We had a lot of fun on our recent shoot for USING PEOPLE – THE EXPERIENCE. Here are some of the outtakes. Enjoy, and don’t forget to buy your ticket.
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communication
Here is this week’s column in The Advertiser – I wrote it for myself as much as for my readers.
“Are you scared? I hope so. Not afraid-scared, but out-of-your-comfort-zone, taking-some-risks, knowing-you-are-really-alive, kind of scared. It is a good fear that comes with living your life to the fullest.
We all play it safe sometimes, but there’s nothing like taking a step toward something you want, or even away from something you don’t.
For the past few weeks, a lot of people have been glued to “American Idol,” and especially to local boy, Jacee Badeaux. We are watching him take his chances to achieve his dream, and whatever happens, his life will never be the same again.
This week I spoke at a meeting of The 705, Acadiana’s Emerging Leaders, a group for young professionals and was amazed by their drive and energy. There are some people in that group living on the edge of their comfort zones; they are on the fast track to success.
It’s scary to put yourself out there, to say ‘this is what I want’ or ‘I think I’m good at this.’
There will be people who laugh behind your back, people who resent you for changing, and people who support and love you. You may drift away from some friends, and toward new ones.
People think that because I am a motivational speaker I don’t get scared. Of course I do. How could I speak about this stuff unless I lived it too? How could I know about overcoming doubt unless I had to do it myself?
We see ourselves from the inside, and others from the outside and then we compare the two. We think everyone is more confident, braver and less worried than we are. We all have those emotions; the secret is to acknowledge them and carry on anyway.
Doubt only hurts you if you let it prevent you from doing what you want. Other people can only hurt you if you value their opinions above your own.
If you are one of the lucky people who know what your passion is, or if you have a dream, then do something, anything. Yes, it’s going to be scary at times. Do it anyway. Imagine how scary it will be in 10 years, when you look back and realize the only person holding you back was you.
You have to stand in your own truth. That’s a very Oprah way of saying it, but it means that you have to know who you are and be that person. Jacee became a national talking point when he stood by who he was on “Idol,” when he didn’t let the behavior of others bring him down.
Yes, he shed a few tears, and then he got on with it. He didn’t even feel the need to put others down. It showed great character and won our hearts.
Collect people who are taking steps toward their dreams. Learn from (or go and join) The 705, watch Jacee on “Idol,” and then take your own steps.
I wish you much fear in the months ahead. The good kind.”
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Using People started as a speech, then a book, and now… an entire experience!
Taking place in downtown Lafayette on Friday April 8th, Using People – the experience is part motivational speech, part theatrical event, part networking, all complete fun and lots of learning. Find out more HERE
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Every week my BE YOU interview is published in The Times of Acadiana – This is the unedited version, the bits that didn’t fit in the paper – The Whole Truth!
Santa Claus
This week’s BE YOU interviewee needs no introduction. I grew up calling him Father Christmas but he’s known better in these parts as Santa. Even though he is very busy at this time of year, Santa was happy to sit with me and answer my questions and pose for a photo. He laughed a big belly laugh at many of the questions before he answered and I could hear Rudolf outside impatiently waiting to take him back to The North Pole so he could join in some more reindeer games.
Describe a typical day in your life.
I wake up to the sound of reindeer playing reindeer games, make a list, check it twice then read that days letters and send the orders to the Elves. Sometimes I take the sleigh out for a test drive and then I have dinner with Mrs Claus.
What advice would you give the younger you?
Eat less cookies on Christmas Eve.
What event in your life most shaped who you are now?
Eating too many cookies gave me this shape.
What do you most appreciate?
Large chimneys and good children.
What is your favorite journey?
Around the world on Christmas Eve, it’s quite magical.
What living figure most inspires you?
The Easter bunny is pretty cool. The way he manages to hide all of those Easter Eggs without being seen, I have no idea how he does that!
What was the best advice you were ever given?
Be good, someone is always watching.
What book would you tell everyone to read?
I would tell them to read every book they get for Christmas.
How do you “let the good times roll” ?
I love a good sleigh ride, eggnog, and watching the reindeer games.
What do you say to yourself when you doubt yourself?
I believe in myself.
What three things are vital to BEing YOU?
My beard, my lap, my reindeer.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
Ho, Ho, Ho.
What is your favorite word?
Ho.
What do you collect?
Letters from Children all over the world and elf jokes.
My favorite at the moment is: If athletes get athlete’s foot, what do elves get?
Mistle-toes!
Where is your favorite place to be alone?
Where do I like to be by mys-elf? In my workshop of course!
What food could you live on for a month?
Milk and cookies. Mrs Claus wouldn’t like that though, she wants me to eat elfier food.
Describe yourself in five words.
Jolly, Devastatingly Handsome, Kind, Punctual.
What is your idea of happiness?
Hot Cocoa and a long nap on Christmas Day after all the presents have been delivered and all the children of the world are happy.
What is your favorite movie?
Miracle on 34th Street. It was my acting debut.
What music defines who you are?
We play a lot of “wrap” music in the workshop.
What is the best thing about where you live?
It feels like Christmas all year round, it’s good for my elf.
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The BE YOU interview appears every Thursday in the Times of Acadiana.
Luke Tullos
The first thing that strikes you about Luke is how dapper he is. He is always impeccably dressed and oozes gentleman vibes. He is newly hired lead mixologist at Trynd, a restaurant and boutique lounge (opening downtown in Jan ’11) Recently engaged to Jessica Reeves he is creating a bright future for himself. Luke is a barman of the best kind, with a dedication to educate the general public in the possibilities that lurk behind the bar. He makes you not only want to buy a drink, but hang out at the bar and learn a thing or two.
What was your first job?
I worked at Dairy Queen, it was horrible. It taught what i didn’t want to do
Describe a typical day in your life.
i don’t have a typical day, every day is different, it will usually entail research and mixing drinks.
What advice would you give the younger you?
Be open minded.
What event in your life most shaped who you are now?
Leaving the church, I was really involved well into high school and leaving really opened my eyes to a lot of things.
What values do you live by?
Love as much as possible
What do you most appreciate?
Good friends. Good drinks
What is your favorite journey?
I love to move forward
Where is your favorite place to be alone?
In the shower. it’s where i get most of my ideas.
What living figure most inspires you?
My baby sister, she had the most unique mind i’ve ever experienced. She is pure creativity
What was the best advice you were ever given?
Just because you are good at something doesn’t mean you should be doing it.
What book would you tell everyone to read?
Boozehound – On the Trail of the Rare, the Obscure, and the Overrated in Spirits,
by Jason Wilson. – its a great view into somebody who is passionate about what they do
What is the best thing about where you live?
My fiancé and all the people I love are around me.
How do you “let the good times roll” ?
Good people. Good booze.
What did u want to be when you grew up?
A preacher. I’ve always loved people. I love inspiring people. I love education.
What is your motto?
Love as much as possible
How would you like to be remembered?
As a genuinely good guy.
What do you say to yourself when you doubt yourself?
There’s nothing you can’t do.
What three things are vital to BEing YOU?
The people i love, alcohol and ice.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
Awesome. I use it so much it’s really bad. And um, Iuse umm a lot.
What is your favorite word?
Delicious or the yummy sound
What do you collect?
Dollar bills and antique bar wear
What food could you live on for a month?
Hot dogs
What would you change about yourself?
I would be more observant .
What literary, movie or cartoon character do you most identify with?
Max Fischer from Rushmore.
Describe yourself in five words.
Devastatingly handsome, friendly bar professional
What is your idea of happiness?
My life. I’m very happy with my life.
What is your favorite movie?
Bottle Rocket – with Luke and Owen Wilson
What music defines who you are?
Jazzy rock
What do you most regret?
Nothing, everything shapes who you are
What question do you wish I’d asked?
i didn’t think of that, i just promised myself i would answer everything you asked me.
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I know it’s only December 1st – but it’s a great time to get a head start on those New Years Resolutions…
Challenge 1
By reading on you are agreeing to accept at least one of these challenges (us writers are tricky like that). I am going to be doing it right along with you
I challenge you to pick one of your new year resolutions and start it today. Think how good it will feel to celebrate Christmas and already be fitter, or slimmer, play the piano better, start using Facebook more, give up cupcakes, stop smoking, start taking singing lessons or whatever it is you are planning to start next year.
Whatever you are going to do use December as a ‘practice month.’ Practice is great — there is no pressure to be perfect, you can’t fail, and whatever you do, you are ahead. You will also have proved to yourself that you can do it, and that’s going to feel great on New Year’s Eve. Whatever you do is lagniappe. Extra. A bonus. A slip or two doesn’t matter because it’s only a practice month.
I am going to get back into my exercise routine. I have let it slip a bit lately and need to get refocused. There now you all know, you can all hold me accountable. It’s here in black and white. It helps if people know, share what you are doing with your family, with your co-workers or you can email me and tell me. You are not in this alone. We are all practicing together.
The only rule is you are not allowed to give up, this is a rehearsal. You can have slip-ups and bad days but you are just practicing, you just get back on track and practice some more.
Challenge 2
Find at least one thing you want for Christmas that isn’t materialistic and encourage your children to do the same. It’s only one thing on your list but it may turn out to be the most important thing. Something you want to do, or learn, or experience. If each member of your family came up with one thing imagine the fun you would have together helping them get what they wanted. Would you like game night at your house, a walk in the park on Christmas day, a family photo album, homemade decorations, to start a new tradition, a once a month dinner club with friends. Pick something and put it on your Christmas list.
Challenge 3
Yes I know I mentioned only two challenges, but while I’m on a roll I may as well push my luck. Think of something you want to do next year, just for fun and make some plans. I want to go paddleboarding. You know, where you stand up on a surfboardy looking thing and paddle. I am already excited. I’m thinking spring in Florida. Find something that makes you smile and plan to do it.
Yes I know it’s only the beginning of December but there is only one time to start living your life, and that’s now.
This article appeared in my column “That’s what she said” in The Advertiser on 30th November 2010
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I saw this on my friend, Angie Hargett’s facebook page and just had to share it.. inspirational words.
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I don’t know how I missed it but last Wednesday was Guinness World Records Day. All over the world people attempted strange things in order to hold a world record. A 90 year old man in England became the oldest man to wing-walk, in Germany they broke the record for the most nationalities in a sauna, and in the USA they gathered together the most dogs in costumed attire. Records were also created for juggling (both underwater and on land), catching arrows, making mosaics from rice, standing on one leg and of course I can’t forget the new record for the most stairs climbed while balancing someone on your head or most concrete blocks broken while holding a raw egg.
People all over the world are wonderfully strange. I haven’t met any of these people, and although I would love to sit down with them and find out what makes them do these things, I know one thing for sure. That each one of them went home happy that night.
You only have to spend a few minutes on Facebook to see people’s accomplishments. There are photos or status updates that show people at 5 and 10k races, winning honors, playing in sports teams, passing tests, and generally sharing their news. It is human nature to strive for more. I’m always proud when I see one of my friends achieve something. It pushes me to want to do it too.
In the early 1920’s when George Mallory set out to attempt to climb Everest he was asked why, and he simply answered “because it’s there.” He didn’t make it but his quote has become “the most famous three words in mountaineering” and applicable to so many things we do in our lives even today.
We are human, we strive to be better. It’s easy at the moment to be discouraged. Ten minutes listening to the news, or dwelling on all the negativity around us and we can start to wonder. I know everything will be fine. Better than fine. While people are still pushing their own comfort zones, while we are attempting new records and trying new things we will all be just fine. If you ever doubt that, just go and check Facebook. Or even better find something that you want to achieve and start working on it. You don’t have to climb Everest, just take a few steps in a direction you want to go in. You will feel more alive and more positive.
If you followed last week’s advice and surrounded yourself with positive people then this should be easy. If not, do it now. Find those that are pushing themselves and join in. It’s never too late to start.
As we get to Thanksgiving we start thinking about Christmas and tend to plan a lot of the next month away, don’t put this off until next year. Don’t tell yourself you’ll make it your New Years Resolution. Do something, and do it now.
You don’t have to break a record, just expand your comfort zone.
This article appeared in my column “That’s what she said” in The Advertiser on 23rd November 2010
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I love square.
It’s a great way of accepting credit cards on your iphone and ipad.
You sign up for an account and they send you a little cute white square thingy that plugs into your microphone jack. You can then swipe credit cards straight into your device (I believe it works with droid too).
It saves me having to jump through hoops to get a merchant account and the fees that brings. It’s like paypay, they take a %, for me, its worth it. Every sale that I would have lost if I couldn’t take credit cards makes me smile.
So far it has worked seemlessly, the client signs on screen and enters their email address to get a reciept. Simple and secure.. and beautifully designed. I’m a fan.
This review is purely my opinion. I was not paid for it, nor do I have an affiliate relationship with the company (although I would jump at the chance)
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