As I write this, the sun is hiding outside beneath a layer of clouds. While it’s overcast and gloomy outside, I am full of sunshine and happiness inside as I am in one beautiful place and enjoying watching my son experience a turning point. He and I are in Western, NC on a confirmation retreat at Lake Junaluska Assembly. Junaluska, according to Wikipedia, is an Indian name which means many sixth graders gathered in one place create many jokes involving bodily functions.  Lake Junaluska is also the Southeastern Conference for the United Methodist Church to which I belong. In my denomination, when a young person reaches the sixth grade (and after they have memorized every joke that makes them laugh in church till they start an earthquake) they are encouraged to go through a series of classes to help them learn about their faith and the doctrine of the United Methodist Church (it’s about as rivetingly interesting for a 12 year old as watching paint dry). Partly as a joke for my fun-loving pastor and partly out of desire to know more about the founder of Methodism, I checked out a book from the library on John Wesley who founded the Methodist Church. Wesley was man short in stature with wiry long hair (picture a street preacher who hasn’t showered in about six months). John Wesley doesn’t seem like a person that would have attracted the great crowds that followed him (or the women who apparently thought he was hot). When asked once why so many people came out to watch him preach, Mr. Wesley replied, “I set myself on fire and people come out to watch me burn.” Not that I want to give any lunatics another way for self destruction but that’s what he REALLY said.

What creates a passion like that? Where does it come from? Are you doing something that you are passionate about? What advice would you give others on creating a life that includes a career that brings you exquisite joy?

For the next week or so, I am going to pose that question to people who are passionate about what they do. I will, of course, blog my responses and hope to have a bit of a dialogue here. Are you one of those people? Do you just LOVE what you do? I’d love to know more…

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 and co-founder of the Jeffrey Roth Cycling Foundation. Click here for more information on professional speaker Tim Richardson.

I am sitting in the dark using only battery power from my laptop. Though I am a few minutes tardy, I am doing it for Earth Hour.  Earlier this week, I had read either in USA Today or Readers Digest about Earth Hour - an hour where everyone turns off their lights for one hour. I had forgotten about it until I received an email from professional speaker friend Karyn Buxman. I was reminded again when I signed unto to Google  as they were even dark (an all black background).

Often when I walk, I pick up trash in my neighborhood or the woods near my house. I most confess, I have often questioned what difference picking up a few pieces of trash makes. I thought the same thing when I first heard about Earth Watch. Watch the You Tube and you can see what difference one person can make. Someone had this idea after all. Let there be light, but only when we need it. I kind of like doing it (writing that is) in the dark.

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 and co-founder of the Jeffrey Roth Cycling Foundation. Click here for more information on professional speaker Tim Richardson.

This week, I gave my Living Rich speech for Fogelman Properties, one of the top 100 privately held companies in Memphis. I really loved the energy of this company run by two bright young brothers, Mark and Rick Fogelman. They run the company their father ran before them and they continue the legacy of giving he taught them. Though I have never met him, Avron Fogelman is a difference maker and the ripple he has created in his giving is being continued both by the generosity of his sons and the employees of Fogelman Properties. Though they give in many ways in the communities where the have a presence, I experienced a special treat on Thursday after my keynote speech. The standing ovation I received was a nice treat but not nearly as nice as what happened after it. Fogelman has a campaign the started last year called Fogelman Cares. In the inagural year, their associates supported the Ronald McDonald House. This year, they decided to support the Make a Wish Foundation and granted a wish to two young teenagers sisters who have Cystic Fibrosis. Associates at each of their properities raised money in a different way totaling twice the minimum amount Make a Wish requires. If that were the end of the story, it would be a cool story. But Fogelman associations are way cool. They planned an elaborate celebration for the girls by having them come to the Peabody Hotel where they THOUGHT they were going out to dinner. Instead, they were excorted to the top floor of the Peabody, persumeable to see the famous Peabody Ducks retire to their quarters. What they didn’t know was that there was a room full of Fogelman Associations (some dressed as “models” ) waiting for them. As the young sisters were excorted in, high energy music played and a video monitor revealed actual New York models. Then the girls were given gift after gift to fulfill their dream os shopping press in New York City. It was an emotional celebration enjoyed but by the Fogelman associates and two surprised girls and their mother. I wish EVERY speaking engagement could end this way. I’d be the most motivated motivational speaker on the planet. So…start spreading the news!

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 and co-founder of the Jeffrey Roth Cycling Foundation. Click here for more information on professional speaker Tim Richardson.

Memphis, TN. Birth place of the Blues, the home of Elvis, Graceland and my home the last few days. I am staying and speaking at the Peabody Hotel in downtown Memphis. It was my last Memphis trip that inspired my blog post entitled rendezvous which was also inspired in part by the great dry ribs restaurant of  the same name across the street. I walked into rendezvous tonight (after waiting in a long line) just to take in the aroma and experience the nostalgia. I also wanted to call my friend Charles for whom I had FEDEX-ed some of rendezvous ribs last year (Charles and his wedding party and friends ate there for his batchelor party). I am sure it would have been a spiritual experience for both of us but alas, I wrote down his number incorrectly and some poor person back home got me launching into a “I wish you were here” song made up spontaneously just for “Charles”. I opted to send him a telepathic messge instead (which I haven’t received confirmation that he received yet).

So for my progressive dinner which started with a whiff of rendezvous, then a main course at a new restaurant named Mesquite Chop House, and finally desert with some friends I met visiting from Tel Aviv, it was a RICH evening and a perfect end to a great day. I am now in a great frame of mind for my keynote speech tomorrow to managers for Fogelman Properties, a Memphis apartment management company.

Mesquite has it right - from the back of their menu:

Always at it’s prime is not just our brand, it’s how we try to live our lives as restaurateurs. We have built a concept in which high standards permeate all aspects of our restaurant. We are passionate about great tasting food and the pleasure of sharing it with others.

Our search for quality not only encompasses our food but our passion for over the top customer service as well. Outstanding customer service is a result of both our team member’s skill and enthusiasm in serving our guests, and their in-depth knowledge and excitement about the food and beverages we sell.

Prime, to us, means being able to meet or exceed your expectations at every visit.

Breaking bread with others and eating well - these are some of the great joys of our lives.

I couldn’t agree more.  I am already prepared for Rendezvous III.

This post is dedicated to my friend Charles Brinkley, whose great humor, passion for good food and service to others is an inspiration. 

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 and co-founder of the Jeffrey Roth Cycling Foundation. Click here for more information on professional speaker Tim Richardson.

I spoke with a friend this am who is REALLY going through it. A few years ago, she had her own business working with top professionals in her industry. She hob-knobbed with the rich and famous. She traveled to events all over the country. She stayed in top hotels and personally had interactions with former presidents, heads of state and CEO’s of big companies. One incident, changed everything. One act by her brother sent her spinning.  He hit her. He sent her into a tail spin because it brought up her past and things she hadn’t let go of from her first marriage at a young age. Her first husband was unkind. Abusive. He was not the man she wanted but he was strikingly similar to her own father. She left him with three young children to raise on her own.  Her ex had hit her too.

She became a grand mother too young. The cycle continued as one of her children got involved with someone just like her ex. Why?  I can’t for the life of me understand why men are abusive to women. Why is it that they let violence and anger control their actions? Why in heavens name would ANYONE hit a child?

My friend lost her business, lost her health, and lost her way. She lives in a barn with no means for bathing. Her new husband is sick and they don’t have health insurance. Some loan shark loaned her money for a car at TWICE the normal interest rate. She bought it last year withoiut a job and with little prospect for the short term. 

She wanted help. I felt almost hopeless. I told her that she might consider the following:

1) Have passion - find something to do that moves you. Then be laser-beamed focused on that.

2) Be good - the world is full of mediocrity. My friend, while troubled now, isn’t an average person. She is bright, beautiful, and she is very good at her profession.

3). Take action - this was the tough one. How does one know what action to take when they have lost everything? I told her, I couldn’t imagine how she was able to get out of bed and make a concerted effort to do something. She cried.  I had hit the nail on the head.

This all could have been avoiced had the cycled never started. It’s not easy to erase the past. Some can’t break the cycle and are destined to repeat it. It takes incredicle strenght to be a cycle breaker.

Her story is a vivid reminder for me that what I say, what I do and how I live will impact the futures of those I hold dear. 

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 and co-founder of the Jeffrey Roth Cycling Foundation. Click here for more information on professional speaker Tim Richardson.

Do you have people in your life who tell you what you need to know not what you want to know? If so, you are a RICH person. Today, I had a brief conversation with Brian Palmer of National Speakers Bureau. Brian was kind enough to watch my new promotional video I have just completed. He was also kind enough to be honest, to tell me what needed more work, what didn’t work, and what to think about. I get that same kind of feedback from professional speaker friend and branding expert, Bruce Turkel (who, BTW, has one of the coolest websites I have ever seen). I regularly get feedback from Bruce. He’s an incredible friend and supportor in that he tells it like it is (or at least as he sees it). I totally value that kind of friendship and honest feedback.

When speaking with Brian, he told me about a speech he had recently heard given by Tim Sanders, author of Love is the Killer Ap and The Likeability Factor. Tim spoke recently for Meeting Professionals International. Watching Tim’s speech will take you less time than watching American Idol  plus it will be a productive insightful investment in your thinking. Tim is writing another book coming out this year called Save the World at Work. I think he is “Spot on”. Check it out here.

Wishing for you a few good men (or women) in your life.

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 and co-founder of the Jeffrey Roth Cycling Foundation. Click here for more information on professional speaker Tim Richardson.

Breathing is something most people take for granted. I am taking a class called Outdoor Emergency Care where I learned some new things about breathing and how an area of the brain stem, controls breathing. I think breathing is something we need to focus on more. The very process of breathing both clears our mind and opens us up to new and better thinking. So today I write about things related to breathing - after all, we can’t be RICH if we can’t breath in air and breath in life. 

- Tuesday was National Organize Your Home Office Day (NOYHOD). I read about it on professional organizer and National Speakers Association colleague Barbara Hemphills blog. Barbara provided 15 useful tips including - my favorite, take a deep breath – and smile! Good advice. A good, well-timed breath makes me smile.

- Just for fun, I Googled breathing and found out that there was a song called breathing by a group named Yellowcard. Hmm!

- Professional speaker colleague Jeff Davidson paraphrased some dealing with stress tips from best selling author and business speaker Harvey McKay on his Breathing Space blog 

- I received a package in the mail this week from a great friend, New York City based comedian and professional speaker Victoria LaBalme. In the package, she sent Victoria Lip Balm. Clever! I met Victoria with some speaker friends at Catch a Rising Star in New York ten years ago. She is indeed a rising star. When I first saw her perform, she imitated Marcel Marceau for whom she took acting lessons. I can see her now imitating him as he told her, “breathe”. 

- Some people have trouble breathing . Lance Mackey is a throat cancer survivor who won his second Iditarod this week. It’s people like Lance that make me appreciate how something I do subconsciously is so under appreciated. Take a deep inhale and appreciate that you haven’t had to go through what Lance has.

- Just yesterday, I read in the New York Times that the Environmental Agency tightened smog standards - hopefully we’ll all breath easier.

- My wife just came and hugged my neck as I wrote. Her gentle touch and scent made me appreciate the best breathe of all… breath on.

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 and co-founder of the Jeffrey Roth Cycling Foundation. Click here for more information on professional speaker Tim Richardson.

Saturday March 1 - I was in Colorado Springs with my new friends MJ and Mike (MJ heard me speak last May at a CUNA conference in Phoenix and we have become buds). We were walking around the Old North End and I was shirtless enjoying the 75 degree sunshine.  I love COS. I hated leaving.Sunday March 2 – I snowboarded at Loveland Ski area in six degree snow storm. I LOVE snowboarding. I hate being cold.Monday March 3 – I spoke to the Credit Union Executive Society in Steamboat Springs, CO. I spoke, snowboarded, and spoke again. I’d LOVE to have every speaking engagement include some X-treme activity. I’d hate to experience the incredible incompetent customer service from Alpine Taxi EVER again. They are the pits.Tuesday March 4-  I worked with new friend Mark at 81 Media on my new demo tape before flying from Denver to Atlanta. I LOVED working with Mark. I hated having the Jeep I was driving towed with made me late to my meeting with Mark. I LOVE my profession that allows me great friends like Colorado based motivational humorist Scott Friedman and motivational speaker/professional speaker friend Patti Wood for whom I bumped into in the Atlanta airport. I hate being gone from my family for five days! BTW, Patti is regularly on CNN and Fox as a body language expert. She analyzes politicians to see when they are lying (boy does she has an EASY job!). She shot a segment on the History Channel today and watched and analyzed Bill Clinton saying, “I did not have sex with that woman!”. Heck, I am not a body language expert but I knew he was lying. I wonder if Hillary did? I love (like maybe) politics. I hate politicians.Wednesday – I drove home from Atlanta with four of the five kids. I loved spending time with them solo. Sometimes it’s a different experience without my wife. I hated missing my wife so much and having her miss this trip due to illness. The kids and I stopped at Chickamauga national battle field and stop by to meet prospective client at Life Care of America headquarters. I LOVE history and meeting new friends. I hate listening to the same old rhetoric over and over again (Obama vs. Hillary).Thursday – I gave a new presentation to a Rotary club and had my awesome new assistant hear me speak live for the first time. Tried some new material and had a lot of fun. I joined Rotary International (their online club!). I LOVE my assistant, Kathy Roth. I hate it that she is moving to Ohio this summer!Friday – I had a visit from Murphy (of Murphy’s Law). He’d been to the office before when I dealt with Charter. This time, he invited his friend O’Toole (who said, “Murphy was an optimist!” to my office. If a company could screw up any more that Charter Communications has screwed up my phone service, I just don’t see how it could be possible. RUN from the offers Charter sends you. I have spent countless hours and wasted ALL kinds of time and money trying to get my internet and phone service all under one roof. Without question, my experience with Charter is the worst customer service I have ever experienced.  I love being challenged to believe what I speak, “On the other side of adversity is ALWAYS something better. I hate it when I can’t find the “something better!”Today – I helped my wife through an awesome birthday party for my little seven year-old. Inspired by Steve Spangler (of Steve Spangler Science), my alter ego, “Dr. Science” made a ’surprise’ visit to the party. We shot Diet Coke up in the air and made snow along with assorted other “science” tricks. Don’t worry, I won’t quit my motivational speaker gig.  I love my little girl.  I hate it when the Diet Coke spills resulting in half the geyser I promised.We thought spring was here but alas a big snow came today which is sending me back to the mountains to ski tomorrow. Of course, Ober Gatlinburg is no Steamboat but hey it beats nothing. I LOVE watching the snow fall down. I hate when it melts.Life is Good in love and in hate. What do you love? What do you hate? Talk to 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 and co-founder of the Jeffrey Roth Cycling Foundation. Click here for more information on professional speaker Tim Richardson.

In 1977, my father opened up my first savings account at the Florida United Methodist credit union in Lakeland, FL. At the time, I really didn’t know what a credit union was other than a place to save money. I still remember how friendly Winnie was and how she treated me like I was a big client though I was just depositing money from ref-ing basketball games or working at the Florida Southern College post office where I attended. I still didn’t understand credit unions when I went to work for IBM Corporation at age 21 and joined the S.E. IBM Employees Federal Credit Union. But I still remember the great service I received from Susan there which kept me as a member for many years after leaving IBM.

Now that I understand the purpose of credit unions, I am very motivated to support their great work. It’s kind of ironic that now I speak to credit union groups all over North America. As I write, I am flying back from speaking at the Credit Union Executive Society meeting in Steamboat Springs, CO.

Like, every presentation I give, I was exhausted when I was finished. I gave everything I had to give but as usual when I give I also receive. I received new ideas, wonderful feedback and TERRIFIC service from the CUES staff. It came full circle Monday as I had the pleasure of working with the great team at CUES and some wonderful leaders from all over the country. They really bent over backwards to make me feel welcomed. Though I didn’t give my favorite presentation, Living Rich, I was able to talk about creating an environment of change and innovation. We talked about things that hold leaders back from giving their best, how to be passionately excellent about what you do, and generating new ideas. The movement has an institute that I have also had the pleasure of working with. It’s called the Filene Institute and they are all about innovation. The program is innovative in that the participants meet from 6:30 – 9:00 am and then most everyone go skiing until 3:00 when the meeting convenes and continues until 6:00 pm.

I love CU because of people who give selflessly to a cause they care about. Through my work with CU’s I have had the pleasure of meeting difference makers like Carol Schillois  who’s efforts are creating a new breed of entrepreneurs in developing countries.

Today, while I am traveling home, the CUES group will be talking about blogging and using online marketing. Their teacher, a 19 year old named Larissa Walkiw. We’ve got a lot to learn from young people.

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 and co-founder of the Jeffrey Roth Cycling Foundation. Click here for more information on professional speaker Tim Richardson.

This photo is from a early morning walk this am in Colorado. I am here to speak to some CEO’s who are part of an organization called Credit Union Executive Society. Had the good fortune to fly in with in minutes of my motivational speaker buddy Scott Friedman who lives here. Scott is a giver. He will help ANYONE who needs help and he volunteers his time with lots of Denver area organizations including Lynn Price’s Camp to Belong. Off to Colorado Springs this am then up to Steamboat Springs tomorrow. Living RICH out west…

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 and co-founder of the Jeffrey Roth Cycling Foundation. Click here for more information on professional speaker Tim Richardson.