So much happened today, I can’t begin to explain what all happened. In short, 3400 junior high and high school students descended upon Montgomery, Alabama today for a “super conference” of all their professional organizations. It was awesome. I felt like a rock star, for real! I hadn’t been this pumped since I spoke to 6,500 people in Anaheim, California.
To give all the details would take me way too long. So, I can put on my “Connection Coach” hat and my comedian hat and give you these hilarious highlights.
Posted on September 23, 2008 by Jonathan Sprinkles
Today was…weird. The stage was set, the lights were on, but it was…just…weird. Just before I spoke, my host “warned” me that this group is a lot more subdued than the group tomorrow. They are from smaller towns, so pulling the energy from them is like pulling teeth sometimes. This morning, they left me with only gums.
Posted on September 20, 2008 by Jonathan Sprinkles
Only once in the history of my career have I missed a talk due to negligence. That was during my first year of being a full-time speaker. Today was almost the second time.
Posted on September 16, 2008 by Jonathan Sprinkles
I thank all of you for the outpour of emails, calls and text messages, checking on my status. I have used Facebook as my primary means of communicating my daily status. However, for the 7 people who have yet to use Facebook, I want to make sure you know I’m safe in Houston.
Reading, Pennsylvania is a beautiful place, but if you go there, invest in a GPS. I left New Jersey with two hours to spare, which should’ve given me ample time for my one-hour drive. Why did I arrive at my talk 10 minutes before the start time?
Today presented one of the biggest challenges I’ve had in a long time. On multiple fronts. This was the fourth time Kean University asked me to speak for their students. That’s one. I had to do three talks in one day. That’s two. I had to begin the second talk fifteen minutes after the first ended. That was three. Read more »
What do you do when you have a little secret that you can’t share with anyone?
That’s how I felt today at Black Hills State University in Spearfish, South Dakota.
Not again!
First of all, I felt like the speaking gods had conspired against me. Perhaps they were dissatisfied with my last sacrifice. I don’t know, but I was given, once again, the worst case scenario in which I was to speak.
The talk was at 9am, the day before school started, and…here’s the kicker…in the gym!
I said to myself, “Aw heck no! Not again! No! No! No!”
My flight to Atlanta was diverted just before we were about to land. We were put into a holding pattern, doing circles around the airport like we were in an aeronautical NASCAR competition.
If you’ve been a faithful reader, you know about how glad I’ve been at times that I have a ‘standard presentation’ that I sometimes give. If I am delayed by weather, not feeling well, or if there are other challenges, it’s great to have a good talk that I can say while essentially on autopilot.
But what I’ve learned recently is that, with all the talent I have, with all the energy I have, with all the speaking techniques I have in my tool belt, there are times where it’s not enough.
Tonight was a throwback to the days of old. You know how you sometimes sit around and reminisce with friends about “the good ‘ol days”? Well, tonight was a reminiscent of “the bad ol’ days.”
I am struggling with how I’m going to tell this story. If I go into too much detail you’re going to think I’m complaining. But it’s all true, I promise. Anyhow…think what you want. This is my therapy session, so I’m going to do it like I feel it. Read more »
When I arrived at St. Philip’s College, I was greeted by a lady who very professionally introduced herself to me. She opened the door for me and attended to my every need. She already had my water ready and she called me “sir” after every statement. She made an instant impact on me. I was impressed with the level of excellence in which the staff was operating this year. It was truly on another level.
So uh…the talk was pretty good. They actually confused me. Their energy level was very low. It was my third time coming back, so I was expecting more energy and more enthusiasm this time around. Neither was there. Not at first.
Today, I was just reminded why I became a speaker in the first place.
If I could have 75 groups like this every year, I would be the happiest and most fulfilled speaker in this world. Kingwood College is only a two-year college, but the folks I talked to today could challenge any group from any “elite” four-year university I’ve ever spoken for. I mean that. Read more »
In one of my earlier blog entries, I joked about feeling like the Michael Phelps of the speaking industry because just as Mike was competing in so many races, I was my speaking schedule had taken on a blistering pace. Well, that was then. As this guy has become arguably the best Olympian and possibly the best athlete in the history of the planet, my respect and admiration has grown for him exponentially. Read more »
I am a sweaty mess. My shirt and my undershirt are soggy. My pants…don’t even ask. I haven’t worked like this in a long time! Glenville State University got all I had to offer today. Read more »
I woke up this morning, feeling like someone slipped a sleeping pill in my drink on the plane and elbowed me repeatedly while I was unconscious. I was beat up. But Wheeling Jesuit University didn’t need to know that. They hired me to do a job, so my personal problems were none of their business. I had to handle my business. Read more »
Oh my GOD! This year’s conference was the worst-run conference I have ever attended. I have attended high school conferences that were more organized. I showed up this morning to discover that my name was completely taken off the program list! I am in New Orleans specifically to speak to this organization and my name wasn’t even on their list! The day looked like a disaster before the clock struck 9 o’clock. Read more »
WOOO WEEEEE! I’m back! I’m back! Wow! Today was powerful to say the least. If I felt good yesterday, I felt GREAT about my two talks today. It’s like everything finally came together. I did everything I knew how to do in order to serve my audience with entertainment and practical application. I was ON! Read more »
I am trying to be the Michael Phelps of public speaking. Today concluded the first of 11 talks in 14 days. This is going to be NUTS! I’m already so tired. I had to wake up at 6am, drive 3.5 hours from Houston to Longview, TX, do two talks, only to get up and do two more talks tomorrow starting at 9:15am. I will be on a plane or driving almost every day until September. On second thought, maybe I’m more like The Fugitive of public speaking! Read more »
Public speaking is by far the most profitable (legal) industry in the world. To be a successful speaker is to live a life of luxury, fame and incredible income. Getting started is quick and easy, but taking your business to an elite level requires specialized knowledge and great clarity. I use my relationship with my niece as a great analogy of what it takes to be a premium speaker . They are Read more »
