For the Olympic athletes, the Olympic Winter Games' opening ceremonies  are not what you think they are. The celebration, the smiles, the waving, the I'm-really-here-at-the-Olympic Games is what you see. But inside every athlete is one pervasive thought.

"This is nice, but I'm really here for some hardware."

As an athlete competes year after year they drive for excellence. They attempt to be better at their sport. They love to win! All want to achieve a personal best. Each learns from losing. The Olympic Games are a bigger stage for the the same big goal, 'How well can I possibly do?' and 'Wouldn't it be cool to win a gold medal?'

Today I'm an Olympic motivational speaker, but at the Olympic Opening Ceremonies I was just a skier who got lost in the middle of a bunch of hockey players.

Hours before the event, all the athletes stage in a large facility beside the stadium. For the Olympic athletes it is an eternity between staging and walking into the stadium. The Olympians get there early, only to miss the first part of the ceremony. 

Finally, when they enter, they announce the country names in alphabetical order. Greece is always first and the host country is always last. 

By the time we rounded the stadium and headed up the stairs my skier buddies were elsewhere and I was surrounded by a large collection of hockey players. I felt like a Hobbit at a basketball convention. 

We were all starving. Then, in a deep voice the guy on my left said, "Wanna cookie?"

"Are you kidding? YES!"

"My mom made me bring a bag to share with my friends. She shipped them over. Homemade. Pretty good, eh?"

Definitely a Canadian hockey player.

As the bag of cookies were finished we watched the bizarre show put on the Olympic Host Committee in Albertville. Still, one thought was pervasive, as it is for the Olympians in Sochi.

"This is nice but I'm here for the hardware." 

It’s not clear how it works. But it works! If you have a place of inspiration, you need to visit it frequently to accelerate towards your own Goals Fast. 

Last night, your friendly neighborhood Speaker Olympian Dude had a few moments to quiet the mind. Meditation is in important part of an everyday routine but having times of active-thoughtfulness is key too.

The fire pit in our backyard has a creek beside it, providing the serene sound of running water. Sure it was cold outside but to be the best speaker on goal setting I need to take short inspirational thoughts seriously.

Armed with an iPhone and a down jacket (oh… and pants too… in case that isn’t clear) it took a few moments stir up some ideas for the next phase of our Facebook marketing efforts. We strategically release quotes with an inspirational photo and #GoalsFast slogan. All with the intention of the our branded quotes going viral.

It was amazing how a setting can facilitate clear thinking. In less than fifteen minutes the following 26 quotes spilled out in the order they appear:

• The challenge in life is to rise above human nature. 
• Give yourself a chance by giving yourself a change. 
• Choice is certain to disappoint when it is not taken. 
• Those who are lonely have turned their back on the Zen of solitude. 
• Never, ever make a decision based on fear. 
• Hope is at the intersection of optimism and daring. Breath deep when facing uncertainty and you will soar to new heights. 
• Never keep your talent a secret. 
• Step 1. Make a wish. Step 2. Blow out your candles. Step 3. Tell everyone your wish to keep the fire burning. 
• Find the place in your body that holds anxiety. Ball it up and throw it away. 
• Be a seeker. 
• The most courageous journey is the journey within. 
• The path to happiness always right under your feet. 
• Given the choice between money or happiness - take both. 
• Feeling down makes happy possible. 
• Seek fulfillment before happiness. Seek happiness before patience. Seek patience before fulfillment.
• The secret to a long marriage is to not get divorced. 
• Every opportunity has a cost. Be insatiably curious about both.
• Sometimes it doesn't have to make sense. It just has to feel right. 
• Life's great paradox is the comfort and arrogance of being right. 
• Learn how to let go with determination and you will exceed your wildest expectations.  
• Go now. Procrastinate later. 
• Uncover the pain and the anger goes away. 
• If you want more money, start with less fear. 
• When love is above all, fear is no longer a wall. 
• One morsel of evidence does not satisfy the truth. 

LIKE our Facebook Page so you will be the first to see the power of an inspirational quiet spot. And remember to find a quiet place for your active-thoughtfulness.

He’s 70 and loves to work and was turned down for a job he really wanted. He didn’t lie down. He eventually got the position. How creative and smart will you be - to advance your career?

Harrison Ford was told he wasn’t right for the supporting role in 42, a movie about the life of Jackie Robinson. Ford is arguably one of the most successful actors in film history. He has generated over $6 billion in ticket sales, yet when he was interested in the role of former Brooklyn Dodgers general manager - Branch Rickey, director Brian Helgeland wouldn’t return his call.

“Nothing against [Harrison Ford]” Helgeland said about the casting process. He was opposed to Ford’s stardom. “I didn’t want [the movie] to be Jackie Robinson and Harrison Ford.” Yet, Harrison Ford really wanted the part of the complex, honorable and practical character who helped advance civil rights.

Ford kept calling and insisted on a meeting. The director relented. In the face-to-face conversation with Helgeland, Ford asked about specific scenes. At one point, Ford wanted to better understand a section of the screenplay. He said it could be played either one of two ways. Impromptu, he acted the scene one way. Then played the scene another way. It was clear Ford was intimate with the screenplay. What the director didn’t know was Harrison Ford researched Branch Rickey. He studied audio and film archives of the legendary Dodgers GM. He embodied Rickey’s mannerisms, voice and cadence.

Ford jokes he “…wore [Helgeland] down.” Not true. He approached his job search with the following system.

1. Never Shy Away from What You Want. What do you want? What are you doing about it? Harrison Ford is 70 and loaded. He’s neither retired nor complacent. There are no excuses. Want that job advancement, new client, new business idea? Go for it!
2. When They Don’t Call Back. Keep Calling. They didn’t reply to your email? They didn’t return your voice mail? If you haven’t called at least seven times you’re officially a wimp. Keep smiling and dialing. Get creative. Send them a 70-second video message where they see your eyes and your passion.
3. When They Answer Insist on a Meeting. Repeat after me. “We have to meet. Would two o’clock on Tuesday work or would 10 am on Wednesday be better?” Close until you get a meeting.
4. Do Amazing Homework. Don’t you dare go to the meeting on your charm and good looks alone. It doesn’t matter if you have generated $6 billion in ticket sales. The ONLY thing the interviewee cares about is his own derriere. One trip to Google is NOT research. Go in with an intimate knowledge of the solutions that the interviewee needs to know about. Know more than the interviewee knows.
5. Impress with Extraordinary Value. In the meeting, forget about the benefits of hiring you. Deliver on the extraordinary value you can provide.

If you’ve done your job right, the interviewee would be crazy not to engage you.

“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.

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.

Olympic Speaker

The media scambles over themselves during 17 days to get "their story." Between the medal count and crafted storylines some newly minted Olympic speakers supercede their 14 mintues of fame. For months after the Olympic Games event planners make assumptions about bringing in an Olympic speaker. Here are the five most common assumptions that can hurt your future corporate event. The five selction mistakes for your

Olympic speaker:

#1. Big Names Draw Attendees. FALSE. This number one assumption is everywhere. Assuming a gold medal Olympian speaker will draw attendees has proven to be false. In a recent study commissioned by the National Speakers Association - there is little correlation between big names and attendee draw. Solution: Invest in great speakers (who don't have to be celebrities) then use video clips plus personal video invitations to drive interest. You will also get bigger numbers next year with a proven speaker this year.

#2 Celebrity Olympic Speakers Can Recreate the Experience. RARELY TRUE. It's tempting to name names but it's really not the Olympic speaker's fault. It's the planners who assume the story they remember from the Olympic games can create the same expereince at the event. Hire a newly famous gold medalist and you will normally get a speech that is underwhelming. There are exceptions - those are the exceptional Olympian presenters who are still speaking today (and even then there are painful exceptions). Solution: Hire an Olympic speaker who can recreate an Olympic experience.

#3. The Interview Format Works Best. SERIOUSLY? Sure, it's better than leaving an unexperienced Olympic speaker out on stage, alone, fumbling with what to say. But these planners have forgotten the number one rule in event planning - the experience is paramount! You've spent tens of thousands of dollars to ultimately watch an Olympic speaker sit in a chair and talk about themselves. Mildly interesting is not the goal of any event planner. Solution: Hire an Olympic speaker who engages the audience eye to eye. Look for an Olympian who is a professional at connecting compelling content to powerful story telling.

#4. His/Her Olympic Story Will Be Great To Hear. NOPE. Let's recap other Olympic speaker bombs in the past. "I did this. This happened to me. I did that. It was hard work. I didn't give up. I won. You can too." Solution: Hire an Olympic speaker who uses "YOU LANGUAGE." Instead of saying what happened to them, the Olympian presenter should draw people into the story as if it is happening to the audience.

#5. A Gold Medal Means He/She is Good At Everything. This is a pervasive assumption. From experience, I can tell you for a fact, when someone finds out you were and Olympian on the golf course they automatically think you are a great golfer. I'm not. The same can be said for table tennis, canoing, climbing, diving board tricks, waterskiing, cooking... you name it. Your Olympic speaker needs to be previewed before you hire them. Solution: My mom used to say, "When you assume you make an ass of you and me." Don't assume anything about the Olympian's speaking ability. Preview and vet their ability and content. If the content is not innovative or counter intuitive it will be between boring and forgettable at best with your audience.

In the spirit of full disclosure, I did not win in the Olympic Games. But, this turned out to be a HUGE advantage as an Olympic speaker. Why? There were no calls for someone who placed 15th in the Olympics. For years I had to hone my craft at speaking. Multiple speaking awards later (including the Council of Peers Award of Excellence from the National Speakers Association - names include Ronald Reagan, Og Mandino and Zig Ziglar), an opening keynote at MDRT (the Carnagie Hall of speaking) and 17 years of speaking professionally around the world the results can be viewed on this video.  If your newly crowned Gold medalist speaker can do this. Hire them. If they can't, hire someone who can.

An Olympic gold medalist is an automatic Olympic speaker. Yet they rarely have the chops to be a naturally good speaker. With the phone ringing all the time, it doesn't seem to matter they don't speak well. They have little motivation to improve. Motivational speaking isn't their only concern. The five assumptions above are alive and well with far too many meeting professionals.

Enjoy the Olympic Games in London. Then, leave your assumptions in the file cabinet.

Hire and Olympic speaker who can light your people up with wisdom, wit and insight.