Give a gig, get a gig

Paying it forward is not a new concept.

Remember Haley Joel Osment’s character (Trevor) from the movie ‘Pay it Forward’ several years ago? The 11-year old boy inspired thousands with his concept of helping 3 people.

But we all need a reminder every now and again.

Sam Silverstein gave us one during a recent edition of NSA’s Voices of Experience when he talked about a colleague of his dropping a gig in his lap.  There was no arrangement between them, the friend just did him a “solid” by introducing him to a client, which turned into a booking.

So here’s what I’d ask you to do.

Think about a speaking colleague who could use a gift – someone whose talent you know and trust.

Then think about a client that you’ve worked with who might be a good fit for them.

Without any formal agreement with the other speaker, simply pick up the phone or drop the client a line to introduce your friend.  Word of mouth can be so much more powerful when coming from a trusted source.

The idea is that we give without thought of what might return.  That said, if you are a recipient of a gig, I hope you will in turn, give a gig.

If everyone on this list does it, that’s 5000 gigs, just imagine!

Give a gig, get a gig.  Got it?  Good.

What Can We Learn from Miley Cyrus?

Today is my 45^th birthday.

I figure 45 is about the half way mark.  If all goes well, with modern technology, I may live until 90.  Now for my clients who have survived cancer, climbing accidents and hippo attacks (yes, it’s true) I know that life is precious and that I can’t take anything for granted.

And, as the eloquent line from 17-year old Miley Cyrus’s new song “The Climb” tells us, it’s not about reaching the top of the mountains, it’s about the climb.

It’s about the journey of life.

So being at the ½ way mark, I have to check in and ask myself, “am I living my life by design or by accident?” “Am I enjoying the journey?”

I must confess, that for the most part, for the past 10 years since employing my first coach Rich Fettke, I am!  Thank you Rich for helping me start the design.

I live in the house of my dreams and look out onto the river every day (it’s like wild kingdom back there complete with geese, deer and beavers!)  My husband, John, is the partner of my dreams.  I waited a seriously long time to find the one who was perfect for me and it was worth it.  We have our family and friends close by.  Our 2-year old grandson brings us a lot of joy and laughter.

We travel and enjoy life and each other.  I take every Friday off and on most weekends in the summer, we escape up to Lake Huron.   My business runs itself and I’m lucky to be able to say that I make money while I sleep.  (You gotta love that!)  And, I get to help people improve their lives and careers.

Did this all happen by accident?

Actually, I described this life in detail in my journal the year I was turning 40 and at the time, none of it was true.  I had no idea where I would find the man of my dreams or how I would live on the river.  Business was good, but I hadn’t written a book or developed any passive income.  But I did believe that it was possible.

More importantly, I knew that I would enjoy the climb no matter where it took me.

My question for you is……

Are you living your life by design, or by accident?

I hope that you will say by design, but if not……

Here’s what I’d recommend:

Write a description of a day in your life 5 years from now.  Write it as though it’s already happened.  Who is with you?  What are you doing?  Where are you living?  How does your business run?  How do you feel?

Continue to come back to it frequently, review it, update it.  Your brain doesn’t know what’s real and what’s not possible so go for it in a big way!

Think big, think mountain big!

But remember, as Miley says “enjoy the climb”!

PS:   After chatting with my colleague and fellow author, Michael Port, I realized the best birthday gift I can give myself is to think even bigger about who I am and what I am capable of.

Why shouldn’t we all be thinking bigger? Michael’s new book “The Think Big Manifesto” is your road map to be more… and think bigger about who you are and what you are capable of.  My copy of  “The Think Big Manifesto” is on it’s way and I can’t wait for it to arrive!  Get yours today.  Go to: www.thinkbigmanifesto.com