Are You Thinking Big Enough?

A few weeks ago I posted one of the questions that I most like to ask myself and my coaching and consulting clients: What would your life look like if?

I have received some very interesting responses to that post and been fortunate enough to participate in some incredible conversations with many of you. The number one indisputable thing that came from my interactions was the utter inability for many of you to think big enough. It still seems incredible to me that so many people major in minor thinking but having been stuck in "that place" for much of my life I can certainly understand. Still doesn't make it right and like I had to learn for myself....isn't an excuse. At least it isn't your excuse beginning today! Right?

Seth Godin had a post on his BLOG from 2004 that I think puts the Thinking Big Enough concept into perspective. Check it out by clicking here.

No matter what you do today I ask you to do me one favor and honestly it's a favor to yourself if you really want to get technical. Ask yourself "What would my life look like if_______?" and fill in the blank. "Fill the hole" as it relates to your career, your family life, your personal goals, whatever it is. Take 15 minutes, get away from the cell phone, the computer and any other things that might distract you and just start playing. Pull out a blank sheet of paper and have a crisp new pen in your hand and start writing, drawing or just mind mapping.

THINK BIG. WHAT WOULD YOUR LIFE LOOK LIKE IF.....

Don't major in the minor things. Focus on what is possible and allow yourself to dream big!

Talk about a powerful anchor to get your weekend started. My bet is you won't be able to stop thinking about this little power session all weekend and by Monday morning, your BIG PICTURE is going to be a whole lot clearer.

Just try it and if you feel like sharing, drop me a line over the weekend and tell me what you discovered!

RIPPLE YOUR WAY TO ACHIEVE WHATEVER YOU WANT!!!

Steve Harper

What I Do? I Do What I Do!!!

I often get asked the question...."So what do you really do Steve? You have written this book but so what? How do you pay the mortgage and give those cute little boys of yours new shoes?"

My short answer....

I help people and companies learn to Ripple.

My slightly longer answer....

I help people build the kind of personal and professional networks (or as I call them communities) that they really want and need. I also help companies of all sizes deepen and strengthen the relationships they have with their clients, prospects and employees.

My really long answer....

Go to my website. Or my other really long answer....hmmm...you have to wait for that for just a minute while I tell you a quick story.

This past week I was faced with someone who challenged my very existence. At SXSW I met a guy who happens to be the author of a best selling book. After exchanging some minor pleasantries I asked him about his and his co-author's book. He gave me a great synopsis of why it had been so well received and why it was changing the way people look at creativity and problem solving. He explained that they were in high demand to speak to corporations and do all sorts of book signings throughout the country and it had been a real whirl-wind. Their book sounded like great stuff and was already on my list of books that I want to read when I finally find the time to read them.

Well as we finished his synopsis he sort of glanced over at my book and asked me "so what's the deal with your book....I mean that is a book right? I assume you self-published it. How goes the plight of the self-published author? It must be tough." His tone and his inference was exactly as you might expect it. He was trying to put me in my place.

I gave him a quick summary of my book and tried to ignore his smarmy nature and the rolling of his eyes as he and his co-author exchanged sarcastic glances. My passion takes over no matter who I am talking to and I was not about to let this bozo get the better of me and make me feel as if my book was anything less than his. Because being the author I know it is not.

I finished my quick summary and he said, "So aside from the book how on Earth do you get paid? I mean in all fairness how many corporations would be interested in your so called power of the Ripple. Seems gimmicky to me."

I guess no more gimmicky than duct tape on a cover referencing a book that was also on display at SXSW.

My point is people love to put other people in their place. I believe it hides their own insecurity and their own self-doubt. Two years ago I would have walked away from that kind of encounter with my tail between my legs harboring all sorts of self-doubt. Today I just laugh that stuff off because I know who I am and WHAT I DO.

I am an author of a good book called The Ripple Effect. A book I am very proud of and know that it has impacted thousands of lives. I am going to be the author of two books soon.

I am a professional speaker. I am not your polished professional guy who likes to hear himself talk but I am passionate and I am good at engaging an audience.

I am a great coach. Coaching is something I have done all my life. I am extremely good at helping people achieve that which they want in their personal and professional life.

I am a consultant. I bring an robust intutive approach to all of my clients and help identify key areas that may be jeopardizing their business model or limiting their success.

I am a great trainer. I am passionate about customer service, sales training and a whole host of other beneficial areas that make people and corporations money!

I am a visionary. I believe our society has lost its ability to connect and I hope to be the change I want to see in the world.

I am an entrepreneur. I have been to hell and back as it relates to starting, maintaining and selling a company and I find that experience is motivating and inspirational to a lot of people.

I am a thinker. I love coming up with new ideas and new approaches to motivate people.

I am a great connector. I have an incredible gift of connecting people and organizations that need to be connected.

I am a constant learner. I consume books, magazine and any and all things that I can get my hands on. I don't have all the answers and I enjoy immersing myself in new sources of information and truly being a student of life!

I am a Rippler. I love the concept of Rippling and helping everyone who crosses my path understand and appreciate that living a Ripple-centric life can and will positively affect your personal and professional life.

Most important....

I am a good Dad and on really special days....a good husband.

But most of alll....

I am Steve Harper( and no...I am not the Prime Minster of Canada and I don't want your vote).

I am Steve Harper and that is who I have always been and who I will always be.

All that I ask is contact me if you think I can help you or your company.

That's how I pay the bills. :-)

And if I can't help you will you do me one favor? Share me (my BLOG, my book, my website, my videos, etc.) with at least one colleague, friend or family member. You have absolutely no idea who might need the Ripple in their life or career!

Oh and too my little author friends. Good luck on the book! Hopefully we meet on Oprah some day!


Ripple On Friends!!!

Steve Harper
www.ripplecentral.com
512-577-3700

Find Your Unwind

It happened while watching an episode of The Brady Bunch when I was probably six or seven. Mike the adoring father had purchased a pool table for the entire family to enjoy. Although they all seemed to enjoy playing pool it was Bobby, the youngest son, who took a special liking to game and appeared to be pretty good at it. In fact so good that he seemed to handily beat everyone in the family including many adults; several of Mike's friends who were over for a party if I recall.

Click here for the Wiki listing of the original date of the episode. It's near the bottom. Yes I know...I am a geek!

That's when it happened....I wanted a pool table! I begged and begged my parents for one but realistically there was no room at our house. I remember going to bed a night dreaming of owning my own pool table and being the next Minnesota Fats. I hate to admit it but I even befriended a snarfy kid whom most couldn't stand just because I had heard his parents owned a pool table. It turned out that despite wrangling many invites to his house the kid hated pool and rarely would let us play. Like I said snarfy! My word...don't make fun of it.

In fourth grade my good friend Darren and his brother got a bumper pool table. I begged my parents for that...it was smaller and would make an excellent addition to my room I thought. They apparently thought differently and thus my months and months of begging feel on deaf and extremely annoyed ears. So instead I would get up extra early to arrive at my friend's house by 6:50AM every day (and yes I do mean every single day) so we could play for a good twenty minutes before heading to down to our elementary school. To say we were obsessed would be an understatement.

I purchased my very own pool table when I turned 24. It was the first big purchase that I allowed myself after starting my first company. Despite the table being in my garage (where during one heated game in July the temperature reached 123 degrees) initially, it quickly became a fun way to pass the time and to relieve whatever stress I might be feeling at the time.

These days it resides in the infamous "game room" surrounded my all of my collectibles and fun things (pictured above). My game room is my own private sanctuary and escape portal. where cussing, beer drinking and the occasional body sound effect is completely allowed. Whenever I have my pool cue in my hand, a cold beer on my bar and some good rock (for my more hyper days) or some smooth jazz (for my more mellow moods), life somehow magically returns to balance.

Playing pool has become my ideal way to unwind and gather my thoughts. Many of my inspirational ideals for this BLOG have come while pushing that little white ball around and (hopefully) dropping a few balls in the pockets. There is something magical about playing the game that calms me and truly makes me feel at peace. It is almost euphoric.

In our hectic lives I think it is imperative to find your unwind. Whether it be a place to chill out or a hobby that you enjoy so much that it consumes you. Having these minor distractions allows us to be sane. It helps us to recharge and reposition our perspective.

Whether it is playing pool, doing a little Playstation 2 or XBox (my other passion), or simply taking a walk and listening to the birds chirp and chutter as they settle in for the night...you need to find your unwind. It makes those times of stress and craziness all seem worth it.

Care to share what your unwind is? Join us on the Ripple Yahoo Community! It's easy, it's free and as simply as clicking here to join!

Don't have an unwind? Find one! Period...end of story.

And if you ever happen to be in the North Austin area and want to play a few games of eight ball, you know who to call!

Ripple On!!!

Steve Harper

P.S. Did you miss this weekend's RIPPLE ON NEWS AND NOTES? Well don't miss another one! Be sure to sign up to be added to our distribution list on the front page of www.ripplecentral.com

Okay....I will give you the link to this past edition of RIPPLE ON NEWS AND NOTES so you can just check out before you sign up. Geez!!! :-)

CLICK HERE