When you think of professional speakers, you might imagine people who always knew they wanted to be on stage. But for Dr. Will Moreland, speaking wasn’t part of the plan – it was an unexpected calling. Today on Adventures in Business, he’s sharing his inspiring story of becoming a globally recognized speaker, his 4 P’s for success that got him there, and the habits any aspiring speaker should start today.
A Speaker by Accident
Dr. Will didn’t set out to be a speaker. In his early twenties, he was inspired by personal development legends like Jim Rohn, Zig Ziglar, and Les Brown but had no idea that professional speaking was an actual career. People invited him to share his story – his journey from being a teenager in Compton, California to turning his life around – and he obliged, often receiving nothing more than a gas card or a meal as compensation.
It wasn’t until a friend showed him a $3,500 check for a one-hour speaking engagement that he realized speaking could be a real profession. That led him to a speakers’ conference in Los Angeles, where he discovered an entire industry of people making a living by sharing their expertise. Thirteen years later, he’s never looked back.
Leadership and Sales: The Art of Decision-Making
One of Dr. Will’s biggest lessons in leadership and sales is understanding how people make decisions. When coaching leaders, he talks about the importance of guiding people toward making choices they feel good about.
In sales, this means shifting your language. Instead of asking, Do you have any questions? – which invites potential buyers to find flaws in your pitch – he suggests leading with, What would it take for you to get this product? What has to happen?
The 4 P’s of Success with Dr. Will Moreland
Success isn’t just about talent or luck – it’s about being intentional with your environment, mindset, and daily habits. Dr. Will Moreland breaks this down into his 4 P’s of Success that got him where he is today: Places, People, Perspective, and Practices.
1. Places
The environments we spend time in shape our experiences and opportunities. Dr. Moreland shares that growing up in Compton, California, he spent time in places that led to trouble. But when he started going to football practice instead of hanging out at the park, his entire trajectory shifted. Changing where you spend your time can open new doors and lead to better opportunities.
2. People
It’s often said that birds of a feather flock together. When Dr. Moreland changed his places, he naturally changed his social circle. Instead of being surrounded by negativity, he found himself around teammates who had goals, discipline, and a vision for their future. The people you surround yourself with will either elevate or limit your potential.
3. Perspective
Your surroundings and influences directly impact how you see the world. In the wrong environment, Dr. Moreland had a “me against the world” mindset. But once he started surrounding himself with goal-oriented people, his perspective shifted – he saw opportunities, teamwork, and the possibility of success. Perspective influences decisions, and when you see new possibilities, you start making better choices.
4. Practices
Success isn’t about one-time effort – it’s about consistent habits. Dr. Moreland says that once he changed his places, people, and perspective, he also had to change his daily practices. Instead of sleeping in or wasting time, he focused on personal development, reading, and taking intentional steps toward success. Your habits shape your results, and the small things you do daily will determine where you end up.
Advice for Aspiring Speakers from Dr. Will Moreland
Practice Like a Pro
Dr. Moreland says that practice isn’t just important – it’s everything. Just like Kobe wouldn’t stop shooting until he made 1,000 baskets, speakers have to approach their craft the same way.
A great speech follows a simple three-part structure: the opening, the body, and the closing. Dr. Moreland says speakers should focus on their opening every single day, experimenting with different ways to engage various audiences. Then, visualize different crowd dynamics – because what works for one audience may not resonate with another.
Surround Yourself with Excellence
Dr. Will says you need to spend time with those at the next level of success. If you’re charging $5K per speech, connect with those making $10K or $15K. Learning from their experiences, habits, and mindset will accelerate your growth.
Execute
When a fitness trainer or doctor recommends a training or diet plan, they can tell when people aren’t following the plan. Why? Because if you follow the system, you’ll see results.
When coaching aspiring speakers, Dr. Will can quickly tell who is dedicated simply by whether they implement what they’re taught. You’ve got to execute the plan and keep going.
Dr. Will on a Selling Mindset
Dr. Will follows a personal rule of 40 sales activities per week. He draws from Stephen Covey’s Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, and starts with the end in mind. For him, that end goal is booking 30 keynotes per year at his set fee. Everything he does revolves around reaching that number, knowing that every rejection is just a stepping stone to the next yes.
Success in sales, like success in speaking, is a numbers game. The key is persistence – reaching out, following up, and positioning yourself for opportunities. If there were an easier way to have checks show up at your door, Dr. Moreland jokes, he’d be the first to sign up. But in reality, the formula remains simple: put in the work, and the results will follow.
Comentarios