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

I’m going public - I am now out of the closet. Yes I went to a casting call for a reality TV show No it wasn’t The Batchelor (I’m blissfully married to a wonderful woman and have been for over 15 years and she’s not going anywhere without me) and it’s not Survivor, The Amazing Race, The Apprentice, or The Big Loser. While America’s Got Talent, Tim doesn’t and my Real World doesn’t involve a Wife Swap. My Dancing With the Stars is limited to dancing with my little girls ages 3, 6, and 8. I have three Big Brothers and when I cook it’s usually Hell’s Kitchen…just ask my wife. The casting call I went to was Oprah’s new show called The Big Give. The show plus the incredible success of Bill Clinton’s new book Giving demonstrate a societal shift toward focusing on things that matter. When I heard about The Big Give, I made a trip to Nashville for the casting call. Sensing that there might be a big turnout, I got there early and took a seat in line behind ten other people who arrived before 6:00 am for a 9:00 call. While waiting for the doors to open people in line exchanged stories of why they were there and what they were doing to make a difference. I met a guy who worked with home owners to pay their mortgage after natural disasters. I met a man who was working on a documentary on the impact of hurricane Katrina. Through his efforts, he wanted to raise money for Katrina victims. There was the young medical student who was setting up a clinic with his father in Nigeria. Part of his motivation was to help his country overcome the negative perception due to the many Nigerian email scams. There were people of all ages, all ethic and religious backgrounds and all with the feeling that they could make a difference through their actions. It seems that there are many waiting for the opportunity to give big. When a celebrity or person of influence makes waves about the importance of giving, it seems to stir up others too.

While I didn’t make it on the show (heck, I didn’t even make it through round one), I was glad to meet some inspiring people and know that in the Reality crazed TV world we live in, there is finally a show that just might be worth watching.

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

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Apparently, my post on September 30th hit a nerve as I have been hearing about it! I guess there are lots of us who feel overwhelmed balance family, career, and dealing with all the technology that was supposed to make our lives so much easier and save us so much time (just curious, what are you doing with all your extra time?). Below is her UNEDITED email used with her permission (company info removed at her request). She is a the stage in life where time is more important than money. So like me, she is trying to figure out this work/life balance thing and still make professional contributions while making a living. Here’s her email:

Looking back I have made big changes-but things sneak in and my goals get off track and out of focus too easy:

• I reduced travel (I only make 3-4 trips a year)
• I am targeting a work week of 50-55 hours now (in 2006 the 70-80 workweeks were physically killing me)
• By June 30, 2010 (my husband’s b’day) I plan to go to a 3 day work week or seasonal role. Not sure how or where this will be but this is my target. The tricky part as you know is to find a way to maintain my income with the reduced work hours. Maybe I can find this in the book you mention (The 4-Hour Work Week for those just tuning in).
• Work only a max. of 4 hours on the weekend. I have taken myself out of a leadership role with no direct reports. I am now slipping back out of necessity-recruiting someone to help me so I can meet my 50-55 hours-looking for someone that will be able to work independently and maybe eventually be able to take my full time role. I recently started working from home two days a week to reduce commuting time/gain personal time. We put in a pool this summer so I could increase my exercise. WOW -it is breathtaking with the mountain views!

• We were able to cut my husband’s work to 3 or 4 days a week. We are getting used to this adjustment to our income and it has not been bad.

All the above has not been easy and I have made painful choices along the way to make it happen. After the completion of my projects in 2007 I expect to make another adjustment-have not been able to decide what that is-which is making me uneasy I usually can quickly identify next steps.

On the personal front, we have a new subdivision going in less than a mile from us (lots starting at 200k, they keep reserving the local airport for people to fly in on their private planes to consider purchase.) Our community could be in for a big change over the next 5 years as this community launches-when it sells out we may find our financial reward resulting in our next move. Not sure where.

**** Tim’s comments ****

The first step I made yesterday was to increase productivity by purposeful planning and reducing time on email. I scheduled two email reading times - one at 12:00 and the other at 4:00. NO READING EMAIL AT OTHER TIMES. I disabled the feature on my computer that automatically sends email as it comes in and now send/receive mail twice per day and will do this all month. It was a big step for someone who conducts LOTS of business online and MAY be an email addict. I may have to enter a 12-step program to wean myself off checking and responding to emails as they come in. “Hi, my name is Tim….I have a problem”

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

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During a recent routine annual physical, my doctor noticed some swelling in my stomach. That led to x-rays, a sonogram, and then last Friday a HIDA scan. It looks like a pretty good possiblity that I will be selling my gall blader on ebay.

When doctors start having to look carefully in places inside your body, one can’t help but wonder. I am NOT a worrier but the earlier findings did cause me a moment to pause and ponder my mortality (you can imagine my wife thought about it a little too). It’s reassuring that my doctor isn’t worried, so I’m not. If even it was something serious and I was looking at a shorter life than planned, I really have no regrets. Life has been good. I have experienced lots of love, laughter, and living and thankfully the gall blander just doesn’t seem to really be necessary.

I like to think that IF I were looking a the end of life (and I’m NOT!), I’d handle it with the grace, dignity, and humor of Carnigie Mellon Professor Randy Pausch who has cancer is only expected to live a few months. He gave his last lecture last week. It’s worth more than a quick watch. It’s worth a lifetime semester. His ”last lecture” was delivered without the sad tone one might expect. In fact, Pausch is quite funny and totally gets what this blog is all about…Living Rich. He values what is important and has lived a live with passion, meaning, and purpose.

Both Wall Street Journal and ABC news covered it. There are two versions below:

1) WSJ version - about five minutes 

2) ABC News Version - about 18 minutes

What would you say if you were giving your last lecture?

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

This week, I gave a keynote speech for the Health Care Association of Michigan. After my Living Rich inspirational speech, a lady came up to me and introduced herself. She thanked me for my comments and told me that she was the Bologna Queen in her community - (As Dave Berry says, “I am NOT making this up!”). She received this designation as a result of raising the most money (read more here). She’ll be joining the World Biggest Blog Party too. It just goes to show you, there are all kinds of ways to raise money (with or without becoming king or queen of something!)

All of a sudden, I am hungry for a sandwich and I don’t even like bologna…

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