Archive For: Success

Why Would You Do That?

Last week i was fortunate enough to share the day with the other members of the Professional Speakers Association Board as well as our Past National President representative. It was a full on day which had some great outcomes.

Following my recent announcement that I had taken on the position of President for Professional Speakers Australia, several of my contacts asked, “why would you do that.”

It’s a great question.

Let’s be honest, in an Association President position, there is little kudos, a lot of extra work, distraction from your business, time away from family, many people advising you on what you “should” do and a ringing question of “is it worth it?”

My experience in being of service to an organisation is that it pays back in multiples, just never in the way you thought it would or should. I have been on the board several times, served at several chapter positions and even been the organiser of the national convention. This has added up to a lot of time and energy.

The benefits from all of this service continue to be delivered to me.

  • I have had tens of thousands of dollars worth of business referrals from members
  • I have been asked to speak at Global Speakers Federation sister associations in the USA, Singapore and New Zealand
  • I have met some of the top speakers in the world
  • Some of the best speakers have donated their time to me to help grow my skill sets
  • Event industry experts have sought me out for my opinion on Event issues the industry is facing
  • I have seen blossoming speakers create significant businesses
  • I have made some fantastic new friends
  • Big name speakers make themselves available for my projects like the Get More Success show and Get More Inspiration
  • I have made new friends all around the world

Too often the focus is “What’s in it for me?” But being of service to your industry and association pays off in ways you cannot begin to imagine, financial and non-financial.

So if you are wondering, that’s why I would do that.

What about you? Do you perform acts of service?

 

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What Is It Good For?

During my state of recovery and rest I have revisited some of the classic films we have. One that appeals to me greatly is the original M*A*S*H film.

The film is very clever in showing the intensity and futility of war. The series that followed continues that message.

Fortunately, we live in a time when deaths from war are at an historic low. Having said that, the damage from war is still way to high. The recent episode of “You Can’t Ask That” on recently returned war veterans is a strong indication of the damage that war does.

While the recent activities with USA, Russia, China, Syria, and North Korea seem to hint at the ghoulish nightmare of increased military conflict, it is not just there that we should be concerned.

Sometimes the war is not a military action but a disagreement between departments, companies, friends, family members or even with your customers. The best way to win a war is not to be in it.

In some situations you can be Right or you can be Happy and you get to choose.

Help stop a futile situation from escalating and sacrifice your desire to be Right. Look at the big picture, ask “how important is it” and come up with a solution that both parties can live with. Sometimes it is not that easy but the cost (financial, emotional, and of your reputation) is far lower than outright war.

You always have to ask yourself; War – What is it good for?

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What CAN You Do?

broken leg in jeans

Today marks the last day of the fifth week of my broken leg and ankle (not that I am counting).

When I talk with my friends, family and customers they are quite surprised how positive I am.

Now don’t get me wrong. The cast is uncomfortable, it is hard to get around, crutches are no where near as much fun as my childhood memories, I can’t do anything around the house, making myself a cup of coffee is almost impossible and I have started to dream about walking.

To stay positive, I am firmly focussed on what I CAN do and not on what I can’t.

If I started to focus on what I can’t do, I would enter a spiral of self-pity, depression and self-loathing that would help no-one. While it is not easy, I am choosing to focus on what I CAN do.

Focussing on the simple things of being able to go to the toilet by myself, pat my dog, being able to put on jeans and go out for a coffee (like the Werribee Mansion where we went on Sunday as per the photo), take phone calls, write blogs, record podcasts, keeps me positive.

Coupling that with gratitude for all the positive things I have in my life means that my attitude stays healthy while my body heals. Yes it is inconvenient not being able to walk for the next 10 weeks but I know from personal experience how fortunate I am to have such a minor accident. My reason to be in hospital for four days was a simple one with a known answer. I have some brilliant friends, family and colleagues who have been visiting and keeping me fed. I am relatively independent on my crutches and I have experienced hardly any pain.

What about your situation? If you are stuck, feeling blocked, impacted by external factors just ask yourself, “What CAN you do?”

Then simply start doing that.

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What Are You Working On?

Image: ShutterStock

Do you spend much time working on yourself?

There are many people in this world who think they are pretty magnificent. All you need to do is ask them and they will tell you how good they are!

I love the concepts of “If you don’t grow, you go” and “once you are ripe, you rot“.

Simple statements that position how important it is to continually work on yourself.

Now before you thank, “I don’t have time”, “I’m too busy” or “what the? Something ELSE to do?” you need to understand that working on yourself doesn’t have to be a formal education process or something ADDITIONAL you need to do.

Here are some simple ideas that have a positive impact on you and can help you grow:

  • Read a book (it doesn’t have to be a business book, novels add new ideas and perspectives too)
  • Attend an industry convention
  • Join a mastermind group
  • Attend a networking function
  • Listen to a podcast (Naturally I recommend the Get More Success Show)
  • Spend time with friend talking about challenges you all face
  • Write a gratitude journal
  • Join your Professional Association
  • Sing in a choir
  • Join a charitable organisation
  • Create something
  • Ask someone else what they would do in your position and truly listen to their answer
  • Watch a foreign film (some classics you can start with include Amelie, Cinema Paradiso, Babette’s Feast and Mon Oncle)
  • Play with some kids and some Lego or building blocks to see what they create
  • Attend a trade show
  • Have a hobby

The trap of thinking we know enough is that the world keeps moving on and we can get stuck in our own way of thinking.

So what are you working on?

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The Buck Stops Here

Image: ShutterStock

I am thrilled to announce that effective today I am the National President of Professional Speakers Australia.

I have always believed in professional associations and being a member is not enough. To me, it is important that you contribute to the industry to which you belong. I have served several positions but this is the top one.

The Buck Stops Here.

Our industry has challenges, our association has challenges and our marketplace has challenges. They are not to be shied away from but to be faced and dealt with as best as possible.

We have a great board and a strong team in each state, but still hard decisions need to me made and tough situations need to be faced. I am happy to delegate to get some of these things done but ultimately…

The Buck Stops Here.

Spiderman’s uncle said, “With great power comes great responsibility.”

I think the reverse is also true. With great responsibility comes great power.

I now have a responsibility to use my presidential power in a way that supports and grows all of our members, the market place and our suppliers and customers. It won’t be easy, I may make mistakes but I will attack this role with enthusiasm and great joy knowing that at all times, The Buck Stops Here.

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Innovation is Alive and Well

Waiting for #Adele #melbourne #etihad

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You may be aware that Adele is touring Australia and performing to sellout stadiums of over 60,000 people. Tickets sold out super quick and many have been left wanting (even with ticket prices from $200 and up).

But some people have been innovative and got to see and hear the concert for a lot less.

A friend of mine in Perth used the natural acoustics of the Perth Arena and the fact that he lives near it to simply sit on his back veranda with a pleasant beverage and enjoy the concert without having to pay a thing.

My favourite story (and one that makes me think, “Why didn’t I do that?”) is one of my gorgeous wife’s friends took their daughter to a hotel complex right next to Etihad Stadium in Melbourne. They paid $99 for the nights accomodation and could then sit on the pool deck, see the huge Adele monitor down inside the arena as well as hear every song, every Adele comment and every joyous moment of the concert.

Innovation does not have to be complicated. Innovation can simply be taking advantage of existing conditions.

Innovation is far from dead in this country. It does not take massive resources, you don’t have to be a huge company, it can be simple things you do daily.

So how do you show that innovation is alive and well?

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Make it Fast by Going Slow

Ooops!

It seems I have caused myself a little damage. I was going for a short ride and right outside the front of my house, the back wheel slipped and I fell breaking my ankle.

I was going about 10 km/h, I was wearing full leathers and I was doing everything right. It is what you call an accident. (Not a purposedent!)

After four days in hospital, some ankle reconstruction surgery and some fabulous pain killers, I am now home recovering.

The prescription is six weeks without any weight bearing on my right leg.

SIX WEEKS!!

OK so it is a long time. My commitment is to be a patient patient. Too many people I know rush back early and do more damage and that is not what I want to do. I want to heal my ankle the first time and not have to go back for further treatment.

What about you? Can you be patient? Will you make it fast by going slow?

 

 

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You Are Not Alone

referral marketing

Image: ShutterStock

Trying to achieve your goals and get the results you are after can be draining.

So often you feel like you are alone. It feels like it is you chipping away at a mountain of granite, hoping to make a break through any moment.

Hoping it is the next swing that brings the results. No? Ok, the next swing!

Maybe the next swing …

Never forget, you are not alone. 

Whether you are running your own business, raising a family, working a corporate job or serving as a volunteer, you are not alone.

You are operating in a connected world, so why not use it? 

You know how when other people ask you for help you feel fantastic when you can contribute to them? Why not let others feel that way too. You just have to do one thing.

Ask for help!

Whatever you may want or need, ask for it. You may feel embarrassed, you may feel shy, you may feel like you “should” be able to do it on your own. The reality is you don’t have to.

So what do you need to ask for?

P.S. Let me practice what I preach. I would love it if you could refer me to someone who is organising an event and needs a host or MC. Typically the event will be for 200 people or more. Thanks for the referral!

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Sometimes You Have to Say “NO”

Facebook Phone No

Image: ShutterStock

I have deleted the Facebook app off my phone. It is a huge relief.

Over the past few months I have become more and more disillusioned with Facebook.

It sucks up huge chunks of my day and I let it. I seem to pay more attention to it than I do my gorgeous wife. I will spend large amounts of time looking at it and then feel worse afterwards. My comparing and competing is at an all time high (that is, I look at what others are doing and think, “why aren’t I doing that”) and all the political rubbish was syphoning all the hope and positivity out of my life.

Something had to be done.

I deleted it off my phone and only access it for limited amounts of time during the day on my computer.

I feel so much better.

My hope has lifted, I am less concerned with other peoples business, my focus has returned to the actions I need to take, I engage more with my wife and my dog and I am continuing to look at what counts.

What you say No to determines your success far more than what you say Yes to.

I am slowly saying No to more social media and it is helping me get a clearer and healthier perspective on my world and the world around me.

Sometimes you have to say “NO”. What will you say NO to?

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Do Short Cuts Save You?

Over the weekend I was hosting and presenting at a clients promotional roadshow. On the Sunday the event was at one of the major events centres in Australia.

The centre itself is very impressive. There were friendly staff directing everyone to where they needed to go and happily helping you with whatever you needed.

It was a little different in the event room itself.

Don’t get me wrong, the staff were friendly but there was a major issue with the Audio Visual (AV) and the response was “lacking” at best!

Here is a summary of a few things that happened:

  • The lapel mic packs were the short range ones not the long range ones so they lost signal every now and again
  • My mic pack died five minutes into the welcome (Luckily I could turn it into a joke and got them to change it on the fly while I kept speaking)
  • The replacement mic pack popped and crackled every time I got loud and excited (I get loud and excited a lot!)
  • The main speakers mic pack popped and crackled every time she got loud and excited
  • The remote for the presentation struggled to connect and always seemed to have a time delay in pressing the button and advancing a slide
  • The AV system reset itself and the lights and screen flicked on and off for half a second just before the main speaker came on stage
  • The friendly staff member on the desk was incredibly junior and didn’t really know what was going on – they were out of their depth
  • The senior staff member was the duty manager and not an AV person

Do you get the picture?

At the lunch break we completely changed out the AV desk for the more powerful, long range mics and our team came up with a strategy for the presentation remote which seemed to work.

It felt like this shiny, pristine venue was trying to take a short cuts and cost cutting by having junior staff and lower end AV equipment. The outcome is an unhappy client who will be asking for a partial refund and who is also questioning the additional 10 days they have booked at that centre and any other work they may do with them.

Customer service MUST be a long term game. The short cuts you take can cost you dearly in the end.

What about for you? Do short cuts save you?

 

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What’s Your Hobby?

This week is a special week.

It is a special week because both of my hobbies start again. 

As I have commented before, I study with Impro Melbourne and sing with Mood Swing and this week we are back into rehearsals to get ready for some upcoming performances.

I have always been a fan of having a hobby. There are many different research papers showing that early retirement can lead to an early death and I believe that some of that is due to retiree’s not knowing who they are outside the work environment. I have seen this frequently for men in business. 

Their identity is wrapped up in what they do rather than who they are.

Having a hobby can help combat this. Hobbies also tap into your passion and can energise and stabilise your emotive state while dealing with the other situations life throws at you.

By the way, a family is not a hobby! A hobby has to be something you do for YOU. Something that inspires YOU, challenges YOU, pushes YOU and delights YOU.
Like my hobbies, they can also contribute to your professional life but that is not the primary reason to choose a particular hobby.

So, what’s your hobby? When do you start?

 

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Do You Rock?

2017-01-22 Chris Wilson

Over the weekend my vocal coach, Zerafina Zara, and I went to see one of Australia’s music legends, Chris Wilson.

Musically, he was amazing. I am yet to see anyone play harmonica better than he does and his raspy vocals inject such soul into his music. To be honest, the drummer and the guitarist were also fantastic.

But here’s the thing. Being a great muso is not enough!

Many may argue that is “should” be enough but the reality is, being a muso alone is not enough. When I put my event professional hat on and consider a performance as a Master MC, I think you need to be more.

My personal philosophy is that ANYONE who steps on stage to be in front of an audience, regardless of whether you are a rock star, a CEO, a speaker or a bride giving a speech, you must be Yourself, Amplified.

You have to be yourself because authenticity is essential to connecting to you audience and you have to be amplified as your work has to come across strongly and be able to break through any resistance. Your amplification of energy and confidence will do this.

Chris’ first bracket was fine. Good music performed will but he didn’t connect to the audience. This was contrasted with his second bracket. He chatted to us, made some jokes and told a story. The difference in energy in the room was noticeable. 

The key element of success in any presentation or performance is to remember that “It is all about the audience.” They have to be connected with you, emotionally and energetically. You can do this via a good great introduction, looking at the audience, playing with the audience, acknowledging they are here and what it took for them to get here, or including them in your story.

When you connect with the audience, the whole place ROCKS! Your music and your message gets across easier, your fan base love you a little bit more and your event raises the bar that little bit higher.

So when you present, do you engage with your audience? Do you make them want to see you again?

Do you rock?

PS Here is a bit more of Chris for your enjoyment!

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Are They Accredited?


January is Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) month and I am thrilled to say that I have held this level of Accreditation for the last two years.

But what does that mean?

Like many professionals in our lives, accountants, lawyers, plumbers, electricians, mechanics, IT professionals and speakers, their professional bodies set a minimum required skill set as well as significant professional and ethical standards that must be met to receive a level of accreditation.

From personal experience, achieving CSP was incredibly difficult. It is a global designation and it is a top level of accreditation awarded by member bodies of the Global Speaker Federation.

As with many industries, there are a handful of people who don’t have the accreditation but they are still excellent at what they do. The accreditation is the guarantee that someone else has done the due diligence and that the professional you are considering has the skill for the job.

So do you do the due diligence on all of your suppliers? Whether they are fixing your house, compiling your accounts or hosting your next client event, do you minimise the risk of drama and maximise the chance of success.

Do you ask yourself, “Are they accredited?”

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New Year – So What!

2017-target-small

Image: ShutterStock

By now you will have seen all the “New Year, New Goals”, “Make 2017 Your Own”, “Get Things Done in 2017” kind of posts.
January is the time of year that Gym business make their money and in a couple of weeks people stop coming and it all goes back to normal.

Don’t get me wrong, I am a big fan of goal setting and creating a vision for yourself, your business and your family. But it also creates a lot of discomfort too. Some people are comparing themselves to the Facebook life of others and thinking “What a crap year I had last year, why will this year be any better”. Others feel like they are impostors and maybe this year they will get found out.

Here is what works for me.

It is nice to have annual goals but chances are they will change well before you get there. My gorgeous wife and I have a THEME for the year. This becomes our focus.

We also examine the year just gone. What are the great things that happened to us, that we did, that we experienced.

Then we focus on the day ahead of us.

The simple adage of “learn from the past, plan from the future but live in today” is a powerful way to live your year and your life, one day at a time.

 

PS My latest edition of the Get More Success show has a great discussion on Impostor Syndrome. You can listen to it here.
PPS You can use this Regular Results Review one pager to capture lessons from last year and plan for 2017.
PPPS I have TWO mentoring spots open. If you are interested in having some Success Mentoring get in touch.

 

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Summer Wonderland

Last week I was lucky enough to give away a holiday for two people, including tickets to the Super Bowl in Houston, worth over $20,000. It was all part of Air New Zealand’s new launch of Dave, the Frequent Flyer (That’s him pictured above – click on him to see him in action).

I like Air NZ. They are very clever but show it with a great sense of humour and humanity.

Dave is great way to show an alternate way for long haul travel.
Their new Christmas message (basically, it’s really hot in the southern hemisphere over summer, so no snow for us) is a fabulous mix up of the cheeky personality of Julian Dennison (the kid from Hunt for the Wilderpeople) and fabulous music from Ronan Keating. Click the image below to see the short film – it’s worth it.

They frequently have fights with other airlines on twitter. Recently it was with Aer Lingus. The best thing is that with their fights, everyone wins!
So much of their work is not a blatant promotion of their airline but generating fun while reminding you of what they do.

So how do you bring humour and humanity to what you do? How do relax and just enjoy the Summer Wonderland?

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