Last year I competed in a Toastmasters speech competition. I made it to within one step of the world championship.Failure? Nope. That led to being asked to speak at the District 38 Conference- where I received a standing ovation. That led to speaking at District 36. Now I call the editor of TM magazine and say "I would like to speak at the Toastmasters International Conference." She says " I have heard about you." They want me to do a keynote. "By the way" she says "could you write a feature article to go with your keynote?" O.K. sure.
I get a call from the producers of Talking Toastmasters Podcast. " We read your article- can you do an interview with us? Sure.
Here is the very obvious point do something and it generates more and more and more and MORE.....which makes you more motivated to do more.