12 Weeks Without Applause:  7 Lessons Learned During the Stay-at-Home Order 

Anyone who performs their work in front of others where applause is customary after completion will understand this immediately. We thrive on strangers noticing us. Athletes, actors, entertainers, and speakers are all cut from a similar cloth. We spend tremendous time alone perfecting our craft, followed by the adrenalin rush of performing, and ending with affirmation that we “done good.” Get paid, rinse, and…

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Living in the Moment 

It’s been a challenging month in the world of professional speaking. Society’s reaction to the potential threat of the Coronavirus has caused a domino effect, not only in the meetings industry but to every adjacent business that handles travel and large group gatherings. I am not in position to give commentary on the statistics, the outlook, or…

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A Great Way to Spend an Extra Day

Leap day has a magic feel to it. As we all know, once every four years we add a day to our calendar as a corrective measure because the Earth doesn’t orbit the sun in precisely 365 days. Although many may see this as a chance for extra recess, for an entrepreneur like me, more…

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A Unique Approach to Teaching Life Skills 

Recently I had the honor of attending a private dinner party at the Prime Steak House located on the campus of High Point University in North Carolina. This institution, led by Dr. Nido Qubein, has every special touch you can imagine. From reserved parking spots with visitors’ names on a marquee to golf carts that help students get where they need to be. So, I expected to be impressed with the service at the…

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Witness To A Dream Come True

Have you ever had a front-row seat to watch a friend’s dream come true? I did in mid-January of this year, and it was quite a moment.  My friend and professional speaking colleague, Kelly Swanson, has spent a lifetime as a storyteller. For years, she had a dream to create a one-woman show where she…

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