What do you do when you're asked, 'What do you do?'

Work, work, work. Whenever someone new asks me what I do for a living, what I do, or what line of work I'm in, there are often two ways I respond: (1) I'm a motivational speaker and published author, or (2) INSERT LIST HERE. For many years, I've labeled myself as the sole characteristic that I truly feel that I am and which I want to be known as forever more (motivational speaker).

Recently, I made the decision to begin introducing myself to new people on an individual basis based solely on a specific service of mine. If the person who asks is more likely to have the need for a marketing program, I would state that I'm a marketing specialist (and certainly inform them of my work as a motivational speaker and author). If the person I'm speaking with wouldn't appear to have the need for marketing services, I would stick to the program and state the usual. The issue is no big deal though I have found myself stuck trying to quickly determine how to answer the popular question, "What do you do?"

Labels aside, I find it interesting how common it is for two people to start a conversation based on employment, work, or productivity (of all things). I guess work is something that most of us have in common. Wouldn't it be nice if someone started a conversation with, "So tell me, what's your number one passion? Or, what's your greatest talent?" It's this very question, "What do you do?" that could be the inspiration for my next book. By the way, I never ask someone what they do; instead, I ask, "What's your story?" It provides my audience with the choice of telling me what's most important to them, the very thing that would interest me the most as well.

What are you waiting for?

Last year, I interviewed with a communications company in San Diego whose three values were based on: (1) where there's a will, there's a way, (2) a positive mental attitude, and (3) an urgency to succeed. After five meetings with the company and a plethora of team members, they didn't offer me a position as a global conference presenter. Aside from the lessons I learned about the interview process, I connected with the organization's three values, especially the one about having an urgency to succeed. While being from NY could be a reason for my strong ambition towards creativity and progress, my urgency to succeed has rarely been focused on my top two career objectives: being a best-selling author and motivational speaker. I've been a winner for having an urgency to succeed with regard to other objectives, which I now call, "Alternative Distractions." No one asks me the following question: "Why aren't you a best-selling author and professional speaker now?" If they were, the answer would sharply be developed using justifications like, "The longer I wait, the easier it will be," or, "It hasn't been a priority." The fact of the matter is that while I've had the ability to take advantage of an urgency to succeed, I've allowed fear to hold me back from focusing on my biggest career goals. The fear led to a lack of discipline which led to a slew of additional challenges.

So now, what am I waiting for? I'm not waiting. I'm preparing for the National Speakers Association National Convention which will be a few miles down the road from my apartment in San Diego. Come July, I will be focusing on my speaking career with more might than ever. Good for me.

What's your story? Can you relate to holding back or holding off completely with regard to something you know you value? What are you waiting for? It's time to have faith in ourselves, take risks, and enjoy the growing experience. Failure occurs when you give up; not when you have given your best to attempt to succeed.

Celebrate Each Day as If It's Your Birthday

Have you ever met a highly confident person filled with a lot of love who has said, "They should make my birthday a national holiday?" Neither have I; I was just born that way.

While I feel that classifying something or someone is an innate need of mine to maintain control in my life and better understand the world, I continue to simplify by focusing on two basic options that we all have when faced with adversity. The sole stressor, the very thing that causes us to biologically or psychologically execute the "flight or fight" response, can be faced in numerous ways. However, I tend to keep it relatively basic and easy: "Do I fear that which affects me or do I provide love or faith towards it?"

Example: My birth. Being born on an American national holiday is definitely a perk. However, how will I view my parents' decision to bring me into the world without asking me first? (1) I can feel grateful for my existence and for their contribution for creating me, accept the realities of human nature and human life, and enjoy each day - and celebrate it - as if it was my birthday; or (2) I can resent my parents for forcing me to exist without informing me of the realities of humanity which entail challenging aspects of life such as aging, work, illness & injury, fallibility, and death & dying. Two paths. Two fundamental choices. Naturally, I've avoided both of them. It wasn't a serious issue until today.

Imagine this: a child is born and their parents tell the youngster when he is old enough, "We've got some good news and some bad news. The good news is that human life is a very special and precious thing. You are in for a real treat of experiencing pleasure and joy, love, and personal growth while making a contribution to your life, family, community, state, country and world. The bad news is that it won't last forever, it won't be easy to be you or live your life, you're going to face a lot of adversity and scarcity, and ultimately suffer illness and death. More mashed potatoes?"

Someone once said, "It's the thought that counts," so when it comes to the topic of my existence, of course I'll make it a good thought.

Happy Flag Day, Mom & Dad.

The #1 Fundamental Priority Project

IMAGINE A NATION where everyone's #1 fundamental priority was their health. I feel that anyone who wishes to live a long, peaceful, and prosperous life has a greater chance of doing so by making their health their #1 fundamental priority. We don't live well, love well, or work well when we're "not well." Even though it's easy to do, we're not at our best when we disregard what's best for us. It's time for us to start doing what's right and not what's just easy.

Many Americans would probably agree that they feel as though they are struggling and suffering in order to remain competitive all while trying desperately to get by. Large numbers of Americans are compelled to push themselves to the highest limits of exhaustion and fear while being compelled by an influential media- and technology-driven society focused on an urgency to succeed.

If the foundation of every American life was fundamentally based on reaching and maintaining optimal health, their perceptions and consequential feelings of struggle and desperation would decline dramatically. Furthermore, quality of lives would improve; relationships would be enhanced, costs of living would decline; healthcare costs would fall; anger, fear, and crime would fall; productivity and efficiency would increase; etc. etc.. Essentially, there would be a domino effect of significant positive change made in lives, communities, and businesses across America.

A new American way of life would lead to greater overall satisfaction, better health, and an authentic intention and ability to make greater contributions towards one's own life, their families and communities, the country, and beyond.

This basic message, combined with a powerful movement, would lead to the awareness, education, and motivation that are needed to not only significantly enhance millions of lives, but to save millions of lives as well.

The "#1 Fundamental Priority Project" would require funds to cover the costs of promoting this new movement. The prominent aspect of the movement would entail hiring a team of young and aspiring motivational speakers to make an impact via presentations and post-program coaching sessions via telephone. Sponsors wanted. Inquire within.

Book Partnership Potential

My Step-Father, Michael, and I have decided to work on co-authoring a book together based on optimal health, motivation, and living life fully. Imagine if your doctor gave you 1-2 years or even 1-2 months to live based on your current choices. Would you be inclined to significantly change your fundamental priorities and personal approach to life? More to come.