VHS or BETA? 10 Things That Have Become Extinct

Do you remember when you bought your first VCR? The first question that people were faced with was which format to buy. There was debate among the electronics professionals as to whether the public would embrace the technologically superior Betamax format, or the VHS format. When you purchased one of these suitcase sized machines for $800 or more, you were faced with another decision: which video rental store would I purchase a membership to? (yes, you had to buy a membership to rent videos in the 1980′s.) I realize that I just lost 100% of the people who are under the age of 30 with that title, but it got me to thinking about the evolution of change.

Here are a few things that have become extinct just in my lifetime:
1. Buying a video membership
2. Going to a record store to purchase music
3. Video tapes
4. AAA Trip Tik maps (offering members turn by turn directions from point A to point B)
5. Dial up modems
6. Book stores
7. Most video rental stores
8. Absolute values and discipline in the classroom
9. Standing in line and/or camping out to purchase concert tickets
10. Land line telephones (almost)

I realize that there are many more things that may come to your mind, but when I think of the ease and comfort afforded by innovation; the golden memories of yesterday are replaced by the anticipation of what may come next. There are always people who will fight change (Think SOPA and PIPA), people who long for things to stop evolving (manufacturing everything in the United States vs. overseas), and those who are fascinated and who decide to jump on and surf the wave of change instead of fighting it.

Whether you embrace change or fight it, change really doesn’t care. It will always continue to be a constant. You may as well get used to it!
For more information about booking The Shef for your next event, visit http://www.theshef.com or call our offices at 1-800-863-2591

Yes I Am Crazy...Thank You for Asking!

Has anyone ever told you that your idea was crazy? I’m sure that you have endured the criticism of naysayers when sharing your hopes, dreams, and ideas. Some people may scoff, others may verbally tell you that you are nuts, yet others will simply walk away. Enjoy the following examples of “crazy” ideas listed below and realize that your dreams and “crazy ideas” may be normal.

If the year was 1402 and you had the idea that the Earth was round, not flat, you would have been labeled “Crazy.” In 1492, Christopher Columbus proved that the Earth was indeed round; which caused a huge decline in the Flat Earth Society’s membership.

If the year was 1750 and you tried to convince people that sound waves could be transmitted from point to point via radio signals, you would have been labeled as “Crazy.” Today everyone owns several radios.

If the year was 1890 and you and your brother had this crazy idea that man could create a machine that would fly, you would be “Crazy.” The Wright brothers toiled and persevered on that project, flying the first airplane on December 17, 1903.

People thought that space travel was impossible…Until the Soviets launched Yuri Gagarin into space on April 12, 1961.

When Bill Gates announced that he would have a computer in every home and in every office, people laughed. Right now you are reading this blog on some type of computer.

When I was growing up, we only dreamed of a telephone that could find us wherever we happened to be, today it is difficult to find someone who only has a land line telephone.

People used to visit record stores to buy their favorite music. When was the last time you even saw one of those?

People used to visit greeting card stores to purchase a card. Now there are services like Send Out Cards which allow you to create and send a real card…right from your computer.

When was the last time that you actually hand wrote a letter?

The great prophet Paul Stanley from KISS says, “The reason why most people will make fun of your goals and dreams is because they have given up on theirs. Don’t ever let them take your dream from you.” The next time someone doubts your abilities to accomplish your goals and dreams, realize that no one has ever erected a statue dedicated to a critic. Use their criticism to fuel your fire of desire for greatness!

For more information about booking The Shef for your next event, visit http://www.theshef.com or call our offices at 1-800-863-2591

Can You Really Design Your Ideal Day?

For more information about booking The Shef for your next event, visit http://www.theshef.com or call our offices at 1-800-863-2591

Designing Your Ideal Day

For more information about booking The Shef for your next event, visit http://www.theshef.com or call our offices at 1-800-863-2591

The Toxic To Do List

We all have them, they are never are completed fully, and are often met with a groan when they are brought up. What are they? The mighty “To-do List”. You may keep yours on your computer, phone, or write it down on paper; but the idea is that you must accomplish “X” during a given time period. It is really easy to confuse activity with productivity.

This past Sunday, I was really excited to hear Pastor John Bray’s message at Heritage Church. He was talking about how many times our to do list actually gets in the way of our purpose in life. It got me thinking about the things that really matter to me like family, health, making a difference in people’s lives. Then I looked at my to do list which included various household chores, errands, and other tasks. I’m not suggesting that you should not mow the lawn or clean the kitchen because it doesn’t directly line up with your ultimate purpose, but make sure that your life is moving in alignment with your purpose.

Here are a couple of things that I have found useful in this process:

1. Dedicate quiet time, prayer time, or meditation time every day. Shut off all distractions and be alone with your thoughts. Larry King said that he “never learned anything interesting while he was talking.” Fight the urge to check your email, cell phone, or other demands on your time and be still so you can listen.

2. Be realistic about your abilities. This is a tough one for me personally, because I think I can tackle 143 things in a 45 minute time span. Shelly is a great sounding board for me with regard to keeping my time-frames reasonable. Perhaps you have someone who can act as a sounding board for your ideas.

3. Block out two or three 15 minute slots during the day for down time. Sometimes we are going non-stop and fail to gauge our progress. Plus, your brain needs a breather!

I’d be interested to hear what you do to keep balance throughout the hectic pace of your life. Remember that this thing called life is a journey and not merely a task. Enjoy your journey!
For more information about booking The Shef for your next event, visit http://www.theshef.com or call our offices at 1-800-863-2591

Intensity = Results

Imagine yourself seated in an airplane on a runway preparing for takeoff. The pilot gets clearance from the tower to take off and eases the throttle forward, but instead of revving up the engines and releasing the brakes, he gradually increases speed slowly. You are waiting to feel the thrust of the engines pull you into the back of your seat, but it never happens. Would you reach enough speed to become airborne? I guess that depends on the length of the runway. If you had a 5 mile long runway, that could be a possibility. Juxtapose that scenario with a fighter jet taking off from an aircraft carrier. He has only 1000 feet or runway to become airborne or he will wind up crashing into the ocean. The afterburners fire, and the pilot is slammed into the back of his seat while taking flight.

None of us know exactly how much length of runway we have left in our lives. It may be several miles, it may be a few feet. Why not rev up your engines so you can take advantage of everything that your life has to offer! In this article, I’m going to share a few tips that have helped many top achievers produce great results.

I’m sure that you realize that your results in life will often mirror the intensity of effort that you put into them. For example, I was invited to go mountain biking with someone who had told me that she was frustrated because she wasn’t as trim and fit as she wanted to be despite hours she spent working out. When we hit the trail, I found myself stopping at even the easiest of paths, waiting for her to catch up. She would merely coast, peddle a bit, then coast, then walk for a bit. I fully understand that many people are a bit more cautious when biking a new trail; but this was more than caution, this was like shifting into neutral.

Realizing that this person approached most methods of exercise in this manner, it was no wonder to me why she wasn’t getting the results she desired. She was not intense enough! Many personal trainers will tell you that interval training (that is alternating between very high intensity and a brief rest period) will put your body into fat burning mode. That theory is true in nearly every aspect of life. Kick up your intensity a notch or two! Here are a few tips that could help you achieve the results you desire by kicking up the intensity:

1. Get around people who are performing at the level which you strive to be at. Undoubtedly, you will find that they are tremendously focused and work very hard at the tasks in front of them. Model that. You don’t need to re-invent the wheel. When I started speaking, I learned quite a bit from my coach via the phone calls we had. I learned a tremendous amount when I would help him at live events and see how things happened in the moment.

2. Give yourself the gift of “No”. Top leaders in any industry realize that there is a price associated with every “Yes” that they commit to. Good to Great author, Jim Collins, explains that a “to do” list is important; but many times a “Not to do” list is more effective. Don’t be afraid to decline offers that come your way.

3. Find someone to hold you accountable. Having someone to hold you accountable for your actions, whether they are a friend, coach, or mastermind partner will force you to push forward when the going gets tough. My buddy Doug and I go trail running several times per week. I promise you that there are days when I don’t feel like running, but lace up anyway because he is waiting for me. The same is true for him. Regardless of your goals, having someone to answer to will propel you forward.

We are all poised at the tip of the runway of our lives, regardless of where we feel we may be currently. Will you merely coast and hope that good things will lift you up; or will you engage the afterburners and soar?
For more information about booking The Shef for your next event, visit http://www.theshef.com or call our offices at 1-800-863-2591

From Painful to Powerful With Speaking

Do you remember seeing an awesome speaker at the last conference or convention you attended? Do you remember the 9.9 tips to success that they shared with you? I’d bet not. Chances are, you will recall a story that the speaker shared while embedding his point within the tale he was telling.
The greatest communicators of all time all conveyed their messages via powerful stories. Yet some speakers (usually new to the business) find it necessary to share point after point, tip after tip, and (God forbid) some acronym that no one will ever remember! Here are several key things that you can do to transition a painful message into a powerful memory for your audience:

1. Instead of just telling your audience the point that you would like to make, think of a story that would bring that point to life. For example, Jesus didn’t tell people to get a bunch of people and tell them specific things to do; he shared the story of giving a man a fish vs. teaching a man to fish. There are other great examples of great speakers, but Jesus is a pretty good place to start.
2. If you are using Power Point, don’t use more than 3 words per slide. Some presenters find it necessary to make the screen look like a telephone directory page filled with words. Carmine Gallo wrote a fantastic book titled, Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs. He clearly outlines success secrets of one of the worlds greatest living presenters, Steve Jobs, and how you can use his success strategies. Get the book.
3. Create that bridge that the audience can relate to. I used to sell vacuums door-to-door. I taught thousands of people to do the same. Do most of the groups I talk to secretly desire to learn the secrets of vacuums? Nope. Can they relate to overcoming objections and motivating yourself when times are challenging? You bet. What experiences have you learned from that could benefit someone else?

Just remember that every speaker is on a journey. Whether you are speaking professionally or simply give presentations as part of your “day job”, enjoy the journey and learn from it!

For more information about booking The Shef for your next event, visit http://www.theshef.com or call our offices at 1-800-863-2591