What Can 9-9-09 Inspire You To Do?

Image by luc legay via Flickr

Well folks it's 9-9-09! How cool is that?

Hmmm what can we do with that? Surely there is something. Let me think, let me think!

AhHa! I've got it!

Make a list of 18 really cool people. Maybe they are friends, business acquaintances or cool and interesting people you've met online through a BLOG (hmm say like this one?) or through a social networking site such as Facebook or Twitter.

Come on you can think of 18 cool and interesting people can't you? Heck my problem is just limiting it only to 18.

So that's step one. Now for step two.

Write all of these people's names on a list. Break that list in half. This is where a little brain power is required. Look at each person individually and determine at least one interesting factoid or creative talent or skill that you know they possess and that will be your Connection Point (you know how I love those!). Now look at the other people on your list and start matching who needs to know who and well....you get the picture.

The final and most critical step is step three. Take Action TODAY!

Introduce, connect or somehow engage each of the 9 people on the first side of your list with the at least one person from the other side of the list. Use the Connection Point as your baseline for why you are connecting them and give a little heartfelt push and encouragement and sit back and let the connecting and Rippling happen from there.

Do you know that if you connected 9 people with 9 other people that your would easily improve your standing with each of those people 10 fold ---- oh wait I had a theme going here! Let's call it 9 fold instead! (Smile)

Heck what if you connected all 18 people with one another! You will have created 81 total connections from this little exercise. And you thought you weren't that powerful! You carry a big rock and have the power to create many big Ripples my friend! Wait a second...my did I sound like Tonto from the Lone Ranger there?

Anyway....you can either sit on your hands today and watch 9-9-09 go by like every other day or you can step up to the plate and use this magical number day to do something with it. It will only come along once in your lifetime so why not give it a go?

Come on people! Let's Ripple!!!

Ripple On!!!

Bob Dole Sure Knows How To Ripple

Image via Wikipedia

As I opened up my trusty Wall Street Journal this morning, I found an illuminating article by Gerald F. Seib about former presidential candidate Bob Dole. I almost missed it tucked in between the story about civilian patrols going rogue and the liquid bomber guilty verdict. The pressure of a busy morning schedule loomed so I knew I have very little time to read the paper. I so could have easily passed over the mention about Mr. Dole in my rush to skim the articles bu fortunately for me I did not.

Bob Dole has a special place in my heart. Though I will admit I knew very little about him when he announced his run for president in 1996, I did come to respect and admire the man a great deal. As he made his push for the office I did more and more research on him and found his distinguished military and political career to be inspiring and educational. I felt a particular affection towards his passionate push to memorialize the heroic actions of our World War Two veterans.

Shortly after he lost his bid to be president, I was attending a sales conference where the secret keynote speaker turned out to be none other than Mr. Dole. He had recently signed up to do a series of commercials on ED, erectile dysfunction, and the guy used that to crack some of the funniest and most illuminating jokes I have ever heard. He was engaging and funny and at times downright emotional as he spoke about his now squashed desire to be our president; somehow making it seem like his destiny would never be fulfilled.

It was during that speech that I became a big fan of Bob Dole the man. He had turned his attention away from his disappointing loss and was now focusing on bringing awareness to our country's need to have a World War Two memorial. The passion and sheer determination he demonstrated that day was inspiring and motivating to me on so many levels. Today at age 86 he is still out there demonstrating that passion and commitment by making sure each of those men and women who fought or played any role in the war know how much their service to our country still means. Talk about a Ripple!

Mr. Dole is undoubtedly creating Ripples of untold magnitude for each individual he touches. As I reflected on what this man continues to do today, the hearts he continues to touch, I wonder if perhaps this wasn't the destiny he was ultimately supposed to fulfill. If so, he's done it so very well.

I encourage you read this article and to Ripple it on to those who may be as inspired as I am.

http://budurl.com/c6nq

Ripple On!!!