August 2006

Here's to a Long Life!                                                          August 2006

As a professional speaker, I have the good fortune of traveling all over the country sharing my views on how people can be a better leader of themselves and those around them. This profession requires much of my work to be done from a stage, so I’m always working on ways to improve my platform skills.

As a member of the National Speakers Association, I attend an annual conference designed to help speakers hone their craft and find ways to enhance the way they deliver value to their clients. It’s an interesting experience for two reasons. First, it’s a nice break to be a participant gaining knowledge instead of sharing knowledge. And second, it’s amusing to watch nearly 2,000 professional speakers in one building all wanting to speak at the same time. It’s enough humor to get me through the year.

Although I always look forward to the ideas I learn in the sessions, I quite often learn more from observations. Last month in Orlando I attended this annual meeting, and got to spend some time with one of my heroes in the industry, Zig Ziglar. Zig is a member of the association, and continues to attend these meetings after all the years he’s been on the platform. While he was at the convention this year, he offered a non-denominational church service on Sunday morning to anyone who wanted to attend.

I could write two or three newsletter articles about what I learned from his remarks in the service, but that’s not my intention. Instead, I would like to share with you the lessons I learned from my observations, including:

You're never too old to learn

Zig is about to celebrate his 80th birthday. He is considered to be one of the grandfathers of the speaking industry, and yet he still shows up. In fact, he does more than just show up. Several years ago I was at one of these conventions listening to a new, up-and-coming young speaker at the luncheon general session. I was in the front row, and about ten minutes into the program, I looked down the row and saw Zig. At that time he was probably 75 years old. It didn’t amaze me that he was attending the conference or sitting in the front row. It amazed me that he was taking notes! The grandfather of the industry was still learning. Zig probably has socks older than the kid on the stage, but he still took the opportunity to learn from someone else. What a great lesson for people who feel they know everything about their job, their industry, or life in general.

It should be about a significant life, not a long life

After Zig’s program, the person next to me turned and said, “It must be great to live such a long time and still have that much energy.” She smiled, raised her coffee cup and said, “Here’s to a long life!” As I stood there, I couldn’t help but wonder why we all want such a long life. Think about it. Most people complain that they don’t like their job, don’t have enough money, and can’t figure out their dysfunctional family! But they want to live a long, long life. Go figure! Nonetheless, I’m glad Zig’s lived a long life. His contributions to individuals and society as a whole simply are immeasurable. With that thought in mind, I turned to the person seated next to me, smiled and raised my coffee cup and said, “Here’s to a significant life!”

Love what you do, and it's not really work

I’m guessing the success Zig has enjoyed over the years has provided him with the financial resources he needs to live comfortably for the remainder of his life. Yet at nearly 80 years old, he’s still doing what he loves. Most people can’t fathom working at 80 years old, and would rather be retired and doing nothing if they’re fortunate enough to live that long. In fact, many people reading this article wouldn’t work past 40 years of age if someone walked in and told them they had enough money in the bank to retire. For Zig, he found his passion in life, and as long as he can travel and share the good word, Zig will be out there doing his thing.

Lessons are all around us. Sometimes we run through life so fast that we forget to look around and learn through observation. At a recent training event, I watched participants write down specific notes from the training material I was providing. I certainly hope they learned from the content, but I hope they kept their eyes and minds open to lessons going on around them. Sometimes those are the ones that mean the most, and help us find significance in what we do.

Enthusiastically, 

Clint Swindall - President & CEO

*Book Review

From Success to Significance, by Lloyd Reeb

Here's what I've been reading lately ...

The past few months I have recommended business books to enhance the way you lead those around you. This month I would like to suggest a book to enhance the way you lead yourself. The book was written by Lloyd Reeb. In his book, entitled From Success to Significance: When the Pursuit of Success Isn’t Enough, the author shares with readers his thoughts on finding a life of significance. He writes about how we can take what we’re good at doing and have it intersect with our deepest passions.

As professionals we strive for success. We work hard, and use money and promotions as a scorecard for our success. Quite frankly, I don’t think there is anything wrong with striving to achieve a high level of success and the rewards that come with it. However, when it’s all over, the lasting impression you make in this world (and in the lives of your friends, family and colleagues) will come from finding significance. This book will help you do it.

*Tell Me Somethin' Good!

about Finding Significance

*Quotes

Inspirational thoughts

“Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value.”
- Albert Einstein

“And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years.”
- Abraham Lincoln“If at first you don't succeed, try to hide all evidence that you tried! If at first you do succeed, try to hide your astonishment!”
- Author Unknown

*Question to Ponder

Some time to think

In the article above, I wrote about our desire to live a long life. In fact, many people seem to be preoccupied with finding ways to extend their time on earth. I’m not certain if it’s because most people are afraid to die, or they love life so much they want to stick around as long as they possibly can.

With the advances in healthcare and medicine, the life expectancy of men and women is much greater than it used to be, and many of us can expect to live a long life. But what if we’re asking the wrong question? Maybe the question shouldn’t be, “How long am I going to live?” Maybe the question should be, “What contribution am I going to make while I’m alive?”