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Sunday, August 26, 2007

The Toastmaster's Convention was HOT!


and I'm not just talking about the 110 degree temperatures.

There were so many great events, learning opportunities, and people at the convention I'm still processing everything that happened. Every Toastmaster owes it to him or her self to attend at least one International Convention.

By the way, that's me with the 2007 Toastmasters World Champion of Public Speaking, Vikas Jhingran,

The three elements of personal and professional change that I talk with people about are: 1. Do Something...Different! (Go to Try Outs!) 2. Meet New People! (Get Help!) and 3. Tell New Stories!

The convention had all three elements.

It was my first time so it was something different. Another something different was attending the 1st ever Edgenet Summit on Tuesday August 14, just before the Convention. I also volunteered to help out at the convention...a great way to learn something new and meet new people. Always volunteer!

I met new people from all over the world, Australia, Bahrain, England, Germany, Russia what a great experience.

New stories? Yes I can tell you about the people I met, those I got to know better, and the kindness of strangers.

All in all a Grand Toastmasters Adventure In Phoenix, Arizona.

Thursday, August 23, 2007

Toastmasters International Convention



I spent last week in Phoenix where I attended the Toastmasters International Convention and the Edgenet Summit sponsored by World Champion's Edge (Darren LaCroix, David Brooks, Ed Tate, Craig Valentine, Mark Brown, and Patricia Fripp). What a fun and educational week!

I will report more on these two events in the next week but let me say today that the Champ event was outstanding. I highly recommend these guys to anyone wanting to improve their public speaking or get into the information marketing business.

I also recommend Toastmasters to improve your speaking and leadership skills. Toastmasters also helps maintain your skills by giving you a place to practice in a safe atmosphere.

Toastmasters and the World Champions Edge makes an unbeatable combination.

More later.

Friday, August 10, 2007

Black Swan


A Black Swan according to Nassim Nicholas Taleb is a highly improbable event. And although any particular Black Swan is - ur - highly improbable, the chance of SOMETHING highly improbable happening is, well, actually highly probable. We just don't know what it might be.

This is still another reason to get out in the real world and try stuff and not just sit around and PLAN to do something really great...someday. The more you try the more likely it is that something highly improbable will happen...something good...some opportunity. Sieze on any opportunity or anything that looks like an opportunity. Maximize your chances for serendipity.

Saturday, August 4, 2007

What's next?


is filling the funnel!

Getting in touch with Associtions and service groups to give my speech and seminar, "Do Something...Different!". I'm looking for (thank you Darren LaCroix) Stage time, stage time, stage time! I want to hone this presentation and make it better.

Formerly this was called "Use Your Gifts" and I started giving it in 2004 beginning at the Toastmasters Region VI conference.

Mostly, I am enjoying my peaceful life here in rural Michigan. My wife Sharon and I live on 6 acres...4 of them wooded, with a koi pond, deer, turkeys, a woodchuck that I need to discourage from living under our shed, many rabbits, some coyotes, pheasant, and much more wildlife than I can list.

I want to speak and give seminars without disturbing this lifestyle. Currently I am concentrating on speaking as an avocation as much as a vocation. I don't have this all figured out yet but it is time to take action.

Wednesday, August 1, 2007

Ashes to Ashes


Hey, my Daughter-in-law's (Jennifer Armintrout) new book is out! Blood Ties Book 3: Ashes to Ashes. Jen writes contemporary urban fantasy...hey, its about vampires, its great, buy 'em by the dozen...and the 1st two as well.

Write, even if what you write is crap!


Write, even if what you write is crap!

Sometimes we talk or write about what we need to learn.

It has been a couple of weeks since my last posting. Yes, I’ve been busy but I should have found at least a little time to write…and post. For the past few days I couldn’t seem to figure out just what to write about. Then I didn’t know how to write it. But I should have known…just write! Even if what you write is crap.

Doing is the only way forward. And it is the way toward better ideas. So let me just tell myself…follow your own advice!

So, write crap if you must, but write!