I had planned to introduce my blog readers to my new blog X365 in which I plan to do some form of exercise everyday for an entire year. I had also been thinking about blogging about my iDeas for Apple iProducts (after changing a diaper at 1:00 am and my wife changing another a few hours later, I am thinking the leading candidate is the iChanger). However I was caught red-handed (and now red-faced) yesterday afternoon right in front of the Last Chance strip club. I wouldn’t be writing about something as embarrassing as this had I not received the following email from my friend Randy Small:“I know I shouldn’t be asking you this, but just out of curiosity, what the heck were you doing at the Last Chance strip club on Friday afternoon???? I tried to honk my horn at you as I drove by, but my horn’s broken. (Randy haven’t you seen the bumper sticker that says, ‘Horn broken, watch for middle finger?’ ) Do we need to have an intervention?”Well, er, Randy (and anyone else who may have seen me). I was, er… um…. ah… I was changing my flat tire that just happened to occur right in front of the club. Don’t believe that huh? Okay, I was picking up trash. Yeah, that’s it. Keep Blount Beautiful. That’s my motto. Actually, I was campaigning to end adult entertainment in our area - Keep Knoxville Klean. Yeah, that’s the story. No, okay the real reason, I was going undercover to apply for a job (after all they were “hireing”) to expose (no pun intended) the unfair labor practices in the adult entertainment industry. Since I know the real reason will never fly with Randy and the group that will likely hear about this, I offer the excuses ideas above. The real story is that I was there for a friend. Yes, I was at the Last Chance as a photographer (and it wasn’t to take a picture of the 1 ugly lady advertised on the sign!). Before you tar and feather me, know that I went there to take pictures of the sign; I have been wanting to for several months. Late last year, I was speaking at a convention with my professional speaker colleague Mike McKinley. Mike uses hundreds of photographs in his program and I am going to see him next week at my National Speakers Association convention. Since I knew I would see Mike, I figured it was my last chance to get the picture at the Last Chance (since believe it or not, I just don’t frequent the Last Chance or even the area where it’s located regularly). As one of my favorite columnist Dave Barry says, “I am not making this up!”. The ‘funny’ thing about this situation is I remember thinking “What if someone sees me?” but then I thought, “What are the chances?”. Well it turns out the chances were pretty good. It was during rush hour traffic along one of the busiest highways in the area and I parked my car right under the sign! After my friend Randy sent the email, I imagined a few newspaper headlines:

Former Cub Scout Leader given too many chances

Father of Five kicked out of home: Wife: “I gave him one Last Chance”

Inspirational Speaker gets chance “inspiration”

No chance for future public office for Richardson

Living Rich is about not being afraid to standout even when it means taking some good (and not so good) natured ribbing. I knew there was a risk of being seen somewhere that I PROMISE I have never been before and now will NEVER go again. If I had only been X-ercising or perhaps waiting in line for an iPhone…fat chance.

Tim Richardson is an inspirational speaker who speaks about how giving increases employee morale, lowers employee turnover, increases customer loyalty and creates higher profits for Fortune 500 companies, associations, and national conventions. He is the founder of the The Worlds Biggest Blog Party an event which will connect bloggers from all over the world to raise money for charity. He is also founder and president of the Bill Walter Melanoma Research Fund. For more information on Tim, go to www.TimRichardson.com

I’ll admit it - I want to retire rich. Not because I want to have the luxury house, boat and car. I want to be like a college friend of mine who lives off 10% of his income and gives away 90%. So, of course, I am intrigued with programs like “The Millionaire Inside: Your Guide to Wealth” that will air Saturday June 30th at 9:00 pm on CNBC. David Bach, Barbara Corcoran, Phil Town and Loral Langemeier are the money mentors and the segment tomorrow night will include my motivational speaker colleague Larry Winget. Tune in and let me know what you think…

***Happy Birthday to the Interstate Highway system. Seems like a good day to buy the Apple iPhone. I feel a blog coming with new “iInventions”… do you have suggestions? Winning entry gets my old cell phone. Sorry to be so brief but I must get my iSelf off my iChair and hurry to the iStore to go into iDebt, so I can be iHip with my iFriends on my iPhone. Looking forward to iBlogging with you soon…

Watch the spoof on the iPhone. iLaughed out loud.

Tim Richardson is an inspirational speaker who speaks about how giving increases employee morale, lowers employee turnover, increases customer loyalty and creates higher profits for Fortune 500 companies, associations, and national conventions. He is the founder of the The Worlds Biggest Blog Party an event which will connect bloggers from all over the world to raise money for charity. He is also founder and president of the Bill Walter Melanoma Research Fund. For more information on Tim, go to www.TimRichardson.com

Recently my son joined a Boy Scout troop. After looking at several troops, we decided on one. One of the troops we visited was attractive because it was close to our house, met at our church, and had excellent leadership. However, the thing that impressed me the most was the boys in the troop. In particular, the way they treated a troop member who had Downs Syndrome. The boys cheered him on when he received a badge, they gave him high fives as he came into the meeting, and he was voted by the troop as the most enthusiastic member. This boy is hoping to earn his Eagle Scout badge, the highest award in Boy Scouts. His fellow troop members are making a difference in his life through their acceptance and encouragement of him.

A few days after Russell joined this troop, I received an email from an inspirational speaker friend named Barbara Glanz. Barbara wrote a book with Dr. Ken Blanchard called The Simple Truths of Service. In the book, the authors describe Johnny the Bagger who makes a difference in his job every day. He makes the lives of everyone around him richer with his attitude and by doing something very simple every day.

Watch this short clip and perhaps you’ll be inspired to make a difference today. Living Rich is ingrained in Johnny’s life. Some days I have to work on it. Today, it’s a little easier.

Tim Richardson is an inspirational speaker who speaks about how giving increases employee morale, lowers employee turnover, increases customer loyalty and creates higher profits for Fortune 500 companies. He is founder of the Bill Walter Melanoma Research Fund. For more information on Tim, go to www.TimRichardson.com

One of my best friends missed my birthday this year. My parents called a day late. My oldest brother forgot my birthday completely (he does most years so I expect it). My sister (who has a daughter born on June 6th as well) totally forgot my birthday this year. A few years ago, no one in my family called. I remember being a little bummed about the year of “the big birthday miss”.

Today would have been my best friend’s birthday. He’s not here to celebrate. The last birthday he celebrated was in 1998, the year he died of cancer. We had a great surprise celebration for him that year. A big group of us gathered at a restaurant on the ocean just north of Daytona Beach where many of us had attended High School. The surprise was on us, however. Bill walked into the restaurant wearing those disgusting looking Bubba teeth and had a wig and hat on. We all cracked up (except one friend who thought cancer had wreaked havoc on his dental work).

Bill had the ability to laugh even through adversity. I am convinced it’s why he extended his life more than four times longer than his doctors gave him to live. It was hell to watch him slowly die but heaven has benefited. After he died, his wife asked me to help in the task of going through some of his things. As I picked up one of his books, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey, I noticed a Post-it note with Bill’s writing on it. If you have read the book, you know there is a section in the book where Covey asks the reader to think about his or her own funeral and to write down what they would like others to say about them. Bill had done this long before he knew he had cancer. This is what he wrote:

I want to be remembered as a person who:

• made people laugh and feel good
• was honest and sincere
• cared about others
• made the office a better place to work
• was a good communicator
• was ethical
• wanted the best for everyone
• made the home a happier place

Without question, Bill exemplified these things. He never had to work hard to achieve success in relating with people. It was part of his character naturally. Bill Walter lived more in a short life than most people do in a long one. He loved to laugh and enjoyed making others laugh. He was musical and athletic. He was a great father and a great son, He was a devoted husband and a fantastic friend. It’s been nine years since his last party. Missing a birthday is a bummer. A big bummer.

Tim Richardson is an inspirational speaker who speaks
about how giving increases employee morale, lowers employee turnover,
increases customer loyalty and creates higher profits for Fortune 500 companies. He is founder of the Bill Walter Melanoma Research Fund. For more information on Tim, go to www.TimRichardson.com

This short clip is worth a quick look. Watching this little boy hug his dad
reminded me of how I’d like to store up the great hugs my kids give me for
down the road when they’ll be less plentiful and less tight.

Tim Richardson is an inspirational speaker who speaks about how giving increases employee morale, lowers employee turnover, increases customer loyalty and creates higher profits for Fortune 500 companies, associations, and national conventions. He is the founder of the The Worlds Biggest Blog Party an event which will connect bloggers from all over the world to raise money for charity. He is also founder and president of the Bill Walter Melanoma Research Fund. For more information on Tim, go to www.TimRichardson.com

What happens when you leave an almost-3 year old alone with baby powder nearby????

According to a report released today on National Public Radio, Bill Clinton made 10 Million in speaking fees last year. I made…well, slightly less than that. Bill is on the Celebrity 100 list. I have my own list and happen to occupy the top and only position. My list has at least a dozen “honey do’s” on it. Completing everything on my list will make me a celebrity to one person. I guess I will have to make a lot more impact as an inspirational speaker to be mentioned when Forbes releases their 2008 list. Oprah, Tiger, Madonna, the Rolling Stones, and Brad round out the top five for their bankable buzz. Google rankings and MySpace pages also factor in. Sorry this is so short, I have to get to my list… which doesn’t include getting Face(Book) on MySpace.

Tim Richardson is an inspirational speaker who speaks about how giving increases employee morale, lowers employee turnover, increases customer loyalty and creates higher profits for Fortune 500 companies, associations, and national conventions. He is the founder of the The Worlds Biggest Blog Party an event which will connect bloggers from all over the world to raise money for charity. He is also founder and president of the Bill Walter Melanoma Research Fund. For more information on Tim, go to www.TimRichardson.com

Early this morning, I was walking to my car reading the mail I had just picked up. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the truck five feet away but I didn’t see the cooper pipes extending several feet past the end of the truck. And POW! (like in the old Batman TV show) I plowed right into it. I uttered a Robin like phrase (Holy stupid pipes) as I grabbed my head.

Seems like there’s a lesson in that head bump. Don’t spend too much of life focusing only on the task that is right in front of you lest you find yourself somewhere you don’t want to be.

Coming soon a new blog: Xercise365…my plan to exercise everyday for one year. Care to join me?

Tim Richardson is an inspirational speaker who speaks about how giving increases employee morale, lowers employee turnover, increases customer loyalty and creates higher profits for Fortune 500 companies, associations, and national conventions. He is the founder of the The Worlds Biggest Blog Party an event which will connect bloggers from all over the world to raise money for charity. He is also founder and president of the Bill Walter Melanoma Research Fund. For more information on Tim, go to www.TimRichardson.com

A little over a week has passed since I spoke for the US Paralympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. Today, I spoke in Midway, Utah. Driving up there I was reminded of the challenge I had learning to snow board years ago. I grew up surfing, skiing, windsurfing and skate boarding. I had pretty good balance but NOTHING I ever learned caused me to fall (and fail) as many times as I did learning to snowboard. I calculated that I fell more times in my first two hours of snowboarding then I had in all my years skiing combined. So when I read stories like the one from 16 year old Jess, a volunteer with NEHSA, I am in awe of those who snowboard while giving a “lift” to those who can’t even walk.

  Why I Want To Teach

I’ve grown up a little different then the average kid that goes skiing and snowboarding. My dad has worked at NEHSA, New England Handicapped Sports Association at Mount Sunapee for 14 years in the sit-down program. My mom has worked for around 10 years in the stand-up program. My brother who is 17 does some work with the bi and mono ski. Spending most of my winters up at NEHSA I have begun to help out teaching the snowboarding lessons. I ski and snowboard so I also go out and help. I prefer to teach the snowboarding basically because the instructors that take me out are willing to help teach me how to teach and improve my teaching skills. We also always have fun, even if the lesson barely makes it out to the slope we have fun just getting there.
I want to teach snowboarding because I want to make a difference in somebody’s day. I have grown up playing soccer. I travel all over the east coast and I realize the commitment and money that goes into bringing me around. So when I go out and play I try my hardest and put all my effort into playing. I am the same way with teaching. NEHSA is a volunteer program, so you learn to get your payment out of the students’ reactions to the lessons. When they come back in to the lodge smiling because they had fun, it is just as good or better than getting paid.I want to teach because I want to grow up being part of this amazing program. I want to be the best teacher I can be and help out as many people as I can. I want to make a difference and better myself at the same time. I want to show these kids they can do anything they want to do and the only limits they have are the limits they put on themselves. I want them to believe that “impossible” is nothing, nothing at all.

Tim Richardson is an inspirational speaker who speaks about how giving increases employee morale, lowers employee turnover, increases customer loyalty and creates higher profits for Fortune 500 companies, associations, and national conventions. He is the founder of the The Worlds Biggest Blog Party an event which will connect bloggers from all over the world to raise money for charity. He is also founder and president of the Bill Walter Melanoma Research Fund. For more information on Tim, go to www.TimRichardson.com

If you’ve been reading this blog the last few days, you know I just returned
from speaking at the US Olympic Training Center for young Paralympic
hopefuls. My speaking goals this year included adding clients like Fortune
500 companies Apple, IBM, Microsoft, and companies that really care like
Hallmark Cards, Patagonia, etc. After my weekend with some incredible young
athletes, my wish now is for more engagements like this one. In the coming days, I will be writing about some of the experiences I had while I was there along with some of the most incredible inspirational stories of some pretty awesome young people with amazing stories.

The day I left to come back, I met Tom Kersey who is the director of the New
England Handicapped Sports Association. Tom, his staff, and volunteers give
disabled people of all ages the thrill of their lives on snow. For twelve
years, Tom has spent every weekend and two weeks of his vacation
volunteering with the Ski NEHSA organization. A few years ago, when the
director’s job came open, Tom jumped at the chance. He took a 50% pay cut to
become the organization’s director. Colleagues from his previous job at
Nationwide Insurance thought Tom was crazy when he told them he was leaving
to help disable people learn to ski. He was offered a number of additional
perks and an opportunity to move wherever he wanted if he would have stayed
with Nationwide. His old boss and his co-workers didn’t get it. They asked
questions like, “Do you get paid for helping?” and “Do you get gas money or
free food?”

Tom sent his old boss a DVD of the program which caused them to “get it”. It
also resulted in a $15,000 donation for the program. Tom said, “It’s easy to
go to work if you love what you do. It’s such a big part of who you are.”
Tom says he gets calls from volunteers weekly who say things like “I am
having a bad day at work and I’d like to come volunteer.” He’s even had
people call in sick just so they could help in the program.

He says he gets letters almost every day of how the program has changed lives. Tom says “It’s not everyday that you work in a job where for twenty-five
dollars (the cost of a lift ticket) you can give someone a thrill they’ll never forget.”
He says the feeling you get from helping disabled skiers is not something you can buy
and it’s a priceless gift for both the volunteers and the participants. At least once a week
Tom said he gets comments like “This was the best day of my life.” Those comments come from both the leaders and participants. He frequently hears comment like an instructor told him recently, “I just had the best lesson of my life and I didn’t teach it”. There’s a lot of learning that comes from giving. Few know that better than Tom Kersey. 

Tim Richardson is an inspirational speaker who speaks
about how giving increases employee morale, lowers employee turnover,
increases customer loyalty and creates higher profits for Fortune 500 companies. He also is a leadership speaker, customer service trainer and sales motivator. For more information go to www.TimRichardson.com