Friday Fun: The Amazing Skidboot

Imagine having such an incredible connection to another that you literally become the very best of friends. It can happen with people and with dogs.

Enjoy.



Ripple On!!!

Tips For Better Conversation

I read a very interesting article this morning and thought it offered some strong and compelling ideas about how to make any conversation more engaging. Check it out and let me know what you think.

How to think, faster, better on your feet

Ripple On!!!

Crayon Challenge

For those of you who know me you know I am a super huge fan of Crayons. Not because I am an awesome drawer or even a decent colorer for that matter, in fact so far from it. No I am a fan of crayons for the simple, yet amazing power, of what they offer to us as adults. Holding a brand new box of Crayons instantly takes you back to a time and a place in your life where life was simpler.

The bright rainbow of colors that are offered to you when you open a fresh box, is there anything more beautiful? The slenderness of the crayon as you hold it between your fingers. The gentle waxy aroma that fills your nose and lifts your spirits. The power of the crayon instantly draws you back to a time when you were just a kid, everyone was your friend and the world was full of possibilities. What's not to love about that?

When I do a training or present an 8 Minute Ripple I often have white paper and crayons near by and I ask my audience to do pre-engagement exercise by drawing. I usually give them a little guidance by suggesting they draw their favorite super hero or draw themselves accomplishing their biggest goal in the next five years. Almost everyone has the same reaction. "Crayons? You must be kidding!"

Nope.

When people allow themselves to get beyond their own egos and they start pulling crayons out of the box something magical happens. They change. They open their mind. They reconnect with their imagination. They start smiling. They start to remember what it was like the last time they held this little piece of possibility in their hand. They start drawing. They start having fun. They stop worrying about how it looks or what others might think; mainly because everyone else is now coloring too.

They let their guard down and become more open to the possibilities of what is about to be shared with them.

We usually end each training or Ripple with everyone sharing what they have drawn with the group. To say some real masterpieces are created would be an understatement. It becomes like show and tell for big people, but really it's the kid in each of them that really tends to shine through. People share and engage on a level that is so much more meaningful and the connections that are made are quite simply fantastic.

Want to have some fun? Take the crayon challenge. Right now school supplies are cheap! You can pick up a box of 64 Crayons at virtually any store for next to nothing. Go today and pick up some Crayons, pull out a sheet of white copy paper and let your imagine run free.

Need something to draw to get yourself started....

Draw yourself achieving your proudest accomplishment as a kid!

If you have the ability to scan it - email it to me. steve AT ripplecentral DOT com - I will post any and all on my Flickr account.

Have some fun and as always.....

Ripple On!!!

Gotta Finish To Win

I awoke early yesterday to watch the U.S. Men's Soccer Team take on the Netherlands in their second round round robin match for the Olympics. I am a huge soccer fan but was, like most American soccer fans, worried about this particular match. The chemistry laced Netherlands were a heavy favorite against our upstart boys from the states. It became obvious why, when the Dutch took a commanding lead scoring on the U.S. in just the 16th minute.

It would have been easy for our boys to roll over. After all, many a soccer match is decided by just a single goal and one scored that early has the potential to break the back of even the strongest of teams. However the USA pride powered through and they charged back in the second half with a vengeance scoring two goals to take a commanding and somewhat shocking lead. A win of this match would guarantee the U.S. team of a spot in the Olympics quarterfinals.

The Dutch team was on its heals most of the second half as the American's kept up the pressure, sensing a huge upset was in sight. The U.S. men forced the Dutch to scrap their game plan and play defensively throughout the second half. Our team played brilliant and had an almost flawless second half. Notice I said almost.

As the game extended past the 90th minute into extra time, a penalty gave the Dutch players one last gasp of breath. As the American men lined up to build a wall in front of the Dutch player who was to take the penalty kick you just sensed this was it. Block this ball and the game is over - we win!

Seconds remained and this would likely be one of the last plays of the game. They waited patiently for the referee to blow his whistle. Time seemed to stand still waiting for the kick. The announcers were talking but I could not hear them over the beating from my own chest.

The next sound was the thump of the ball wizzing by the defensive wall and into the back of the net. Just like that the Dutch had tied the game. Moments later, the game and the hopes of an American upset on this day were suddenly over.

Now its one of those great moments in sports that we all know can happen. The winning kick that brings your team back from behind. As a kid I dreamed of being in that exact position as I kicked winning goal after winning goal into the makeshift net in my front yard. The roar of the crowd, the excitement of being a nation's hero and of course being taken off the field on the shoulders of your teammates. That's what dreams are made of and perhaps those dreams were what the Americans were focused on a little too much; at least until that kick was taken.

In life and in business you have to not only put yourself in a position to win but you have to finish to win. Lest life shows how quickly it can giveth and how easily it can taketh away.

The American's live to see another day but must likely win their last gave of the round robin to advance to the quarterfinals. For many of us we don't get another game - another second chance.

What do you need to go finish in order to collect your victory?

Ripple On!!!