve greatly as a result of their hard work and the education they collect along the journey. They see the prize as the trophy. The true prize is their improvement, especially if speaking is what they want to do for a living.
In the speaking world, most bookings come from direct referrals. In other words, someone saw them on stage and said we need that speaker for our company. When I'm hired and paid for speaking it's never because of the beautiful piece of Lucite sitting on my mantlepiece. If people who enter competitions view the trophy as the prize, they should just go down to their local trophy shop and buy one. It's a whole lot less hassle.
After I won the first two levels of the contest, I sought coaching from someone who had won the District competition (level 4). And after I won the Regional competition (level 5), I went to past World Champions and sponged off them.
Later, when I decided to be a master at creating educational tools to teach others what I learned, I went to the best in that category and sponged off them. One of my mentors recommended an audio by someone who was a master at creating educational tools. I got the tape and listened to it over and over, until that presenter's knowledge and wisdom became part of my thought process. Today, most of my income comes from educational tools, and I teach others how to create such tools as well.
Stage time, Stage time, Stage time,
Darren LaCroix
2001 World Champion of Public Speaking
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