What Do You Really Remember?

You can't start everything, but you can start SOMETHING. 

More of us have some semblance of ADHD than we think - especially those of us 40 and over, since when we were kids ADHD wasn't really acknowledged. It makes it tough to start, tough tough to follow through, and tough to finish any number of tasks and projects in our lives. 

Their are strategies to help you - and today Rich is sharing one of his favorites. 

Want Rich to speak to your group? Looking to discover, develop, and deliver your best message? Contact him at Rich@RichHopkins.com

You can also find out more about Rich on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or his website: RichHopkins.com

And You Can Quote Me On That...

It's Not About the People You Hang Around...

It's All About Speed!

 

What's Wrong with Motivational Speakers?

The Time is Now - the Return of the WinAnyway Podcast

The Disabled Directive

Must or Myth - The Importance of Writing Down Your Goals

The article on the goals study is behind a paywall....
https://www.fastcompany.com/90955420/what-ai-startups-get-wrong-about-chatgpt-for-telehealth

Why Hire Rich as a Speaking Coach?

Love it when I get a LinkedIn recommendation - Thank you David! 

It is with utmost enthusiasm and confidence that I recommend Rich Hopkins. Our collaboration has had a profoundly positive impact on my professional development, particularly in the realm of public speaking and presentation. 

When I first approached Rich, I was tasked with writing and delivering a keynote speech - a daunting endeavor for many, including myself. From our first meeting, it was clear that Rich had an intrinsic understanding of the craft and a genuine interest in ensuring my success. 

What I found most remarkable about Rich was his ability to break down the intricate process of creating a captivating keynote into manageable pieces. With his guidance, I learned the fundamental structures that contribute to a compelling speech, from establishing a central theme to the nuances of tone and pacing. 

One of Rich's standout teachings was on the art of storytelling. He introduced me to techniques that allowed me to weave personal anecdotes and narratives seamlessly into my speech, enhancing its relatability and impact. Under his tutelage, I found myself sharing information and connecting with my audience on a deeper emotional level. 

Moreover, Rich's insights into humor were invaluable. He taught me that humor, when used effectively, can entertain, illuminate, and underscore a message. With his help, I was able to sprinkle my speech with just the right amount of levity, ensuring it was both enjoyable and memorable. 

Throughout our sessions, Rich's patience and dedication shone brightly. He provided honest and constructive feedback, always pushing me to refine my craft. His passion is evident, and it's infectious. ~ 

David Lampe, Realtor.

Solving the Procrastination Puzzle - Part II

If I've Heard it Once, I've heard it a Thousand Times

Solving the Procrastination Puzzle - Part I

The Middle is a Great Place to Be

You Aren't Hunting Vampires...

Earn It!

Disabled Speakers: Are We Living Up to Our Responsibilities?

It's that time of the program again...  

The next scheduled speaker is disabled - perhaps by birth, or accident, or violence. Will they wow us with their abilities and inspiring stories, or will they bring out the violin and expect us to be sympathetic even when they bore us to death? 

For the record, I am a disabled speaker. A below the left knee amputee, to be specific. BK for short. There is a belief that being disabled can help open doors in the speaking industry. People enjoy stories of triumph under dire circumstances and impossible odds. The general public wants to be reminded of how good their own life is, and to be thankful they have their vision, hearing, mobility, etc. Facts are facts - and it would simply Karmic justice if our disadvantages work FOR us in this way.

It brings up questions for me, though. Are we (disabled speakers) living up to our responsibilities? Are professional? Do we let our disability trump our message? Do we work at our craft? Do we let ourselves become a one-trick pony? We all know speakers, disabled or not, that fall into these categories. But as a group, I believe we have a responsibility not just to our selves and our audiences, but to EACH OTHER. We must not create and perpetuate our own stereotype. 

5 Ways to Be a Great Disabled Speaker:

1. Learn to speak well. We have no more right to sound inept than anybody else. If anything, speaking poorly will cause people to wonder just how far our handicap goes. If you have the time, join Toastmasters. If you need to be great NOW, hire a coach.

2. Have a well-rounded message. Discuss your disability within the context of something greater than yourself. Example: Can't walk? Develop a 'Creative Solutions to Everyday Challenges' type keynote allowing you to use your experience as an illustration, instead of a centerpiece.

3. Give the audience more than expected. If you've filled the room based on the tragic circumstances of your situation, give the audience a message they can take further than the dinner table that night. What did you know before your disability, if applicable, that helped you cope? What lessons have you learned since? Better yet, what about the rest of your life adds to your overall message that will apply to the poor fully-able-bodied audience member?

4. Don't play the anger card. Unless you are heading up a political rally, people don't want to hear about our anger. Sure, we face challenges everyday that create anger towards the world, towards fellow humans, towards ourselves, unless you can tell them how you've dealt with it, and how they can benefit from how you deal with it, it becomes self-righteous and self-indulgent.

5. Don't play the sympathy card. It's so easy to do, without even trying. We don't want their sympathy anyway, do we? We want respect, for ourselves, and our messages.Speech Killer Alert! If you have a disability that's obvious to the audience, don't ignore it. You may be speaking on a completely different topic, and thinking there's no reason to bring it up. But if the audience can see it, it's already brought up. If they're spending their energy wondering what's "wrong" with you, then you and your message is being ignored. 

"I'm disabled, but I don't want to talk about it!"

Fair enough - try one of these two approaches for a quick fix: 

1. Bring it up creatively in your introduction before you ever get up to speak 

2. Toss in a deft self-deprecating remark in your opening. The audience will relax, and listen to you instead of your handicap.

My Plea

Unprofessional Disabled Speakers are everywhere. Unprofessional Fully-Abled Speakers are everywhere as well - but they don't face categorization. I have yet to here anyone complain about bad redhead speakers. Fellow disabled speakers - we have a responsibility to ourselves, and to each other, to be the best speakers in the industry. To speak from our hearts, not our hardships. To bring to our audience what we bring to our lives everyday - the transcendence from disability to distinction.

Below is a short video from W. Mitchell - who truly transcends.

What are Your Demands?

Your Perfect Day

2nd Half Adjustments

SpeakAnyway: The Right Time For the Right Message

I'm Baaa-aaack. Really. Honest.

I Might Need That...

Simplify.

I Know A Fighter - NF Awareness Month

You Walk Funny - Part V

Giannis Gets What it Means to WinAnyway

Giannis Antetokounmpo is getting major run for his view on failure in the wake of the #1 seed Milwaukee Bucks losing to #8 seed (a play in team, no less) Miami Heat. People all over the media are talking about it. I've talked about it for years - that's what #WinAnyway is all about

Giannis' comments are below:

You Walk Funny - Part IV

You Walk Funny Pt. III

Accountability Is...

 ...important.

...a key tactic mentioned in most motivational books.

...harder than it looks.

At least for me. I have always had a great deal of trouble when it comes to finding accountability partners. I've had several through the years, but none of them have lasted very long - usually through no fault of their own. We'd have phone calls, trade emails, share big plans. It was all very well-intentioned.

Invariably, it would fall apart. One or both of us wouldn't follow through. A break would be called for vacations, or family issues, or, well, anything really. We'd drift, and before we knew it, the accountability partnership was over. If it had really ever begun.

I blame myself, mostly. I don't like to be held accountable by people who aren't in a position to really hold me accountable. Of course, I'm the only one who can put them in that position, and I define that position as 'more successful at what we're trying to do than I am'. Which put me in the position of needing accountability partners that would usually charge for their services, unless they found me to be an appropriate accountability partner for THEM.

I recognize the issues here. But it doesn't really change anything. If I don't think someone can hold me accountable, they won't. That's on me, not them. And if they don't think I'm in a place that they want to bother with holding me accountable, or being accountable themselves to ME, that's essentially on me as well.

This year, something bizarre has happened, however. Out of the blue, I messaged a friend and told him I was going to be accountable to him for my diet everyday, whether he wanted to be a 'partner' or not. I asked him simply to acknowledge that I was sending him my eating for the day. He agreed.

Two days later, I went to breakfast with my paraplegic, bodybuilding, wheelchair racing, plane-building, speaker pal Handbike Mike. Out of the blue, he suggested we become workout partners - 6 am every morning. To give you some idea, he can do pullups without getting out of his chair. It was like Superman asking a fat Jimmy Olsen to workout with him. Crazy. Unexpected. I countered with M, W, F - and we've been working out since March 1st. He's pushing me harder than I've ever been pushed at the gym, and I feel very accountable. He says it's 'wheelchair guilt'. Of course, I have a prosthetic leg, but he still has a point...

But it didn't stop there.

Two days later, I got a phone call from a fellow 'Finalist' - that is, someone who has made it all the way to the Toastmasters World Championship Finals stage - who wanted me to be an accountability partner with him on his journey to become an Accredited Speaker - the highest professional speaking designation one can achieve in the organization. On my end, I had put the AS on the backburner, as I'm still a bit enamored by the thought of becoming the World Champion of Public Speaking through the International Speech Contest - and am in the middle of a run even as I type. But hey, why not? We set goals to be eligible to apply by January 2024, which means a variety of speaking opportunities, both paid and pro-bono, testimonials, video, and some other paperwork-oriented work needs to be done. The real work starts with outreach to get the speaking stages in the first place. We've challenged each other to contact on potential stage per day, and we email every night. The result so far has been a couple of scheduled dates, and more outreach than either of us has done in years.

What's my lesson for the day? Honestly, it's tough to say.

Perhaps I should have been more bold when looking for accountability partners. Perhaps I should have been more willing to work with others. Perhaps it's 'when you're ready, the accountability appears'.

Whatever you take from this today, let me know in the comments. Personally, I'm just happy with the results. I'm also looking for another accountability partner, or two. I need to be called to the carpet when it comes to marketing, that's for sure. It's been a month since I've written an article in the 'weekly' blog - and that's just unacceptable.

Accountability is....a valid WinAnyway tactic. When you - when I - allow it to be effective. Go find the right people, and be the right person. Your WinAnyway life awaits.

---------------------

Does your team need strategies and inspiration to live their #WinAnyway Life, both professionally and personally? Let me transfer my experience, energy, and outlook by bringing me in to deliver a tailored #WinAnyway presentation. Contact me at Rich@RichHopkins.com, or right here on LinkedIn.

You Walk Funny - Part II

You Walk Funny Part I

April, among other things, is Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month. I've qualified for both over the years, as well as something more.

Toxic Motivation

*Note - I said my trainer was quadriplegic - he is actually PARAplegic. 

A Tale of Tall Tales to Save Your Tail, and Tale.

Is the Universe Conspiring?

Are You Able to Lose to Win?

 I grew up a cripple.

OK, that word isn't allowed anymore, but in the 70s, it was used all the time. I was born with an atrophied left leg - muscles underdeveloped, bones not put together all that well - I had many, many surgeries between 2 and 10 years old just to enable me to walk. Not well, mind you, but I could limp around with the best of them. Even played basketball - if only in the neighborhood. Had a great fake to my left, and a killer three point shot.

I was told to slow down, get a desk job, and preserve my leg as much as possible. I figured if I was going to end up in a wheelchair (as the doctor told me at 16) - I might as well remember what it was like to enjoy myself to the fullest before then. I didn't slow down. Even my job choices - often as an outside salesperson for newspapers and magazines - had me on my feet. Got married, had a bunch of kids - who all kept me on my feet.

In January of 2006, you know what hit the fan. Woke up, stepped down, and couldn't put weight on my ankle without excruciating pain. Admittedly, it wasn't sudden. Every year, I was less and less able to stay active as much as I had been - and by evenings, I was often too sore to walk. Going to the zoo, or the concrete floors of the mall, was no longer an option. But this morning...I couldn't walk!

Long story short, the doctors gave me a couple of options - including one I never planned on. I could start using a wheelchair - permanently, OR, I could let go of my left foot. It was beyond further repair.

What would you do if you were told your only option to keep moving forward was by letting go of a part of you you'd worked your whole life to hang onto?

You probably face these decisions more than you think. Staying in a relationship, a job, even your place of worship or social group. It happens on a corporate level as well. This employee, product, division...isn't working as we'd hoped, but they've worked here for years, or it's a foundational part of our business, or they made us millions two years ago - we can't just give up on them/it.

Yes. You CAN.

I chose to let go of my leg - to go with what my kids called a 'Super-Deluxe Robot Leg' - essentially I upgraded. But I had to lose to win. To let go of what was so important to me, to get something better. To keep standing, to keep walking, to move forward in my life.

Sure, there have been bumps in the road, and it hasn't been exactly as I'd envisioned. But it sure beats the alternative. In hindsight, I probably should have upgraded a year or two earlier. But I was 'anti-doctor' - because I didn't want to face the truth.

Are you willing to face the truth in your life, in your business? Are you holding yourself back from greater success by settling for what you are used to, by holding on to what you've always thought is important? Is it really as important as you think it is? Are you doing yourself and/or your employees and investors a service or a disservice by hanging on, well past time to let go?

A lot of speakers like to talk to audiences about 'following their dreams' - and a lot of companies don't like it - it leads to employee turnover! Think about this though: if all it takes is a little push to get them out the door, you're both better off.

Don't hang on too long. Be willing to lose to win. Be open to an unexpected upgrade. Heck, in 2023, I'm not even 'crippled', I'm 'differently abled'. And I'm here to tell you: There's nothing like that New Foot Smell!

Does your team need strategies and inspiration to live their #WinAnyway Life, both professionally and personally? Let me transfer my experience, energy, and outlook by bringing me in to deliver a tailored #WinAnyway presentation. Contact me at Rich@RichHopkins.com, or right here on LinkedIn.

The Speaker's Trust

You can find the blog post mentioned by clicking here.

When It Comes to Motivation, You're Right, Either Way.

Henry Ford with Ford Model T, Buffalo, New York, 1921.
Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Whether you think you can, or you think you can't – you're right. ~ Henry Ford.

One of my favorite quotes. Because it's absolutely true, and speaks to so many aspects of discipline, willpower, motivation, and attitude in general.

When I was a teenager, my mom bought me a book on self-talk. I assume she felt I was saying bad things to myself. Maybe I was, though compared to what my own teenagers face, I didn't really have much to be negative about. Of course, our own storm is always the worst storm, at the time. I read a chapter or two, then put it down, and got rid of it a few years later. A few years after that, once I really started to get into self-help and motivation, I wished I'd actually gotten started back with that book.

About 20 years ago, I had the realization, the acceptance, I suppose, that self-talk works. If only because it didn't. It didn't because I said it wouldn't. Therefore, I was literally proving that it was working, by making it not work.

In a broader sense, that's self-sabotage, which is a much more accepted concept.

How do you get out of your own way? You don't. You just take yourself along with you for the ride. Do what you're afraid of doing, what you believe you can't do, anyway. Think you can't because you haven't? Instead, realize you can because you haven't. You can believe your way, self-talk your way into success just as easily as you can paralysis and failure.

Start controlling your script. What you say when you wake up. What you say to others during the day, at the office, online, and as you drive. What you say in reaction to failure AND success. Take notice for a day or two how you talk now, and determine if you're speaking the outcome you want into your life.

Don't believe me? Well, you're proving the point, one way or another.

Does your team need strategies and inspiration to live their #WinAnyway Life, both professionally and personally? Let me transfer my experience, energy, and outlook by bringing me in to deliver a tailored #WinAnyway presentation. Contact me at Rich@RichHopkins.com.