7 Great Ways to Open a Speech
”It usually takes me more than three weeks to prepare a good impromptu speech.” – Mark Twain The first 30 seconds of your speech or presentation are the most important. It can make or break your presentation. For a strong opening, you can use: 1. Start with a story...
Hosting a Fundraising Event – What Capabilities Are Needed?
If you're following along in our Hosting a Fundraising Event series, we're now entering into the last couple steps of strategy. Why is any of this important to you? Well, if you are attempting to start or run a non-profit, care for orphans, and advocate for those in...
7 Steps to Preparing a Great Speech or Presentation
When I first started doing public speaking many years ago, I was terrified. I did a terrible job at it. I remember being so frustrated with the whole process. I remember like yesterday, how my sweet wife would try to encourage me through the process. I wanted to quit...
The Secret to Self-Control
Researcher, Jonathan Bricker, says "the secret to self-control is to give up control." I call that living the surrendered life. The life with no guilt, no shame, no condemnation. Check out this video and his research.
What is the Ultimate Dream Killer?
If someone were to ask you, what is the greatest dream killer of all? What would you say? I recently watched a talk by Barbara Sher in which she argues that we have to change our common understanding of why we so often fail to bring our dreams into reality. She says...
How to Grow A Company
The answer is pretty simple. You grow a company or business by growing the people in that company. When you grow your people, their capacity increases. As their capacity increases, they will grow the quality of your products or services. In addition, their ability to...
7 Things to Consider When Choosing a Mentor or adviser that is Right for you
In 2005, a lot of things were changing in my life that I thought I needed a mentor. I was beginning medical school and was also actively running an orphan care organization that I had started only two months prior. I wanted to be able to succeed at both. To find a...
What do you do when you hit a plateau?
What you do when you hit a plateau says a lot about your ability to become successful. When you hit a plateau, do you say, "Woe is me. I am stuck. I knew I couldn't do this?" or do you say, "I know I can do this. I need to step back and try a different approach." Or...
A Great Way to Gain Perspective When Learning Something
When you can't see the forest for the trees Have you ever noticed yourself diving deep into the details of something that you forget the big picture? Maybe, not you, ;). Have you at least noticed someone else diving too deep into the details that they forget the big...
Where to Find the Tools We Need to Change The World
We all know that to change the world, we must first start with changing ourselves. It seems that there are two natures within us. On the one hand, we believe that we can change ourselves and the world around us. As such, we set goals and initiate change. Sometimes, we...