FAQs
- What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
For motivational speeches, I find out about the audience (demographics, challenges, opportunities), other information they'll have available at the event, and the theme of the event. Then I plan the speech so that it is educational, entertaining, and uplifting. One of my goals is to always provide the audience with a technique they can begin using right away to improve their life. Some customers provide a copy of one of my books to each attendee. I'm happy to sign them.
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
Speaking: I joined Toastmaster's International when I was still a teenager and gave my first large speech to an audience of 400 the week I turned 21 (without notes but boy were my legs shaking behind the podium). Today, I don't hide behind a podium. I like to connect with the audience and in my training sessions, I'm right out there with the audience at times. Throughout my career, I've spoken to audiences of varying sizes. After founding Happiness 1st Institute I wanted to be the best possible speaker I could be so I attended a very intense training program for World-class Speakers offered by T. Harv Eker's Peak Potentials. I was already very comfortable on stage, but they really helped me with techniques that help the audience remember the message I'm delivering and enhance the audience experience in other ways. For my main message: The Smart Way Metacognitive Processes in conjunction with Emotional Guidance. I did primary research and formulated my hypothesis over a period of about 15 years. Then I turned to the scientific research that was published in many fields of science to see whether my hypotheses were supported. They were. I've focused on refining the delivery, making the examples I use practical enough that everyone can relate to them.
- How did you get started doing this type of work?
In 1995, I was told I was more resilient than most people. I decided that if that was true and I could figure out why I'd be able to help a lot of people. I did figure out what makes people resilient at the root cause level. Once I did that the highest and best use of me was helping others by sharing the knowledge and skills that help anyone thrive more. I left a successful business career and founded Happiness 1st Institute. I also began writing because my books can reach more people than I can meet in person.