The new site is officially LIVE!!! That is, if I don’t screw something up soon… You’ll notice right away that the header is different… Now that’s some serious changeeeee! Stylistically and functionally it may seem about the same, but looks can be deceiving. Expect some new additions soon. I must admit, this has been a technical nightmare having to switch my … Read More
The Loss Of A Wise Man
This month the world lost a wise soul. A copywriter, an architect, and a speaker you couldn’t help but want to listen to. His name is John Rollow. Think of an Albus Dumbledore, or a Gandalf, or even Abbé Faria from The Count of Monte Cristo. John had one of the most memorable voices I had ever encountered—resonant and full of … Read More
Balance Is A Bunch Of Mumbo Jumbo…But Here’s Why You Need It
“Balance” is a word that gets tossed around a lot. Every life coach, guru, and tree hugger preaches balance. It’s abstract and damn near meaningless in any context other than balancing two pieces of mass. With that said, I’d be a lying idiot if I told you it didn’t matter. At the start of the year I recall staying up one night writing … Read More
Stop Waiting For Permission From The Gatekeeper
At what point is it “okay” to start on your path? Your “path” could be a professional speaker, an author, a teacher, a coach, or just about anything you want to do. Have you ever been told that you “need” to do X, Y, and Z before you can start something? Usually these rules and regulations are promoted by gatekeepers. A gatekeeper could be … Read More
How To Motivate An Audience To Action Using These 4 Methods
The beginning of your speech is important, but it’s not the MOST important.Sure, one could make an argument that it is. Since its main purpose is to win the audience’s attention in hopes that they’ll listen to whatever else you’ve got to say, I can see how the beginning could be considered the top dog.In the realm of what’s actually most … Read More
Toastmasters Judgement Day: My Final Speech
**Be sure to check out PARTS 1, 2, 3 of the speech contest journey** And now we’ve arrived at the District contest. Judgement Day! This is the last contest before going to the the big dance—the Toastmasters International Convention. That’s where the semi-finals and the finals go down.No pressure :/The preparation leading up to this level was intense. Apart from practicing my … Read More
My Experience In A Toastmasters Speech Contest – PART 3
**Check out PART 1 and PART 2 of the speech contest journey** Fierce competitors. Check. More audience members. Check. Larger venue. Check. More pressure. Absolutely.It had all the ingredients to send a guy to a psychiatrist.First, let me take a step back to the early morning. I was feeling the usual anxiety knowing I’d be competing later that day. I expected … Read More
This Is What It’s Like To Compete In A Toastmasters Speech Contest! – Part 2
Be sure to checkout PART 1 of the contest journey! The journey continues…Public speaking in general can be a trying time mentally and physically. A public speaking contest is more grueling.Just as it was at the club level contest, a place where I’d spoken countless times before, the Area contest cut me no slack; the extra mental pressure I put on … Read More
An Ugly, Straightforward Way To Live Happier
I finally found the secret to a happy life, and even a happy world. Get your pad and pen ‘cause you’re going to want to write this down.Oh…my…god (in my best valley girl voice)! It’s so incredible!Here goes.The secret to a happy life is…Get ready……being productive.Can you say anticlimactic? Sorry. I told you it was ugly. I’ll cue up the … Read More
How Constant Challenge Can Change Your Life
Do you challenge yourself on purpose?I’m referring to any activity that puts a beat down on you. Perhaps physically? Maybe mentally? Even emotionally? All of the above?There are fitness exercises, memory games like this one, bikini waxes (ouch!), trying to sit down for an extended period of time without thinking (meditation), public speaking, cold showers, rock climbing, skydiving, and so many … Read More