Here is one of mine, for those who may be unfamiliar:

The evening was fun and eye-opening (my attendees were members of the Manchester Boys & Girls Club’s Keystone program). These teens R-O-C-K!! I learned so much from them, about their goals and backgrounds. For all the badness the media trumpets about teenagers these days, THIS group is on a powerful, positive path. I am so appreciative that they trusted me enough to share their goals, hopes and dreams (and WOW, do they have some cool goals!!).

   In this morning’s mail is a hand-written thank-you card to their director. 

Earlier this week, I enjoyed an amazing phone call with someone whom I have never met. While I cannot reveal details just yet, I can say that my most recent book is being considered for promotion as a Book Club selection for a MAJOR international organization!

   Moments ago, I sent a message to the friend who originally introduced me.

So, what good things have happened to you lately?

Very few of our life’s successes are 100% home-grown, meaning that someone has a helping hand in our progress. In the game of hockey, it’s often a great pass (or a slight deflection) which sets up a score. In the game’s statistics, these people are often credited with an assist.

   Who is on YOUR team? Who is assisting YOU in your game?

Are you giving these people credit, or thanking them in some way, acknowledging them with a high-five, a wink of an eye or a pat on the back?

Is there someone whom you can thank today with a phone call, or a hand-written message, or a gift?

Sometimes that is all it takes to keep someone out there bangin’ the boards on your behalf, helping you make your next big score!

2012 is all about scoring as many of our goals as possible, and the game has just begun.

   Who is on YOUR assist list?

Are there moments of your life you wish you could re-live to create a second chance to ‘get it right’?

For many of them, we can. We just do not always think we can.

A recent situation with my entertainment agent tested this. One of our people made a very bad first impression with a potential client. He arrived late, inappropriately dressed, with an unimpressive, arrogant attitude. The client, a successful businessman, was extremely disappointed. Thankfully, word of this got back to our office. As it turns, our top entertainer had suddenly become unavailable. We are now making every attempt to salvage the booking by having this person meet with the client as an act of sincere contrition. At the very least, this may help to redeem our reputation in the eyes of the Events Manager who referred us.

It is our second chance, and we are making every effort to take it.

Failure, for us, would be to simply roll and over die without trying.

Have you endured similar situations?

Do you wish you could start this day over, so that you can be nicer to your spouse or significant other?

Would you take better care of yourself, eating better and exercising more, if you could go back in time?

Could you have handled a recent transaction with a client in a better, more productive way?

In many cases, you can do all of these things, with a simple decision.

Acknowledge what you have done. Be honest with yourself and others about what happened, and admit that it was not up to your standards. Then, commit to yourself (and to anyone else involved) that you will do better the next time, and the time after that, etc.

Decide…to greet each day, and each person, with a cheerful smile.

Decide…to treat every customer like he/she is your most important (because they are!).

Decide…to honor yourself by eating healthy foods and exercising your body as well as your mind.

Decide…anything you like!

A brand new year is at your doorstep, containing:

12 new months

52 new weeks

366 new days

Each one brings new opportunity to create a second chance.

Are you willing to make 2012 YOUR great do-over?

I enjoy telling my audiences that I am the Wile E. Coyote of motivational speaking. I’ve actually endured several ACME Rocket Roller-Skate rides to the bottom of the canyon.

In the Summer of 2003, it was a Triple-Lindy (a dive which Rodney Dangerfield admitted in the movie “Back to School” nearly killed him).

In a very short period of time, I managed to:

• Walk away from a successful radio career  (without another job).
• Go through a divorce.
• Discover that I was $65,000 in debt (with almost no assets).

Imagine a long, whistling fall……CRASH! (cough cough cough) Yikes!

I spent the better (or worse) part of the next six months licking my wounds and picking up the pieces at my Dad’s house. Two years prior, we had built my recording studio in his spacious basement (which ultimately kept him from looking like an episode of Hoarders).

As I was looking for an apartment, he commented that, since I was at his place each day anyway, I may as well sleep there too.

When I first moved in, a quick trip to Walgreen’s provided all the necessities of life: toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant and a 500-count pack of Q-Tips.

“By the time this package is empty, my life will be back on track and I’ll be in my own place”, I promised myself.

Over the next year, 365 ear-cleaners went bye-bye. As I did a lot of reading, reflecting and working with my newly acquired life coach, life got better…slowly.

At some point more than half-way through the following year, the Q-Tips ran out.

Life had settled into a routine at my Dad’s. They liked having someone there during the day, which kept the home invasion risk pretty low. I also got to handle ‘gotta go pee?” duties for Clyde the Springer Spaniel during the last few years of his life.

Another big box of Q-Tips…and a promise to be long gone and on my own by the time my fingers did the frantic search ‘for just one more’ at the bottom.

Half-way through this one, I got a call from my step-mom Aline. Turned out my Dad’s ‘routine check-up with his heart doctor revealed a blockage and they had to perform an emergency procedure.

Scary stuff.

Still plenty of Q-Tips left.

During his recovery, it became clear he was not going to be able to do as much heavy lifting for a while.

No worries, I’m there.

Two years later, another procedure.

More Q-Tips. (I think I even had a coupon that time!)

December 11, 2009. I can’t tell you how many ear-wands were left in the package, but that really wasn’t important.

My Dad wasn’t feeling well and went in for yet another stent procedure, and something went wrong.

He was rushed across town to another hospital and immediately into an emergency double-bypass. We didn’t see him conscious again for seven days.

Long recovery. More Q-Tips…and a different appreciation for life.

While my first few years were their gift to me when my life was falling apart, the last few (according to my step-mom) have been a gift to them.

I’ve got a wonderful girlfriend who lives in Vermont, with her mom.

When I go there for a few days, I make sure that all the heavy lifting has been taken care of at Dad’s.

Someday Tina will move back to New Hampshire, and we’ll get our own place, close enough so that we can take care of all of our parents.

It will happen when the time is right, and until then I will happily keep ticking away the days with a super-sized box of Q-tips at every location!

It happened…again.

On an overcast, chilly afternoon last week, I side-tracked my journey home slightly for a dash into the post office. As I have mentioned in the past, my small town’s bank and post office share a building.

As I made my exit, I noticed a woman trudging up the sidewalk. I love holding doors for people, no matter how far away they may be. They often pick up the pace to a jog, then slow down as I exclaim, with a smile: “Ma’am (or Sir), no need to run. I am self-employed and have nothing more important to me right now than holding a door for a good person like yourself.”

Instead of the customary ‘thank you’ without breaking stride (which I will gratefully accept, every time), this woman stopped and looked into my eyes.  “It is so nice to someone doing such a kind thing”, she said. “I just had a woman honking her horn at me and yelling because I slowed down to let someone take a parking spot. She had a small child in the car with her, and I thought that was a terrible example she set for him.”

Armed with my standard reply to her thanks, I informed her that I get to spend my day, every day adding positive energy to the world around me.

When asked how, I told her of my speaking career and my determination to make the world a better place through acts of kindness.

“Bless you” was her answer, as she held out her hand and continued “My name is Norma-Lou.”

“Hi, Norma-Lou, I’m Steve.” Then looking at her hand, asked: “Would you rather have a hug?”

Up came her arms and there we were, strangers sharing a comforting hug.

When she leaned back, I noticed tears in her eyes. She then softly spoke of how nice it was to discover a kind person in her travels that day.

I felt the same way. At that moment she was my kind person!

“Well, I’d better be getting into the bank to make sure I’m not in trouble”, she laughed. “Do you have a business card? I’d love to have you come speak to our church group.”

“Sure, I’ve got one in the car…wait, you’re not robbing the bank, right?”

With a laugh, she told me she’d be out in a few minutes.

My short walk to the Honda gave me an idea. I could give her a card, and hope she would call for some more positivity…or I could give her a gift that could last all year long, maybe even a lifetime.

I spied a copy of my latest release “OH YEAH! (Another Quote Book)” in the back seat and decided to give it to her. I won’t lie, a small voice in my head reminded me that a speaking business is a business, and this book retails for $25.00 plus shipping. I will be out of business if I start giving all my materials away.

But, this moment was the perfect moment to transcend finances and keep in mind my true mission, sharing positive energy with the world.

When she finally exited the bank (minus the dye-pack moneybags, to my delight), I asked for the correct spelling of her name and autographed the book.

Then the tears came…with a great big appreciative hug.

After parting ways, I walked back to my car and pondered what had just happened.

As I pulled out of my space and headed for the exit, I saw Norman-Lou peering into each car as it passed. When her eyes caught mine, she smiled and waved me over.  In her hand was a CD, which she asked me to take. It was a collection of music written and performed by a young local artist.

What a generous gift!

As the musical backdrop for my 15-minute ride home, I got to sample three of four songs from the disc.

They were really good!

I will now forever have a reminder of the afternoon my detour led me to the golden road of appreciation and kindness.

Norma-Lou, thank you for being there and allowing me to hold that door!

Problem was, she’d never put her name on the ballot. Turns out a couple of bullies added her name to the roster of contestants…as a joke.

You see, Rachel has Asperger’s Syndrome (a form of autism).

Nice job, bullies. Way to go. Hope you’re feeling really awesome about yourselves right now.

Please remember this word: K-A-R-M-A.

According to the news video (http://www.ivillage.com/bullies-joke-backfires-when-teen-wins-homecoming-queen/4-h-403408), Rachel’s fellow students put out the word and her support swelled.

While there have been many studies done on bullying, and the reason it exists, I was happy to see two things happen here: Rachel did NOT take her name off the list, and her fellow students rose up to, as Paul McCartney sang in Hey Jude: “take a sad song, and make it better”.

Without stooping to their level, Rachel’s family and friends beat the bullies by taking away their power.

   They didn’t get to see the little girl with a form of autism be embarrassed or hurt by their prank.

   They can’t sit back and feel almighty because they inflicted pain on someone so they could feel superior.

   They won’t get to high-five each other for picking on someone weaker than they, and getting the best of that person.

What can YOU do to help the victims of bullying?

How can you stand up for the underdog and, with class and dignity, steal the power away from the bullies while fortifying the victims?

It happens every day in our school, on our street and in business.

Is it happening to you?   Or someone you care about?

A message to bullies:

There are more of us than there are of you.

We know you are truly weak people. And we’ve got better weapons.

Please Google ‘Achilles’…and watch out!

My friend “Miss N” sent me the following e-mail (names protected) which she received from a fellow ham radio operator:

“Hi Miss N,

I’m sure you don’t remember me but I wanted to drop you a line. You were one of my first (radio) contacts when I was a new Ham. We only spoke for 2 minutes on 7/3/1995 but you made a lasting impression. It was one of the nicest (radio conversations) I’ve ever had.  Your invigorating enthusiasm has lasted in my memory to this very day. I keep your card in a place of honor in my meager shack, actually one of the few that I display. It reminds me of the true meaning of Amateur Radio, and that all Hams aren’t and shouldn’t be grumpy old farts (LOL).

I’ve talked to many Hams over the years and have only met a few of your caliber. Folks like you elevate Amateur Radio from a mere “hobby” to an exciting part of one’s life.
Many, many thanks to you.
I wish you all the best,
T.

WOW!  Can you imagine hearing from someone with whom you shared only TWO minutes of conversation, SIXTEEN years ago…to discover that you’d had such a positive impact on that person’s life?!?!?

Steve,

I received this email this morning, and it BLEW ME AWAY! Certainly a testimonial to your point that we never know what an impact a small action on our part may have on someone’s life. Of course it’s also a testimonial that I have tried to be a very nice person for a very long time. But seriously… this is what it’s all about.  And to think that 16 years later he also took the time to let me know. This whole thing is just too cool – I had to share it with you!

Miss N
Thank you for sharing this with us all, Miss N.

It is people like you who inspire me!

To our readers, I ask this question:

Can you think back to a conversation, a kind gesture, or anything else from your past which created a positive impact on YOUR life?

Would it be possible to take a moment this week to reach out and thank someone with a phone call, note or even an e-mail?

Perhaps that person is no longer with us. In that case, I’d be willing to bet one of their family members would appreciate hearing about just how much their loved one had impacted your life.

Could you reach out? Will you reach out?

This past Wednesday was no exception.  At 10:16am on November 30^th, my career officially hit the wall.

Just over 4 weeks ago, I had the opportunity to present my “Better Speaking, BIGGER Results” seminar to the SSING networking group in Concord NH (at a business called The Office Suite). What an audience! They were energetic, open to my message, appreciative, participatory…everything for which a speaker could ask!

As I exited the building after the event, I commented to the owner that I absolutely LOVED the empowering quotes she had displayed on the wall. They were not just ‘hanging on a hook’, they were actually part of the wall. She commented that perhaps someday one of my quotes could be there. She even asked what my favorite original quote was.

This past Wednesday, as I concluded a morning business meeting, she offered to give a tour of the building to my meeting partner. As we rounded the corner to the back hallway, she exclaimed: “Ta-daaaaah!!”

There on the wall, directly at my eye-height, was the message:

“Just when you think you have nothing left to offer the world…smile!”

Speechless.  Stunned.  Floored.  Happy.  Appreciative.  Moved.  Honored. Touched.

All these words, and more, could be used to describe that moment for me.

For the first time in my nearly seven-year career, something I created had been deemed worthy of riding the same walls as material from Shakespeare, Gandhi and John Lennon.

I can imagine it rolls along the same happy highway as songwriters hearing their song on the radio for the first time, artists whose paintings grace a prestigious exhibit or museum, athletes who score their first points at a professional level, etc.

The excitement of that moment was the perfect ending to a year spent tirelessly working to create bigger successes for my speaking and writing career. It was a year which saw more hours worked, more new speeches created, more meetings, more sessions with my coach and marketing diva…and more success.

Funny how that works, huh?

How has your life hit the wall this year? Have you reached any new heights, personally or professionally? How can you aspire to great achievement and enjoyment for 2012?

Based on the seeds planted in 2011, my goals, hopes and dreams for next year are approaching ludicrous speed (a nod to fans of Spaceballs:The Movie).

In past years, they would have scared me (I’ll be honest, some days they still do…a little) but the excitement of hitting many more walls next year outshines those fears, every time.

Here’s to all of us hitting the wall in 2012!

When will these stores learn? Every year, people display more bizarre and violent behavior as they practically kill each other for a limited-supply item which will very likely be back in supply within a week (and will be available on-line as well).

Violent incidents were reported in SEVEN states this weekend!!

In one situation, a woman decided the best way to get an edge over her fellow shoppers was to pepper-spray her competition…idiot.

Elsewhere, a group of thugs decided it would be easier to avoid the in-store crowds by robbing shoppers who were on their way out of the store.  In this case, one robbery victim was shot, while one thief was caught and ‘detained’ until police arrived. I’m generally not one to condone random violence, but I hope the victim’s friends ‘convinced’ that person that robbing them was not a very bright idea.

Hello?!?!?

What the hell is wrong with people? And, anticipating a lack of answer, where the hell is the responsibility of Corporate America?

It is only a matter of time before something very, very bad happens at one of these “let’s get people up in the middle of the night and encourage thousands of them to line up in the hopes of getting one of only a dozen items we actually have in the store” sale events.

Late on Friday evening, I was watching the hit show “The Walking Dead”.

Other than scarier make-up and less screaming, the zombies have very much in common with the Black Friday shoppers.

They do not think of others’ safety or well-being, they only seek to satisfy their pathological hunger for something which is in limited supply.

For the zombies: human brains and flesh.

For shoppers: a bargain.

And neither one seems to care how it accomplishes its goal.

I think I actually respect the zombies more, as they do not know any better!

I wish you all a safe, happy and healthy start to your holiday shopping.

You’ll be finding me beginning my shopping around December 23^rd…unless I can get a zombie to do my shopping for me!

Please be kind to each other out there!

Now, as a young professional, when so many young people are trying to get traction for a solid career, Brad is stomping his feet in the dough of life, and the most amazing smells of success are wafting from his kitchen!

To say I enjoy his cooking would be an understatement (here is a before and after of some ribs during a recent photo shoot)

Yes, I was the culprit (and the evidence was all over my face and fingers)!!

Brad and I have had long discussions. He’s a good guy, and has many BIG dreams.

His company, BML Catering, was recently named #1 Caterer by NH Bride Magazine.

He has been invited to several exotic locations to share his style and flavors.

Most recently, he was asked to provide the catering and food service to the crew of the The Food Network (7 meals in 2 1/2 days) while they were in New Hampshire filming an upcoming episode of ‘Restaurant: Impossible!”.

How does Brad get these opportunities? He is out there, EVERY day, working with his clients to ensure he is preparing the best food he can.

He also surrounds himself with only POSITIVE people for his team.

And, at the bottom of it all, he has a big heart and genuinely knows what it takes to build a successful company: he has a good attitude, and takes many positive actions.

See, the world notices these things, and it is responding in a very loud fashion to my friend Brad.

Want to learn more about him? Friend him on Facebook, or visit his website by clicking HERE.

Congratulations Brad!

Not until someone recently asked me: “How do you do it?” did I realize the truth.

The question was triggered by a rapid-fire brainstormed comedy explosion to assist this friend in a speech she needed to deliver.

When I pressed her for her meaning, she replied that she wished to know where that ‘style’ came from: quick to the punch comedy, desire to help others and animated delivery.

“Very simple” was my answer, “I am a HUGE fan of the TV show M*A*S*H”.

There it is…the answer. Cue the theme music!

When I was 5-6-7 years old, it was a monstrous task to stay awake until 9pm on Monday nights to watch M*A*S*H on Channel 7 with my Dad. Come to think of it, I still have a tough time staying up that late!

The character of Hawkeye Pierce, with Alan Alda breathing life into the words of the script, actually served to hard-wire my young mind. He was quick to the punch with a comedic comeback, he always reached out to help the underdog, he questioned authority at every turn (when the authority demanded respect it had not earned) and he brought a warm spirit to a place of drudgery and despair.

I saw that and wanted to be just like Hawkeye Pierce.

Two Christmases ago, in the DVD racks of Best Buy, I discovered the first three seasons of M*A*S*H and bought them for my Dad. It took only 5 minutes of the first one being played for me to get a shock…it had happened!

Throughout my decade-long radio career (’92-’02), I did my best to bring the best characteristics of Hawkeye Pierce to life. I loved to go to bat for the underdogs, did my best to keep spirits high, and I had my fair share (and more) of mocking and infuriating a few pompous ‘leaders’ who assumed their positions were somewhere in the heavens above me.

Over the last few years, as I have built my career as a professional speaker and author, that style has returned once again…and I love it.

It is an absolute joy to do my best to pick up the spirits of those around me, to pack as many laughs as I can throughout each day, and to reach into places of pain and despair to deliver a message of warmth and hope to those who need it most.

I hope and pray that I am doing Hawkeye Pierce justice.

So, who were your television heroes and role models? Which characters had a hand in forming your style, your heart, your soul?

   Are you as inquisitive as Columbo, or as obnoxious as Al Bundy?

   Are you one of the fun-loving ladies from ‘Sex and the City’?

   Does ‘Glee’ inspire the song and dance in you?

Who helped hard-wire your life?