The economy is apparently on a steady rise and so is the motivational speaking industry. What last year seemed like a gloomy, desolate, ghost town - is now a pumping urban metropolis. Bookings for experts, authorities, and motivational speakers seem to be in great demand this year as our country slowly emerges from economic rehab; companies are in need of that caffeine jolt, that extra jump to get their focus and fervor back. For those that may not know, sometimes I trade my chef coat, for.......................? Well, whatever a motivational speaker is supposed to wear. It's only January and I have 32 bookings already for 2011! However, I am no expert and no authority on anything. I simply share my experiences and what I have learned from this roller coaster ride, I call my life, and hope that just one person-if that-in the audience is moved by it, and maybe just maybe- their life might be turned around. In the words of the great Maya Angelou, I believe it is our responsibility as human beings to learn as much as we can, love as much as we can, and accomplish as much as we can, because at our very best, we are teachers. And that is the only way for progression of the human race.
Earlier this week I had the privilege of sharing the stage with renown speaker, Gregg Lederman. He is the guy that everyone calls when they want to "take over the world", when they want their company to surpass every other company, when they want their bank accounts to quadruple. He is the author of " 10 truths you must know to increase company profits" and has branded himself as being driven by a relentless desire to help people. Upon shaking his hand on Monday morning, as we met for the first time, 5 minutes before showtime, he said, " I'm Gregg Lederman and I have made it my personal mission to dramatically improve people's lives by increasing their company's profits."
"WTF!!!???" as my stomach turned. This is exactly the prototype of public speaking I am against. Perhaps, that is why I am the black sheep of the industry? I went on to introduce myself and asked what business he owned; what made him an expert in this field? The answer I recieved was astounding as much as it was not surprising. Afterall, most "experts" answers are much like his. I couldn't blame him. The answer was "none. I have a speaking business." He went on and on about how he can make you a millionaire, how your money problems can dissappear, how having a lot of money makes you happy, etc. etc, etc. My stomach continued to turn and I just had to say something right before we went on, "Mr. Lederman, I bet you a dollar that if you tell those people out there a little bit about your life, your successes and failures, and what you have learned from everything, you might help them more than if you try to portray a profit guru. You might just say those few words that will motivate them to open up that store, to learn a foreign language, or to join that group that builds homes for the poor overseas. I bet you a dollar, Sir. Then, your relentless desire to help people might become real." I stood there on the black metal steps that led to the stage, two steps below him, and looked him straight in the eyes. I was secretly thinking, " Oh no! what did I just say to a this man who's made a career of this for 20 years?" I was getting cold sweats as I assumed my little outburst to Mr. Lederman would cost me any future bookings with FiveStar. " How could I have said this? I usually just swallow the crap people say. This isn't my first rodeo...ahhh!" I was in a silent panic. And then there was a pause.....and I realized that every single person out there deserved better than that. So if this was going to be my last booking with FiveStar, than it better be the best I've got. I took three steps more and was on stage, mic check...1....2.....3.........
I went from side to side, and then into the crowd as I entertained them with what I've earned, learned, what I've lost, the risks I've taken, the rewards I've obtained, my triumphs and failures. After all, how many people can say they've accomplished what I have? How many have been where I have been? Bad or good? How many have lost what I've lost? Losing has taught me what life may be. I've been to the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. It's a wonderful story to share, really. I find myself getting better at sharing it every time. I love my crazy roller coaster ride and I wouldn't trade it for a boring wake up every morning to make someone else money type of job, and I'll take it with all the sacrifice and extra stress it may bring. In the end, I can say I took the chance! I did it while you dreamed it!
You want to say the same? How bad do you want it?
Then, you have to be willing to lay it all down on the line. You have to go now, experience, dream, risk everything. Close your eyes and jump. Enjoy the free fall. Choose exhiliration over comfort, the unknown over predictability. Choose potential over safety. Wake up to a magical everyday life. Trust your intuition. Discover the beauty of uncertainty. Go with your gut instincts, they are always right. Know yourself fully before you make promises to anybody else. Make a million mistakes so that you will know what you really need. Know when to hold on and when to let go. Love hard and often without reservations. Seek knowledge, keep yourself open to possibilty. Keep your head high, your heart open, and your spirit free. Embrace your darkness along with your light. Be wrong every once in a while and admit it. Awaken to the brilliance of ordinary moments like seeing the sunshine when you wake up. Own your reality without apology. See goodness in the world, believe in God, and kick some ass. Be bold, fierce, and ambitious. Remember that nothing was ever written about the average normal person. Be grateful for every minute you are alive and breathing, because every minute is another chance to do something you haven't done.
And if you don't do this, the only reality you will own is one of which is one of the greatest truths ever told, " In ten years, you will regret more what you haven't done as opposed to the things you have done. " The time is Now!
I looked at the faces of the crowd, they were overwhelmed with emotion, it was amazing! I knew at that very moment someone, at least one person was walking out of there earger to do something, to make something happen, to change their current situation.
I didn't give them a formula to become rich, I didn't advise them to take over the world. But " I bet you a dollar, Gregg Lederman, someone is walking out of here rich."
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