Update: I'm back from the Toastmasters' Regional Conference in San Diego. The educational sessions, humorous showcase and speech contest were sensational. I met speakers and dignitaries from various states and counties. And oh yes, the food was superb at the Marriott Mission Valley.

I also made new friends...

I met Helen Blanchard: the first woman in Toastmasters and its first woman president. Then there was self-made millionaire James Ray from "The Secret." He shared three extraordinary secrets about success. And international speaker Sheryl Roush spoke about the adventures of getting into the professional speaking world.

When you're attending events, are you doing everything you can to increase your networking universe? It starts with a smile, a handshake and a "Hello." And who knows where that might lead.

Feature Article: Risking Everything

Resource: The Science of Success

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No Guts—No Glory...

Have you ever wanted to do something outrageous but was concerned you might look brash? Perhaps you thought you'd be considered pushy and it might reflect badly on your reputation. Or maybe you'd get tongue-tied so you procrastinate and argue with yourself, always thinking about it—but not acting upon it.

After meeting Sheryl Roush I went surfing on her website. If you didn't know, Sheryl is a big time speaker. She's been selected the Hospitality Chair for the upcoming National Speaker's Association's International Convention in July.

On her website there's a pop-up box that indicates she's looking for greeters and ambassadors for that convention. I said, "Hmm." And then there was another date where she would give a presentation to the San Diego Chargers' Cheerleaders. Again I said, "Hmm." I wanted to attend both events and also hear her speak.

What if I asked her if she needed help for both gatherings? It wouldn't be considered pushy since I am offering to help. So I worked up the courage to call her.

She answered her phone and kindly explained that it was impossible to bring me in. I didn't realize there were waiting lists and security issues with the cheerleaders. And even volunteering for the convention required that I had to register for the event.

I didn't get what I wanted but we had a wonderful, productive conversation and she offered me a lead for some possible work. This would never have happened if I didn't muster the guts to make the initial call. I know our paths will cross again because we both have expanded our universe.

Risking Everything

Dear Associate,

The movie What's Eating Gilbert Grape takes place in a small sleepy town of Endora with the storyline built around a poor, fatherless, dysfunctional family. While you may be familiar with Johnny Depp, Leonardo DiCaprio, Mary Steenburgen and Juliette Lewis, the star who stole my heart was Darlene Cates. She played Momma, a former beauty queen who, because of circumstances, became a 500-pound recluse who had given up on life—except for eating, sleeping and channel surfing.

She had little purpose in life and would rather be dead than seen in public. One day, her "slow" son (DiCaprio) was put in jail for climbing the water tower for the umpteenth time. The Sheriff had had enough and made good on his promise of arrest after looking the other direction since the first incident.

Momma was worried to death about her son suffering in a cold cell. Unfamiliar with his surroundings, he might scream and sob all night or inflict self-injury. This time she knew nothing else would get her son out except a face-to-face confrontation with the law.

Of course, she did a lot of soul-searching...

This meant facing embarrassment, shame and humiliation. This meant people stopping to stare, kids pointing and laughing, townsfolk gossiping, heckling and telling fat jokes. This meant risking everything she valued in life to get her boy back.

Gilbert (Depp) drove the family to the courthouse steps. Momma got out the car and with her walking cane, made a staggered beeline to the Sheriff's office. She screamed the Sheriff's name and demanded for her son. When the sheriff made an excuse about police procedure she screamed even louder, "My son! Give me my son!"

The office staff was quite invisible at this moment. Their codes, policies and procedures didn't prepare them for matters of the heart. They cowered beneath the undying love of an angry mother.

Momma wouldn't take no for an answer. This caught everyone, including her family, by surprise. With the guts and determination Momma showed, the sheriff had no choice but to give her what she wanted. There wasn't a braver soul in Endora.

Momma risked everything to get her son back. There was no other alternative. There was no other choice. She had to conquer her inner demons.

Have you ever taken any risks?

I don't mean gambling your paycheck away at poker, driving 85 miles-per-hour on a 65 miles-per-hour highway, or eating fast food every day. I'm talking about serenading your sweetheart when you can't hit a note, going up against your boss and his gang of "Yes Men" in a company meeting, or jumping out of an airplane for the first time in your life. You know, the stuff that really matters. The stuff that causes you to stretch and makes something of you.

Imagine you had to do something you're uncomfortable at, or perhaps it was your first time...

For me that would be swimming. I've been in the pool a few times during high school and even took some lessons, but don't ask me to rescue your drowning cat. The closest you would ever find me to a pool is when I'm in the Jacuzzi.

But couldn't I become an adequate swimmer if I had enough practice? What if I hired a swim coach? Couldn't I get comfortable in the water then?

Definitely. With enough practice anyone can get good at anything within reason. It centers on possibilities and your beliefs in what you can or cannot do.

If I were to take swimming lessons at the YMCA, I'd look rather silly because I'd be surrounded by children who'd probably laugh at me. But wouldn't the shame and humiliation be worth it if I saved someone from drowning some day?

Warm Regards,

1) Most people want success, but they're not willing to "do the hard" to achieve it.
2) For anything to live, something first must die.
3) What's waiting to be released in your life in order for you to obtain more?

Self-made millionaire and contributor to The Secret, James Arthur Ray takes you on a journey to Harmonic Wealth® and prosperity:

The Science of Success: How to Attract Prosperity and Create Harmonic Wealth Through Proven Principles