Most of us don't take the time to share our successes beyond our immediate circle of friends, family and co-workers. This may be cultural -- Canadians don't usually toot their own horn -- or it may be that we are happy in our successes and don't think anyone else cares.

When we read about other people's successes and how they achieved them, it can motivate us to continue pursuing our own goals.

In 2003, while I was taking my Masters in Applied Communications at Royal Roads University, the Program Director sat in on a presentation I was delivering on Writing for the Web. She took me aside later and told me that I was exactly the type of instructor she would like to have in the program.

I was working full time as a Communications Manager in a Crown Corporation, and didn't give this much thought beyond the warm feeling I got from the compliment. Two years later, when I completing my degree, we had a workforce readjustment and I took a voluntary service. I started my own company with my husband and I remembered what the Program Director had said.

I contacted the University to let them know I was interested in teaching Interpersonal Communications, but they already had someone teaching that course. Each year, I reminded them I was interested in case there was an opening.

In the meantime, their Continuing Studies Program Director contacted me with an offer to teach some writing courses. I am now teaching five courses for them. A few weeks ago, I was contacted by the Faculty of Professional Communications with an offer to teach Interpersonal Communications for the 2nd Year Masters students.

I am very excited about this opportunity. It has been on my list of professional goals since 2005.

If you are inspired by my success, please let me know. Your feedback will inspire me to keep going and keep sharing.