Upgrade Performance Newsletter Archive

November 2011 - World Championship Of ...

October 2011 - Winning

October 2010 - Couch Potato

Novemer 2010 - The Commish

World Championship Of ...

"If I joined Twitter, I could have hundreds of brand-new friends, but how many would roll out of bed at 3 o'clock and the morning and come to my aid?" These are not my words, but those of a man named Jock Elliott spoken while trying to win the World Championship of Public (motivational) Speaking competition. I am often erroneously referred to as a motivational speaker, but the reality is I am more of a sales training guy. You could make the argument that they are one in the same, but that is a topic for another column. Let's not get off topic, because there is a purpose to this article, and I once read that the average American has an attention span of about 30 seconds and that means I am just about to lose you. Jock Elliot had written his initial speech nearly 20 years prior to winning the competition and since then had changed it 26 times: 26 times. Now that is perseverance. Top of FormBottom of FormHis speech centered around loved ones. He asked the audience to "feel their warmth, feel their friendship, feel the ties that bind. And if we treasure these ties we'll have all the luck we'll ever need" (Pause.) "And we won't need [twitter.]" Now as essential as some of us feel Twitter and Facebook are; there is something to Elliot's words that supersedes our new mode of social media and communication. For the most part I've always been one who is open and always looking to embrace the next new thing, but as the holiday's approach I'm feeling a bit nostalgic and just want to share that feeling with family, friends, and fellow business associates. I know the importance of connecting with each other; from a family perspective it is immeasurable, from a friendship perspective it is essential, and with regards to business; beneficial and rewarding. I want to make this perfectly clear, I'm not trying to win the World Championship of Public Speaking, I am just trying to pay proper respect to family, friends, and business clients. I'm also doing my dandiest to give a boost to sales training and those individuals who work with me, participate in my classes and embrace my training philosophy. Granted I would be less than truthful if I did not admit that I am doing sales training for a living, but the fact remains that I love what I do...and on second thought maybe I will Google where the next motivational speaker smack down is in 2012, just out of...c-o-u-r-i-o-u-s-i-t-y.

Winning

Is it me, or have we been hearing a lot about "winning" lately? To some people winning is everything, to other’s winning is not important. To Charley Sheen…well I’m not qualified to determine what he means by winning, nor am I prepared (or foolish enough) to try and explain anything that he has said as of late. What I am prepared to talk about is this concept of winning. It has made me reflect on why winning can mean so many different things to so many different people. I recently watched highlights of the Boston Marathon that occurred last month. A world record was set for the fastest marathon in history. Having been raised in the Boston area, this sporting event has always been of particular interest to me. In terms of the Boston Marathon, I had always been enthusiastic as a spectator (a rather boisterous one in my college days) and even more so as a participant. After years of running for pleasure, participating in local road races, running with friends, colleagues, and business associates, I had developed an ever increasing desire to run the Boston Marathon. The unique aspect of Boston’s marathon is that you actually have to run a qualifying time at a certified marathon for the privilege of being able to run Boston. So I set out to qualify to run the Boston Marathon. The basic process takes about a year to train and qualify and then rest-train-and eventually run Boston. Just to qualify takes a lot of determination and hard work. If you are successful it is a major personal and running achievement. Fast forward to the week before I was to run the Boston Marathon- I arrived in Boston several days before the race, I stayed with family and visited many friends. I remember being at a small pre-race party prior to the race, made up of friends and family. My niece Alison, who was about 6 years old at the time, approached me and asked me questions about the marathon. I was explaining about the long distance and the crowds to her, when she interrupted and asked, “Are you going to win?” My initial response was, “No, of course I’m not going to win.” “Why not are you too slow?” she responded. The day of the race I was nervous. I was apprehensive. Could I really do this? I’d done all the hard work of training, I’d mentally prepared and I certainly was on a spiritual high-not to mention being in the best shape of my life. After all the people I’d met while training, the stories we shared, heck even if I didn’t cross the finish line it would be disappointing, but I would certainly have no regrets. At the starting line I stood amongst some 40,000 other runners; amongst world class athletes. It wasn’t until I crossed the finish line some three and a half hours later, with thousands of runners finishing with a faster time than me, that I realized, “I still had won!” This event has made me reflect on the important role we as individuals play in delivering the proper message in terms of WINNING!

Couch Potato

Growing up in a small New England town may not provide one with the excitement of bright lights, blaring horns or throngs of people, but in its own charming way can nonetheless be very unique. Unique may be an understatement of how and why my brother decided to run for sewer commissioner in our small town. Yes, you read right: sewer commissioner.

Back in 19..., well maybe a few too many years than I care to disclose, my brother took it upon himself to run for political office. Most candidates would map out a strategy, meet with former office holders, consult with those willing to help, and develop an overall game plan. My brother did none of the above. He made an impulse decision as he cut the sides of a

On the campaign trail that only consisted of one day, he did virtually nothing. At the urging of our father and the promise of a town salary of three thousand dollars annually, he stood at the election polls and handed out address labels; politely asking people to affix the labels to the proper location on the ballot.

Since the office had no official candidate listed, he clinched the election as a write-in candidate with a whopping 51 votes.

I cannot tell you that my brother went on to become mayor, governor, or senator, but he did benefit immensely from what initially began as inebriated hi-jinks. When he sought office, he was an unemployed student attending UMASS/ Lowell, enrolled in the engineering program. Once elected, he became a member of a three man board that oversaw a complicated multi-million dollar sewer project that was successfully completed while he was in office.

As an engineering student he developed great pride in representing the town's best interests during his three year elected position. He spent many long nights at planning board, neighborhood, and engineering meetings. The engineers he regularly attended meetings with, would prove to be mentors who ultimately motivated and encouraged him throughout college.COUCH POTATO

I just read that "40% of the population is comprised of certified couch potatoes." I don't want to believe it, but assuming it is true what can I do about it? I'll start by turning off the TV and picking up the popcorn that has somehow worked its way between the cushions of the couch that I am no longer lying on. My next step is to put on my running shorts. Better yet, maybe a bike ride would ease me into this workout regimen I am about to endeavor. However, they say yoga is less strenuous. Or I could just get a pair of those new shoes that give you a workout by walking, purchase an abdominal cruncher from the home shopping network, attach electrodes to my body to stimulate my muscles, all while I'm lying on the couch.
I'm making light of the sedentary situation, but the truth is when we stimulate ourselves with physical exercise we tend to sharpen our thought process. As someone who has completed a number of marathons over the years, my mind and body seem to thrive from running. I realize not everyone is the same; the elixir for my sedentary situation may not propel you from your recliner. That's okay, test the waters and you're guaranteed to find out what type of physical activity does it for you.

For some of us it is one particular thing, whereas others benefit from a combination of activities. Here are a few suggestions for those of us who have become bored with our routines, are looking for something new, or just starting out:

Running: Is a low cost exercise that is easily performed from almost any location.

Biking: A specialized exercise that tends to cater to more fine tuned workout fanatics and those who like cool looking gear.

Yoga: Perhaps one of the most under rated physical activities in terms of mind/body benefits.

Pilates: A physical fitness program that uses the mind to control the muscles.

Weight Training: Great for toning the body and confidence building in a controlled atmosphere.

Golf: An ideal form of relaxation, while enjoying the outdoors.

Sky Diving: If the previous 6 aren't doing it for you try this one as a last resort: once you've jumped from a plane, you'll feel as though you're ready to take on just about anything.

Something to consider are the potential networking benefits from your exercise of choice. Here's where you can "kill two birds with one stone." (I know; do not use clichés, but this one was so appropriate I could not avoid it.) Imagine the benefits of brainstorming, planning/conducting a meeting while out on a run with fellow employees or customers, discussing business while golfing, or working out a problem at the gym. All under the influence of endorphins!

And if a customer isn't around, employees or the bosses are somewhere else, and there aren't any immediate problems, do it for yourself.

Although he has not lived in the town for decades, his legacy proudly lives on as the name Steven J. Coakley is displayed on the plaque that adorns the sewer pump house, and as for the three thousand dollar stipend...Miller Lite saw to it that that was gone long ago.

Miller Lite cardboard box with the carpet knife from the backseat of his Oldsmobile, and quite proudly wrote, "Steven Coakley-for Sewer Commissioner-Your Sh*# is My Business," and hung it on the bridge that was the gateway to our town.

The Commish

Growing up in a small New England town may not provide one with the excitement of bright lights, blaring horns or throngs of people, but in its own charming way can nonetheless be very unique. Unique may be an understatement of how and why my brother decided to run for sewer commissioner in our small town. Yes, you read right: sewer commissioner.

Back in 19..., well maybe a few too many years than I care to disclose, my brother took it upon himself to run for political office. Most candidates would map out a strategy, meet with former office holders, consult with those willing to help, and develop an overall game plan. My brother did none of the above. He made an impulse decision as he cut the sides of a

On the campaign trail that only consisted of one day, he did virtually nothing. At the urging of our father and the promise of a town salary of three thousand dollars annually, he stood at the election polls and handed out address labels; politely asking people to affix the labels to the proper location on the ballot.

Since the office had no official candidate listed, he clinched the election as a write-in candidate with a whopping 51 votes.

I cannot tell you that my brother went on to become mayor, governor, or senator, but he did benefit immensely from what initially began as inebriated hi-jinks. When he sought office, he was an unemployed student attending UMASS/ Lowell, enrolled in the engineering program. Once elected, he became a member of a three man board that oversaw a complicated multi-million dollar sewer project that was successfully completed while he was in office.

As an engineering student he developed great pride in representing the town's best interests during his three year elected position. He spent many long nights at planning board, neighborhood, and engineering meetings. The engineers he regularly attended meetings with, would prove to be mentors who ultimately motivated and encouraged him throughout college.

Although he has not lived in the town for decades, his legacy proudly lives on as the name Steven J. Coakley is displayed on the plaque that adorns the sewer pump house, and as for the three thousand dollar stipend...Miller Lite saw to it that that was gone long ago.

Miller Lite cardboard box with the carpet knife from the backseat of his Oldsmobile, and quite proudly wrote, "Steven Coakley-for Sewer Commissioner-Your Sh*# is My Business," and hung it on the bridge that was the gateway to our town.