Motivational Speaker

Front Porch Thoughts: Consulting

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In the speaking business, most speakers are also writers, consultants, coaches, and/or trainers. Very few speakers are strictly keynoters ? most speakers also do these other things within their individual businesses.
These other things complement and support each other ? speaking generates consulting jobs, writing generates speaking, consulting generates speaking and training opportunities<, etc.
Using my Gump character, I never knew how I could be something other than a speaker. I thought of my business model strictly a presenter, speaker, or entertainer ? one and done. The character didn?t lend itself to giving a presentation and then advising companies about their business practices.
About two months ago, I approached a client about doing some consulting. I learned their business from the presentations I had done. I knew generally what they needed. I thought I could help.
Long story short ? they hired me to consult. Not as Forrest ? but as Steve.

Front Porch Thoughts: Christmas Week

Steve's-Front-Porch-Thoughts

I’ve always loved the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day.
As a child, it was a break from school … a mini-vacation.
As a teenager, it was an opportunity to do things with friends that weren’t possible when following the normal routine of school and life.
As a young adult, it was a chance to stop what I’ve been doing, and reflect on what I want to do next.

Two Years, Two Months, and Two Days

Henry David Thoreaulived in his small cabin on Walden Pond for two years, two months, and two days. He called this time an “experiment in living.” His goal was to find a simpler, more honest, and purer life. Walden, published in 1854, was the written legacy and manifesto that resulted from those two years, two months, and two days.

Two years, two months, and two days ago I movedfrom living in a small town to country living. Unlike Thoreau, I didn’t move to find a simpler, more honest, and purer life — I moved because economically it made sense. I couldn’t afford to live in the house in town. I moved because I felt I had no choice. I moved reluctantly.

Two years, two months, and two days later, it was the best thing I could have done. My life is now simpler, more honest, and purer.

Sometimes we do things because we feel like we don’t have any other option.
Sometimes we aren’t smart (wise) enough to see the future benefit of that action.
Sometimes our reluctant actions pleasantly surprise us.

I knew within six to nine months that I had made a good choice.
Seeing the silver lining didn’t take me two years, two months, and two days.

Nevertheless, I’m grateful for the example Thoreau set almost one hundred and sixty years ago.

My life is now simpler, more honest, and more pure.

Next Blog Title:
Next Blog Date: July 19, 2012

Bubba?s Legacy

Bubba had a dream.
Bubba wanted to be a shrimp boat caption.
Bubba died before he could realize his dream.

Forrest picked up Bubba’s dream and ran with it.

Lt. Dan’s life changed when he joined Forrest in the shrimpin’ business.

Forrest and Lt. Dan succeeded in the shrimpin’ business.

Bubba’s Mom’s life changed because of Forrest and Lt. Dan’s success.

Forrest’s wealth allowed him to do things and affect the lives of others that otherwise would not have been possible.

Jenny and Little Forrest benefited from Forrest’s generosity and unconditional love.

Bubba had a dream.
Bubba’s dream was never personally realized.

Bubba’s dream affected many lives.
That was Bubba’s legacy.

What’s your dream?
Are you dreaming big?
Are you willing to dream big enough to leave a legacy?

Next Blog Title: Balancing Steve and Forrest
Next Blog Date: July 19, 2012

Don?t Count Your Chickens While They Are Still Only Chicks ? Part 3

And then there were five.

In my last chicken update, I told you about Redneck being the superstar and hatching out seven chicks.

A few days ago, I closed the coop for the evening and Redneck had seven chicks … the next morning, she had only four chicks.

Where’d three chicks go?
What happened to them?
Did one of the other chickens decide they didn’t like all the little chicks around?
Did the cat sneak into the chicken coop?
Did one of the magpieswho likes to visit the chick scratch snatch a chick or three?

It’s a mystery. Good thing I didn’t count my chickens while they were still only little baby chicks.

P.S. Thelma (or Louise) still has her one chick, so the total number of chicks is now five (from the original 24 fertilized eggs). See Part 1 herefor the original story.

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Next Blog Date: June 25, 2012

A Gump Commencement Address

What advice would Forrest give to today?s graduates?

The only time in the movie that Forrest gives a speech is at the Vietnam War protest in Washington, D.C. It was spontaneous. It wasn’t planned. It was just something Forrest said from his heart.

The irony is that the audience could not hear the speech because the microphone plug had been pulled. All they heard was Forrest’s ending, “… and that’s all I’ve got to say about that.” Abbey Hoffman was onstage with Forrest. He was obviously moved by Forrest’s words. He embraced Forrest on the shoulder and softly replied, “That’s so right on, man. You said it all.”

What if Forrest was to give a commencement address today? What would he say to the assembled group of graduates? What words of wisdom and Gumpisms would he share with the grads and their families? What advice would he give to those in the midst of their life journey who are transitioning from an educational life chapter to their next life chapter?

Here is my imaginary Gump Commencement Address.

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