Recently I had the arduous (but ultimately exciting!) task of readying my play script of It’s My Party! for publication. As I was taking a mental break from proofreading, my mind conjured up a long-buried memory—the moment I got some unsolicited advice from a career coach:

“You need to focus on one thing. You can spend time either on your business or your art. You can't succeed at both. And since success in the arts is elusive, I suggest you drop it."

Wow! This was at a networking event, btw. I ignored her advice.

Like I said, unsolicited. And unwanted.

The fact is, I might have been more financially successful if I had jettisoned my theatre work—playwriting, directing, acting (then) and producing (now)—and focused only on my speaker coaching practice. But that coaching would have suffered. Certainly I would not have had such terrific clients--dynamic, curious, lifelong learners who are truly interesting people (you know who you are!)

Sure, any financial gains over what I make now might have compensated for boredom and frustration, and being a so-so coach. I’ll never know. . .

What I do know is that I became a better speaking coach because I continued to practice my theatre-making as a professional. With all the discipline and dedication that requires.

My coaching work is fed by my creative work. I help clients speak in their own powerful voices by giving them tools to do so. Tools that I first learned how to use in the theatre. Tools that depend on my clients being in touch with their authentic selves.

If I stifle the large, creative part of myself, how can they trust me to help each of them find their authentic voice?

Dividing my talents into boxes and putting one away would not have worked for me. My hat is off to anyone who has done this successfully.