I believe I DO want to succeed!

The "Get Motivated" session in Columbus today was actually kinda fun.  Steve Forbes was obviously using the forum to tout his ideas for federal income tax reform.  His ideas really are appealing to the libertarian awakening inside me.   Colin Powell was even better than I hoped.  He focused on what it's like to be Secretary Of State one day.... and then "you aren't."  He came across as much more relaxed and just plain HUMAN than I have ever seen him.  He also wasn't really selling anything other than general ideas about reforming the k-12 education system and the idea that even someone from humble beginnings can eventually walk the halls of power if they decided to make a difference.  Favorite quote..."A true leader is someone who's followers will go along even out of simple curiosity ."  Referring to the fact that a leader should inspire such trust that, even when the chips are down, folks will follow, wondering "how is he gonna get us out of THIS one?"

In kind of a sad note, motivational speaker  extraordinaire Zig Zeigler, who is 81 years old, had a recent fall on some stairs and is now plagued with situational vertigo and short-term memory loss.  He did his presentation seated and was interviewed by his daughter.  He was able, when prodded, to recall many of the stories he has used to illustrate points over the years, but would immediately forget what he said and repeated himself often.  When he descended into a loop of the same thought, they ended the presentation.  They were trying to illustrate his point of "It's not what your circumstances do to you, but what YOU do with your circumstances" but I thought that it came across as a bit sad.  They say he is improving, and I wish him the best.

There were also a couple of financial guys who gave a really hard sell on some seminars and programs they were hawking.  I have NO money to spend, so I really didn't pay much attention to those.  Dr. Robert Schuller (of the Hour Of Power and the Crystal Cathedral) proved that he is still a very powerful and dynamic speaker.  When he wanted your attention, he COMMANDED it.  Like great musicians, he understands that if you are going to be loud, you need to be able to convey the same power and authority when you are quiet.  Vladimir Horowitz once said he had 15 levels of pianissimo.  Schuller is an equal master with his voice.

Overall, I enjoyed the program.  At times it was a bit too "rah, rah!!!" for my taste, but then I am a fairly  low-key person by nature.  Some of the introductions seemed more appropriate for a big time wrestling match!

My main issue with the program was the common thread of spirituality running through.  Some was traditional, some was waaaay out there new-agey stuff.  But most speakers made it a central point of their program.  I am an unapologetic atheist.  I didn't just decide one day to be that way.  I spent years of soul-searching, researching and questioning (I can't imagine that my parish priest was THAT unhappy to see me go!) to arrive at my own personal conclusion and I am completely comfortable with it.  Don't get me wrong.  It was their program, and they can say whatever they want in it.   It just seemed like there was an intentional effort to exclude anyone who didn't share a Christian viewpoint.  Success in business and beyond is not exclusive to those that have a "personal relationship with God."  Just my opinion.

The BEST part was that the boss picked up lunch and dinner for the whole group!  The best I have eaten in weeks!