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Driven by Passion
As "The Strength Coach," no one would ever doubt my work ethic. But sometimes I tend to rest in my comfort zone. Sometimes I don't take on challenges because I know there will be discomfort and pain involved. Last week, I stepped up to three major challenges:
For the past four years, I have worked from a home office that became too cluttered long ago. I have needed an office makeover for a while now, but to do so would require that I take apart my radio studio. That's a monumental task. In addition, the carpet in my workspace was dirty and worn from my wheelchair, so I really needed tile flooring. To take apart my studio and literally "move out" would consume several crucial business days, so we decided to do it when I was away on a speaking trip.
For several weeks, I had been planning to keynote for Overcomers Ministries in Nashville, Tenn., and had planned to fly directly there. But a couple of weeks ago, I accepted a gig at the University of Florida in Gainesville. Because of the short notice, I could not get an affordable flight to Gainesville, so last Thursday, I drove six hours to Florida and immediately participated in a panel discussion, followed by a keynote address and a post event party. Early Friday, I flew to Nashville (after a layover in Charlotte) where I immediately moderated a panel discussion. Then on Saturday, I delivered my keynote before being whisked straight to the airport to fly back to Charlotte and then to Gainesville, and then took on the six hour drive back to Ocean Springs, Miss. When I arrived home, totally wiped out, my office was in shambles, but my father had begun production on a custom desk, suspended from the walls, giving me plenty of space to wheel around freely!
Now, a week after my journey began, I'm sitting in my new office typing this newsletter on my new desktop. Everything is plugged in. Everything works!
Taking apart my studio and taking on a grueling travel schedule were not my only challenges this week. Several months ago, I gave a keynote address at a Minority Health Fair event in Biloxi, sponsored by Cable One. As compensation, they volunteered to produce my speaking video demo tape. I was delighted about this opportunity, but I procrastinated, partially because I was never satisfied with the quality of the video of myself speaking that I had captured. But before leaving for Florida last week, I received a call from Ric Okoniewski at Cable One offering me studio time Wednesday and Thursday. All of the stress and anxiety about the tape would work itself out in the production studio. Ric and I worked studio magic and now, at last, I have a great video demo tape that I am proud to send out! That's a major accomplishment for me that has given me an incredible boost of inner strength.
As you ponder the situations in your life, perhaps you'll find yourself inspired by my example and do what needs to be done, no matter how much of a pain it is going to be. You'll get stronger when you lift the weights of life's challenges. Let your passion drive you and give you the energy you need to fight through the discomfort. My life is much better with new friends from my travels, a new office, and a first rate video to promote my skills. What difficult project do you need to take on?
How to Find Your Passion and Make a Living at it!
Our guest, Darrel Andrews, AKA "Coach D," can relate. He is a motivational speaker and author with a passionate message. He knows personally about overcoming challenges, disappointments and setbacks. As the son of a high school dropout and a single mother on welfare, Darrell became a three-sport all-star in high school, the captain of his college football team and the first in his family to graduate from college. This is an amazing feat considering that when he arrived on his college campus, he was not registered to attend, nor did he have the money to pay for college. But his passion for more out of life compelled him to pack everything he owned into five garbage bags and hop on a bus to a city where he had never been with a one-way ticket and $42 in his pocket. When reflecting on the experience, Darrell states, “I didn’t know where I was going, but it had to be better than where I was.”
Darrell “Coach D” Andrews is an expert on educator motivation and youth leadership. He is the author of How To Find Your Passion And Make A Living At It and Believing the HYPE: 7 Keys to Motivating Students of Color.
Free! Living with Disabilities DVD
More than 50 people took advantage of our offer last week. The Mississippi Council on Developmental Disabilities, through Mississippi Film Video Alliance, is pleased to present a DVD entitled, “Living with Disabilities.” Produced by Scott Dixon McDowell, the DVD features best or positive practices in the field of developmental disabilities. Approximately 30 Mississippians are featured in 15-minute segments focusing on community recreation, community employment, community living, self-determination and self-advocacy, person-centered planning and about the Mississippi Council on Developmental Disabilities. To order your free DVD now, and browse through other Strength Coach products, visit the What's For You page.
Get the first copies of Greg's new book!
"On A Roll: Reflections from America's Wheelchair Dude with the Winning Attitude" is at the printer right now. The first books will be available in early May. The first 100 orders will come with a personal note and signature from Greg. Pre-order your copy today!
Get your "On A Roll" DVD!
You'll love this documentary film, which aired on PBS in February. The DVD includes special features: a commentary by Filmmaker Joanne Caputo and Consulting Director Michael Ivey, "Greg's Crib," Accessible Sex Toys, Becky Ogle's Crawl, Jim's Civil Rights, Searching for Michael Moore, Terri's Update, Crawfish, Scuba Dive, and more!
Reviews
"Highly Worthwhile and Inspiring" New York Times
"An All-Access Look at Life" St. Petersburg Times
"Best TV portrayal of disability and real life we have ever seen" ADAPT
Order your copy on our secure server now.
Hear Greg Smith's message
Greg Smith has begun writing his second book, "Strengthen America," which teaches us how to harness the powerful combination of personal development and acceptance of cultural differences. It is a mix of self-help and diversity, studied from his life experiences and communicated with passion in his live appearances.
Energize the audience at your upcoming conference or event. Greg's schedule is filling up rapidly! Corporations, universities, meeting planners and speakers bureaus are taking note of his timely message: “Strengthen America!”
To schedule a sensational, inspirational live presentation for your next meeting or event, call "The Strength Coach" at 877-331-7563 or complete this
booking information form.
"While in town..."
Check Greg's schedule to see if he has plans to be in your area. If you would like for him to speak on an adjacent date while in town, he can offer exceptional discounts for keynote addresses or workshops. Call 1-877-331-7563 soon so he can arrange his travel schedule to fit in your group.
Greg's work is supported in part by the Mississippi Council on Developmental Disabilities. Does your state's DD Council support disability media initiatives? Why not? To find out how, call 1-877-331-7563.
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