What an interesting and exciting time to be a Speaker! We have the singular most marketable skill in a world ruled by communication - the ability to address an audience, to hold their attention, and to convey a message. But what is the message YOU wish to convey?
For those of you who desire the stage as a professional Speaker please remember to whom much is given, much is required. When you step in front of an audience of any size you do so as a de facto expert. If you are speaking to a local civic group about real estate, your words carry weight and people may make a decision to buy, sell, debate, or stay out of the market based on nothing more than what you say during that twenty or so minutes.
The same applies to virtually any other topic. Anthony Robbins' success today is built upon the foundation of information he taught years ago when he first came to be known as a thought leader in his own right. Your success in the future will likewise be built upon the message or messages you deliver. And remember, to your audiences the fact that you command the stage elevates you in their eyes to the position of expert.
The message which I am truly blessed to share with audiences has universal application. Every person on the planet can and should find out the reason for which they were born. We all have the opportunity to live lives of great meaning and significance when we do. Ultimately, as a Christian and a Minister, I believe a life of great meaning and significance finds its only true and lasting fulfillment through faith in Jesus Christ.
That said, it is important within the diligence and steadfastness of my faith that I frame the message in terms to which everyone can relate no matter if they self-identify as Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus or profess no faith at all. When I speak in a secular setting I am not preaching to win converts as much as I am disseminating a truth of Scripture which applies to all.
But, in a sense, I am preaching to win converts, and every professional Speaker is as well. Our very success depends in no small measure upon winning public opinion within our sphere of influence as a thought leader. Take for example the plethora of personal success systems. There are countless books, CDs, and DVDs on the market aimed at pleasing the 'disciples' of Jim Rohn, Anthony Robbins, or Les Brown to name only three. In every industry and market segment there are thought leaders who have followings. And so it goes with you as well.
If your message does not have universal application as mine does, you should yet frame it for as large an audience as possible. However, please endeavor to never lose sight of your audience's need to be treated honestly and with the utmost respect. You hold great responsibility when you hold the microphone. You are an expert, after all. The challenge before us as Speakers is to honor the sacred trust between Speaker and Audience, and to seek their betterment at all times.
Fearlessly,
JD
Monday, March 11, 2013
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
The Unthinkable Does Happen!
We speakers can be a crazy bunch! We prepare like there's no tomorrow, write and re-write presentations, then rehearse, rehearse, and rehearse some more. To the audiences who sing our praises the work we do on stage seems effortless. It is far from it but there is a possibility which can chill the blood of even the stoutest of pro presenters...total failure.
Not us, of course! We know better than that - shoot we're built to stand up to the greatest of stresses. No, no, no, I'm talking about the total failure of the technology on which we depend - that's the chiller, and why? Because in many circumstances there is no way to prepare for it, no way to avoid it, no way to remedy it. When it happens, stick a fork in it...it's done! And you, my friend may be, too.
Case in point. February 9, 2013, Shine Conference 2013 in Tampa, Florida. I was hired to deliver a breakout session on Fearless Living. In preparation for the opportunity I created an 80 slide presentation on my trusty laptop. Ahead of me was one hour and fifteen minutes of uninterrupted time with one of my heart's desires - an audience of my very own.
The ballroom was beautifully equipped with a top of the line LCD projector and a screen right out of my dreams - 20 feet wide and 20 feet tall. The Electrical Engineer had prepped the mic at the podium and had a separate wireless at my request because of how I like to interact with my audiences.
My audience was comfortably seated at their tables. Behind the podium, the presentation was queued, mics were live, and I was being introduced. The moment for which I had been preparing was upon me, and the anticipation of the audience was about to be satisfied. As I stepped to the podium for my opening remarks I gestured to the screen and saw 400 square feet of ... blank. (for those of you keeping score at home, a blank screen in the first minute of a 75-minute presentation is not an anticipated outcome)
What happened? For the first time ever, as far as our hosts with the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) in Tampa knew, the LCD projector's overheat sensor had shut off the machine; the machine housed in a metal frame 30 feet above the lecture hall floor!
What happened in minutes two to five in my presentation? I briefed the audience on what we would discuss and began distributing the handouts. Beginning in minute six? The show must go on, and it did. I did my entire presentation - without slides - and kept the audience. How?
As Speakers we never know when the Unthinkable is going to happen. All we can do is be prepared. The Five P's should always be close by - Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance. Remember my blog on The Performance Method? I conceive all of my presentations and speaking events in my mind then mentally visualize them happening. Before committing anything to paper, rehearsals are typically underway for at least a week.
80 Slides, not memorized, but known. 75 minutes presented after the Unthinkable happened. But something else happened as well. Success...for my audience because I was prepared. Audiences are the reason we do what we do, and no measure of preparation can be said to be too much when the Outcome defeats the unthinkable.
Fearlessly,
JD
Not us, of course! We know better than that - shoot we're built to stand up to the greatest of stresses. No, no, no, I'm talking about the total failure of the technology on which we depend - that's the chiller, and why? Because in many circumstances there is no way to prepare for it, no way to avoid it, no way to remedy it. When it happens, stick a fork in it...it's done! And you, my friend may be, too.
Case in point. February 9, 2013, Shine Conference 2013 in Tampa, Florida. I was hired to deliver a breakout session on Fearless Living. In preparation for the opportunity I created an 80 slide presentation on my trusty laptop. Ahead of me was one hour and fifteen minutes of uninterrupted time with one of my heart's desires - an audience of my very own.
The ballroom was beautifully equipped with a top of the line LCD projector and a screen right out of my dreams - 20 feet wide and 20 feet tall. The Electrical Engineer had prepped the mic at the podium and had a separate wireless at my request because of how I like to interact with my audiences.
My audience was comfortably seated at their tables. Behind the podium, the presentation was queued, mics were live, and I was being introduced. The moment for which I had been preparing was upon me, and the anticipation of the audience was about to be satisfied. As I stepped to the podium for my opening remarks I gestured to the screen and saw 400 square feet of ... blank. (for those of you keeping score at home, a blank screen in the first minute of a 75-minute presentation is not an anticipated outcome)
What happened? For the first time ever, as far as our hosts with the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) in Tampa knew, the LCD projector's overheat sensor had shut off the machine; the machine housed in a metal frame 30 feet above the lecture hall floor!
What happened in minutes two to five in my presentation? I briefed the audience on what we would discuss and began distributing the handouts. Beginning in minute six? The show must go on, and it did. I did my entire presentation - without slides - and kept the audience. How?
As Speakers we never know when the Unthinkable is going to happen. All we can do is be prepared. The Five P's should always be close by - Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance. Remember my blog on The Performance Method? I conceive all of my presentations and speaking events in my mind then mentally visualize them happening. Before committing anything to paper, rehearsals are typically underway for at least a week.
80 Slides, not memorized, but known. 75 minutes presented after the Unthinkable happened. But something else happened as well. Success...for my audience because I was prepared. Audiences are the reason we do what we do, and no measure of preparation can be said to be too much when the Outcome defeats the unthinkable.
Fearlessly,
JD
Sunday, January 6, 2013
Live Life Fearlessly
Living life without fear is like breathing without air. It is not possible. Fears will come. Fear shows up when the bill money is low but the bills are high. It's there when the doctor says she's sending your x-rays to a colleague to take a closer look. It rears its ugly head when the layoffs you have heard were coming...arrive.
Fear accomplishes many things in the lives of men, women, and children: anger, resentment, disobedience, violence, greed, theft, adultery, jealousy, hate, and a multitude of other destructive emotions. Our lives and relationships are damaged - sometimes beyond repair - when we allow fear to have free rein; to go unchecked. But it does not have to be this way. There is a way which leads to peace in the midst of even the most pressing and immediate fears.
That way is anchored in your faith in God, but there's more to it. I know plenty of God-'fearing' folks who are as tormented by the fears of this world as anyone. What separates my life and view from theirs?
The answer is found in the sure knowledge of WHY am I here on this planet. Fortified by my faith in God, I have taken the time to dig deeply into what makes me, me. Long sessions of self-examination successfully enabled by a foundation of prayer have revealed my design. Design? Yes...design. You see we are more skillfully crafted than anything we ourselves are able to design and manufacture.
Amazing software powering programs we call artificial intelligence are yet primitive when compared the brilliant complexity of the human being. The part of you which is not defined by your skin, eye, or hair color; your height or weight; your education or beliefs (or lack thereof), is unique to you. In teaching my D.E.E.D.S. curriculum I point my audiences to an undeniable fact - there is a reason there aren't six billion doctors on the planet. Not everyone wants to be a doctor!
We are all unique, masterpieces of design. Some of us are designed to be doctors, others to be pilots, still others to be movie critics. What is your design? What activity has always fascinated you? What were you known for as a child? What did you want to do no matter what other children wanted to do?
In my book, Be Known For Your DEEDS, I provide seven case studies of individuals who enjoy varying levels of financial success today (and nine traits they share), but who are all living a satisfying life based on following their intrinsic design. Back to the interplay with faith in God....
When you come to the realization there is a concrete reason why you are on this planet, and that you are uniquely designed to achieve the destiny for which you were created, there is little that will scare you away from so important a mission. Those who try to dissuade you based upon their own ignorance, and attempt to de-value your existence are to be ignored. YOU are created in the image of God, and are not the result of freakish, random chance!
YOU are here by plan and design. But why? Only you can discern that, and it is vital that you do. Destiny and a life to be lived fearlessly are waiting, but what about those nasty fears lurking in the mailbox, on the job, in the economy, not to mention the phobias which can paralyze us (fear of heights, confined spaces, the dark, death, snakes, spiders, etc.)?
Fear, no matter the name we assign to the symptom, stands in the way of your destiny and provokes you to turn back. Fear stands in the way of a life with great meaning, value and quality. It will be faith in the God who created you, and the will you demonstrate to define your passion in life (intrinsic design), that will eradicate fear as a threat. It may still rise up, but it will be ignored, dealt with, and/or handled because it no longer controls you. You now control your emotional responses and have become free to live the life to which you are called and were born!
Fearlessly,
JD
Be Known for Your DEEDS is available on Amazon and BarnesandNoble.com
Saturday, August 18, 2012
The Toughest Speaking Gigs
If you are intimidated by public speaking of any kind then every possible speaking situation is tied for first as the toughest speaking gig. If you are more like me and yearn, desire, long for, and plan to get as many public speaking gigs as possible because you love the time with your audiences - the toughest ones are easier to define.
I'm not only a professional speaker, I am also a Licensed Minister and submit the two toughest speaking gigs are weddings and funerals. The crowds may be large or small - no worries. The venue may be grand or grim - not a problem. The material is pretty much known by everyone - that's cool. But if you think you are the draw - think again.
Weddings and funerals draw audiences not based upon you, your expertise, your wit and witticisms, your clever strategies for wealth building, or your extensive line of books, CDs, and DVDs. As a matter of fact, the organizers have engaged your services almost by default. You might get picked based upon an existing relationship, but the event is still not about you.
A wedding is all about the bride and groom, and more about the bride. Her wedding is THE most important DAY in HER life. This truth cannot be overstated. Your job is to not screw up - THE most important DAY in HER life. Let the caterer botch the cake and the flower girl wander off to mommy and daddy, but you better be perfect. You are hired because it is assumed you will be perfect. And perfect you must be (no pressure there). After the ceremony, if you have done a spectacular job of being perfect, not a soul will be talking about you. This is a good thing!
A funeral is all about one person, and it ain't you. Your job is to bring words of comfort to people who are grieving the loss of someone they dearly loved. You have not met most of the people you are to comfort. You may not have met any of the people you are to comfort! You may come from a Christian tradition, as I do, and the deceased, by all accounts, was as far from faith in Christ as Miami is from Honolulu. Yikes! Yet comfort you must. After the service, if you have done a spectacular job of bringing comfort, not a soul will be talking about you. Again - this is a good thing!
Compared to weddings and funerals, an impromptu 30 minute speech to suicide bombers on the benefits of real estate investing is a breeze! But I'll take the weddings and funerals every time they're offered. Weddings and funerals are the toughest gigs going. Not coincidentally, they are the most personally rewarding. And this you can take to the bank . . . there is no greater privilege than to use your gift of oral eloquence in the service of those who, for one vitally important day, need you to be perfect.
Fearlessly,
JD
I'm not only a professional speaker, I am also a Licensed Minister and submit the two toughest speaking gigs are weddings and funerals. The crowds may be large or small - no worries. The venue may be grand or grim - not a problem. The material is pretty much known by everyone - that's cool. But if you think you are the draw - think again.
Weddings and funerals draw audiences not based upon you, your expertise, your wit and witticisms, your clever strategies for wealth building, or your extensive line of books, CDs, and DVDs. As a matter of fact, the organizers have engaged your services almost by default. You might get picked based upon an existing relationship, but the event is still not about you.
A wedding is all about the bride and groom, and more about the bride. Her wedding is THE most important DAY in HER life. This truth cannot be overstated. Your job is to not screw up - THE most important DAY in HER life. Let the caterer botch the cake and the flower girl wander off to mommy and daddy, but you better be perfect. You are hired because it is assumed you will be perfect. And perfect you must be (no pressure there). After the ceremony, if you have done a spectacular job of being perfect, not a soul will be talking about you. This is a good thing!
A funeral is all about one person, and it ain't you. Your job is to bring words of comfort to people who are grieving the loss of someone they dearly loved. You have not met most of the people you are to comfort. You may not have met any of the people you are to comfort! You may come from a Christian tradition, as I do, and the deceased, by all accounts, was as far from faith in Christ as Miami is from Honolulu. Yikes! Yet comfort you must. After the service, if you have done a spectacular job of bringing comfort, not a soul will be talking about you. Again - this is a good thing!
Compared to weddings and funerals, an impromptu 30 minute speech to suicide bombers on the benefits of real estate investing is a breeze! But I'll take the weddings and funerals every time they're offered. Weddings and funerals are the toughest gigs going. Not coincidentally, they are the most personally rewarding. And this you can take to the bank . . . there is no greater privilege than to use your gift of oral eloquence in the service of those who, for one vitally important day, need you to be perfect.
Fearlessly,
JD
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
The Recording Studio
Recently, I set about a plan to record devotionals. I don't have a recording studio I can access, nor do I have a so-called desk studio in my home. The high-value, low cost shock mount mic is still at the local music store. My subscription to Voice 1-2-3 remains fun to watch, and the only mixer I have access to is made by Sunbeam.
What's a speaker and budding recording artist to do??
Use your imagination. With that very thought in mind, I picked up my smartphone, swept my app screens to the left and stopped on the Voice Recorder. A gentle tap, the app opened, I tapped record and started talking. Problem was...I was in the house. Family, neighbors, animals and all manner of noisy life tend to ignore the sign on your head that says ON AIR.
I was forced to retreat to the only available haven for peace, the only retreat for solitude...my Bronco. That's right. A classic, 1995 Ford Bronco (351 V-8, Cleveland Block, just sayin') was calling my name and beckoning me to slide behind the wheel and go for a ride. Don't know if you've ever sought peace and quiet in a Bronco. I'll say this: Peace - a state of mind - is possible. Quiet - a state of noise - is not.
This is where imagination came to the rescue. My thought was why not make this devotional series real and raw? Forget the sterility of a studio with its sound engineers and 256 track board! Forget the desk studio and the eggcrate cone of silence! I say give me hundreds of ponies under the hood, and ambient sound that would make Mad Max proud!
My first Bronco Devotional turned out to be quite a success. The mic on the smartphone (samsung, android) is actually pretty good. There was never a time that I had to wonder what it was I said because the entire 12-minutes was clear as a bell! I converted it to MP3 and had a keeper. The road noise actually added an interesting backdrop and lent an edge of authenticity to my remarks. No script while driving. You either know the material or you don't.
Recall when those TV shows began to use a camera that seemed to move all over the place? I think it was NYPD Blue that broke the ground for that trend. After feeling an initial irritation, I realized the genius behind the ploy; I concentrated all the more on the center of the frame. And so it is with the Bronco Devotionals - listeners pay close attention to the 'center' of the sound.
Want to record for an audience? Want to podcast? Want to burn to CD for giveaway or sale? Get your imagination involved and create opportunities! If you want to succeed, you will. If you want to make excuses...you will. Don't make excuses, make successes. The recording studio is where you choose. Turn on your mic, but first turn on your imagination.
Fearlessly,
JD
What's a speaker and budding recording artist to do??
Use your imagination. With that very thought in mind, I picked up my smartphone, swept my app screens to the left and stopped on the Voice Recorder. A gentle tap, the app opened, I tapped record and started talking. Problem was...I was in the house. Family, neighbors, animals and all manner of noisy life tend to ignore the sign on your head that says ON AIR.
I was forced to retreat to the only available haven for peace, the only retreat for solitude...my Bronco. That's right. A classic, 1995 Ford Bronco (351 V-8, Cleveland Block, just sayin') was calling my name and beckoning me to slide behind the wheel and go for a ride. Don't know if you've ever sought peace and quiet in a Bronco. I'll say this: Peace - a state of mind - is possible. Quiet - a state of noise - is not.
This is where imagination came to the rescue. My thought was why not make this devotional series real and raw? Forget the sterility of a studio with its sound engineers and 256 track board! Forget the desk studio and the eggcrate cone of silence! I say give me hundreds of ponies under the hood, and ambient sound that would make Mad Max proud!
My first Bronco Devotional turned out to be quite a success. The mic on the smartphone (samsung, android) is actually pretty good. There was never a time that I had to wonder what it was I said because the entire 12-minutes was clear as a bell! I converted it to MP3 and had a keeper. The road noise actually added an interesting backdrop and lent an edge of authenticity to my remarks. No script while driving. You either know the material or you don't.
Recall when those TV shows began to use a camera that seemed to move all over the place? I think it was NYPD Blue that broke the ground for that trend. After feeling an initial irritation, I realized the genius behind the ploy; I concentrated all the more on the center of the frame. And so it is with the Bronco Devotionals - listeners pay close attention to the 'center' of the sound.
Want to record for an audience? Want to podcast? Want to burn to CD for giveaway or sale? Get your imagination involved and create opportunities! If you want to succeed, you will. If you want to make excuses...you will. Don't make excuses, make successes. The recording studio is where you choose. Turn on your mic, but first turn on your imagination.
Fearlessly,
JD
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Arrive Early...Stay Late
Arrive early, stay late. Not just a recipe for getting the most out of a baseball game, this is the recipe for delivering a speaking homerun!
I learned the truth of this adage years ago when I was scheduled to roll out a new record retrieval process to my company's client, a national insurance company. As is my habit when unfamiliar with a company's location, I arrive in the area as much as an hour early if time permits. It is important to avoid unnecessary distractions prior to speaking, and feeling rushed is the easiest distraction to eliminate. On this particular day, I was about thirty minutes early to the assembly.
Arrive Early
As the Southeast Regional Sales Manager it was my job to be the face of the program, and to answer any questions the affected insurance company staff might have. The paralegals tasked with record retrieval in defense of personal injury claims were my audience that day, and about 50 were scheduled to be in attendance. By arriving early I was able to meet with the lady who organized the gathering. She provided invaluable insights as to the general mood in her office regarding the change in procedure her company was undertaking.
After chatting for about ten minutes, I was shown to the auditorium where I would speak. She briefed me on their sound system, gave me the mic to use, showed me how to use their overhead projector, and the entrance the paralegals would use. All that was left was to walk the room and get comfortable with the stage, which I did.
Five minutes prior to the start of the meeting paralegals began to trickle in. As they did, I was able to engage them individually, learn their names, and (this is important) not discuss the whole point of the meeting. Why not mention it? Well we were about to spend 45 minutes discussing the new procedures with a Q&A to follow. But I wanted the audience to view me as a person with whom they could relate; someone there to make their life easier rather than as a bureaucrat with an agenda.
I was able to meet, greet, and discover personal information about five of the paralegals, and as an added bonus these five professionals sat with other of their colleagues. This gave me five 'friends' spread across the room. During my remarks I was able to personalize the new procedures by noting how they would help Bob or Nancy, for example, do their job. For a laugh I poked fun at the guy who graduated from a college known to be a rival of my own school. Because of the pre-meeting interaction the atmosphere was lighter and the new procedures were more readily embraced.
Stay Late
Having been in the audience of many Q&A sessions, I can tell you that all the Q's don't get A'd. Plan your allotted time for the speaking engagement so that you can hang around afterwards for at least ten minutes. It is not necessary to reserve twenty or thirty minutes. Being available for just ten minutes afterwards shows a commitment on your part to the people who are expected to implement the process, procedure, or program you have just introduced.
The good news keeps coming. If unable to give adequate attention to the remaining questions, you can schedule face-to-face follow up meetings with smaller groups on or offsite the company campus. If interest warrants you may also address the entire assembly again, further cementing your position as the subject matter expert and reliable partner in the new program.
Now think about 'Arrive Early, Stay Late' in terms of a paid speaking gig....
Bearing in mind the strategies above, by arriving early and staying late at a paid gig, you reinforce your fees, increase back-of-the-room sales, and solidify your relationship with the client. Word of mouth with Event Planners affiliated with the gig talk, and the talk will be about your willingness to go above and beyond for their clients. It will be noted that you are a true professional, and your business will increase accordingly. Arrive early, stay late. Be the professional other professionals can count on.
Fearlessly,
JD
I learned the truth of this adage years ago when I was scheduled to roll out a new record retrieval process to my company's client, a national insurance company. As is my habit when unfamiliar with a company's location, I arrive in the area as much as an hour early if time permits. It is important to avoid unnecessary distractions prior to speaking, and feeling rushed is the easiest distraction to eliminate. On this particular day, I was about thirty minutes early to the assembly.
Arrive Early
As the Southeast Regional Sales Manager it was my job to be the face of the program, and to answer any questions the affected insurance company staff might have. The paralegals tasked with record retrieval in defense of personal injury claims were my audience that day, and about 50 were scheduled to be in attendance. By arriving early I was able to meet with the lady who organized the gathering. She provided invaluable insights as to the general mood in her office regarding the change in procedure her company was undertaking.
After chatting for about ten minutes, I was shown to the auditorium where I would speak. She briefed me on their sound system, gave me the mic to use, showed me how to use their overhead projector, and the entrance the paralegals would use. All that was left was to walk the room and get comfortable with the stage, which I did.
Five minutes prior to the start of the meeting paralegals began to trickle in. As they did, I was able to engage them individually, learn their names, and (this is important) not discuss the whole point of the meeting. Why not mention it? Well we were about to spend 45 minutes discussing the new procedures with a Q&A to follow. But I wanted the audience to view me as a person with whom they could relate; someone there to make their life easier rather than as a bureaucrat with an agenda.
I was able to meet, greet, and discover personal information about five of the paralegals, and as an added bonus these five professionals sat with other of their colleagues. This gave me five 'friends' spread across the room. During my remarks I was able to personalize the new procedures by noting how they would help Bob or Nancy, for example, do their job. For a laugh I poked fun at the guy who graduated from a college known to be a rival of my own school. Because of the pre-meeting interaction the atmosphere was lighter and the new procedures were more readily embraced.
Stay Late
Having been in the audience of many Q&A sessions, I can tell you that all the Q's don't get A'd. Plan your allotted time for the speaking engagement so that you can hang around afterwards for at least ten minutes. It is not necessary to reserve twenty or thirty minutes. Being available for just ten minutes afterwards shows a commitment on your part to the people who are expected to implement the process, procedure, or program you have just introduced.
The good news keeps coming. If unable to give adequate attention to the remaining questions, you can schedule face-to-face follow up meetings with smaller groups on or offsite the company campus. If interest warrants you may also address the entire assembly again, further cementing your position as the subject matter expert and reliable partner in the new program.
Now think about 'Arrive Early, Stay Late' in terms of a paid speaking gig....
Bearing in mind the strategies above, by arriving early and staying late at a paid gig, you reinforce your fees, increase back-of-the-room sales, and solidify your relationship with the client. Word of mouth with Event Planners affiliated with the gig talk, and the talk will be about your willingness to go above and beyond for their clients. It will be noted that you are a true professional, and your business will increase accordingly. Arrive early, stay late. Be the professional other professionals can count on.
Fearlessly,
JD
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Inspiration is Everywhere
From where does inspiration come? For those who make the effort to be aware of all that is going on around us each day, to learn from conversations with clients, customers, prospects, friends, family, and to stay attuned to the deeper meaning in the personal issues of life there is found a wealth of material for speeches. Life is such an amazing school! Inherent in our daily activities are opportunities to learn if only we will receive the education.
Bear in mind it takes sensitivity to redeem the input and convert it to a message capable of stirring motivation in an audience. We must be sensitive to what can be gleaned from the input received if we are to turn the information into a universally profitable experience.
As an example - let's say you are in a bit of a rush for lunch and decide to drop in to a fast food restaurant. The best option is an establishment with an indoor play area for children, and the only available table is near the playground. While seated for lunch, you have set a goal of checking your smartphone for emails and text messages, and to returning those which can be addressed quickly. Thirty minutes is allotted for lunch and smartphone tasks then it's back on the highway.
After ordering your meal, making yourself comfortable, and fine tuning the delicate interplay of phone, fries, napkin, sandwich, napkin, and drink, the unexpected occurs. On this particular day, you have arrived at a restaurant which caters to a large, local daycare. A portion of every dollar spent on meals today will be re-directed to the daycare facility to buy supplies.
Not only is the restaurant suddenly flooded with participating parents, but also the objects of the corporate affection, dozens of four and five-year olds. You are seated at the epicenter of seismic activity! Suddenly, it is impossible to remain engaged in your business as you are only desiring to choke down the food fast and get back on the road...texting can wait.
But wait! All around you are crowd control measures you were once practiced in when you took your own children to the local burger or chicken joint for a quick bite. The frenetic pace of children running to and fro, the parents thinking little Sally or Tommy will actually eat the food in front of them, the child crying for no apparent reason, and the other patrons who share your pending indigestion are a live show for which you have a front row seat!
Take mental notes, jot down ideas as they come, but whatever you do please do not miss the opportunity to absorb this small slice of life, and to take from it lessons for a future audience. The only lesson might be a greater need to slow down and stop rushing, but that's a speech. The laughter of children; their tremendous energy level; beleaguered parents; their diminishing energy level; and the efforts of the restaurant staff are all ripe for lessons you may add to your speaking repertoire.
Be alert friends! Your portfolio of speech programming is increasing all around you. A buffet of material unfolds each day to those who are open to the inspiration. Be one of those who knows inspiration when it arrives...and learns from it.
Fearlessly,
JD
Bear in mind it takes sensitivity to redeem the input and convert it to a message capable of stirring motivation in an audience. We must be sensitive to what can be gleaned from the input received if we are to turn the information into a universally profitable experience.
As an example - let's say you are in a bit of a rush for lunch and decide to drop in to a fast food restaurant. The best option is an establishment with an indoor play area for children, and the only available table is near the playground. While seated for lunch, you have set a goal of checking your smartphone for emails and text messages, and to returning those which can be addressed quickly. Thirty minutes is allotted for lunch and smartphone tasks then it's back on the highway.
After ordering your meal, making yourself comfortable, and fine tuning the delicate interplay of phone, fries, napkin, sandwich, napkin, and drink, the unexpected occurs. On this particular day, you have arrived at a restaurant which caters to a large, local daycare. A portion of every dollar spent on meals today will be re-directed to the daycare facility to buy supplies.
Not only is the restaurant suddenly flooded with participating parents, but also the objects of the corporate affection, dozens of four and five-year olds. You are seated at the epicenter of seismic activity! Suddenly, it is impossible to remain engaged in your business as you are only desiring to choke down the food fast and get back on the road...texting can wait.
But wait! All around you are crowd control measures you were once practiced in when you took your own children to the local burger or chicken joint for a quick bite. The frenetic pace of children running to and fro, the parents thinking little Sally or Tommy will actually eat the food in front of them, the child crying for no apparent reason, and the other patrons who share your pending indigestion are a live show for which you have a front row seat!
Take mental notes, jot down ideas as they come, but whatever you do please do not miss the opportunity to absorb this small slice of life, and to take from it lessons for a future audience. The only lesson might be a greater need to slow down and stop rushing, but that's a speech. The laughter of children; their tremendous energy level; beleaguered parents; their diminishing energy level; and the efforts of the restaurant staff are all ripe for lessons you may add to your speaking repertoire.
Be alert friends! Your portfolio of speech programming is increasing all around you. A buffet of material unfolds each day to those who are open to the inspiration. Be one of those who knows inspiration when it arrives...and learns from it.
Fearlessly,
JD
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