Over the years I’ve watched some great speakers thrive and others with similar talents never get very far out of the gate.  What makes the difference?  Fortune, and being in the right place at the right time, of course are factors not to discount.  But in the long run, there are habits that seem to bring speakers down, and here are five of them I would urge you to avoid if you want to embrace sustained success.

Saying ‘yes’ too often to the wrong things.  Speakers, like musicians, actors, and performers in any sphere, want gigs.  The alternative is scary, and if you don’t work, you get rusty.  But nonetheless, you have to say ‘yes’ to the right gigs.  Begin your career by getting work – any work – unless it’s a group that actively promotes injuring puppies.  You need practice.  But once you’re up and running, then it can keep your career in first gear if you say ‘yes’ always to the same sort of non- or low-paying speeches.  Don’t fall for the line, “it’s a great marketing opportunity.”  Every speech is a great marketing opportunity, and you need to get paid for those great marketing opportunities, or you’ll always be running at a loss.

Making excuses for your own unforced errors.  There are sound-system glitches, faulty sight lines, and technological snafus.  These things happen, and you will have to deal with them.  But in the long run, you need to be prepared to rise above everything and deliver even if your plane is delayed, the sound and slide systems are kaput, and the organizer tells you upon arrival that you have to cut 20 minutes from your speech because “they’re running behind.”  Pro tip:  Have the short version of your speech prepared because it is astonishingly common to get asked to give that version because the conference is running late.  That way, you can smile and say, “no problem,” and be a hero.

Making it all about you.  Of course, you have to have brilliant ideas, a great speech, and a killer delivery.  Those things are table stakes today.  But to a surprising extent, your long-term success will be determined by your ability to be good to work with.  There’s a lot of competition out there.  Why should meeting planners hire you if you are difficult to work with, when there are a dozen other speakers just as good who can deliver their speech without any backstage drama?

Focusing on the short run, rather than the long run.  The sorts of career moves that build long-term success in public speaking typically involve things like conceiving, researching, and writing that brilliant book that redefines the field.  That’s a multi-year project, last time I checked, and it will not be completed by anyone with a short-term focus.  You’re in a lifetime race, not a quick success field.  Take the steps now to improve your odds of thriving three to five years out and you’ll find yourself in the winner’s circle.

Neglecting your own health and the rest of your life.  Long-term success takes discipline, stamina, and balance.  For that you need good health habits, an exercise regimen, good diet – all of it.  And good people around you.  Life on the road, whenever it returns, is grueling and you need to have the fitness for it.

Don’t self-sabotage.  You need to have all your speaking and personal ducks in a row in order to succeed.  I don’t want to hear about how you got stuck in a speech rut and never got out.  I want to hear about your crazy good success.  Position yourself for long-term growth.