iCanBlog

Don't ask, Don't get!

2011-07-05T06:35:00.000-07:00

He was by far the scruffiest person in the Costa café at St Pancras station. I was killing time on my way to speak in Chatham, sharing a table with a stranger as the place was crammed full. As I sat eating my chilli panini I noticed this man, about the same age as me, who really looked out of place. He had a suit jacket on like me, but his jeans and Caterpillar boots with no laces didn't seem quite right with me. They didn't with him either as he was hobbling about.

He looked around for a few seconds and then homed in on someone at each table. "Could you spare a few pence towards a cup of tea," he asked, again and again. It was obvious this chap had fallen on hard times. I couldn't believe how everyone gave their excuses. I wondered how I would have felt if that were me.

I waited for him to ask me – I would have gladly bought him a cuppa. But he kept looking straight past me. Was I really that unapproachable? I was disappointed that he didn’t ask me. I love finding out about people and helping them if iCan.

I was beginning to get really disheartened for the man, then, as I got up to leave, a middle-aged lady stood up and offered him what looked like 70 pence. “At last,” I thought. This was just great to see. As I walked past him I gave him a smile and whispered “follow me” – which he did. I wondered if he thought I was about to arrest him.

I gave him a comforting smile as we stopped at the other side of the concourse. I discovered he was called Alfred and he had been in the UK for two weeks. He came from Nigeria and was such a softly spoken young man. I asked him why he hadn't asked me and he told me he thought he already had. I asked him what he wanted the money for and he said it was for a bed for the night, which was going to cost £18. I asked him how many people he had to speak to each day to get his money. “Hundreds,” he said. But he always got a bed for the night. This guy was an inspiration to me – as anyone who has ever achieved any level of success in the world will confirm - so I gave him £10 and asked for his picture.

Nothing in life worth having will be handed to you on a plate.

Like Alfred, anyone in sales knows that you have to work through the rejections. JK Rowling couldn't get a publisher for over a year. It took me months to get an agent interested in what was to be my Number One bestselling book. I did think about giving up, but I dug deep and kept going.

What is it you want to achieve?

Are you prepared to work through all the nos, the rejections and the setbacks to get it?

You can.

Richard McCann
p.s. If you would like to improve your communication skills then our next Speaker Bootcamp is on 22nd July in Leeds.
Click here now: The early bird price expired on 30th June however this will be extended for anyone on my mailing list - usually £247 reduced to £197 including VAT (Can be paid in two installments if it helps). ONLY 3 PLACES LEFT so FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED!!!

I almost ruined Christmas

2010-12-30T13:49:00.000-08:00

Well Christmas is over and I hope you had a great time this year. I thought I had ruined everything for my children just a few days ago.

It all started around 6 weeks ago when I was asked a question that sent fear right through my veins. “Richard would you be kind enough to be Santa for the children at nursery 3 days before Christmas?”

‘Me! But I’m Ginger’, I thought. The staff at nursery our two eldest children attend convinced me that I would be perfect in the role, despite my attempts at finding reasons that I couldn’t do it.
Be Courageous

My wife Helen bought right into the whole idea and finally persuaded me to agree to it, and believe me it required me to dig as deep as possible and find the courage required to step outside my comfort zone. Of course, I could have tried to wing it, but there was so much at stake: Firstly I had the children within the nursery to deal with as well as my own children ages 4 and 3. If I got this wrong then I could shatter their belief in Santa and the thought of that really motivated me. And secondly I had to impress the parents with my efforts at trying to keep my reputation intact.

Now if you have heard me speak, Michael, then you will know that one of the things I include in my talks is that in order to achieve something we might not have done before we can:

Model Successful People

Which is exactly what I did. I decided to take my children to no less than 3 different Santa Clauses to see how the professionals did it. I noted the dialogue, the demeanor, the movement and began building up a picture of just how I should be on the big day. That helped to settle the nerves and as the big day drew close I began to believe that I would do a reasonable job. My main concern was that our eldest, Skye, just might work out that it was her father behind the costume, but I felt pretty good.

Two hours ago I found myself dressing in the Santa costume. Firstly the postbox red trousers and jacket, and before you mention it, yes I did have a cushion under the jacket. I’m not stupid enough to think that my slight frame wouldn’t ring alarm bells. Next was the white wig and beard, which once I had put them on, put my mind at rest. There was hardly any of my face on view by now. Next came the hat and last of all black over boots, which covered most of my shoes.

I was all set. I had an elf to help me with the names and to hand me the presents.

So there I was, sat in position, and then the hoard of children and parents were brought in. Young Conner was first with his Crocodile T-shirt looking very enthusiastic.
“Hello Connor” I said.
“Hello, can I have a Headless Horseman” he asked without being prompted.
“I’ll see what I can do” I replied. “First of all can you tell me if you’ve been good this year”?
“Yes, yes, yes.” He must have been really good this year.
“Have you been eating your meals, brushing your teeth, stopping in bed when mummy and daddy put you there?” And on it went until I gave him a small gift to keep him going and my nightmare was over. I had done it and got away with it. I hoped that Connor couldn’t see the fear in my eyes as I spoke with him.

1 down and 49 to go.

Child after child was fooled. I think some of the parents were too. I even got past some children of some very close friends who stood to attention throughout. I was beginning to enjoy it and if I may say I was getting rather good at the role. My wife had cleverly left our own children until last. For my own children I had to change the voice as much as I could and Ellis our son didn’t suspect a thing. Brilliant! Now the tester: our daughter Skye who is so advanced for her age ;-) (My wife has said that about all three).

I went through the routine and within a few seconds my world caved in.

“It’s Daddy behind the beard.” She really was advanced for her age. She had seen through me within seconds. I tried to carry on regardless without giving myself away any more. I was disappointed with myself. I felt a failure. Had I spoilt the magic of Christmas for our 4-year-old?

I changed back into my clothes and made my way to my family, really puzzled as to how Skye had worked it out. My wife had already spoken with her about it and it was as simple as my shoes. She knew her Daddy’s shoes and it was them that had given me away. She also went on to say that she spotted my wedding ring and my ‘finger’. The middle finger in my right hand has the end missing. I learned a very important lesson today. I didn’t:

Go The Extra Mile

What I could have done was to wear some shoes that were not as noticeable as the ones I had. Maybe even wear someone else’s. I could have taken off the wedding ring and I should have worn some gloves. That would have done it. Yes, I felt a failure, but as a motivational speaker I have a few thoughts on failure. Courage is all about the risk of failure. We have to try things, despite the risk, but whatever happens in life: Failure is never permanent.
Hopefully Skye will believe our explanation that Santa got stuck in the snow and called me to ask if I would help out. And if she doesn’t buy into that, one day she will grow up and love her dad even more for putting himself through the whole ordeal for the love of his children.

Merry Christmas

Richard ‘Unemployed Santa’ McCann

p.s. If you would like to improve your communication skills and you are willing to be courageous enough to attend, you are willing to model other successful speakers, (I have given over 650 talks now) and you are prepared to go the extra mile rather than try and wing it the next time you speak, then our next Speaker Bootcamp is on 24th Feb in Leeds.

Click here: The early bird price expires on 31st Dec and there are only 12 spaces left.

Dont Cry Over Spilt Milk

2010-11-10T09:32:00.000-08:00

Hi there, hope life is treating you well and you have not given up on the big dream. What, you don’t have a big dream?

One of my dreams as a young adult was to have children one day (Yes, Harriet Harman, I have 3 Ginger Children) and thankfully that dream became a reality and I absolutely love being a father and I’m learning so much by watching them grow.

This morning was nothing unusual, but I found myself learning something new once again. Ellis my son turned 3 this week and we have tried to teach all of our children to be independent and to do things for themselves. And from today that also includes pouring his own milk into his Mini Shreddies (product placement I know but it all helps).

“I’m doing it; I’m doing it, Daddy.” The look on his face was priceless. As the milk began to flow it eventually turned into what looked like Niagara Falls. “Ellis!!” I shrieked in an attempt to startle him and to get him to stop pouring. It didn’t work and the look on his face brought me back to my senses. I shouldn’t have shouted at him. It was a knee-jerk reaction and I knew that I shouldn’t have done it (I have forgiven myself).

Within a nano-second I knew that what was taking place was that my 3 year old son was growing. Not physically, but in trying to learn a new skill and pushing his boundary ever so slightly, his capacity to do things increased. Okay, it wasn’t perfect, but he had achieved what he set out to do. Maybe next time he would overfill the cereal again, but over time he would of course understand what he needed to do to get the right it right.

I learned a valuable lesson and it’s one that we all need to remind ourselves of. If we expect to get things perfect the first few times we do something and then give it up as a bad job, then none of us will ever come anywhere near to reaching our full potential.

As a Motivational Speaker it took me a good few years to become even reasonably good, and even after 600+ speaking engagements I am still learning. Last week I spent an afternoon with the wonderful Warren Evens who coached me some more on my new 3 hour session for Leaders (more about that later) as I want to make it the best that it can be (for now).

It Shouldn't Happen To A Speaker

2010-10-19T14:51:00.000-07:00

Hi there!

You’ve probably here because, like me, you have seen quite a few speakers who you knew could have done a better job, or could have enhanced what they did, if only they had done this, that or the other. In fact, if you’re like me you have probably had something not go quite as planned whilst you were on stage in the past. For me, even though I have spoken professionally close to 600 times now, I am still surprised by what takes place, either when I am speaking at an event or if I am attending an event as a delegate. Whatever the reason for deciding to read this I hope that there might be something in there that will help you at some point in the future.

This is not an attempt to cover everything that a speaker might encounter, as it will only be those things that I’ve witnessed myself, and over time I will add my observations, confessions and suggestions to the next thrilling installment.

1) I’m not selling anything, promise

First up is not too bad, but it happened yesterday, so whilst it’s fresh in my mind I will get it down on paper (well on screen, but you get my drift). I was closing a conference for a Police Force and one of the speakers was covering personality types in his seminar. It was all very interesting, but when it came to one particular slide, which had a list of bullet points featuring what the outcomes could be when taking into account another’s personality type, the speaker read from the slide ‘Increased Sales’. There was no one in the audience that sold as they were members of the police force or support staff. The speaker did make an attempt at dealing with this by stating this could be replaced with ‘Better Communication’. It would not have taken him long to have replaced that bullet point to the one he spoke about. We must do all we can to keep as many audience members with us and a slight adjustment to the wording here would have stopped anyone thinking of anything other than what he wanted them to think about.

To download the rest of the FREE E-Book follow this link

What can we all learn from fish?

2010-10-08T09:04:00.000-07:00

Fish: I love them and my wife does the most delicious fish pie too. Now, anyone with children might have the odd goldfish or two in the family home and we are no exception. We have two in our house and they go by the name of Wilma & John and they can eat for England. This morning was one of the days where I was not working in the morning so I could take it easy as I got myself ready. So there I was going through my usual routine of brushing my teeth first and through the mirror was Wilma and John trying to get my attention. There they were staring at me and moving both their noses (do fish have noses?) frantically in my direction. I ignored them. I went back into our bedroom and shortly after this I returned to get a shave, which I did in the sink. The same thing happened but I wasn’t having a pair of fishes (how many do you need to call it a school of fish) telling me what to do. As I had more time than I usually did this morning I decided on a bath rather than a shower. It was superb as I lay there, nice and relaxed, teeth cleaned, face shaved and……….hang on. There they were again. Wilma and John jumping about as though someone had dropped an electric iron into the bowl and were being electrocuted. I could take no more. I got out of the hot bath and reached over to where we kept the fish food, took some out and sprinkled some into the bowl. Peace at last.

Now I don’t know what it is you do or where you are in life, maybe you work for someone else, have your own business or its possible you are still at school. Whoever we are we need to get the attention of others. If we are in business we have to stand out from the competition. At work we have to be the one who goes the extra mile so when a promotion arises then you will be more highly thought of. If you are a young person then take a leaf (or possible a weed) out of Wilma’s and John’s book (bowl): get noticed.

As a motivational Speaker i'm constantly thinking about how iCan stand out and get the attention of those who might book me which is why I have recently had a new look to my website and a new speaker showreel.

Do have a great week and go on, get noticed.

iCan Speak

2010-04-09T03:40:00.001-07:00

ICan Speak

2010-04-07T03:48:00.000-07:00

One thing I was always told was that if there is something that I wished to do then I should find someone else already doing it successfully and model them. In fact it's what I have been doing a lot of my life. Whilst I was at the Yorkshire Post working as telesales canvasser I won an award for being the best on the team for the year. I won the award because I watched and listened to the best and essentially copied what they did. Of course with my own personality thrown in for good measure.

I now speak all over the UK, and in May the world (Switzerland) and many people contact me and ask me to help them along the way with their own speaking as I am now a very successful professional speaker. For that reason I have put my first 'iCan Speak' Training session together so that iCan not only share my presentation but also HOW I have managed to speak over 500 times since that journey begun in 2005.

It takes place on Weds 5th May at Shine in Leeds from 6-8pm. Click here for address.

There will also be representatives from The Professional Speakers Association and Toastmasters International, both of which were a massive help in my success, to say a few words about what they offer aspiring speakers.

Bonus Session: Lee Jackson will share his session "How to create exciting slides for your presentation".

If anyone is interested in attending and spaces are limited to 40 (and a number have gone already) then send an email expressing your interest to

Justine(at)Richardmccann.co.uk

Or register on Facebook here:

Or on Linkedin here:

Hope to see you there.

Its a Miracle

2010-03-23T17:59:00.000-07:00

Its a miracle. And her name is Isla, our 3rd child and 2nd daughter. She was brought into this world just 8 days ago. I have only just found the time to sit down at my laptop and scribble a few words about the experience. As Isla was dragged (it was a cesarean section so she was dragged) from my wife Helen's body it occurred to me how in many ways the experience of birth is a lot like life. Isla had remained where she was for near on 9 months, happy as Larry (if she had been a boy), content with where she had found herself, unaware that just around the corner there was another world. A world that she could not possible imagine. A world that, whichever way she got there, was going to be painful. But in experiencing the pain and discomfort of her change in circumstance she would allow herself to be able to grow in a way that nature intended.

Of course she had no choice in the matter but we do have a choice in where we find ourselves. In life many of us remain in a place that we are not happy with and for some reason unable to find whats necessary to take that leap of faith, to do that thing that we are frightened of, to do that thing that may, at first, feel uncomfortable but in fact will take us to a place that we never knew existed. We need to get out, to step out, to climb or even be dragged out of that comfort zone in order that we can grow and get anywhere near our full potential. One things for sure, that little voice that you may think is yours, talking you out of doing those things that you are capable of, was not a voice you were born with. Its an accumulation of your experiences or the experiences of those around you as you grew. The most important conversation you will ever have is the one you have with yourself. Stop living a life sentence, start being alive. Be brave, be courageous, be the incredible miracle you always were from the moment you were conceived.

Apart from that, nothing much doing here. Is there much doing in your neck of the woods?

Here's my latest podcast about theft if you have 6minutes.

www.richardmccann.co.uk

iCan Podcast

2010-03-03T15:51:00.000-08:00

Hi
I'm feeling rather pleased with myself as I have just created my very first podcast: I said that I would do so when a group that I created on Facebook had reached 4000 members and because we have reached that point I had to put my money where my mouth was. Actually, it was more of a case of putting the mic where my mouth was.

Heres the link: (You have to remember that we all start somewhere)
http://www.podcastfm.co.uk/files/809/mp3/now_thats_what_i_call_inspir.mp3

It does remind me of what I cover in my workshops and that is when we set a goal and we commit to making it happen then anythings possible. (well almost: I don't seem to ever be able to catch up with my emails)

Why not give it a go yourself with that thing that you have been putting off. Give yourself a date and say by this date I commit to doing X, Y or Z.

In 2009 I said that I would definitely speak internationally in 2010. Even if I had to pay the flights myself and receive no fee for the engagement. As it happens I will not have to pay for the flight and I will be receiving my fee and in May I will be speaking in the beautiful Switzerland.

Over and Out.

Positivity

2009-10-28T15:29:00.001-07:00

I have just had someone take a look at my branding and we have now come up with some new designs which I’m pleased with. When I was younger I was often teased with names like ‘Duracell’. The battery with a copper coloured top. And before I go any further I have to point out that I have ginger hair. I hated it when I was younger but I love it now. Anyhow we now have a copper coloured top on all the new materials, business card, pop up banner, email signature etc.

The thing about a Duracell battery, and any other battery for that matter, is that they have both a negative and a positive and both are needed in order for it to work. As a motivational speaker I often talk about the importance of having a ‘Positive Attitude’ when those negative things happen in our lives. How much easier life could be if we accepted that we will have our fair share of both negative and positive events in our lives.

If I look back over my life I could probably draw a graph going up and down tracking the positive and negative life events which have occurred. After every negative thing which has happened there has definitely been a period of recovery until finally I would be in a good place again.

Last week it was announced that we are still in recession. There was definitely a negative flurry of headlines for a couple of days afterwards but what none of the headlines seemed to point out was that the negative growth experienced during the last quarter was less than the previous quarter which meant that if things continued at this rate we would soon return to growth. If the media had reported that we are now heading back to growth (which we are) and sang and danced about it as much as they do when they report something negative then possibly that would have encouraged people to get out there and begin spending again and we might have returned to growth even sooner.

As I said today when I gave my Thought Provoking Presentation at a networking event in the North East...Focus on the Positive.

Service Stations: You can either love or hate them.

2009-10-20T13:59:00.000-07:00

Hi Folks
Hope all is well in your world. Going great guns here (whatever that means) and I returned earlier from speaking in Manchester where a great time was had by all. On the way back I found myself at the back of an 8 mile traffic Jam on the M62. Just as I was about to become very annoyed (to say the least) I decided to chose a better attitude. And as if by magic a sign appeared as we all crawled along the motorway. It was the service station. "Perfect" I thought. I took the slip road, parked the car and entered and ordered my food. I wont comment on the food as that's another story but I ate what I ordered, enjoyed my tea and gathered my thoughts for a short while. I returned to my car around 40 minutes later, joined the motorway and hey presto, the traffic jam had disapeared.

As I often say in my work as an Inspirational Speaker, "we cant turn back the clock when things happen around us but we can decide what we are going to both do next and the meaning we apply to what goes on around us".

I made a recent observation about time spent in service stations and you can hear what I had to say here.

Deepak Chopra goes Deep

2009-09-27T08:53:00.000-07:00

What a lovely weekend. Yesterday I gave a talk to 200 of the lovely folks at the Samaritans Annual Conference in York. I was so pleased that no one fainted as happened five years ago when I gave a talk to them on what was a scorching day.

Although I do enjoy doing a book signing afterwards I was conscious that I had to drive all the way to Manchester to see one of my hero's Deepak Chopra. I sold and signed so many books that I was 20 minutes late for his address. It was still amazing.

One of the most interesting things I heard him talk about was the notion that the Universe is actually us. We are the universe, we are not in our body but that our body is in us. That the whole Universe is in us. (Deep I know) The thing was that it reminded me of a time when I was a young boy, soon after mum had been murdered, when I remember feeling so bad about what had happened to mum, as well as all the other things which were taking place at home, and despite this I imagined that what I was experiencing was not real. That it was some kind of film or play and I was the observer. An observer watching everything that was taking place but that those things were not reality. I was reality. What was happening around me and to me was all being orchestrated. Having listened to Deepak last night I was taken back to that time. Although apparently there is no such thing as time..

Afterwards I bought a couple of books and went to get them signed by him. I was refused by his security team. They said that Deepak had decided not to do anymore. Just four hours earlier I had made myself late to watch him as I stopped and signed every book that my audience had requested. I didn't take it personally. Deepak is an acclaimed international speaker and author who was jetting off to Japan to give another talk. One day I might even get there myself. My first book is published in Japan so one never knows.

Until next time:

Richard

We cant predict everything:

2009-07-19T16:22:00.000-07:00

It just goes to show you that in life, often when we least expect it, things can happen that take us by surprise. No one knows whats around the corner, of what will occur tomorrow, when we will get the news of a disaster, a job loss......life is like that. We can't turn back the clock but what we can do is dust ourselves down and start again. Which is just what happened after I had taken this video. I stopped rolling as I thought Skye had injured herself. She will love this in years to come.

I was Boo'd from the stage

2009-06-25T08:24:00.000-07:00

Hi Guys/Girls
Today was a 1st for me. I dont know if you have come across Audio Boo but if you have yet to experience it its micro podcasting from your iPhone. Its new to me but I thought about creating some mini Boo's from the stage in my work as a Motivational Speaker and today I tried it out. I was speaking at Spen Valley Sports College to around 200 year 9 students and we tried it out live. I suppose we just have to bite the bullet and try new things. In fact that what we all need to do from time to time. Who knows where it will lead.

Click this link to hear how I got one of the more interesting guys up on the stage to do something he would never have dreamt of had I not inspired him to adopt an 'iCan' attitude.

Zak Singing:

And here we have my close at the end:

And finally I thought on my feet and captured some of the student feedback afterwards: Listen out for the reference to Ginger Massive>

If you want to download Audioboo yourself then click this link:

You Loser!!

2009-06-23T08:49:00.000-07:00

Hi Folks
As the iCan Tour continues around the UK I am often amazed at what I see. The life of a Motivational Speaker allows me insights I would have otherwise have missed. As well as speaking to adult audiences I often find myself inspiring students within schools. I could not believe what I witnessed recently as I sat waiting to speak to 200 students. They students were getting a pep talk from a member of the Physical Training staff about the Sports Day to take place in the coming weeks. I cant remember exactely what he said but he was urging each of the house teams to pick their best team for each event. He was ranting and raving about how dissapointed he would be at anyone finding themselves on the losing teams.

Now i'm all for encouraging each of us to be the best US that we can be....but what if someone is more talented that us in an event. They will achieve better results than you or I and does that mean we should feel bad about not winning. Maybe we will win at something elese. He really was giving it to them and I couldnt help but thing about my own children and how I want them to grow at school. Its Ok not to Win.......Get over it. Most of us will not win at sports day. I dont think I ever did. And I was terrible at football and was always on the bench. I dont recall Mr Pointer the PT Instructor being dissapointed at me. Its just wasnt my thing. Now get me on a stage speaking in front of 200 of my class mates in the school public speaking event....That I did win. It doesnt mean to say the others who took part were losers (although technically they were).

I received this email from a young person who makes the point perfectly.

Hey! I don't know If you will get this or not but I just wanted to say thank-you for such an inspirational speech at the MIDAS confrence in Harrogate on tuesday. That afternoon I actually took part in the MIDAS speaker competition. I was terrified before but your speech helped my confidence and although I didn't win, I feel like I accomplished something by standing up in front of my pears and speaking on the topic of 'Youth Culture'. I even had the confidence to again put myself forward to speak in another activity the next day! You probably get messages like this all the time from people so I'm sorry if I'm being repetetive! Many thanks again! Liam Bracey

Yes winning is great and to be encouraged but if we dont win (this time) as long as we gave it our best shot we wont be going far wrong.

Yorkshire Forward

2009-06-22T07:22:00.000-07:00

Further to the earlier post: I just received this in from the event organiser. Maybe I should send it to the psychologist who told me I couldn't get over the fear of speaking (in so many words).

Its been quite a journey

2009-06-22T06:38:00.000-07:00

Well it has been quite a journey but Friday is worth a mention. I accepted my first invitation so speak to an audience early 2005. I was terrified but I did it knowing that it would be good, firstly for my confidence (or lack of it) but also to get over that fear of speaking in front of people. Many of my friends and readers will know that I was told back in 2004 that I might have to accept that I was as good (then) as I was going to get!! I had an almighty fear of speaking in front of people. What no room for improvement? No courses to go on? No home study, no evening classes, no pushing my own boundary no reading, research or anything that might just help move me forward so that I wasn't continually dragged backwards by events which happened in earlier years.

Well if that professional could kindly place themselves at the table nearest them and take out a knife and fork I will now ask them to Eat Their Words.

On Friday I attended as Guest Speaker at the 10th Anniversary of Yorkshire Forward held at Leeds Town Hall. There were 400 staff in attendance and as I stood there speaking I knew that, not only was the professional wrong with his suggestion four years ago, but he was at risk of influencing where I end up in life. As I say in my work as a motivational speaker "The most important conversations we ever have are the ones we have with ourselves".

I was so thrilled to have been asked to speak at this event and during the last 12 months I have inspired audiences approaching 40'000. Most importantly because I said 'iCan'.

With an 'iCan' attitude you will achieve a greater level of success in your life than without one.(Richard McCann)

I,m back

2009-06-14T06:47:00.000-07:00

I have no excuses. I started a blog because iCan and then I didn’t. It’s so difficult to know what is the best way of getting your message out there. Anyhow i’m back having being told off by my peers. So it was ‘iCan’ Blog followed by iCan’t (for a while) and now its iCan again. Which reminds me of one of the points I make when sharing my message as a motivational speaker. It doesn’t matter how many times we change our minds....its that we do it in the end that counts.
So what is it that idea that you are toying with? Are you asking yourself ‘Shall I take that leap of faith or not?’ The answer of course is YES. As often quoted Leap and the net will appear. Back real soon.

2008-11-19T05:49:00.000-08:00

I know it isnt much but this is the birds nest which I referred to in my earlier post. Just look at how resourseful they were after their disaster. They had used ice pop wrappers to build their replacement home. An ICan attitude if I ever saw one. R

What an Inspiration!

2008-11-19T05:29:00.000-08:00

I really must share this. As a motivational speaker 'iCan' often be heard telling people that they are capable of being, doing and achieving more in their lives. That we all have an unlimited amount of potential within us. Some have strengths that others dont have and whatever these are we should be the best at that, that we can be.

I spoke at a school in the north yesterday and afterwards a young girl approached me and told me that he loved poetry and that she was going to write a poem with an iCan theme.

It came in this morning and she certainly has a talent.

iCan
All that seems tragic will come into light,Alleviate all of your fear.
A morning shall come straight after the night -The time to stand up is now here.
You must seize every moment for all it can be;Let it slip and you've made a mistake.
But from every mistake then a lesson you see,Can be through all the grief and heartache.

Make yourself unforgettable, give it your all,
Let the benefits outshine the bad,It's a fact that there may well be a fall;
Pick yourself up and again you'll be glad.There may be a time the clouds cover the day,
But you can choose what you shall do.Don't bury your head, throwing talents away,

Let your courage and boldness shine through.Lift yourself from the ground and say;"I can and I will!", with pride.
Let the colours of joy paint over the gray,Allow no hardships to break your stride.
People come to our lives as fast as they go,You'll know it's simple to deny,
But you can change someone's life with a simple 'Hello'As well as they can change yours with 'Goodbye'

So think, in your darkest hour, my friend,Find that key within your heart.
Not all of our partings will seem like an end,Though people can seem that they’re worlds apart.
The key within your core shall guide,
And lead you through the dark,And in your bright light, fear shall subside.

It's time for you to make your mark.So I shall leave you with a choice, friend.To be brave, and to not be depressed.
Follow your path and you shall transcend -From the bottom, to be the best.

I,m sure if she applies herself and has an 'iCan' attitude then we may here more from her in the future.

2008-11-18T12:39:00.000-08:00

OK, OK! Yes you are right. The last post can't possibly have taken place in cold November. This first post was my first newsletter and I felt that it was perfect to kick start my blog. It took place earlier this year. Well spotted Michael....

We were devastated!!

2008-11-12T14:48:00.001-08:00

That is, my two year old daughter and I. We had been visiting this family for weeks; we often took them some food, knowing that food, for them, was scarce and it was obvious that they were not in receipt of benefits. Their home wasn’t furnished very well and was surrounded by litter. You can imagine our despair as we arrived close to their home on Wednesday to discover that it was completely gone. There had been heavy rainfall the previous evening and the Moorhen’s nest had been washed clean away. Skye, our daughter, was visibly upset and asked “Daddy, what going to do?”

I assured her that they would be fine and we set off around the pond as I knew there was another nest at the other side. I found myself wondering just what the family of Moorhens were going to do. We finished off-loading the half loaf of bread to a collection of birds and we made our way home. I decided to make a detour avoiding the site of the nest on our return journey and we went about our business for the day.

Two days passed before we returned to the pond close to our home. I felt a little sadness, more for Skye who uttered “nest wash away daddy” as we approached the site of the nest. I knew we couldn’t avoid the area forever so decided to pass anyway. I had to make a double take as I spotted what Skye did a few seconds after me; there was another nest, which had been built within 48 hours to replace the one that had been washed away so unexpectedly.
“Nest come back. Nest come back,” shouted Skye as she dived for the bread, which lay in the basket underneath the pram. I couldn’t believe how the two parents had obviously worked tirelessly and probably through the night to provide shelter for the two chicks. I was amazed and blown away by their efforts.

During the inspirational talks that I give up and down the country I encourage audiences to adopt an ‘iCan’ attitude to overcome life’s setbacks. I know only too well how life often doesn’t turn out the way we expect; divorce, redundancy, bankruptcy, home being washed away; we can do nothing about the events that happen around us. What we can do is adopt the right attitude to dust ourselves down and ask ourselves what we can do about the situation, as the moorhens did; find the strength that lies within each of us to take responsibility for the situation and regain some control. Observing what those guys did with a handful of twigs, branches, leaves and, would you believe, ice pop wrappers, brought home to me that the ability to deal with life’s setbacks is within each and every member of the living world. Incidentally, the young chicks learned a valuable lesson during those 48 hours. Maybe next time life deals you a blow it may be worth asking what you can learn from the situation. It’s simply a matter of attitude: An ‘iCan’ attitude. Don’t leave home without it.

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2008-11-12T14:42:00.001-08:00

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