Ashley is a young woman with an impressive past of overcoming difficulties and circumstances. She’s been speaking on behalf of a well know youth organization and wants to transition to becoming a speaker in her own right.

She asked me how to make that shift.

There are a number of factors in becoming a successful speaker. Whether you speak as part of your job, part or full-time professionally or simply as a platform to share your ideas, it is essential to identify your most important messages.

I asked Ashley to reflect on the ten most important lessons she’s learned so far that would help her future audiences. From those ten messages, she could design the best keynote she is capable of at this point in her life.

The best presentations are driven by the most important messages the speaker wants to convey.

You can use this same technique when you design a presentation.

I often being with what I call “the never again speech.” I assume that most audiences will never hear me speak again (although I work hard for and have enjoyed many repeat clients over the years).

By assuming this is my only change to share my ideas with them, I identify what I know that can most help them with their present challenges and aspirations. If there’s not going to be a part two, I better be careful in choosing what I share.

There have been so many times that my original design for a presentation has morphed into something completely different. As I started to compare ideas I wanted to share (my needs) to ideas the audience most needed to hear (their needs), my presentation inevitably improved.

But to do that, you need to know your most important messages.

Keep a running list of your 10 MiM so you’ll always know what is most important to share with a child, team member of colleague. Over time what were once primary messages in your work might become secondary as you learn new things.

We all have learned much in our lives but few have mined the lessons.

Mark Sanborn is an award winning speaker and Leadership Expert in Residence at High Point University, the Premier Life Skills University. For more information about his work, visit www.marksanborn.com.