photo credit: Doonvas

I just gave a new speech tonight for Toastmasters, called “How to Choose a Speech Topic”. I just made a recording of the speech available under the speaking section, and here is the text if you’d rather read it. Enjoy!

How many of you tend to procrastinate?

Good, so I’m not alone!

Are any of you perfectionists?

I am.

I hold myself to a very high standard and it’s usually unrealistic. Even so early in my speaking career, I feel that I need to have a professional quality speech and deliver it perfectly. Maybe some of you could relate to that.

I am here to talk about choosing a speech topic. The main thing that I want to get across to you is, don’t over think it. Just pick something from your life, and tell a story to support your point. Add some humor- it’s like putting some Tabasco sauce on your mashed potatoes. It keeps things interesting.
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photo credit: teadrinker

We could all use a reality check from time to time. This is healthy on a daily basis. Just today I got caught up in thinking about all the things I have to do and all my problems. I could use a reminder that compared to most problems of the world, my problems are minuscule.

If you are reading this, then we both have a lot to be thankful for. We have been provided with luxuries and wealth far beyond the dreams of most people living just a few generations ago, and even beyond the dreams of many people living in the world today.

Living in the USA is wonderful. We have our problems. Still, we live in one of the best countries in the world. For people reading this in other countries, you need a computer and Internet access to read this. Only 20% of the world’s population has access to the Internet, so you are already in the top 20%. A quarter of the world’s population lives without electricity. Imagine that! (more…)

I’ve heard so many people tell me that I should read jokes and humor books from time to time. “Laughing a bit would do you a lot of good” they tell me. “That’s nice” I respond. I don’t know if I should take this as a subtle attack or as genuine well-intentioned advice. I think I’m a pretty funny guy, I even make up my own jokes. I don’t need to read silly books about it. That’s admitting defeat.

While reading “The 4-Hour Workweek” by Tim Ferriss, I found myself reading Chapter 8 - Outsourcing Life and hysterically laughing out loud all through the whole thing. The chapter wasn’t written by Tim Ferriss, it was written by A.J. Jacobs, an editor at Esquire Magazine (excerpts are available online). Who is this Jacobs guy and how can I find out more about him? He intrigued me.

A.J. Jacobs is a crazy guy. Crazy in an amusing and friendly way.

I read some articles he had written for Esquire. “My Life as a Hot Woman” explains how (more…)

Do you like video games?

I pretend not to. I usually don’t, contrary to what you may think after reading this story.

What was the most valuable thing that you learned playing video games?

I generally avoid video games when I can. But just last week I learned something surprising playing a game on my computer. And this isn’t any silliness about video games increasing my IQ.

First, let me get this out of the way. I have a confession to make about a previously closely held secret. Make sure nobody is reading over your shoulder. I wouldn’t want this to get out. (more…)

Many of you will recall my previous fitness post where I talked about making a commitment to fitness, joining the gym, and getting a personal trainer.

It’s been about a month, and I wanted to share what I have accomplished and help inspire you to do the same. I also want you guys to hold me accountable and give me a hard time if I start sliding on my commitment.

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Today is the first day that my new website and blog are up! How exciting!

My website might not be 100% functional yet, but I am working on it as you read this. Let me know what you think, and come back in a few days to see it once all the bugs are worked out!

I was using blogger before because of its ease of use, and in retrospect because I didn’t know anything about blogging when I started this blog back in December.

There were always some (more…)

I called a friend of mine on a Tuesday last month to invite him to lunch on the following Thursday. He said that he couldn’t do anything on Thursday because he was going skiing with his college age son. He explained that his son had never been skiing before, and he would be taking lessons. He added, “If you want to be Mr. Spontaneous, you’re welcome to come skiing with us.”

It just so happened that I had never skied before, and I had been hoping for an opportunity to go this year. I had already given up on the idea of skiing this season — after all, it was already late March.

This invitation is something that I would not have acted upon in the past. Looking back, I have been too serious, too “all business” to take the time out to do something like this. Especially on such short notice! Lately, I have been realizing that I need to make time to truly live. It is these experiences of life that matter the most, the memories that are created, and the opportunities we have to bond with other people. I jumped on it.

On Thursday, we drove a couple hours up to Pat’s Peak in Henniker, New Hampshire. We got up there at about 10AM, took lessons for a little over an hour, and skied all day until 5pm. I had a wonderful day, and I also had a startling revelation.

At first, I was so scared of (more…)