Are you Living up to Your Eulogy?

Are you Living up to Your Eulogy?

By Anonymous   09:41:00   1 comment:

This morning I browsed through a long list of blog ideas looking for inspiration. While this list had obviously been created by someone who had been staring at that blinking curser for too long, one idea did intrigue me.

"Write the eulogy you aspire to be read at your funeral."

That's not something I would like to write, although it did make me ponder what whoever was charged with the task, would say about me. Would they comment on how hard I work to make my business a success? How many hours I spend promoting my skills, doing quotes, going to meetings, offering advice and creating? Considering that most of my day is dedicated to running and promoting my own small business I would like to think they would. But deep  down in my gut, I know they are more likely to say that "she lived her life to the full, never letting the opportunity to try new things pass her by."

I'd like to say, the moral of this story is to forget about spending the majority of your life working yourself into grey hair and a coffee addiction. Just go out and live life to the full. Unfortunately, the reality of living life requires us to keep working, and as a small business, that means I'm still tied to my computer for most of the week writing, promoting and creating.

So if I can't change what is said about me in my eulogy, what can I learn from it? Before it's actually read out.

1. Find a rich benefactor to fund my thirst for the crazy
2. Win lotto
3. Rob a bank and go on the run
4. Sell one of my artistic creations for millions
5. Even up my play and work time
6. Combine my work and my passion

There's really only two practical options available, and I think I've nailed them.

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Andy Kahle is available for motivational speaking at your next networking event, club function or event. http://www.andyk.com.au/ 

    

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Pink-tober was my first step into public speaking

Pink-tober was my first step into public speaking

By Anonymous   13:39:00

October is often called Pink-tober simply because some marketing people thought it would be a great idea to turn one month a year pink in recognition of Breast Cancer. So while everyone is thinking Pink, and working out interesting ways to raise money for Breast Cancer research many of us "survivors" get called into work places to have pink cup cakes and give a bit of a chat about being breast aware.

In my career, I've attended loads of presentations, and more than just a handful of these fundraising awareness campaigns. I have never been inspired to rush home and check for lumps, quickly book a mammogram or even throw wads of hard earned cash at the cause.  And as a pretty cynical marketing person, I was a little "over" all the pink this and pink that and all the hard luck stories that came with it.

So as my own toughest critic, when I was invited to be the speaker at a Pink morning tea in the financial district, I was a little bit ... terrified. Oh no ... I'm going to be one of them.

My first question was, how am I going to make it interesting enough not just to get my message through but to be at least a little entertaining? With my story, there were no special fundraisers, kids doing heroic things or flying off to exotic countries for trial treatment. My story is pretty simple, I got cancer, went through chemo and radiation, had surgery, then went back to work.

My next concern was, am I ready to talk about my journey without getting all emotional. At this point I'd had 3 years clear of cancer, and sure I've chatted to people about what I've been through, but not as an actual presentation.

It was time to think about what I would be interested in hearing? What would make me sit up and listen? What would grab my attention?

And so evolved my first speech, filled with humor, tears, silliness and pure honesty. I kept it tight but raw and chose to keep my natural way of speaking. Just like I was in a conversation with any one person in the audience. With the mirror setup in my office, I practiced and practiced and practiced until I really couldn't stand the sound of my own voice anymore.

Then it was the day I'd been dreading and looking forward to all mixed up in one big emotion. Sweating so much that I was glad I had waterproof makeup, and a blouse that wouldn't show how nervous I was.

Now this is the point when I should probably explain that as a hobby I like to drag race. And as a part of being the driver of a pretty fast car, I needed to learn how to be calm in a very not calm situation. So when I lost control of my race car at 250km/hr and started heading directly for the concrete wall, I calmly went through the whole process of shutting off fuel and bracing myself for impact like I'd been taught.

Unfortunately, that crash was nothing compared to standing up in front of 50 office workers during their tea break and telling them how I felt when I was told I had breast cancer. I was expecting everyone to just sit, listen, politely applaud and head back to their office. What I didn't expect was to hear my voice catch half way through my story as I saw my hubby's face in my mind. I paused and took a long wavering breath willing the tears to stay back, then looked up from my notes to actually see the audience properly for the first time.

They were crying. Tissue boxes were being passed up and down the rows of quietly sniffling men and women. But in their eyes I could see them willing me to find the strength and courage to continue.

So I grabbed up one of the tissues, removed my glasses and dabbed my eyes. I apologised and explained it was my first time sharing, and it all suddenly felt so real again. I put my glasses back on, took a deep breath and continued. They deserved to know the ending. They'd earned it.


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Thankfully I don't break down in tears at all my speeches which is probably a good idea, since not all my talks are about breast cancer. If you'd like to invite me to your next morning tea, then drop by my page for further details. [ andyk.com.au ]

But if you'd like to know more about my marketing ideas then my business page is probably more suited. [ www.askewvision.com.au ]

Andy Kahle
Speaker - https://www.facebook.com/andykahle
Digital Marketing - https://www.facebook.com/PokenOzEvent 

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Love your work - Lessons from a Restroom Attendant

Love your work - Lessons from a Restroom Attendant

By Unknown   19:51:00

After a few weeks in the harshness of New York City where I discovered that Seinfeld's Soup Nazi was not a one off exaggeration, a brief encounter with a Restroom Attendant showed me that you can love your work whatever it is that you do.

With an 11 hour flight behind us, a seven hour transit stop and facing another 12 hours on a plane, we decided that the entry fee to the Business Lounge would be money well spent.  On arrival, I went straight to the Ladies, as you do.  I was greeted by a cheerful lady who could speak very little English and as my Arabic is limited to one word, most of our interaction was via gestures and smiles. During my four visits (okay it was a long flight and these were very palatial toilets) I went from thinking how awful it would be to work in a toilet all day to realising that any job could be enjoyable if you made it that way.

How to enjoy your work:

Be pleasant to everyone who enters your workplace
From the moment I walked in the lady was happy, pleasant and helpful.   When dealing with the public your previous encounter may not have been a good one, but sometimes you just have to say in your head "NEXT!", then put it behind you and move on with a smile.

Become an expert on everything and gladly share this expertise with visitors
As we all know, using a toilet and shower is not that complicated, I would have eventually worked out that the door needed to be pushed not pulled DOH!.  Along with how to turn the lock, wave my hand across the sensor to turn the tap on and know where to put the hand towels, but she was there at every point, reveling in being the expert.

Be proud of your workplace
On my second encounter I enquired about the showers, the lady proudly informed me that yes there is a shower and showed me that it comes with towels, soap etc.   After one of the best showers of my life, the lady beamed with pride when I thanked her and remarked on how beautifully clean it was.

Go the extra mile
The Attendant could have just sat on her stool, read a book and cleaned in between visitors, instead she chose to take ownership of her work space and make all visitors feel welcome.   The approach to your work can be the same no matter what role your role.  Take control, enjoy the job and demonstrate your ability.

Money is not your only reward
On my final visit I turned to her, nodded and said "Shukran" (Thankyou), yes my one and only Arabic word!  It was only a small gesture but she seemed to genuinely appreciate my effort.

Vacant or Engaged?  You get to choose...

Sue Whittaker
Online Marketer and Fulltime Traveller Wannabe

Askew Digital Marketing

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