At the beginning of each year, I try to get away and plan for the coming year. This year I had the luxury to accomplish that personally and professional. I’ll write about the experience over the next few days. I started the process by closing my eyes, humming Kumba Ya, and “centering”. Okay, actually I just stood in front of a sliding glass window looking out at the Atlantic Ocean. I took three post it notes and wrote STOP, START, and CONTINUE . Then I asked my self the following questions:

- What do I need to STOP doing that has impeded my past success and accomplishments?

- What do I need to START doing that I am NOT doing that might help contribute to accomplishing my 2008 plan?

- What do I need to CONTINUE doing that worked in the last few years?

Then I just let the ideas flow writing one per Post-It until I could barely see out the window. Along the way, I pondered past years and themes “Back to the Basics, Do Less Better, and Eat Mor’ Chicken (just kidding about Do Less Better). Then I started thinking what does 2008 rhyme with - late, mate, date, bait, separate…nothing there. Then fate, gate, hate….Finally it came, GREAT. My theme is GREAT in 08. Here’s the acronym:

G - Getting Ready

R - Referrals

E - Excellence

A - Attitude

T - Talent management

Mor’ Chicken later…

Today was an AWESOME day. I slept like a baby with the windows open and woke up to a quiet cabin in Pomona Park, FL. I slipped out the door and was soon joined by my son on the dock. We watched the morning unfold and listened to the sounds of night become more and more faint until they left with the dark sky. Then the fun started. The Master Craft ski boat roared to life and I watched with pride as my son learned to ski.  As much as I had wanted to be the one to teach him, it didn’t happen after many attempts in the summer of 2007. Just because you can do something with a certain level of competence doesn’t necessarily mean you have the skills (or patience) to be a great instructor. It seemed fitting though that the same person who taught me to ski many years ago also taught my son. Later as we drove away from the lake, we talked about how cool it would be if he also taught my son’s son. Though my daughter didn’t learn as I had hoped, she is now more motivated and wants to learn when the water is warmer (we have “booked” both older kids in the Bill Walter Water Ski Camp for two sessions in 2008!)We spent the day on the lake, eating breakfast and lunch outside. My heart pined for my native Florida as we rode in the boat and even jumped in the lake without wetsuits. After a picture perfect day, we drove to Daytona Beach, my old high school stomping grounds. The most beautiful rainbow I have ever seen stretched from the north end of Daytona to the south. We met my best friend Roger at his parents house and enjoyed a fabulous dinner. My 11 year old cast a line out on the dock, behind Rogers parents home, and caught the biggest fish he’s ever caught. I caught up with Rogers parents as Roger helped my son fish. I heard Rogers parents talk about the day they met (Friday the 13th in 1947). They told of their first date. They also described dancing all night while the band at Chicago’s Glass Slipper tried to play a music for which they didn’t know a dance. We sat outside and watched the night sky until what seemed like forever. Then I relented on my decade ban on Krispy Kreme doughnuts and ate right by the HOT sign with my kids thinking ‘”dad has lost it and we LOVE it!”. Now it’s lights out and I feel a sugar induced coma coming on!  

Merry Christmas! These Indiana University students sing the 12 Days of Christmas unlike anything I have ever heard.

I would love to hear family Christmas traditions (I’ll tell you mine if you tell me yours).

I just made $500 dollars. It was so quick and easy that’s it’s almost disgusting. Here’s the story:

I popped into Boyd Thomas, a new clothing shop that opened downtown in my little Mitford. The owner asked me what I did and I told him about my Richest People in America project. He then told me that he had a candidate for me and showed me pictures done by a local artist. This painter does all her work for free. No charge. Nada. Zero. EXCEPT there is one catch. She requests that people who get her paintings donate money to charity.

As “fate” would have it, I happened to have received a letter today from Dreams for Kids founder Tom Tuohy. Tom called me a few months ago and asked that I have a party in E. Tennessee. It’s going to be a small party with one or two other families joining in. We’ll make cookies, sing carols, give out gifts and inspire smiles. I have access to a red Santa suit (Tia are you reading?) which will HOPEFULLY find a bearded, white haired man to call home for a few hours. So IF everything works out, I get to help spend $500.00 to put smiles on kids faces. It will be the most joyous spending I have ever done. How cool will it be to get to spend money on kids who won’t have much of a Christmas without it.

I am not sure what called me into that store but I am convinced that I need to listen to my gut even more after this week. As I was walking in, I thought, I really don’t have time to make this stop. In retrospect, I couldn’t afford not to stop in.

No, it’s not what you think. For my blog fans, both of you (mom and my #1 commenter friend Laurie), thanks for the encouragement. I have been ending posts with coming attractions (future blogs) to double my fan club to four people. If you have read the post, it may seem like I am stalling, when in reality, life is happening and I am writing about what is happening that day, so don’t give up and yes I am stalling…in a different way. Today I gave a speech for a local service club. I thought I had covered all the bases with my pre-program questionnaire and calling the day before to confirm that there would be a computer projection unit (CPU). When I arrived for my program, there is no CPU. NO CPU!! No Power Point. NO POWER POINT!!  No visuals. Until today, I have been a Power Point addict. But since I was donating my time, I decided to go naked…er…no Ppt (hey it’s no big deal to you but to me, an addict, we’re talking big steps). So I am re-thinking how to deliver this highly visual inspirational speech and notice that the announcements are going on a bit longer than I was told. As I am walking up to give my speech, I make a spontaneous decision to ditch my prepared comments and “wing it”. I threw my speech out and just give a heart talk. I won’t bore you with details but I’ll say this, I have never had a higher percentage of an audience come up to “chat” after a program. I couldn’t tell you everything I said today but know I am going to go with my gut more often. Perhaps gut decisions might make for a happier holiday season. Here are some considerations: 

1. Replace gift giving with giving the gift of time. Buy and decorate a tree for an elderly neighbor. Give your kids coupons of fun things you’ll do together over the holidays. Volunteer at a homeless shelter, Toys for Tots program, or bless a new Habitat family with a Christmas dinner.

2. Park in the back of the lot (give the Christmas crazies the front row).

3. Let someone go in front of you at the mall or grocery store (they’ll appreciate the gesture and MAY return the favor by doing the same for someone else).

4. Buy the person in line behind you at Starbucks a cup of coffee (see above).

5. Go stalling (turn the toilet paper up into a triangle in a public restroom like they do in fancy hotels). I made that suggestion to my audience today and the president of the association commented that it was his favorite part of the speech…perhaps I should get to those upcoming features after all…

It’s been awhile since I’ve read the book, but I had a day like Alexander recently. Most of it was small stuff (except hearing of another possible divorce…this one is for the couple my wife and I have most enjoyed doing couples things with).But when a bunch of small stuff adds up, it becomes big stuff. So Alexander, I feel your pain! On terrible, horrible, no good, very bad days, I am glad for emails like the one I received from Pat Tyler of VHA for whom I just spoke. You rock Pat! Thanks for making the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day end just fine.

Dear Tim:

Thank you very much for your outstanding presentation at our Fall Conference! I have had many e-mails from participants thanking us for inviting you to be on the program and for sharing your many talents and gifts! You brought laughter, tears and inspiration to the participants at the conference.

Thank you for being you and for sharing your richness with others. You helped make the conference a great success! You touched the health care professionals in a very special way, bringing hope, new vision and fulfillment in all they do.

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday with your family. It is a time to reflect on all God’s many blessings. I feel blessed with a wonderful family, health, achievements and good friends. I want you to know that you were in my Thanksgiving prayers this holiday weekend. I am very thankful to God for enriching my life with special people like you. Thank you for your friendship and for caring!

With heartfelt thanks and appreciation,

Pat

My friends and family who know me well, know how much I love to laugh. It’s like the stuff of life… no, it’s like air. I HAVE to do it regularly. So, since I need laughter to live, I feel compelled sometimes to do things to make others laugh because what goes around comes around right? So this next line probably won’t shock you - I like to make unusual and fun messages on my answering machine at home. I also like to leave messages and make phone calls using different character voices (I have Patrick Fraley, one of the voices of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to thank. His Using Character Voices for Fun and Profit is outstanding!). Long time friends are on to me but every once in awhile an unsuspecting new friend gets the “Tim Treatment”. It goes something like this (with a strong British accent)“Hi Mr. Van Winkle. It’s Freddick P. Bodywrap with the Love Life City Morgue. Today we are offering a special - “buy two funeral services, get your mother-in-laws absolutely free”. This limited time offer expires…well before you expire….which we hope… You probably get the picture.

Last week, it was my friend Anne’s birthday. Anne is the coolest girl I know. We met when we were freshmen at Florida Southern College and stay in contact about twice a year. I LOVE Anne-sters (my name for her) as she makes me laugh and she has the hippest lingo - it’s really a culture. But as you’ll see below, she is like a sister to me. When my wife and I were married, I told Anne-sters that I wanted her to be a groomswoman in my wedding, but the numbers just didn’t play out (I just think she didn’t want to wear a tux).

So last week, I call on her birthday and give her the “Tim Treatment”. If I say so myself, it was ….well … very… let’s just say “not that there is anything wrong with it” ( for all you Seinfeld lovers). She sent me the email below. It made my day.

Tim,

So every year, my birthday falls on or near Thanksgiving. It’s always a mixed blessing for me because even though I get to spend my birthday with my family, I get to spend my birthday with my family. . . if you know what I mean.

This year, we were driving back from South Carolina. A what-should-be 5 hour drive took 7 hours and included, bumper to bumper traffic due to a flipped tractor-trailer, two overflowing diapers of pee pee and pooh pooh that permanently seeped into the car seat fabric, door-to-door crying and general gnashing of teeth. As we drove into the garage we all let out a sigh of relief to be home.

Due to the extenuating circumstances, I had no cake, no cards from my children or husband and no gifts to open on my birthday. Not that I’m fussy, but that sucks.

The best part of my day was getting your message. It was such a wonderful feeling to have a 5 minute belly laugh after the stress of my trip, but also to be remembered every year from you, my friend I have known for 27 years who-if-I-kissed-I’d-throw-up. I think I even forgot your birthday this year. Thank you for remembering me!!!

Anne-sters

It’s up to you now. Go make someone’s day. After all, what goes around comes around. If you are in the Richardon Circle of Trust (watch Meet the Parents), or a member of the village, when you least expect it you just might hear….”Hello, this is the White House. I have Hillary on the line…can you hold for her?”

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

 My friend Laurie sent these comments for my wife who often tells me she was born during the wrong time. The comments are from the year 1955 (which is the year most of the scenes took place from one of my  favorite movies). Be the first person to name the movie and you’ll win EVERYTHING behind my garage! BTW, today also happens to be the anniversary of the first showing of the Price is Right!

That’s only 52 years ago!

 “I’ll tell you one thing, if things keep going the way they are, it’s
 going to be impossible to buy a week’s groceries for $20.00.”
 “Have you seen the new cars coming out next year? It won’t be long
 before $2000.00 will only buy a used one”.
 “If cigarettes keep going up in price, I’m going to quit. A quarter a
 pack is ridiculous”.
 “Did you hear the Post Office is thinking about charging a dime just to
 mail a letter?”.
 “If they raise the minimum wage to $1.00, nobody will be able to hire
 outside help at the store”.
 “When I first started driving, who would have thought gas would someday
 cost 29 cents a gallon. Guess we’d be better off leaving the car in the
 garage”.
 “Kids today are impossible. Those duck tail hair cuts make it impossible
 to stay groomed. Next thing you know, boys will be wearing their hair as
 long as the girls”.
 “I’m afraid to send my kids to the movies any more. Ever since they let
 Clark Gable get by with saying “DAMN” in GONE WITH THE WIND, it seems every
 new movie has either “HELL” or “DAMN” in it.”
 “I read the other day where some scientist thinks it’s possible to put a
 man on the moon by the end of the century. They even have some fellows
 they call astronauts preparing for it down in Texas”.
 “Did you see where some baseball player just signed a contract for
 $75000 a year just to play ball? It wouldn’t surprise me if someday
 they’ll be making more than the President”.
 “I never thought I’d see the day all our kitchen appliances would be
 electric. They are even making electric typewriters now”.
 “It’s too bad things are so tough nowadays. I see where a few married
 women are having to work to make ends meet”.
 “It won’t be long before young couples are going to have to hire someone
 to watch their kids so they can both work”.
 “Marriage doesn’t mean a thing any more, those Hollywood stars seem to be
 getting divorced at the drop of a hat”.
 “I’m afraid the Volkswagen car is going to open the door to a whole lot
 of foreign business”.
 “Thank goodness I won’t live to see the day when the Government takes
 half our income in taxes. I sometimes wonder if we are electing the best
 people to congress”.
 “The drive-in restaurant is convenient in nice weather, but I seriously
 doubt they will ever catch on”.
 “There is no sense going to Lincoln or Omaha anymore for a weekend, it
 costs nearly $15.00 a night to stay in a hotel”.
 “No one can afford to be sick anymore, at $35.00 a day in the hospital
 it’s too rich for my blood”.
 “If they think I’ll pay 50 cents for a hair cut, forget it”.

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 wrote this sitting in an auditorium at William Blount High School. I spoke for a couple of hundred high school students which can be a challenge. I think they thought I was from the Ice Age. However, I think they were from the future. Conversely to what CNN, Fox News, ABC, NBC, CBS and all the other news media might portray, the young people of today hold promise for tomorrow. In my experience with today’s young people, they think and act unlike the youth of my generation. They take a stand, voice their opinions, and act on things that they care about. Among the few I had the opportunity to meet were Grant, who told me he wants to serve our nation and our world. He’s still figuring out how. He had charisma and leadership abilities that make him destined to be a difference maker. I also met a young man named Devon, who in front of a group of his peers said, “Richness is not really defined by money but for many people it’s fulfillment and happiness. It’s having all you need and not wanting more.” He spoke of family and friends and how both made his life more rich.Then there was Jennifer, age 17, who works with the Free Masons to help with an annual Christmas party. They give clothing to the homeless and while they are there, Jennifer talks with the parents and entertains their children at the party. Alex, who is from a Hispanic heritage, told me he wanted to be a mechanic and he wanted to use his “fix it” skills to serve others. He told me after the program, “Your talk gave me the bumps (chill bumps). I realized that I can do something to make a difference and I loved hearing stories of people my age who care enough to do cool things to serve others.”  

When I asked the students what it meant to be rich, I was surprised with their answers. The answers they gave were wise beyond their years. They spoke of quality of life and helping others. Of course, I heard the usual funny answers one would expect from high school students but these were said for show. After I spoke, a local group named Black Sunshine performed what they called slam poetry – which by my definition is rap meets Maya Angelou poetry. I was glad I spoke first. I realized that as much as wanted to think I was “in” with these kids, I was so far “out” in every way - age, dress, thinking, and speech. While I could never compete with a group like Black Sunshine, I am grateful that even though the medium of communication will change with the ages, young people can still hear and act on a message. Even one presented by a middle aged man who doesn’t wear an over-sized shirt with his pants hanging halfway down his backside revealing boxer shorts. 

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

Click here (then click on Blog Talk Radio) to listen to an interview with Jin Williams who had an event today to raise money for vicitms of fire in San Diego. You can also donate by calling 619 .817. 8480

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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