It would be insulting to your hosts if they found out you had said, “Hello, from the middle of nowhere!” At the moment of the release of this eBrief we (a group of adventurers) are trekking through the remotest parts of the Indian Himalayas, and our hosts are a few snow leopards and mountain goats. They wouldn’t be offended by the affiliation with ‘nowhere’... Yet, in this case, ‘now here’ is a state of mind worth considering.

In 2006, Jeff Salz led a group of Westerners up a sacred valley within the newly minted Great Himalayan Nation Park. The quest we sought was to summit the yet unclimbed Chakri Peak. Three years later, Jeff handed off the expedition lead to me for a summit attempt of an unnamed mountain. Due to unstable snow, our summit attempt was halted, but we went on to explore fascinating communities near Tibet.

Now, we’re back to another region of the Indian Himalayas for a different adventure; the Sikkim Valley and the Lepchan people. The snows have come early. Temperatures will drop well below freezing. After five days of steep, wet climbing we will spend a couple of days staying with the people of this isolated culture in India near the Tibetan/Nepalese borders.

Let’s explore the concept of “now here.”

One, a trip like this is a chance to reboot. It’s not much different from switching a computer off, then on, to allow the hardware to reconfigure and function better. Getting off the grid – checking out of society – being immersed in an unencumbered break is healthy for the mind and body.

Two, climbing forces you into the moment. When each step counts in the category of safe or life threatening, it forces you to pay close attention to the moment. We will be in the far reaches of mountainous elevations. There is no technology - only a good foothold. Being in the moment for extended periods of time can erase the worries of past and future.

Three, adventure is the jalapeno in your chili. The security of monotony can addictive. By visiting a small society isolated from the trappings of the age of speed is a way to force variety into life. It was not easy to get to India given responsibilities at home, work and the sheer distance travelled. Yet, at the time of writing this, I can promise you, “We’re not in Kansas anymore Toto.” Break your routine. Break it often.

By being here – now you release the obvious drag the past or the future can have on your psyche. Yet, being present, when forced on you by your environment, can be a true catharsis. Take daily breaks of meditation to allow your brain to reboot, your thoughts to transcend time and your perspective to be energized. Take longer breaks like holidays or time-off to do the same for lasting influence on your brain, thoughts and perspective on life.

Escape Fire is a term and a documentary. Both are worth knowing about, and just might be the motivational incentive you need.

The term, “escape fire” is an intentional fire ignited by a fire crew, usually in a forest or grassland, to escape a dangerous situation. If a forest-fire crew realizes they might die in an oncoming fire, they can survive by burning out an immediate area, so the original fire can burn past them.

Then, there’s the Escape Fire documentary.

There are wonderful people IN the healthcare system. Despite that:

• 30% of healthcare costs in the U.S. do not actually improve health.
• 75% of American healthcare costs are spent on preventable diseases.
• $1.1 billion was spent lobbying Washington on healthcare between 2009 and 2010.
• Soldiers’ use of prescription drugs has tripled in the last 5 years.
• The more a drug is marketed to physicians, the more likely it is to be prescribed in America.
• The US is 1 of only 2 countries that allow pharma companies to advertise straight to consumers.
• 40% of hospitals have fast food restaurants on their premises.

ESCAPE FIRE: The Fight to Rescue American Healthcare tackles one of the most pressing issues in the U.S.: What can be done to save this country’s broken medical system? This summer, I saw this award-winning documentary at the Dallas Film Festival. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it.

The film followed compelling human stories, as well as leaders fighting to transform healthcare at the highest levels of medicine, industry, government, and even the U.S. military. What was striking about the film was its ability to skip past the political healthcare debate and go directly to solutions. "ESCAPE FIRE is about a way out. It’s about saving the health of a nation."

One message in Escape Fire was change the incentive and you change the results. In American healthcare, the incentives center on treating disease – treat more disease and make more money. Corporations will always go where the money is.

Beyond compensation, where does your organization focus its incentives?

We know that regular breaks are good for the mind. But are there incentives to take a break? We know fresh food is part of a balanced meal. But is fresh food a compelling option at the workplace? We know regular exercise is important. But are there fitness incentives provided where you work?

Creating an escape fire initiative at work is a dramatic, yet effective way to thrive in a system designed to keep things just the way they are. Institute “Break Bucks” for people to actively ‘sharpen the saw’ with regular breaks. Keep a bowl of fresh fruit and veggies in the break room. Secretly put an apple on your colleague’s desk. Start an exercise team. Set fitness goals together. Keep each other accountable.

One way or another, an escape fire might be the incentive you need.

Vince

PS ESCAPE FIRE: The Fight to Rescue American Healthcare will be released on October 5th in select theaters, on iTunes, and via Video on Demand. ESCAPE FIRE premiered at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival and has gone on to win numerous film festival awards nationwide.

Thank you all for the birthday wishes today :-)

Oh... and did you know... we have a tradition in our house about blowing out candles and the whole 'secret wish' thing.

Why on earth would you keep your wishes a secret?

Instead, we tell as many people as we can what our wish was when we blow out the tiny wax sticks in flames...

Happy Birthday and may your wishes come true.

My wish is to have you LIKE my facebook page... thanks for the gift of your clicking index finger!

I came across this newsletter and thought of you. Enjoy...

Want to optimize your web content to get the best web engine rankings? One of the most overlooked ways is to edit your content so that every sentence is clean, clear and succinct.

Best practices:

Keep word choices, sentences and paragraphs short, simple and to the point. Remember, most people do not actually read web copy, they scan it. Therefore, simplicity is essential.

Always put your reader and the action you're asking your reader to take first. Put everything else second.

Drop any words or phrases that do not add to your meaning. Edit out clichés.


Here are seven common mistakes followed by cleanly edited alternatives:

Example #1:

Wordy: By clicking on the icon you're not only able to make reservations by e-mail, you can also download a map and directions to the location.

Edited: Click on the icon to request reservations and download directions.

Example #2:

Wordy and clichéd: If you're looking for hot deals on cool ski packages, visit (website address).com.

Edited: For the best ski vacation deals, visit (website address).com.
Or:
Edited: Visit (website address).com for the best ski vacation deals.

Example #3:

Wordy and clichéd: Before you make up your mind who you're going to pull the lever for in the voting booth in November, look up what each candidate stands for on this chart.

Edited: Before deciding for whom you'll vote, compare each candidate's position on major issues. (Note: Place the hyperlink on the word "compare.")

Example #4:

Wordy: To update your existing password for a new one, start by clicking on My Account on your Member page.

Edited: To reset your password, go to My Account (on your Member page).

Example #5:

Wordy and clichéd: If you want to track statistics of your fantasy football team from week to week, sign up for "Mega-Fan Rights" and build graphs that compare any two stats to your heart's content.

Edited: Click on "Mega-Fan Rights" to generate graphs that compare two statistics.
(Best Practice: Eliminate sentences that begin with the words, "If you want to∑" Usually begin with the action, "Click on..." Note: There are cases where you might want to begin with the benefit your user will get out of taking the action and then follow up with the action.)

Example #6:

Wordy: You can purchase money-saving coupons by clicking on the dollar-sign icon
Wordy: If you want to purchase coupons, just click on the dollar-sign icon.

Edited: To purchase money-saving coupons, click on the dollar-sign icon.

Example #7:

Wordy: Your iPhone comes with a downloadable emergency contact application that allows you to call all your e-mail contacts from any web-enabled device.

Edited: The emergency contact application lets you call your e-mail contacts from any web-enabled device.

Written and authorized use by Chuck Lustig

Chuck Lustic says: If you want to improve the business value of your website, make sure your copy is crisp, clear and to the point. (Note: Read this and other EWAs on my blog at http://excitingwritingblog.blogspot.com)

Copyright, Chuck Lustig, 2012

“Don’t look at me!” became the mantra around Tumbleweed. Tumbleweed’s example could teach us something about the global economy.

Tumbleweed was the worst speed skier ever. His pseudonym came from his uncanny ability to crash in the exact location of onlookers.

Training at Fortress Mountain was a weekly event. A dozen speed skiers would convene on the third chute on any given weekend. Tumbleweed got his nickname because he would regularly catch an edge, followed by a spectacular ability to cartwheel down the slope.

The first time he crashed not everyone was looking. But the yelps from fellow skiers alerted the impending wreck. Skiers would scatter in all directions, as Tumbleweed would careen into a collection of hastily discarded gear.

The next time Tumbleweed perched at the top of the training run, all eyes were glued. Everyone had a morbid fascination with seeing a wipe out and Tumbleweed proved capable of satisfying that need.

Again, high up the slope, Tumbleweed managed to hook an edge and give a pretty amazing show. He headed straight for the on looking racers. Again it took us by surprise. We attracted Tumbleweed like a ball bearing to a magnet.

In the lodge we talked at length about our newfound mascot. We named him Tumbleweed. He seemed to like it. We agreed we’d never seen a speed skier capable of crashing in the exact direction of the racer compound. It wasn’t coincidence. It had to be something else.

Conclusion: It was where he was looking when he started to crash. He was looking at us.

The next day he crashed again (the guy had to be made of rubber, especially between the ears). Even though we moved the compound well out of the way, we stood at the ready, with ski poles positioned to release our bindings and gallop away.

As if it were slow motion, Tumbleweed looked at us as he launched into the tuck position. “Don’t look at me!” yelled Laurent.

Too late. Tumbleweed didn’t even get pointed straight when he tripped up over his own skis. As if defying physics, Tumbleweed plowed into our promptly vacated area.

Tumbleweed got up. Shook himself off like lumpy bird in frigid birdbath and grinned.

Tumbleweed’s example has a lot to do with how you run your business or drive sales. It’s impossible not to hear news about shaky consumer confidence, impending inflation, entire countries going bankrupt and general uncertainty.

As individuals, the best thing you and I can do is pretend the economy is saying, “Don’t look at me!” Let’s leave the looking up to economists (who make stuff up on a regualr basis).

Instead, keep your eye on the prize. Whatever your industry and however small the pie has become, there’s still pie in other market segments. A changing landscape, new oppotutnity, yet-to-be-discovered revenue channels... THAT is what you must look at.

Finally, if you are competitor of mine, “Don’t look at me!” Run out. Buy a newspaper. There all sorts of things you can crash into.

It wasn’t the fire pit that elicited that feeling. It wasn’t the crooning brook hugging the perimeter either. Even the comfy teak rocking chairs in the fresh autumn air weren’t the source. The pivotal reason our backyard fire pit was such a special, therapeutic place was simple – circle power.

In the Native American culture, circles encompassed their existence. According the writings of the Oglala Sioux Holy Man, Black Elk, the “Power of the world works in circles, and everything tries to be round.” He referenced nature's four seasons, the sky, birds nests and “the circle from childhood to childhood, and so its in everything where power moves.”

In the 19 ^th century, Monet, Renoir and Degas consistently met with fellow artists to discuss their craft, exchange ideas and better understand their industry. They attributed their success, and the rise of impressionism, to these power circles.

Carl Jung was the first person to identify circle power as an archetype of integration and wholesomeness. He determined the circle model as much-needed medicine for social and psychological disintegration.

At home we have the perfect space for a round dining room table. The profound difference between a squared off table and a round one was immediately obvious. The backyard fire pit was no different.

Boxy homes with boxy rooms dictate the dissociative undercurrents of sitting at a right angle to someone else. Turn the dynamic into a circle and the energy is amplified. Boardrooms across the globe miss the opportunity to elevate the level of engagement, exchange and even innovation with the cornered-table environs.

Scott Belsky, author of Making Ideas Happen supports this approach. “The most successful circles are made up of people who have a shared commitment and are willing to keep a set of rules.” Teamwork communication expert, Mark Taylor describes the “Power of threes” as a vast communication improvement. He points out the impact of two person exchanges are dwarfed by the influence additional perspectives have on a discussion. With a circle, the power of connection and new ideas spring forth.

The circle power dynamic is also palpable in conference or event settings. When conference planners ( such as our clients - Hampton Inns or Campbell’s) configure the room in a circular fashion the energy in the room jumps. Don’t let a hotel worker arrange the chairs as a squadron of militaristic, straight rows. Theater-style completes a circle with the stage. Look no further than comedy clubs to understand how this kind of seating around the stage results in souped-up energy and giddy crowds.

Circular seating is comfortable. It promotes active listening. It even transcends time and space. The outside world is irrelevant for those precious moments where everyone is equal and joined in a healthy union.

Now, if you were one of the eight people who enjoyed our fire pit last Saturday night, this might be more analysis than necessary. Basically, it felt good to gather friends in a circle.

President Obama did something many politicians and speakers tend to forget. It's about the audience - not the speaker.

In Barak Obama's DNC acceptance speech, he turned the tables on language typically used. He could have said... "I did this... I did that... I'm your man" - the entire speech. He didn't.

Instead he frequently brought the audience into the storyline.

Messages along the lines of: You did this. You made that happen. We move forward... were used to generate more engagement.

When he refered to the leader of the Republican party, the President never used names. He stopped using "you" language and went to "me" language. "My oppenent" was repeated a few times. This distances audiences from the subject matter. Whether you're running for political office or your trying to engage a room full of people as a motivational keynote speaker, you run the risk of turning people's attention away when "me" or "my" is used.

President Obama used "I" language in association with leadership messaging throughout his talk. Yet, when it came to communicating his desire to have you decide he's the candidate you should choose, he was back on the "you" train.

When you bring the audience into a story, they feel it's about them. When your audience is transported into an experience, you have a higher degree of impact and influence. Hence, use "you" or "your" language to strengthen your message.

As the 60 days of campaigning proceeds, notice how often the politicians say, I or Me vs You, Your or We. Notice how engaged you are when they speak to you that way. How does it make you feel? What direction does you mind go?

After coaching New York Times bestselling authors, thought leaders, CEOs and politicians on advanced speaking techniques - there is one thing yours truly is sure of. "You" language is the quickest, most effective way to have instant impact and lasting influence.

The "you's" engage hearts and minds. Hearts and minds drive votes.

Let the Oration Games begin.

Motivational Keynote Speaker

Turned Secret Shopper...

Erin, a meeting planner for a large financial services company, had a choice to make. During hotel site inspections, she interviewed chefs. Two categories emerged. One said, “What menu do you want?” The other said, “Here’s what we can do” and fed her. Guess which one she picked? It’s time for us to refocus on solutions - in a secret sort of way.

Recently, one of our clients needed help in addition to a motivational keynote speaker. Many of their franchisee’s were not adopting the new sales system. The old way? Wait for the phone to ring, then give the customer what they ask for. The new sales approach? Guide the customers to exactly what they need – and more. Our client was frustrated! A number of the franchisee’s didn’t and won’t buy-in to the better sales model. I offered to be a secret shopper in preparation for my opening keynote at their conference.

Store X was friendly. But our relationship immediately took a Thelma and Louise cliff dive. Within seconds she gave a link to their website. Instructed me to pick what I wanted and to call back with the order. I even gave her a second chance.

“There are so many choices,” I said on a return call. “I’m lost.” This confounded Store X. Still no questions. Sure, she offered products. But, no true solutions.

Awwwwwkward! It would be a tomblike conference hall after announcing – “Folks, you suck at sales.” Fortunately, Store Y came to the rescue.

Store Y, thank goodness, stepped up with enthusiasm and a ton of exploratory questions and consultative selling. He actually directed me to additional solutions I hadn’t thought of. He emailed photo examples. Plus, he added very compelling ideas to generate additional revenue for us.

Consultative selling has been around for a while but it is amazing how, in a world of increasing overwhelm, we’re more desperate for solutions than ever. Think of your top three customers or clients. Better yet, if you work for somebody, think of your boss too. These people are dealing with intensified responsibility, information overload, an array of options with reduced finances in a time crunch.

 To say, “Pick what you want” borders on insulting.

Instead, parcel your questions into five categories. Then you’ll uncover solutions that will endear them to you.

1. Responsibility – What various responsibilities does this person or company have? What are the needs of their customers or employees?
2. Information – What insights could be useful to them? What ways can you eliminate information fatigue?
3. Options – How might you filter all options on the table? Drawing from your expertise, what ways can you focus their options?
4. Financial – How can you ‘save them’ or ‘make them’ money?
5. Time – What are all the ways you can save them AND their customers’/employees’ time?

Stop asking your boss or your customer choose what they want. Cover these five key areas. Ask questions. Show what you can do for them. That way, happy bosses and loyal customers isn’t a secret solution any longer.

The tree removal crew showed up on time. Nice. What caught our attention in particular? When Marvin and Bud, each made eye contact, and said with absolute sincerity, “I sure appreciate the work. Thank you Sir!”

Huh?

When’s the last time your mechanic, barista, cable guy, nurse said that? They might be friendly and nice, you could even get a thank you note from head office, they may even be the type who appreciates having the job... but these tree trimming and removal employees acknowledging the work to the customer stood out for one important reason. Dallas Tree Wizards were clearly not coming from a place of entitlement. They didn’t think they deserved a paycheck. They appreciated the client enough to say so. This couldn’t happen by chance…

“Who owns the tree removal services Tree Wizards?”

“Dallas Arbor, Jim Chase, Sir.”

Dear reader, we have a growing epidemic in our society today. It’s called entitlement. What does this humble Dallas Arbor do to create a culture of gratitude over entitlement? Talking to this Jim was worth every second.

“Tell me about yourself.”

“I grew up in an orchard and tree nursery. With nine kids in my family, living on a 20-acre lot, my entrepreneurial nature sparked when I climbed my first tree. Combine that with my artistic nature and I found the magical combination of risk and reward of tree removal.’

Jim’s tree trimming and removal crew loved their work and seemed fearless as they danced from limb to limb. These tree specialist guys mirrored Jim’s passion for Dallas trees and craftsmanship. According to this professional tree service owner, “Climbing is goal oriented. A thinker’s paradise! It rewards you with daily thrills, finding solutions, and then achieving them. The thrill of overcoming fear and repeatedly accomplishing your goals.”

“Okay, I get you like goals. But what do you do to get such appreciative and grateful employees?”

“We only surround ourselves with tree removal people who absolutely love this work. Their passion is my passion. The stakes are high; it’s dangerous. It’s risky and the solutions are always customized. No two trees are alike. When you swallow your fears and trust your abilities the magic happens. Creativity, consistent communication and teamwork combine to make our clients (and us) thrilled with the end result. That – is a cool feeling!”

“That’s great,” I said “so you tell your employees to thank their customers for the tree removal work?”

Jim stared for a second. “I don’t ‘tell them’ to say anything. They interact with the customer in any way they want. Vince, they just love their work and the money is icing on the cake. Every time they get sent out on a job, they appreciate getting to do what they love to do."

Ding! It finally made sense. These tree trimming and removal Wizards defined work as more than just money.

It looks like a simple formula for a grateful, appreciative culture. Engage with people who:

1. Match values with the job.
2. Have a passion for the work.
3. Sync their goals with the customer’s goals.
4. Repeat daily.

Countless business owners admit when hiring, “You never know who will work out.” Looks like the Tree Wizard is the hiring wizard too.

His secret… have professional tree service employees out on a limb of gratitude.

Leading up to the Olympic games athletes get a great deal of support and attention. Clearly, during the Games the accolades and adoration spikes. After the big event athletes become ostensibly invisible. That's life - true. But this post Olympic invisibility is more intense and tough on the psyche than you may realize.

This is not much different from the psychological after effects in the days and months after you've planned your wedding or any event that took all of your attention. With post Olympic depression, for medalists and participants alike, the let down can be fierce. Established National Olympic Committees play a key role in helping Olympians with the transition but maybe you can help more than any NOC.

Post Olympic competitors, to a large degree, retire after the games. Another four years running around in circles, chasing a ball or trying to get to a white line faster than the other guy becomes somewhat pointless. The love of the sport is not what it was and the sense of loss is profound. Until the Olympics the first thing on your mind as you got out of bed was swifter, higher, stronger. Post Olympics the feeling if similar to being cut from a space ship. The tether is severed and you feel lost while floating aimlessly into deep space.

Victor Frankl's book, Man's Search for Meaning and his theories on logotherapy point to a "sense of purpose" being the reason survivors of concentration camps were able to stay alive. He noted, the people who died gave up. They were lost and had no purpose. It's unnerving to admit but there will be Olympians after London who feel the same thing. Their sense of purpose will be gone and there will be some degree of depression. For some, the depression is only a nuisance. Some of it will be life threatening.

In our financial times it is all the more troublesome that retired athletes from the Olympics will face challenges in finding work. If you run a small business and you know an Olympian, reach out to them. Only a select few will be a motivational keynote speaker. Fewer still will get the endorsements necessary to keep them hopping. Grow your business with an Olympian at the helm of a project. Involve them in an initiative you've needed help on. If you work with a large corporation, reach out to an Olympian you know, or know of.

Feeling needed… Exercising your character strengths… Channeling your energies to a new project… these experiences can help an Olympian through an intensely difficult time. At the same moment, you may find yourself working alongside a person who's DNA is about extraordinary achievement and world-class excellence.

The Olympics are over but those people (formerly known as athletes) are not. If you know of an Olympian – reach out. If you don’t contact your National Olympic Committee. Let’s keep cheering for them after the flame burns out.