Archive For: Fun

What’s It For?

During a recent mastermind group “love in” we had a conversation about Work Life Balance. Not long after I was talking with a colleague about semi-retirement and retirement. The sum of these conversations led me to the conclusion that many people have no idea what they are doing!

Employees work hard because they want to add to their super so they can enjoy life in their retirement. Small business owners try to be bigger business owners to bring in money so they can enjoy more time with their family. People work many hours to provide for those they love who end up not recognising them because they are not around.

Too often retirees have lost their identity because their job was who they became, business owners can’t get out of the empire they build because “no-one can do it like they can” and both types lose what health they have due to the stress and demands of their choices.

What’s it for?

Why do you work so hard? Why do you do what you do? Why wait to have that experience? If you own the business, why don’t you have an afternoon off to spend with those you love – you won’t sack yourself!

Too often as people make a living, they forget to live. Never forget what you are doing this for and can you do some of it today?

PS Sorry I missed last weeks blog post, I was spending the day with Wifey before she went on a weeklong girls holiday to Fiji.

Greetings From Abu Dhabi

I have only just arrived here and I am here for a week presenting and hosting different elements of conference (I am looking forward to hosting the day at Ferrari World!)

In a session with The Bucket List Guy, Travis Bell, he told me that it is not achieving the item on the bucket list that counts; it is who you are on the other side of achieving it.

That put into words for me how I have always felt about travel. It is the exposure to different cultures, putting yourself in unfamiliar locations and situations, being resourceful enough to communicate when you don’t know the language, comprehending that YOU are the odd one out that stretch your mind.

When did you last put yourself in a “Foreign situation”? How can you have more of these growing experiences that stretch your mind?

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque near my hotel

2 Big Mistakes Speakers Make

Unknown to most people, I had my Performance Coach come and witness me perform as the Master of Ceremonies during Day 2 of a recent convention. She gave me some great feedback.

AND

She also made the comment that there were 2 big mistakes that most speakers made on stage. Including some of the more experienced speakers. I was talking about these mistakes with a meet up of a LinkedIn group this morning and thought that they may be of value to others who perform on stage. So here they are:

1) Speakers were not able to receive the acknowledgement from the crowd.
After a speaker spoke, the crowd got excited, applauded, whistled, threw items of clothing (ok so maybe not the last one) and the speaker gave a simple wave and walked off stage. It is the same as someone saying “Wow I like that outfit” and getting the reply “This old thing? I got it for $2 at the opshop”.

At the end of your presentation when people are applauding, stand there and receive it. Give a big bow or wave to acknowledge it but take the time to receive the accolades being given to you.

2) Most speakers used only 1/3 of the stage.
There was a huge stage there. USE IT! Ok so it can be fun to step off the stage, but it is also harder to see you. Way better to use the entire stage to better engage with your audience. I get for MCs we can be stuck at the lectern. Personally, I request a lapel microphone so I can stay away from the lectern. It helps me engage better and “play” with the audience.

So what do you think?
Do you agree with these concepts?
How will you change your next presentation?

Less Is More

As part of the recent Festival of Warwick, Wifey took me to see Suzanne Vega at the Melbourne Recital Centre. A fantastic concert at a brilliant venue.

One of the things that made it so good was it’s minimalism.

The set was simple; just some coloured lights on the curtains.
The band was simple; just Suzanne and her guitarist Gerry.
The introduction was short and simple; no support act, just Suzanne Vega.
The show was loaded with great songs and went for nearly 2 hours.

I was thrilled at the sound Gerry got from his guitar. A few bits of equipment (loop pedal and other effect pedals) and he was making some great sounds.

What made the show so engaging was the lack of flashy effects. You got the core elements. It was a prime example of Less Is More.

So what about you? Where in your life could you have Less and be More? Do Less and achieve More? Take Less and give More?

Image: Gerry Leonard

What a Gift!

Today is my birthday. I am 46 years old!

Woo hooo!! There was a time when that was the average male life expectancy. Nowadays, it is barely halfway.

I have so many things to be grateful for on this day. Too many to mention them all but there is one very special thing I must acknowledge.

My friends!

I am so blessed with some amazing people in my life. Of course my best friend Wifey! There is also my close circle of friends and then there are those in my bigger circle.

My friends all seem to be amazingly talented as well. In fact, let me share my birthday present with you. A couple of gorgeous gals I know took time out of their holiday to make this for me. It is one of the most beautiful gifts I have ever received. What do you think of it?

[jwplayer mediaid=”5197″]

Merry Christmas!

It’s Christmas time. Yay!

For those of you who celebrate Christmas, I trust you will enjoy the delights that Christmas offers. For those who don’t celebrate Christmas, I wish you all the best for whatever you do celebrate (whether it be Festivus, Chanukka, Kwanzaa or some other festival).

For everyone, I trust that your have gained great things from 2013 and that 2014 will bring you fantastic opportunity, moments of awesomeness and time to connect to those who count.

My gift for you is the recipe for Rum Balls. They have always been a family favourite. A friend of mine posted pics of her rum balls on Facebook and I thought I should make some too. She sent me the recipe and then Wifey made some (naturally I was responsible for the taste test)

Here is the result

They are super easy to make and taste like celebration.

Enjoy!!

Rum Balls
from Sally Coffey-Battersby

Preparation time: 20 Mins
Skill Level: Easy

Ingredients
1packet of Arrowroot or Marie biscuits pulverised to dust
½ cup desiccated coconut,
Extra coconut for topping
3tbs cocoa,
1tin sweetened condensed milk,
3-6 tbs of rum (depending on strength required!!)

Method
Smash biscuits in blender or chopper
Add dry ingredients
Mix well
Add Condensed Milk and Rum
Mix up til it’s sticky, but not too wet
Add more coconut if it’s too wet
Use hands to roll into bite sized balls
Coat in coconut and then refrigerate

NOTE
Can be frozen
Alternate alcohol can be used for a different flavour
Rum essence can be used for non-alcoholic version
Can add sultanas or other dried fruit for variety
Can roll in sprinkles or Hundreds and Thousands for variety

What Is Your Customers Sweet Spot?

I was in Melbourne recently to audition for the lead role in an animated film (that’s a different story) and I saw Mario the busker above. In fact, I originally thought someone was playing the Nintendo game with the volume really loud. Click here for a couple of minutes of Mario at work.

It was an amazing bit of busking that applied the same elements of success that a clever exhibiting booth would have.

Now I am not sure how good a guitar player the person was, but that didn’t matter. After a couple of minutes I realised that they were playing the same 5-7 minute piece and then just kept repeating it.

This is why it was so good:

It was instantly recognisable – so many people stopped to listen, take photos, have their kids next to Mario while they took photos and one guy even danced along to the tune.
It stood out – this wasn’t just a busker, it was Mario in full cartoon goodness.
It was joyous – the song was the soundtrack of many peoples childhood (and a few peoples adulthood as well!)
It was recognisable – immediately people would either recognise the song because they knew of the game or they would move on because it wasn’t part of their world.
It was playful – when people put money in Mario’s hat, Mario played the “coin” sound. This made people laugh more.
It was niched – The gamers loved it. More geeks were giving money to a busker than I had ever seen before.
It was clever – Somehow Mario had triggered Nintendo sounds with the guitar. I tried to see if it was a backing track but it didn’t seem to be. Mario was too flexible in their play for it to be a backing track and while the song repeated, it was not an exact repeat.
It was quick – straight away you saw what it was and could decide whether you wanted to give money or not. You didn’t need to stay for minutes or a huge performance. You could easily see Mario in the distance, get money out, throw it in the hat and keep walking to the train station without slowing down.
It was simple – OK so the person is wearing the Mario costume, but apart from that, it is a simple performance without too much effort required – you only had to know ONE SONG
It went for the Sweet Spot – Mario had worked out a short piece, a fun theme and some quirky play that went straight to the heart (and wallet) of Mario’s prospect and called them to action.

Next time you are setting up your Expo Booth, consider some of these principles and go for your Customers Sweet Spot.

Fanfare for the Common Man

Fanfare for the Common Man - Robert Clinch
(Image: www.ArtGalleryOfBallarat.com.au)

During the course of the weekend, Wifey and I did a road trip to Ballarat. A cruisy two hour drive. Serendipitously we ended up at the art gallery and were delighted by an exhibition of works by Robert Clinch. His works were stunning.

We were thrilled to see some of the detail in his studies for the final pieces, tickled by the play on words of the names of his pieces and impressed by the way the gallery had displayed them to highlight their features.

Frequently, as the title of the exhibition and the piece above convey, they celebrated the common things in life. The simple act of playing a trombone, a truck being loaded at the docks, the monolithical creation of a warehouse and paper planes.

What are the seemingly ordinary and common things in your life you wish to celebrate? The writing a letter to a friend, maybe taking a dog for a walk or even the simple joy of rain pouring down making magical music. Sometimes it is not just the extraordinary that needs to be celebrated but the average, everyday, mundane and seeming boring things that make life worthwhile.

If you need a sound track for the celebration of the mundane then click here for the original piece of music titled “Fanfare for the Common Man” by Aaron Copland and click here for the Emerson, Lake and Palmer version.

What will you celebrate with a Fanfare for the Common Man (and woman)?

Here Is Your Present

As you know, it was my birthday last week. I had a fabulous three day festival to celebrate including a High Tea which was rather posh! It was also fabulous to hear how people had passed on my birthday wishes to others with some fantastic reactions.

Today I wanted to give you a present.

It is a simple two page worksheet that helps you celebrate the year past and look forward to the coming year. I call it my Birthday Bash. It will only take you 10 minutes to complete but it will return far more value. To get your copy just click here.

Happy Birthday from me to you!

Warwick In Action

Warwick Merry – The Get More Guy, is your high energy, results focused, action oriented, no holds barred tour de force Master MC, keynote speaker and Exhibiting Specialist. He ensures your attendees Get More from your event. His MC work is like insurance for your event. It guarantees things will run smoothly and on time. As a speaker, he is like a dose of Berocca – a bubbling, burst of healthy, sustainable energy for your attendees. If you need a burst of inspiration, cogitation and celebration at your next event you MUST book The Get More Guy, Warwick Merry.

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Happy Birthday Time

I am having one of my favourite kinds of years. It’s one where I have a birthday.

Some people know that it is my birthday this week on Friday 19th April. It’s not a big one, it’s just another average, everyday kind of birthday. The kind of birthday where all of your friends wish you “all the best”. Especially now that Facebook, Twitter, Linked In and every other kind of social media tells everyone it’s your birthday. You get some fabulous wishes from random people you hardly know!

Here’s the thing.

My life is pretty awesome. I’m not bragging, it’s just a fact. I have a fabulous wife, a great business, good health, fun toys, loving family, stupendous friends, a cool choir and I have great experiences. So as much as I love these birthday wishes, I don’t really need them. But loads of other people do.

You see them looking grumpy in meetings, walking down the street, in the supermarket and even in elevators. So I had a cunning plan, why not give all of these fabulous birthday wishes to people who really need them?

I get it sounds a bit whacky and the kind of thing that ends up on a dodgy TV show, but I really don’t care. I think it was Eleanor Roosevelt who said, “What other people think of me is none of my business.”

I really would like everyone to give my birthday wish to those who need them more. So I need your help.

This week, whenever you get the urge to wish me a happy birthday, give it to someone else. Give it to a random stranger, a work colleague, someone you love, someone you like, someone you have a slight distaste for, someone you have a crush on, the check out person, the person in the car next to you – it doesn’t really matter who, just be sure to give it. Give to them as genuine a wish as you would have for me for a year full of joy, magic and delights. You may shake their hand, hug them, kiss them, wave at them or simply smile at them.

You may give a speech even! Something like, “On behalf of Warwick, I would like to give his best birthday wishes to you. May you have a fantastic celebration of life today.” It may be smaller. Something like, “Dude!” It doesn’t really matter, what is important is the intent.

Who could ask for a better birthday present? So Friends will you help me?

Warwick In Action

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Get More and Exhibiting and Sponsorship Institute, 38 Winmalee Drive, Glen Waverley Vic Australia , 3150

Are You Ready for 2013?

2013
I have had the last couple of weeks off. I spent the time relaxing, celebrating, planning, resting and enjoying. I feel refreshed and ready to embrace whatever 2013 holds for me.

What about you? Are you ready for 2013?
I have seen a lot of blurb about New Year’s resolutions. Can I humbly suggest that you don’t waste your time on them? Most people get excited, make commitments and then simply get on with their life. I have found it more valuable to learn from the past, plan for the future and act in the day.

To help you put some substance into that process I created the Regular Results Review, an easy to use 2 page template to build your action plan for the year. Let me know how it goes.

So are you ready for 2013? If not, be ready because it is already here and will continue along regardless. I hope 2013 is magic for you, your family and your business. If I can help at all, get in touch.

Enjoy!

Are You Adding Value?

Headshot
Are You Adding Value?

As I type this I am on the lovely Gold Coast of Australia. I am here for a client’s conference and Expo. They have asked me to host the expo floor and work closely with the exhibitors. Naturally I said yes.

Then they said, “Would you mind dressing up for the welcoming function?” I thought they meant dressing up into a formal outfit. But no, my job was to be outside the confessional (photo booth) and absolve people of their sins dressed as a religious figure.

I am sure I could have said no. But my theory is always to look for how I can add value to my clients. What can I do that is one step further? Not only does it make them happy, it also means I am more likely to get the gig again next year.

So how are you adding value? It doesn’t mean simply dressing up or working longer hours. What are the things you are doing for your customers (both internal and external) that add value to them and make their experience more enjoyable?

This is THE MOST IMPORTANT PIECE OF BUSINESS ADVICE EVER!!!

Whatever your business is, you have to have fun.

The Minister of Fun once told me the secret. If it’s not fun, don’t do it. If you have to do it, make it fun.

Too many business owners lose track of this. I constantly come across WAHMs (work at home mums/work at home men) who decide that now the kids have grown a bit, they want to start a business.

The business starts and is low key for awhile. Then it starts to grow. All of a sudden they don’t have time for the stuff they used to do. Coffee with friends falls by the wayside. They start working late into the night. Weekends become a distant memory. The business is doing ok but still needs a lot of hands on work to keep it going. It is becoming a real burden and the fun left months ago!!

Familiar?

It MUST be fun!

When I am working with my Exhibiting clients, they seem to think that when exhibiting it is all about business and you have to be serious because I am spending serious money, doing serious marketing and seriously wanting this to work. The best thing to do when exhibiting? Smile!! It is so attractive. Have fun with the visitors, have a bit of a joke and they will relax a bit and be open to your offering.

How can you make your office, your business, your life have more fun? We all know what it’s like. Sometimes we are hit by such challenges that if we didn’t laugh we would burst into tears. Most of these challenges, when reflected back on 6, 12 or 18 months later were not as important as we thought. So have a chuckle and look for the fun side. We are only human after all.

Too many business owners don’t give themselves permission to relax, enjoy and have fun. It is like they are waiting for some authority to majestically grant them permission. Well if that is you, then here it is:

I, Warwick Merry – The Get More Guy, by the power granted to me by the Minister of Fun do solemnly, seriously and sillily give you the everlasting permission to have fun, laugh and play in all that you do. Should anyone question your permission, simply state that the Minister for Fun and the Get More Guy said you had to Get More Fun.

Whew!! Now it is safe to have fun. I am yet to find a situation where it is not ok to have a little fun. Think about a funeral. As you are at the wake chatting to others and reflecting on your friend, what is better for you? The time you are all serious, considering how sad it is or when you are laughing as you recollect the silly things that they said, did or enjoyed? It doesn’t mean it is not sad or tragic but you can shift your perspective to the blessings they brought into your life.

Ooops, that’s a little dark, but you get the point.

So how can you make your work fun? One of my business partners sends frog lollies with all of her invoices (her customers now fight over who gets to open the invoice). Others put one liner jokes in their news letters. Some share their stunning photos with their business network. Others simply smile as much as they can. When I am chatting to people and they ask “How are you?” I reply, “Delightful!” These are only little things but they make a huge difference.

I am committed to having fun in all that I do and I tell you, it makes things so much more bearable and enjoyable. What will you do?

Enjoy the day

Warwick

PS Did you know that smiling releases endorphins into the body? Did you know that endorphins are essentially human made morphine? Did you know that the body cannot tell the difference between a fake smile and a real one? So basically, if you start smiling (real or fake) your body will start to feel happy and your mind can only follow it.

Here are a few smiles if you need them

Have You Got the Right Gear?

Here is something a little different. I was feeling a little cold today so thought that I would share it with you. I put together this little video for your enjoyment. It even has a message in it!!

Enjoy!

Is Your Body Where It Needs to Be?

dads
The late, great Kevin Merry (my Dad – the one on the right) often said to me, “sometimes your body just has to be there whether you want to go or not.” Usually he was talking about funerals, wedding, celebrations and events where you could choose to go or not.

That message always stuck with me. It was reinforced when I missed one of my best friend’s wedding – a decision I will always regret (Sorry Simon).

But I am one who learns from mistakes. So this week Wifey and I are at her friend’s wedding. It is an Indian wedding in India. In fact, it is a Punjabi Sikh wedding so that means 4 days of celebration spread over a week. I have even grown a beard for the occasion to go with my turban!

Three weeks out of my business this early in the year was not really what I had planned. It has set me back on a few things but Wifey and I decided that our bodies had to be here. The bridal couple are fabulous people, it will be an amazing cultural experience, we get to spend a little extra time enjoying the delights of India and I don’t have to shave for a month. So many great reasons to be here. If I really wanted, I could come up with many why it would be better to be at home.

Sometimes your body just has to be there.

Image: My father in law and father at Wifey and my wedding in 2007

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Archive For: Fun

What’s It For?