This is what I did...

At a recent seminar of mine, one of the audience asked me a question; “If there were two pieces of advice I could give to help someone become more successful, what would they be?”

The question made me think – happens sometimes…

The answer I gave was instinctive, however, with hindsight I think that it was the best answer I could have given. The two pieces of advice that I gave, which have served me well so far in both my personal and professional life, were;

1. Show Up – if there is a challenge, meeting, event or opportunity; simply showing up will put you in the top 10% of people. I know that for some of the positions in my early career, I was under qualified and too young – but I showed up when others made excuses about the weather, meetings, and traffic. I have slept in cars and on station platforms to make sure I get to a meeting on time. If you show up you will win – if you don’t you can’t even participate

2. Say Yes – when an opportunity arises, say yes and go for it. I have travelled to 41 Countries, worked 21 and lived in 3. Saying yes to the sometimes bizarre and unusual requests can lead you on a world tour. I have had plenty of people who have read my story, tell me that they wish they could have done it – well they could, they just chose not to say yes when it was their time.

There are many more pieces of advice that I could have given including education, training, dedication and commitment – but I was only allowed two, and those were the two I chose.

I was also asked what my goal was when I was 17 – my goal then was to survive until the next morning without being beaten up. I was advised that I needed to have a BFHAG – A Big Fat Hairy Audacious Goal, and that it would inspire me. Personally I don’t want anything Big, Fat and Hairy and Audacious in my life – sounds like an extra from a Wayne’s World.  My goals are Big, Athletic, Powerful and Inspiring thanks..

Remember that having a definite fixed Goal can be motivating and inspiring, but it can also be limiting – if my goal had remained to simply survive the night, then I would not have said yes to any opportunity that didn’t limit itself to only achieve this.

What have you found works for you - I'm sure there are many different strategies that have worked, and I'd like to hear about them..

What I learned on a Motorbike in Bali..

I rented a small motorbike whilst working in Bali - from memory it was a 175cc Honda.
Leaving Denpasar and following the coast road - Jalan Gumbrih - Lalanglinggah, through Pekutatan I eventually came to a ferry port at the western tip of the Island. Turning right I headed for the hills and the rode through some of the most amazing scenery I have ever seen.
After leaving the main road to head back to the hotel, I noticed that I was being followed by another motorbike and noticed that I had a slight power to weight ratio disadvantage when compared to the young lad following me. On the flat and downhill I could pull away, but uphill he definately had the advantage...
We "raced" through forest roads until we came to the outskirts of  Denpasar and had to stop at a set of traffic lights. While we were stationary he asked me where I was from - so I explained that I was originally from England but that I was living in Las Vegas now. Knowing that I was English, he immediately invited me to go and have tea at his family business.
So I agreed and followed him through some of the poorest housing that I have come accross, until we came to what was essetially a shack built out of plywood and corrugated iron. This was the family business - a street cafe serving tea, coffee and snacks.
He insisted that he buy me a cup of tea and a portion of Rojak - spicy fruit salad. He introduced me to his family and was intrigued about this crazy Englishman who lives in Las Vegas and rides a motorbike off the tourist routes.
What I learned was that whilst these people had virtually nothing - they were proud to invite me to eat and drink with them and give me the gift of hospitality and unconditional friendship, I was equally humbled and grateful. To give without the expectation of recieving was my lesson from some of the most genuine people it had become my priviledge to know.