Meet Samantha Lane, a time management expert and advocate for work-life balance. Samantha helps others be present in their lives while becoming more productive through the power of planning. She believes that balance is attainable for anyone, and with the right weekly plan, self-employment can be life-giving. Passionate about empowering others to take control of their time, Samantha inspires audiences to create the life they want. Read on to learn more about her approach and mission as a public speaker.
What inspired you to pursue public speaking?
I used to be a workaholic then had to have my chest cut open at 29 years old. I had a lot of complications that caused me to come too close to my own mortality and an existential crisis ensued. From there, I committed to living a better life and found it through time management. Others saw my success, and the planning tools I created, and wanted it for themselves. I had no choice but to share what helped me. Now, I run a time management business with a goal of helping others create the life they want through simple time management practices. I want to change our culture to one where we ALL get to enjoy our lives, even if we have to work to earn a living. I found that sharing my story and tips on stage is a great way to reach more people. I hate the idea of people going through life and just skimming the surface instead of being able to truly enjoy it. It feels wrong for me not to share the simple steps to having REAL balance.
as a public speaker, Who is your main audience?
Women, startups/freelancers, sales teams, clergy, and larger employers. In short, people with some autonomy in their days and a lot of demands on their time.
What is a struggle you’ve encountered as a thought leader and how did you overcome it?
So hard to choose just one! I have learned so much with every struggle. The most important may have been talking about such a loaded topic. So much of what I teach feels right in the core of my audience, but is not what society is telling us. Hustle does NOT equal happiness and we have to stop trading time for money. I have overcome this by sticking to my core messaging and sharing the science that proves it.
What is one of your proudest accomplishments so far in your public speaking career?
The client feedback that read as follows, “Don’t stop, the world needs more Origami Day [my business name].” With that one sentence, I knew I was reaching my mission (create a culture of balance) and it was needed.
What is a speaking career goal are you currently working towards and how is it going?
Getting SOPs in place. Last year saw high growth, the loss of a key team member, and personal variables (like care-giving for a family member). Things got a little ‘loose’ in the business structure so we are strengthening the foundation as we plan for even bigger growth in 2025. It’s hard, but very fun, work.
What is something you love about speaking?
I love being the outlier voice. So much of what I talk about is simple, but not what mainstream dialogue is saying. I find it so rewarding to see how much this helps my customers and audiences, while finding gratitude that I finally have the confidence to do this all the time.
What tip do you have for people who want to write or speak?
Schedule time for it each week. Even 30 minutes done consistently each week is better than a periodic hour here and there.
What advice would you give your 10-year-old self?
Don’t let the opinions and baggage of others change the way you think about yourself and your life. Protect your thoughts.
Book Samantha to speak here.
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