I get asked a lot, "How did you get to do what you do?" People see me work and find what I do appealing and are curious about how they might be able to do it as well.

Often, people are interested in my back story and how I came to be a professional trainer and facilitator. In a couple of sentences, I started my work life as a secretary then became an IT support person and one day was asked to run a class on how to use email. The rest, as they say, is history.

Along the way, I undertook some significant professional development. In fact, I would say I invested on average about $10K per year on my own professional development whether it be courses (academic or otherwise), conferences, mentors, coaches, reading, or self study.

So, whether it is becoming a professional trainer and facilitator... or any other role, there are a couple of things I think are useful to set you on your path.

• Make a decision that you are going to become really good at something.
• Read voraciously on the topic.
• Who are the experts? Can you study with them?
• Find a role model or mentor and engage them professionally to help you.