We're having terrific thunderstorms here in the South East of England right now and I love them. Why? I think it's because they scare me.
Does that make sense? I guess it will make perfect sense to anyone who's ever gone on a fairground ride specifically because it was billed as 'the most frightening ride of your life'.
Why do we do these things? Why did Steve Irwin feel exhilirated by dicing with the planet's deadliest animals when he could have chosen to keep guinea pigs?
Is it because it's these things that make us feel truly alive? I suspect so.
Recently, I found an old journal of mine from about 17 years ago (when I was obviously VERY young - ahem). There was an entry in there about how I believed that we were only truly living when we were at the high and the low points and the bits in between were only existing. I also said that it was okay, even necessary, to have the low points because only then could we appreciate the high points.
So I guess my food for thought for you this weekend is to ask you whether you're really living or only existing? The choice is yours to make.
Do you want to tiptoe through life and hope to get safely to death or do you plan to actually live this life? Only you can make that decision.
Last weekend, I was privileged to be at an event with someone who's already had a very full life and is still living it to the full and that's the legendary marketing genius, Ted Nicholas (here we are together). It was wonderful to see him speaking and I agreed with everyone of the sentiments he included in his handout, all of which began with the words 'If I could live my life over again...'
I've picked out some of my favourites to share with you:
'...I would take more risks as I've realized I regret far more what I haven't done in my life than what I have done'
'...I would have read more books and attended more seminars by the masters of their subjects'
'... I would never say if I could live my life over again. It's never too late to really start living. I plan to take each and every action I've so longed to take.'
Ted also said that an essential skill that everyone must master is public speaking and I agree with that, too. How does this relate to the subject of living life to the full?
Well, in three ways, really...
1. It's one of those things that people put off doing and then end up wishing they'd done years ago because it has such a huge positive impact on every area of their lives,
2. It's one of those things that pushes people out of their comfort zone so they're really living, and
3. When you master this skill, your words can change hearts and minds.
Can you imagine holding an audience in the palm of your hand for over 2 hours?
That's what Ted did and I know he touched many hearts and minds in that audience and there will be those whose lives will have changed as a result. Ted knows this and that's why he said that public speaking is an essential skill.
Not only will the mastery of presenting mean you will live life to the full, but you can help others to do so too. Your words, when delivered with power, passion and pazzazz, truly can change lives.
Join me on 19 & 20 October at a London Heathrow Hotel for two days that will give you the knowledge and confidence to do just that. Hurry, because places are going fast and the earlybird special is still on (for now). Click through to Presentations Training course details.
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