Man in the Arena

Teddy Roosevelt

Teddy Roosevelt is, in my opinion, right on the mark!  Words spoke a hundred years ago still ring true from our Former President.  They incorporate great wisdom from a great man who had risen to be President of The United States of America.  But I will transition to that subject in a moment.

Who Else Is Seeking To Improve In An Area Of Their Life?

Recently, concluding 15 years of consistent intention but failing to follow through and take action, I joined Toastmasters. 

My clear-cut goal: to improve my Public Speaking Skills.  (if you find less-than-perfection in my Blog don't worry....I also embrace the goal of improving my Writing Skills as well!)

I have a lifetime of knowledge and experience acquired and many strongly-held beliefs and philosophies that I want to share and utilize to help as many People and Organizations improve and increase their levels of success as they like me strive to make the most out of our lives. 

But, I am more comfortable writing than I am speaking in front of large groups. 

Therefore, I have taken action.  To address this and improve.  Now rather than later. 

Toastmasters is a side note to the core of this particular message.  But, before I proceed, let me convey that joining this Organization is one of the smartest and most rewarding decisions I have made.  It is a positive, supportive, knowledgeable, optimistic group of people coming together with a singular purpose to help each other improve and be successful.  I am committed to open-minded in receiving the consistent feedback and to focus my efforts on improving my Public Speaking Skills.  It will be a long road. 

The first time I got up and spoke in front of our group - on day one I might add! - I quickly conveyed to all in attendance why I was there.  I spoke rapidly, incorporated "um" into my speech, and lacked organization in my articulation.  But...the only way any one of us is ever going to achieve real improvement where we are lacking is to attack the matter head-on.  Stand up.  Practice.  Practice.  Consistently.  Be secure enough to elicit feedback on how we can improve.  Incorporate that feed back.  And on and on.  Tenaciously.  Steadfastly.  Over time.....we will improve; by being tenacious and committed, we may even get to be very good. 

At our last Toastmasters Meeting a Speaker got up, right after me I might add which, relatively, really made him look like the greatest Public Speaker in the entire world, and read to the group a Famous Quote from Teddy Roosevelt that I had never heard. 

Man in the Arena

That Quote - now entitled "Man in the Arena" - was the perfect selection for Jason.  It was so relevant for me because I had just sat down red-faced having been reminded how lacking I am in Public Speaking.  Jason's delivery was perfect.  I was entranced.  The content and speech made by Teddy Roosevelt lifted me up!  Though I am lacking in an area of life in which I seek to improve; I was now in attendance at a Toastmaster's Meeting with a group of people I had just met.  I had gotten up and spoken in front of these people.  This took Courage.  Resolve.  Commitment.  I am on my way.

Teddy Roosevelt was, when he first uttered these words back in 1910, absolutely right on. 

Following is the "Man in the Arena" by Teddy Roosevelt.

Enjoy....and, If You have not yet done so and are standing on the sidelines of life, reluctant, hesitant, letting concerns about what others may or may not think hold you back....then I hope my Blog and Teddy's give you a slight nudge to get up and Jump Into The Arena!

My Goal is not to remind everyone how great Teddy Roosevelt was and how poetic he could be.  My Goal is to remind You and I that Life is Short; we only have one chance and opportunity to make the most of this life; so we had better refuse to sit comfortably on the Sidelines and rather by Fighting in the Arena.

Teddy Roosevelt's "Man in the Arena"

Man in the Arena

One of the top three most requested quotes is that regarding the "man in the arena" or "not the critic"

"It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat."

"Citizenship in a Republic,"
Speech at the Sorbonne, Paris, April 23, 1910