Do Something Different!

The Power of Rehearsal

2010-03-26T19:03:00.000-04:00

Saturday I spoke to my Advanced Toastmasters club. It was a rehearsal for a breakout session at our District Conference. I also want to develop this presentation as an offering in my umbrella of personal development presentations.

If you are not in an Advanced Toastmasters club in your area (or a Mastermind of speakers) then you should join one. I get great analysis from this group. Lots of lessons learned BEFORE I’m in front of a “real” audience.

I gave a rambling, unfocused talk and came home with 2 pages of notes to help me focus and stop the rambling.

A big piece of advice was to completely cut and replace my opening.

I LOVE my opening. It is MY favorite part of this nascent presentation. It’s my baby.

But they’re absolutely right. It has to go. It isn’t what my AUDIENCE will want and need.

Find a group like this for yourself or form one.

The Gestalt of Public Speaking.

2010-02-27T10:20:00.007-05:00

Why do you need to learn better public speaking delivery skills?

When speaking, content is king, no doubt. However, if all you have is content and no delivery skills do everyone a favor: Write up a report, hand it out and keep your seat.

Delivering a speech is a gestalt, worth more than the sum of its parts. Good content, well delivered is more powerful than the content alone flat on the page.

You will actually undermine your content with poor speaking skills. People will tune out. Worse, they will decide that your poor speaking skills are directly related to the quality of your ideas.

Learn better delivery skills to get out of your own way and let your message shine.

What are your thoughts on content and delivery?

What's the Matter with Books?

2010-02-07T13:37:00.008-05:00

I love books. I really do. Just check out the picture of a small portion of my book collection.

But lately, I'm finding books...just a bit...well...irritating.

My biggest problem with books is that you can't search them. Sure I can look at the index but half the time I can't find what I want there. And all too often there is no index. And fiction books never have an index.

Let's say you're reading a novel and on page 211 the author mentions a character. Was this a character from earlier in the book? Wouldn't it be great to search back and find out that the character was introduced way back on page 32 and hasn't been mentioned since? I think it would be.

Ok, ok, I could get a Kindle. But what about all the books I already have. Or books from the library. And besides, I love books. I really do.

Real Dreams

2010-01-18T10:48:00.007-05:00

Live your dreams!

Follow your passion!

Do what you love and the money will follow!

Actually you just might starve!

Look, the problem isn't in doing what you love. Life is short. By all means do what you love. Just don't EXPECT to earn your living doing it. I might love playing music by tapping crystal glasses. I probably won't make much money from it, no matter how hard I work at it or how positive my thinking.

The other problem is that many people think they love fields that are, well, cool. Often folks look at the arts, sports, or fields with high status and the possibility of fame or riches. Fact is only one person at a time gets to be shortstop for the New York Yankees. Very few get to be in, let alone star in, hit movies. Those that get to those pinnacles have usually worked long hours, moved to large cities, and then still needed some amount of luck.

Too many believe they would love careers that involve wealth, status, fame, or power. Glamour careers.

My advice? Be wary of glamour.

Think of all the people in cool careers, living glamourous lives, yes, following their passion, yet they are desperately unhappy.

But by all means, DO live your dreams, DO bring what you love into your life.

Do you love baseball? Play in a local league or coach kids or officiate.

Want to act? Get active in community theater. Does a local law school need actors for moot court? Can you get work in local commercials?

Be creative.

There are many ways to do what you love. And who knows where that might eventually lead. Maybe even to a life that is better than you dreamed.

When communicating...

2009-12-30T10:22:00.005-05:00

INFORM me with useful knowledge infused with wisdom.

ENTERTAIN me to help me pay attention.

PERSUADE me to think or feel something different, because why else should I listen.

INSPIRE me to DO something different!

Can you be replaced by a logic tree?

2009-12-22T07:50:00.023-05:00

If you can, it's time to do something different.

Recently, I made a call to a customer service center and was put in contact with a woman in Mumbai, India. She was friendly and helpful as she made her way through a scripted logic tree designed to help me with my product problem. As a former computer service technician, I was intrigued.

Her script had her repeating two phrases over and over.

Each time I described my problem or responded to her questions she said, "I understand."

Her next words were always, "Let me ask you this:..." and then ask me the next question in the logic tree.

This led to an efficient and oddly personable customer service experience. Even though her responses were rote, canned, I really did feel understood. After all, she told me many times that she understood what I said and followed up with a question that demonstrated she DID, in fact, understand.

This woman in Mumbai gave a human touch (and human intuition if needed) to a process that could have been (and probably one day will be) done entirely by a computer. Well, except for that human intuition part. I hope. The woman in Mumbai could have decided at any point that the logic tree wasn't working and tried something else. She was a human safety valve.

Now if you have a job that COULD be handled by a logic tree but is instead handled less efficiently, here is a six step suggestion for you:

1. Design such a tree.
2. Set up an LLC.
3. Contract with a group in Mumbai, India.
4. Sell your new service to your current employer. (Thereby firing yourself and, regrettably, your co-workers.)
5. If your employer won't buy, sell your service to their competitor.
6. Rinse and repeat.

Actually, do steps 2 through 5 first then contract someone in Mumbai to do step 1. Do it fast, before someone in Mumbai or China, or in the cubicle next to you does it first.

Your new job as CEO of Phone Customer Service, LLC should be one that can't, for the moment, be replaced by a logic tree.

OK. I'm joking... sort of.

My point is to do something that isn't routine. Something you love. Something human. Something complex enough to keep you interested. And interesting. Do this something as a career or a sideline or your retirement project.

As Daniel Pink points out in his book, A Whole New Mind, anything that is routine can be outsourced or automated.

Avoid routines. Do Something Different!

Be like Ellen Rohr!

2009-12-09T15:09:00.007-05:00

Ellen Rohr did the accounting for her husband's plumbing business. She admits she almost sunk the family business, even though she had a degree in Business Administration.

She found a mentor who taught her how to read and use financial reports. Ellen learned a lot and she and her husband turned the company around. It seems she learned more practical lessons in the school of hard knocks than in college.

After they sold the family business Ellen decided to share all she had learned. As she says, "After all, if a smart, highly educated person like me didn’t know how to read a balance sheet, I figured business illiteracy must be rampant."

Ellen discovered she was right.

Ever since then, Ellen Rohr has been doing her part in keeping our economy strong by teaching entrepreneurs, well, how to make and keep money. Go to her web site http://www.barebonesbiz.com/index.html and sign up to download her e-book "Where Did the Money Go?"

Ellen is a great source of information and inspiration. Her goal: Worldwide business literacy! She wants you to make more money and have more fun. Couldn't have said it better myself, Ellen. Do something different!

A Really Scurvy Story About Change

2009-11-23T10:00:00.012-05:00

Great ideas always spread rapidly, right? People see the obvious merits of a really good idea and change, don't they?

Let's look back in history at the treatment of scurvy in Britain's Royal Navy.

Oooo exciting.

On long sea voyages many years ago, scurvy killed more sailors than all other causes, including warfare and accidents. For example, 160 men sailed around the Cape of Good Hope with Vasco de Gama in 1497. 100 died of scurvy.

Captain James Lancaster conducted an experiment in 1601 to see if lemon juice could prevent scurvy. Captain Lancaster commanded 4 ships. He gave 3 teaspoons of lemon juice to the sailors on one ship. Most stayed healthy. The men on the other three ships, his control group in modern parlance, did not get the lemon juice. 110 of the 278 men on the ships that did not get the juice, died of scurvy.

Clear cut evidence, right?

So the British Navy immediately started to give lemon juice to its sailors, right?

Of course not.

In 1747, almost 150 years later, another experiment was conducted by James Lind a British Navy doctor. He found when sailors, stricken with scurvy, were given citrus fruits, the treatment cured them.

Wow! Surely the British Navy was overjoyed at this news and started supplying citrus fruits and juice to sailors on all its ships.

It did, in 1795... 48 years later!

And in 1865, a mere 70 more years, the British extended the policy to its merchant marines. Yay!

Why so long?

No one really knows. Maybe because even though Captain Lancaster was a captain, he wasn't as famous a Captain as Captain Cook, whose journals did not support a link between citrus and a reduction in scurvy. And maybe the the good Dr. Lind simply wasn't a prominent doctor who might have had the ear of some naval bigwig (and in those days bigwigs literally had...big wigs).

Whatever the reason, here's what you need to know:

Just because you have a good idea, just because it's proven to work does NOT mean your idea will be adopted.

You will have to work to get even the best idea accepted, let alone implemented. Knowing how to talk to those who can help, knowing how to rally people to your cause, these skills are as important as your idea.

Persistence and perseverance often trump brilliance.

Training Doesn't Work! Take two.

2009-11-10T12:33:00.005-05:00

Training doesn't work in organizations either!

Did I just say that?

In organizations the problems aren't just with the motivation of person trained but with peers, managers, systems, procedures, processes, tools... Shall I go on?

Many problems need to be addressed before training can work in an organization. Most have to do with support after the training. Will there be anyone to encourage and coach you after you are trained?

Imagine a high school marching band trained like most organizational employees or volunteers are trained. There would be the training session, say, 1/2 or full day. Much of that day would be an overview of bands. In the interest of producing well rounded band members, each musician would get information on all the instruments. Near the end there would be a brief, usually hurried, role-play of a musical piece. Then everyone would be left on their own with no further practice as a group, rehearsal or coaching.

Imagine the result.

Every training session an organization schedules is an attempt to change that enterprise. Organizations need to get real and provide the support each learner will need after the training session is over.

Training Doesn't Work!

2009-11-04T11:10:00.008-05:00

Yes, you heard right... I said, "Training Doesn't Work!"

Not even my training sessions...which are, of course, excellent. ;-)

UNLESS...

You do something AFTER the training session. You will not improve, you will not succeed, you will not do something different, unless you do what you need to do after the training session ends.

You must follow up with the next steps (and then the steps beyond), you must make different connections to find those role models, that coach, those heroes of change. You must discover those new stories that will support your change and help you do something different.

Training can help you with all that. And whoever is doing or sponsoring the training should provide you with the opportunity for support after your training. But, let's get real, nothing will happen unless...YOU take action.

Training is just the start. Training gives you some of the new tools you need. Good training may even give you the inspiration that triggers your motivation to change. But when the training ends it's up to you.

It's up to you to do the deep practice that makes real change, real improvement, real success (however you define that) possible.

After the training it's time for you to get real to make it real.

Training can give you ignition. Lift-off is up to you.

It's a Wonderful Life

2009-10-30T13:41:00.003-04:00

These days I'm in rehearsals for a musical version of "It's a Wonderful Life".

The story of George Bailey touches many people and has a great deal to say for those interested in personal improvement and development, and for those who wish to make changes in their lives.

Too much focus is given to the rich and famous. George's story is about an ordinary person. He wishes to travel and is never able to. He sees friends like Sam Wainwright grow rich and move away. His own brother is a celebrated war hero. Yet, George is still in Bedford Falls running his family's Savings and Loan.

A crises dispirits George but then an epiphany helps him see he actually has a rich and wonderful life.

One must appreciate what one has even if striving for something more, something different. Use the gifts you have and work toward what you desire.

Halloween Creativity

2009-10-29T10:43:00.007-04:00

Halloween brings out the creativity in people. Amazing is the only word to describe what some people come up with for costumes and decorations.

Do you suppose the organizations these folks work for, or volunteer for, tap into their creativity?

Most of the time the answer would be no.

People are motivated to work most successfully and intensely on undertakings they choose themselves. How many organizations authorize that?

The answer? The very best and most creative organizations.

It isn't just big-C creativity that suffers. Getting better at anything involves a certain amount of creativity. Let's call it little-c creativity.

Creativity is one component of improvement. You need coaching, support, and deep practice as well. How well does you organization support these practices? How well do you do them yourself?

Channel the spirit of Halloween. It's not so scary.

Do Something Different!

What Happens to You When Everything Changes

2009-10-18T10:57:00.006-04:00

This is a time of transition.

Just look around.

In my area newspapers are only delivered three days a week now and are maybe one-third their previous size.

Will your employer continue to provide health insurance?

Will you even have an employer?

It seems everything today is subject to change. Previous results are no guarantee of future results. Do you play it safe? Well, in a changing world what is safe? Somehow I don't think doing what worked yesterday will get you better results, or even the same results, the day after tomorrow.

Now is a great time to explore. Now is a great time to start to do something different.

What I learned from Lana May's beaded jewelry class.

2009-08-19T09:22:00.014-04:00

Monday we hosted a class in beaded jewelry weaving at our home.

My wife Sharon announced how the class would work. When Lana May teaches she doesn't start with a big overview of her projects. She simply asks, "Who is ready to start?" and goes to each table or individual as needed. The entire day was self-paced with expert, personal guidance whenever you needed it. An advantage of this system is if people come late it simply doesn't matter. Lana just gets them started and moves to someone who needs help at a different place in the pattern. She taught 3 different projects to 15 people all progressing at different speeds. Impressive.

I was amazed to see our living room transformed into a classroom accommodating 15 students and our kitchen transformed into a product showcase for 2 jewelry designers, Lana May ( http://lana-bead.info/ ) and my wife ( http://www.sharonerwine.com/ ). Many patterns and kits (products) were sold.

This shows that if you start small (but think big) you can start an information enterprise right where you live for fun or profit.

Do Something Different! Get more out of life.

Searching for Speech Topics?

2009-07-27T10:44:00.008-04:00

Just don't do it!

Instead, of wondering what should I talk about, ask what do they need.

It's a better approach and immediately starts helping you relax. With this approach you are not the focus, your audience is.

Don't hunt for a topic. Decide what you want your audience to do. Your audience may be a client, a prospect, a group of fellow employees, your club, the city council whoever you talk to. What do you want them to do differently after your talk?

Gather the information they will need, then design, deliver and interpret that information in a way that will lead your audience to action. This way your focus is on the audience.

Attend the University of YOU.

2009-06-23T10:05:00.002-04:00

So you want to do something different?

But you don't have a degree for that professional job?

Well, you'd be surprised at what you can do and how far you can go WITHOUT that degree.

You see, I want you to start using your gifts right now, to do something today not wait until tomorrow. Even people who have a degree are often working in fields that have nothing to do with their schooling. These days it is easier than ever to learn to do something different.

Stop dreaming and start doing.

Google it.

Start with google. Find what you can on the subject of interest. Then use Amazon and find books on that topic and get them from your library. Even if your library doesn't have the book they can probably get it through an interlibrary loan. Use your library to find out more by searching academic journals and other research tools and databases.

Apply your learning.

Let's say you want to try landscaping. Try with your own home. Ask if you can do free projects for a friend or perhaps a non-profit organization. Build a portfolio of projects.

This can work in many fields: Web design, career coaching, social media, theater, writing, use your own imagination.

Use your gifts. Do something different!

What have they done to my TV?

2009-06-15T08:53:00.002-04:00

Digital TV transmission is here. Analog is over.

Change has come.

This is what change is like. Love digital TV or hate it, that is the new reality.

The process was much like change within an organization.

I know that today there are those who will tell you that no one ever told them about the change to digital TV. They will tell you this despite the almost incessant public service announcements that aired for months before the change.

There are those who will tell you this change is good for everybody and point to increased programming on multiple channels and to the use of the now freed up bandwidth for other uses. Change is good! (And we've been telling you for months, years even. Pay attention! It's been postponed a gazillion times. Oy!)

No wonder people get frustrated by change. Both changers and -um- changees.

Why do we think everything will be, indeed must be, smooth. Some people will understand, receive the message of change, get on board, and thrive. Others will not. More often then not change widens gaps rather than closing them. Some gain, others lose or, at least, don't gain.

You wonder why there is resistance to change? Well,one reason is that some people lose out when change hits. Even something like digital TV. No amount of communication can erase that fact.

But communication and taking steps to reduce the pain for those who will not gain will help.

This even plays out for personal change. There are aspects of yourself that lose when you change...even if it is a good change...a change you want to happen.

When we moved to our "new" house nine years ago we were happy. We still are. I can't imagine moving back, but...

I have a video taken of our old home after everything had been removed. I went from room to room silently documenting the place. Every time I see it I am choked with emotion. Why?

These are the bedrooms we decorated for the kids. This is the stairway the kids would roll their slinkys down. This is the dining room were we had great meals, fought, made up, laughed, discussed our move to the new house. Every nook and cranny of that place was filled with memories...and we left it to embrace something new.

Change is great. But it always comes with a price. If you want to change or want your organization to change, you must understand and pay that price.

People don't want to be changed but they love to change.

2009-06-13T18:58:00.008-04:00

Jeffery Gitomer says, "People don't want to be sold but they love to buy."

I say, "People don't want to be changed but they love to change." Variety is the spice of life.

But, I hear many people say that people HATE change.

But they don't hate change.

They don't.

I don't.

You don't.

Never change?

It would be like waiting for a light that never turns green.

I love that I changed to an iPod and don't have to buy CD's with songs I don't want. (And before that I was happy to change from vinyl records that popped and hissed and had to play songs in certain order.) Even better, I get to carry most of my music collection with me when I'm out for a walk. Try THAT with vinyl!

Of course maybe you still prefer records. Some do. But there are other changes you do like.

The problem with change comes when you feel forced. Strangely even when you are the one doing the forcing sometimes. But if you understand the reasons, you get a say in the process, you get to try it on for size, well then, usually change is OK. Maybe it's even great.

You Are Self-employed!

2009-05-12T11:33:00.011-04:00

Yes you are!

Even if you have one of those things called "a job" you are self-employed. This was the central insight that turned my work life around in the 1990s. As Pam Slim said in her Declaration of Independence, "I am self employed regardless of who pays me." (See her slideshow here.)

What happens when you see yourself as self-employed is, you begin to see the work world as a market...including your employer. Look, no one is using all of your many talents and abilities. I'm guessing your job only uses a narrow sliver of what you are capable of doing. So find other markets and pitch your services to them. Yes, outside and INSIDE your employer's enterprise.

Hey check out Pam Slim's new book Escape from Cubicle Nation too. (And her blog.)

You should read these 5+ books!

2009-05-10T10:57:00.013-04:00

Here are 5 resources that will help you make sense about change management.

The Diffusion of Innovations by Everett M. Rogers.
This is the granddaddy of change resources and one of the best business books of all time. Don't take just my word for it, that's what Inc magazine said too. This book is the bible of the field covering the innovation-decision process, adopter categories, opinion leadership, the change agent, the consequences of change, the list goes on. A must have for change managers.
Jump out idea: Too many to count!

Wishcraft: How to Get What You Really Want by Barbara Sher with Annie Gottlieb.
Still the best resource for people who want to make changes in their life but either don't know what they want or don't know how to proceed. This has great suggestions on how to discover your desires that you may be hiding from your self, how to deal with your own resistance, and a wonderful section on project management that is free of project management jargon. Sher doesn't even use the label project management.
Jump out idea: You don't have to have steely determination or grinning positive attitude to achieve success and get what you really want. You can have any old attitude you happen to have and any coping mechanisms you can use.

Communicating Change by TJ and Sandar Larkin
Turns many ideas about managing change in organizations on their heads. The authors advise communicating through supervisors (which makes sense...that's one reason there are supervisors). They also say to concentrate on local work areas and eschew all rah-rah and hyperbolic slogans. A readable, down-to-earth book.
Jump out idea: Keep communication simple and emphasize performance of local work areas.

Making a Living Without a Job by Barbara J. Winter
For those specifically looking to, as Pam Slim says, escape cubicle nation. Practical and inspirational ideas for striking out on your own without a job.
Jump out idea: The $100 idea. Make your idea make some money...$100.00. That will tell you more than most of your planning and introspection.

Moneyball by Michael Lewis
Ok, this one may be coming out of left field. (Please excuse the lame joke.) But really this book about the Oakland A's and Billy Beane demonstrates how change was managed by one baseball team. These changes then spread to other teams in major league baseball (MLB). Basically the world changed (salaries grew astronomically) and MLB ignored that fundamental shift for many years. Then Oakland started winning without overspending on talent. Shows how an outside force leads to change within organizations and industries. Oh, and it's a fun book.
Jump out idea: Even an organization with deeply held traditions and culture can change...but it ain't easy.

The +: The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
Everything you wanted to know about your resistance to personal development but were terrified to ask.
Jump out idea: It's War!

Do the obvious!

2009-03-02T11:30:00.003-05:00

A recent news report on a diet study made a blinding flash of the obvious. If you want to lose weight - get this - eat less and move more.

NO WAY! GET OUT!

The report stated it didn't matter which diet you used. Just consume fewer calories. Do even better by getting more exercise. Oh, and to sustain your efforts, have a support system with other people.

We also know, to get better at something - anything - we need to practice. Not just practice, but practice those aspects of what we wish to improve that are difficult, if not impossible for us. It is important in those improvement efforts to have some expert guidance and the support of others.

Hey, that sounds like the dieting study.

But few people actually DO the obvious. Most people look for shortcuts. Most people do what's comfortable. Most people do the same thing over and over and expect different results. It has been pointed out that this is a form of insanity.

So because most people don't DO the obvious, few people get really, really good at anything. Most people ignore the obvious and do what's comfortable but ineffective.

Do something different! Do the obvious!

Deliberate Practice, Expert Coaching, and Enthusiastic Support

2009-01-08T08:22:00.001-05:00

Have you ever met a STAR?

I have. Of course he wasn’t exactly a STAR when I met him.

Oh, he was well enough known at the time to young rock fans in Michigan, but not the biggest STAR even in that little niche.

The STAR was Bob Seger. This was the late 1960’s, long before the Silver Bullet Band. Long before his massive hits in soundtracks of movies like Beverly Hills Cop. Long before Risky Business when Tom Cruise took one of Seger’s old records off the shelf and danced in his tighty-whities.

I was in charge of securing acts for our dances and concerts. I was also the guy who paid those bands.

Before one of those concerts I was talking to Bob. I mentioned to him how we had to cancel a dance in the Union a week earlier when a local band canceled. Bob said, “You should have called me.”

Even then the Bob Seger System (that was his band’s name at that time) cost way more than we would make at a “sock-hop”. So I said, “Bob, you would have cost too much.”

At that Bob Seger wrote down his home phone number on a flyer and told me, “If that happens again call me at home. DO NOT CALL MY BOOKING AGENT! If I have the date open I’ll play the gig if you give me enough to pay my band and my gas to get here.” He then quoted me a price that was about the same as a local band and WAY less then his usual fee.

Stupidly, I then asked him why. “Bob, why would you do that?”

I'll never forget his answer. He said, “Look, I love to work. Doing gigs like that let’s me try out new stuff. I'd play my music for people all day and all night everyday if I could.”

Remember he only asked for enough to pay his band and for gas for his van. Bob Seger was willing to play for FREE just for the opportunity to play for an audience.

No wonder I had seen The Seger System at concert after concert and dance after dance. Bob Seger played (not just practiced) every night he could get himself in front of an audience.

In a couple of years after that Seger moved out to California and in about 5 or 6 years –BOOM - he became an overnight success.

Bob Seger knew the key to getting better, the key to success. Deliberate practice.

Practice with a goal of getting better in specific ways each time you practice.

Some other keys to success include expert coaching, to help you design and evaluate your practices. Enthusiastic support, and motivation, what Bob Seger might call the fire down below.

To find out more check out the book Talent is Overrated by Geoff Colvin. Also, Malcolm Gladwell's Outliers.

Also search for the work of Dr. Anders Ericsson online, especially The Making of an Expert and The Role of Deliberate Practice in the Acquisition of Expert Performance. These are outstanding articles.

Remember, use deliberate practice, seek expert coaching, find people who will give you enthusiastic support, and get motivated.

Gina Schreck and Blip.tv

2009-01-07T14:46:00.002-05:00

I've just found a site called blip.tv. It is a wonderful place to upload little videos or watch them. Check it out.

I found it because of an article about Gina Schreck and her gettingeeky series on blip.tv that I saw in NSA Speaker magazine.

Have a great day and Do Something Different!

What THEY say after you're done talking.

2008-04-23T20:07:00.005-04:00

After my presentation last Saturday a woman came up to to comment on something I'd shown the group about peeling a banana. It was just a little thing, really. But this woman was moved... by something I didn't do to move people but to illustrate a point. You just never know.

She said that her sister had cerebral palsy and the woman believed her sister could learn to peel a banana using the trick I had demonstrated in my session. She was moved to have learned something that might help her sister be just a little bit more independent.

I just opened and peeled the banana from the flower end rather than the stem end. (Try it sometime. You just squeeze the tip and the banana opens right up.)

I was inspired to share this by a post in Darren LaCroix's blog here http://www.humor411.com/blog/2008/03/what-do-people-say-after-you-give-a-presentation/

Chance vrs. Skill

2008-04-07T19:07:00.002-04:00

Much as I hate to bring up baseball, especially with the Tigers in a losing streak, but chance rules all short series.

According to baseball statistician Pete Palmer the average difference in major league baseball due to skill is about 1 run per game. This plays out against a background of 4 runs per game due to chance. Over time skill rules.

But oh, in a short series or a single game, well, anything can, and will happen.

In a 5 game series (again according to Palmer) the "worst" team in the major leagues will beat the "best" team 15% of the time.

So, in the playoffs, with two relatively evenly matched teams, well, superstition rules! May the luckiest team win.

Does this mean that the Patriots may have been better than the Giants after all?

(Yes, I used to be a baseball stat geek. I bought Bill James abstract every year. Note to Jamesian nay-sayers... It took Bill James joining the Red Sox organization to finally break the curse of the Bambino.)

So, I recommend trying new activities. You never know when chance may lead you straight into something wonderful.

Way to Promote Your Business!!

2008-03-17T10:32:00.005-04:00

My wife and I have a water garden and keep koi. We belong to a club of other people who do likewise called the Capital Area Koi and Water Gardening Club.

Last night a fellow from a Michigan gardening business called Grass Roots, that deals in water gardening supplies and pond fish gave a presentation on how to open and clean one's pond in the spring. Given the matter-of-fact subject we could have been in for a llllooooonnnnggggg night.

But Scott was interesting, imaginative, and funny. How do you get funny out of cleaning the guck from the bottom of your pond?

Well, I don't know how but he did. He looked and sounded like someone from The Sopranos. He was chewing gum. He read from his notes.

Was it a polished, perfectly articulated, presentation complete with PowerPoint?

No. It was better! It was REAL! He was REAL!

He earned Grass Roots a lot of goodwill with about 40 folks who buy a lot of supplies and fish.

That means business.

Speak Up! Promote your business, your career, or your community organization by speaking to groups who can, and will, buy.

"Choice"

2008-03-11T12:50:00.007-04:00

Watch this video.

Are the visuals you use in your presentations this powerful?

What pictures do your stories evoke in the minds of your audience?

Thanks to Dan Heath and the Made to Stick blog.

Do something...Different!

Different Worlds

2008-03-08T10:51:00.005-05:00

When it comes to getting NEW ideas, there is nothing quite so useful as OLD ideas.

Huh?

Well, it has been said that "There is nothing new under the sun," but as Ambrose Bierce pointed out "there are lots of old things we don't know".

The trick is to look in different worlds for NEW old ideas.

Different worlds. Worlds outside of your organization. Worlds outside of your industry. Worlds outside of -well- your world.

I believe in the C.A.S.E. method of creativity... Copy And Steal Everything!

Now, don't get all up in arms. I'm not talking about stealing from colleagues, or plagiarizing, or some form of corporate skulduggery.

Let's take Howard Schultz as an example. One day in Italy, Schultz noticed all the espresso bars dotting the urban landscape. He thought wouldn't it be great if there were places like this, places to relax with friends, have a cuppa joe, write, a place outside work or home.

The result was Starbucks.

Have an open mind.
Pay attention. (Focus)
Capture.
Break away.
Connect back.
Refine.
Implement.

As Timothy Leary said, "If you don't like what you're doing, you can always pick up your needle and move to another groove."

Take an idea from a different world and use it in your world.

Comedian

2007-11-19T15:07:00.005-05:00

Thanks to Darren LaCroix and the Champions Edge program, I learned about a documentary of Jerry Seinfeld perfecting an entirely new act after his TV show ended. It's called Comedian.

I swear I will never feel bad about stumbling and mumbling again when I am developing a new speech... and you shouldn't either.

Even Jerry Seinfeld used notes, forgot what he was talking about, said um and ah and er all the time when he was developing his new routine.

He got better... way better and was eventually wowing audiences again after working, and working, and working on his new routine in front of live audiences, refining every word and every bit until... he was Seinfeld again.

Carrot or stick?

2007-09-15T13:37:00.000-04:00

Many organizations are faced with situations where they can take a carrot or stick approach with members or employees.

Too many choose the stick and then wonder why they meet resistance.

Let me ask, if you a dealing with customers or clients would you make the same choice? Would you even consider punishing customers? (Well if you were really considering your policies mindfully that is.)

Yet, often, organizations choose to punish members or employees who don't follow "the rules". For example, in requiring training or during a hastily conceived change.

What might be gained if organizations enticed members and employees to attend needed training or to embrace a change?

Treat your members and employees to a carrot more often than a stick. You may be pleasantly surprised at the results.

Mackinac Bridge 50th Anniversary Walk

2007-09-04T10:22:00.000-04:00

On Monday my wife Sharon & I walked the Mackinac Bridge with about 80,000 other people from all over the world. It is an annual event held every Labor Day (the only day pedestrians are allowed on the bridge). It is the quintessential Michigan occasion. This year is the Mighty Mac's 50th anniversary.

Back before the bridge was completed in 1957 a fleet of ferries took people and their vehicles across the straits of Mackinac between Michigan's Upper and Lower Peninsulas.

The ferry trip took about an hour and the average wait time for a ferry was 2 hours. There were longer waits than that during times like deer season (another big Michigan event). Many times no one could cross because of bad weather or ice, which stopped ferry service in the winter.

After the bridge, the entire crossing took only about 10 minutes with only rare closings due to weather.

No matter how many ferries, no matter how efficient the process, the ferry crossing would never have gotten as short as 10 minutes.

It took a completely new approach. A bridge.

There was a need to Do Something...Different!....to get radically different results.

"...I had this crazy opportunity to do something different."

2007-09-02T11:04:00.000-04:00

So said Ashley Qualls (age 17) of Southgate, Michigan, the founder of whateverlife.com. She's an average 17 year old (yeah right!) who happens to be featured in this month's (September 2007) Fast Company magazine. Pretty normal event in the avereage 17 year old's life, right?

Well maybe not.

Here is someone with a business making $800,000+ a year that she started at age 15 from NOTHING. She borrowed the $8.00 for a domain name from her Mom.

So what's your rationalization for not starting something (or mine for that matter).

Check out the article about Ashley here. and here. and here.
and here. and here.

Do Something...Different!

The Toastmaster's Convention was HOT!

2007-08-26T18:50:00.000-04:00

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.

Toastmasters International Convention

2007-08-23T16:21:00.000-04:00

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.

Black Swan

2007-08-10T14:59:00.000-04:00

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.

What's next?

2007-08-04T10:43:00.000-04:00

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.

Ashes to Ashes

2007-08-01T14:33:00.000-04:00

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!

2007-08-01T14:17:00.000-04:00

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!

Do you know how many comedians are out of work?

2007-07-15T10:52:00.000-04:00

I recently read Jim Key's new blog. I saw this posting thanks to EdgeNet.

Jim is the 2003 Toastmasters International World Champion of Public Speaking. What an awesome title and Jim is an awesome guy. He will be at the Improv in Addison, TX on Wednesday, July 25 doing...gulp...open mic night. Below is my comment concerning bringing PASSION into your life.

Hi Jim,

So why did I hear about this blog in Edgenet?

I don't know the answer to your question in the title of this posting but I know that when I was interested in being an actor that only about 3% of "actors" were actually making enough to support themselves.

I knew several amazingly talented folks who went off to New York or Los Angeles and who found no or limited success as actors. Now some went on to backstage careers or found work in the studios behind the scenes but only one ever made a even a limited living as an actor.

Lots of people go after glamour careers and some who are incredibly driven, talented, and fortunate do "make it".

By all means, if you want to change your life, then do something different! Bring that passion into your life, act-do comedy-speak publicly ;-), even pursue it as a career...but bringing the passion into your life whether or not you end up making a living at it is what counts.

Think about actors who "make it" and now spend their days on, say, a soap opera (and there is nothing wrong with that) or doing dog food commercials (and there's nothing wrong with that, either).

Compare that to someone who pursues that dream as an avocation rather than a vocation. They still have the activity they are passionate about and the opportunity to play some of the great roles in theater history in Community Theater.

And there are lots of ways to make money in theater or acting or comedy...starting a non-profit theater as the creative director, doing local commercials, or videos for local businesses and organizations.

For example, I have appeared in and done voice-overs for some state government agencies. I even did a character portrayal as a gig for a whole year for the Michigan Department of Transportation's Centennial in 2005. (MDOT is my former employer.)

I kicked off several events, appeared in parades and at Greenfield village, participated in media day at the Detroit Auto Show, met the Governor, walked the Mackinac Bridge Walk in character as "Good Roads" Earle.

So bring that passion into your life...and don't worry too much about whether the money will follow. Do Something...Different!

Sincerely,
Michael Erwine

Is this off subject?

2007-07-12T09:58:00.000-04:00

Peter Mulvey is biking to work for about 10 days in September. That's quite a news flash isn't it? And who the heck is Peter Mulvey?

Well, Peter Mulvey is a musician, a singer/songwriter and a dynamic performer. So, for Peter, biking to work, means traveling to different venues, guitar in tow, literally. What a great idea. Check out Peter's My Space site for details and to sample some of his songs.

If you have the opportunity to see Peter live...Do it! He is great!

I've had the pleasure of catching Peter's act here in Lansing, Michigan and attend a songwriting workshop Peter gave at in town at Elderly Instruments. (If you play a fretted instrument, guitar, banjo, mandolin, you also owe it to yourself to check out Elderly, too.)

Peter is doing something different so I guess it's not off subject after all.

Try this on for size.

2007-07-09T14:06:00.001-04:00

Let's say your aspiration is to start your own business. Your problem? You've never run a business. Well, don't quit your job and spend your life savings starting it up.

Instead, find one of those direct selling companies (like Avon, Pampered Chef, etc.) that let you get started for next to nothing and try that for a while. Hey, it's small, easy, simple, and right now. Boom you're in business.

Here's what this does for you. It gets you information. Most of these companies give you a manual of information about how to get started. They show you how to keep simple business records and how to market yourself. All valuable business tools.

One great idea is to make a list of 100 people you know and then contact them to tell them about your new business. Yes it's simple but how many actually do it? Sometimes building a business is one warm call (not coldcall, cold calls suck) at a time.

At least you'll get your feet wet and find out what you like and don't like about business.

The Gaping Void

2007-07-06T11:06:00.000-04:00

Talk about small, and simple, and right now...how about a guy does his art on the back of business cards?!?

That's what Hugh MacLeod does...art on the backs of business cards. Simple, easy, small, now!

Check out gapingvoid.com cartoons on the back of business cards. Hmmm...what could he possibly be thinking!

Do something...small!

2007-07-05T10:42:00.001-04:00

Do something small, so small your natural resistance to scary new things doesn't wake up, a nanoaction (TM). Conversely, do something audacious too get exited enough to take action. Whichever path you chose, and it may be different at different times or different tasks, the goal is to take some kind of action toward your aspirations.

Five books to help you do something different!

2007-07-01T10:24:00.000-04:00

Five books to help you do something different!

Wishcraft: How to get what you really want

Barbara Sher's great book on getting what you really want in life.

How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci

by Michael Gelb. Sometimes to get what you want you must be creative. This book will help.

The Artist's Way at Work

by Mark Bryan and Julia Cameron. Ditto for this book.

Getting Business to Come to You

by Paul Edwards. If what you want is something... entrepreneurial then this book will really help.

Bonus

Refuse to Choose.

by Barbara Sher. Gee, I just don't know...do I want to do this...or this...hey, this looks interesting. If this describes you then check out this book.

Do Something...Simple!

2007-06-25T07:52:00.000-04:00

If you are trying to work on some complicated action it is a great idea to simplify. Even if you are working on something that really is complex you can break it down into simple actions.

Complicated wording, ideas, and processes get in the way of action. But people believe that such complication is somehow smarter.

It isn't.

According to Jeffery Pfeffer and Robert I. Sutton in the Knowing Doing Gap complexity often substitutes talk for action.

Simpler wording makes communicating easier. (It even helps you understand what you are doing better.) Simpler ideas and processes makes getting things done easier. And just more LIKELY to happen. Faced with complicated tasks many people just give up.

All of this simplicity makes it much easier to get other people to help out, to get funding, to sell your project, your product, your service.

So do something different! Do something simple!

P.S. Speaking of simple...what could be simpler than Scott Ginsberg's idea of wearing a nametag 24/7? (See earlier post.) His idea built a career and last week he appeared on 20/20. Way to go Scott!

Check out his blog too.

That's the power of simplicity.

Opporproblemtunity (TM)

2007-06-24T07:49:00.000-04:00

Oppor-problem-tunity (tm) seeing opportunity and problems as linked or as different aspects of the same situation.

Opportunity is often fused with a problem in one big mash-up. The problem may seem to be lack of money, lack of time, or even - well - lack of nerve.

Problems too are often just the backside of opportunity. If you are having a problem with something, hey, other people may be having that same problem. Can you solve the problem? Can you find the opportunity wrapped around or hidden inside the problem?

The Best PowerPoint Presentation I Ever Saw

2007-06-19T10:40:00.000-04:00

wasn't a Powerpoint presentation at all. It was an old fashioned slide show on a Kodak Carousel projecter. The presenter was George Plimpton and he was showing images about all the jobs he had done often as an amatuer competing in sporting events (or for example playing triangle with a symphony orchestra) then writing about his experiences.

The slides were photographs of Mr. Plimpton, and the real athletes he worked with, in action on the football field, the baseball diamond, the tennis court, or in a symphony hall.

As each image came up Mr. Plimpton would launch into a story in his distinctive, upper class, east coast, accent that somehow never seemed elitist and his stories always found their mark with grace and humor.

It was a great evening and the still best use of "PowerPoint" slides I've seen to date. Of course, not a single bullet point in the bunch.

By the way, I was the Theater Technician and so in charge of the slide projector that evening. I sat abou t 4 rows from the front and when Mr. Plimpton would indicate, I would advance the slide. I think I was 19 years old.

The inevitable glitch occured about half way through the presentation. The machine gave a little hic-cup and skipped ahead an extra slide. Mr. Plimpton (he will always be "Mr. Plimpton" in my mind) -well- Mr. Plimpton said, "That's alright just back up one slide."

Well, I tried that but when I hit the reverse button...the carousel ADVANCED...one more slide. I hit it again, and again it advanced, and again, and again. And...Mr. Plimpton held up a hand and said softly, "That's alright son," he looked at the screen then back at me, "I'll just tell them what they would have seen."

He looked at the screen a moment, turned back to the audience to begin but stopped, seeming to reconsider. He looked at the screen almost wistfully before turning back to me and asking, "Young man, (he paused) do you have a date tonight after my talk?"

30 ways to increase your creativity.

2007-06-18T11:30:00.000-04:00

1.Travel to exotic lands. If you can’t go someplace exotic, treat your own home town as an “exotic” land and go places there that you usually never go. Maybe you’ll discover that home is a pretty exotic place.

2.Try a new type of exercise: Tai Chi, NIA, Yoga...the list goes on.

3.Start a journal. It could be a regular journal which is often like a diary, or it could be a focus journal. A focus journal focuses on a subject like creativity, or an organization like Toastmasters, or an activity like giving speeches, or a role like club officer. Use the journal to deepen your creativity on your focus.

4.Read! Read a lot. Read different stuff. Go to a magazine rack and pick up a magazine that you would never buy. Buy it. Read it. What did you learn?

5.Go to events that you would not normally attend. Our family went to a horse show. Not any show but a work horse show. There was a competition of show wagons and a horse pull. We spent the whole day there and loved it. There is a whole subculture we never knew existed. And, hey, we had a great time!

6.Relax.

7.Meditate.

8.Go for a walk.

9.10.11.12.Sing, draw, paint, act. (There, that’s four for one.)

13.Ask dumb questions.

14.When you are trying to come up with new ideas don’t just sit there, do something. Get some Play-Doh®, some crayons, some nerf balls, silly putty, canned string, catalogs, magazines, picture postcards, and so on. Use this stuff to stimulate your imagination.

15.Talk to yourself. Tape record your self talk. It opens up different channels in your brain than writing or just thinking. I write out portions of my speeches but, mostly, I just talk into my tape recorder. A lot of what I tape is drivel. Some of it is dynamite or sparks other dynamite ideas.

16.Read some children’s books. I’m partial to Dr. Seuss. Suit yourself.

17.Turn your problem around. If you are trying to attract new members ask, “How can we drive prospective members away?” Or “How can I make my speech as boring as possible?” Or “How can I make sure I accomplish nothing worthwhile this week?” You’ll run screaming in the direction of creativity.

18.Plan a vacation. You don’t have to take it, just plan it. Where will you go? Where will you stay? How will you get there? What will you do? How will you pay for it (or not)? If you can’t pay for it, how could you get to go anyway? What will you learn?

19.Watch something funny, then work on your problem.

20.Establish an Idea Preserve. Ideas are like rare and delicate plants or animals. You must find a save place for them if they are to survive. Write down your ideas. File them if you are so inclined. Even if you just put them in a box or an old coffee can, your creative ideas can be found, retrieved, and used.

21.Obtain and use a rhyming dictionary.

22.Find ways to recreate an innocent viewpoint. Try to remember when you didn’t know all the ways something can’t be done.

23.Learn to play a musical instrument.

24.Network with other people.

25.Take an Anthropology class.

26.Take a Photography class.

27.Take an Art class

39.Learn another language.

28.Spend time with children.

29.Go fly a kite! (Oh, oh, oh! Have you ever MADE A KITE? I mean from scratch, not a kit?)

30.Remember, nobody knows everything about anything. Even the best can (and will) be improved.

Do something...different...right now.

2007-06-17T11:01:00.000-04:00

Analysis Paralysis!

We've all been there. (Well, many of us have been!) It is easy to get caught up in planning and research and then never DO anything.

I'm not saying don't plan but if you are thinking about a deep change, it really won't help you to do too much planning BEFORE you get out and actually DO something.

Why?

Well, in order to reflect on something you need to have something, well, to reflect. If you think, "Wow, I'd like to open a garden store", well, how do you know? Do you garden? Have you ever run a business? Well then, how can you plan?

But, if you take some action...maybe even, at first, just talking to someone who has a garden store, or trying to sell some garden related products. Maybe you could even sign up to be a "Designer" for Home & Garden Party (actually, I don't know if they sell anything that is actually for the garden) just to see if you like selling garden stuff!

Make a simple list, pick something, find a way to do it. So, for example, if you want to write...write! Don't plan to write, don't create a mission statement that proclaims how you want to write, don't tell people that you want to write. Just write. Then reflect. Today's computer and internet enviornment makes writing and getting your message out to the world incredibly easy.

I'm also an advocate of trying out a home-based business company (like Home & Garden Party, Pampered Chef, Avon, Tupperware) to get an idea if you like running a small business and selling. The initial costs are usually modest and you can learn business and marketing basics. I think they are better than any business classe because you must deal with "real world" business problems. Just don't go overboard buying products and becoming your own best, or only, customer!

If you don't want to run a business but want to change careers...volunteer. You can do this for your employer (as I did when I transisioned from computer technician to being a trainer and business area consultant) or for a community organization.

The opportunities are out there. So get "out there" and Do Something...Different...Right Now! Dream real dreams!

World Champions of Public Speaking

2007-06-16T18:26:00.001-04:00

David Brooks and Darren LaCroix are two of Toasmasters International's World Champions of Public Speaking.

David Brooks won in 1990 and Darren LaCroix in 2001. Both are part of a group of 5 World Champion speakers known as World Champions' Edge.

If you are interested in great products to help you become a better speaker check out their products by clicking in the links section of this blog. Those links will take you to David and Darren's resources pages.

Check out their Champ Camps (Great name!). Also, Darren's "The Path to Powerful Presentations" (AKA "How I Went from Chump to Champ") and David's "The Elements of Eloquence". Great products about public speaking and mentoring.

Tell new stories

2007-06-15T14:55:00.000-04:00

Tell new stories?

What's that about?

Well, we tend to tell the same old stories about ourselves all the time. And, all too often, they limit us. We tell them to others ("Ah, I'm just a computer technician") and we tell them to ourselves ("I could never do something like that")

That's why I advise people to get out and do something different. Meet new people. Then reflect on what you've done and who you have met, then tell new empoweing stories about yourself.

Meet new people

2007-06-14T14:51:00.000-04:00

I've never been a fan of what you might call traditional networking. All the frantic card swapping and elevator speeches leave me cold. I know this isn't what the top gurus concerning networking, like Susan RoAne, actually advise anyone to do, but it is what I've seen all too often.

No, I'm talking about -well- just meeting new people. Maybe someone who is doing something that you want to try to do. Or getting into a community of practice. That might be a bluegrass jam if you play guitar or mandolin or banjo. Or Toastmasters or an NSA (National Speakers Association) chapter meeting if you want to try professional speaking.

Another idea is to give valuable service to people and organizations.

Get out there. Meet new people. They may lead you right where you want to go.

Lance & Scott

2007-06-12T19:55:00.000-04:00

Did you ever come across something you were just busting at the seams to tell people about?

Well, I’m in real danger because I’ve just found two items I can’t wait to share. Here’s number one.

If you’re a Toastmaster, (You ARE a Toastmaster aren’t you?) then by all means contact Lance Miller the 2005 World Champion of Public Speaking, and buy his CD "Building a Championship Club". It is Simply Amazing! It is geared for club officers but all Toastmasters will be inspired by Lance’s ideas in this CD.

Here’s one of those ideas: Colonel Sanders’ secret recipe. Hmm? Lance says the secret to Colonel Sanders is that the 13 herbs and spices aren’t the secret. The secret is to do the ordinary extraordinarily well. Wow!

I would add to that to do that consistently.

Find out more at www.lancemillerspeaks.com.

Speaking of doing something ordinary extraordinarily well, and extraordinarily consistently, what would you say about a guy who has worn a nametag all the time, everyday since November 2, 2000?

Well, Scott Ginsberg has done just that. He is now the world’s leading authority on…nametags. (Question…What are you the world’s leading authority on? That’s the question I started asking myself today.)

Nametags! But Scott’s expertise is not limited to nametags. His expertise is approachability. Scott Ginsberg now owns that word in my mind.

Scott posted his e-book, "234 things I’ve learned about creating, delivering and marketing speeches" at SpeakerNetNews (What? You’ve never heard of SNN? Go to www.speakernetnews.com/ ) in the compilations section. Again, Wow!

Here’s one: “190. Write everything down – stories, content, facts, quotes, jokes, one-liners, everything! If it goes unrecorded it becomes unmemorable.”

And here’s one from his special report: "Let Me Ask Ya This…55 GREAT Questions to Ask Someone You Just Met". “44. If you could hire any actor to portray you in a movie, who would you choose?”

You don’t want to be unmemorable!

Check out Scott's blog too at: www.hellomynameisscott.blogspot.com

Oh, one more thing…My answer to number 44? Dustin Hoffman.

DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT!

Do Something...Different!

2007-06-11T17:13:00.003-04:00

“All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make, the better.”
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Do Something…Different!

Meet New People! (Or find out something new about someone old!)

Tell New Stories! (To find new meaning and explain new identities!)

Hey, have you found TedTalks yet. Well go to www.ted.com/tedtalks and check it out. You will find talks on a wide array of subjects, from the def jam poetry of Rives, to David Deutsch on physics, from Tony Robbins riffing on NLP to Malcom Gladwell on…pasta sauce…yes pasta sauce. And it is fascinating. Talk about new stories!

Here are several new people to learn from (you don’t always have to actually meet new people…but it is best if you do).

Many of these people have done something different (very different), met new people, and here they are, telling their stories. This is the sort of mash-up that change comes from.

"Problems are solvable. Problems are inevitable."
David Deutsch