Monday, December 28, 2009

Happy New Year: Two Weeks in a Row

Yep, I have posted two weeks in a row. This is a record of historical significance. Songs will be sung. Poems written. A feast ordered in my name.

I wanted to share a few links:

1. A business reporter with Newsday (which covers Long Island, NY) included me in her column about motivating employees at small businesses.

2. I found this review of my book published in the South China Morning Post. I didn't even know they were working on a review. So, if someone from the South China Morning Post reads this blog, thank you very much for the excellent review. Actually, I think this is my favorite review of my book.

3. I appeared on the Career Solutions radio show a couple of weeks ago. The podcast has not posted yet. However, here is the interview I did with them in the summer. Many of the same thoughts, the difference is that it was hot and humid outside when I said them.


Have a Happy New Year.

Monday, December 21, 2009

Tis the Season for a New Post

I am starting my 2010 blogging goal this week. I will post every Monday. Let's see how long I can last.

A client asked me to answer the following questions for their conference publicity. So, I thought I would share. Have a great week.



1. Why do you do what you do (three or four sentences)?

I always tell people the speaking business chose me. When I started, I had no idea people spoke for a living. I was just having fun, performing some improvisation games and talking about teamwork and creativity. If someone offered me a chicken lunch and a paperweight with a clock in it, I was thrilled. My wife says I found a way to combine my two passions: making people laugh and telling people what I think.


2. What is your most important professional goal (two-three sentences)?

My goal is to always have fun and be passionate about what I do. Everything else will take care of itself. I don’t have a job. I have a passion. From that passion, I am rewarded each day.


3. What, when and where was your first paid job (two sentences)?

I delivered a community newspaper, which came out once a week. I think I started the paper route around the fifth or sixth grade, and I gave it up during high school.


4. Your personal philosophy of life (three or four sentences)?

Stay hydrated. Always use sunscreen. Always recycle. Give back. Eat lots of fruit. Leave things better than when you found them. And everything goes better with laughter.

5. Your favorite quote:

“It is not the critic who counts, not the one who points out how the strong man stumbled or how the doer of deeds might have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred with sweat and dust and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions and spends himself in a worthy cause and who, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”

Theodore Roosevelt, 26th President of the United States of America

6. What did you want to be when you grew up?

At different times in my childhood, I wanted to be a doctor, comedian and a writer. As Meat Loaf once said, “Two out of three ain’t bad.”

Quick Facts:

Last book read:

I read about 37 books a day. Most of them are about a large red dog, furry monsters, trucks, firefighters, a curious monkey, magic tree houses, dinosaurs, and other assorted talking cars and animals.

Hometown fair:

We attend the State Fair of Texas every year. Sometimes, we go twice.

Favorite fair food:

The first thing I eat at the fair is a Fletcher’s corny dog. Everything else comes second.

Best Vacation Spot:

I have to add some specifics.

Best ski vacation: Whistler, British Columbia.
Best Island vacation: Kauai
Best European vacation: Scotland or Italy
Best golf vacation: Pinehurst, North Carolina or Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Best California vacation: Carmel, Sonoma County or San Diego.
Best theme park vacation: Disney World.
Most recent “best” vacation: Washington, D.C.