Segment From A Recent Presentation

Figured I would share a portion of a presentation that I recently gave to a chapter of the American Society for Professional Training and Development. In this segment I talk about one of my favorite movies Rudy how it inspired me to Ripple and connect.

Hope you enjoy it and if you feel like your company or organization could benefit from my Ripple message, I would love to hear from you!

Ripple On!!!

Here's the link in case the video player does not show up in your RSS feed:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPxQB9Gi1nI

Ripple Formula

Photo by Hypergurl

Stone. Water. Action.

You throw the stone.

The stone hits the water.

The splash that the stone creates is the direct result of the action you just took.
The Ripple Effect of the water fanning out is the sometimes unpredictable result of the action.

Simple right?

For the sake of this BLOG, my book and of course the countless speeches and trainings I give all over the country the same exact formula can be applied to your life and career.

Think of someone you want to make an impact on.

What is important to them? What might they need? What are they possibly missing?

Figure out that and you have your stone.

Now take that stone and turn it into action. Create a splash and in turn a Ripple for them.

Maybe that means opening a door to a new job or new connection for them. Maybe that means helping them gain access to information that only you can provide. Maybe it as simple as buying them a cup of coffee to let them know you are there to talk if they need someone to talk to.

The Ripples we create by taking the time to create the action for others is where the unpredictable and often incredible Ripples come back to us; often in was we could never imagine or foresee.

I met a very nice young lady a few months ago as a favor to another friend of mine. My friend knew this gal was struggling with her new business and couldn't necessarily afford an executive or personal coach but knew she needed help. She knows that I am always a sucker to help a new entrepreneur in a pinch so she made the call and I agreed to a meeting.

It turns out the woman I met with had a great business but basically needed to be pushed and prodded on a few market strategies and ultimately needed a few doors opened for her (stone). I helped her validate what she was thinking in terms of strategy and took action and opened a few doors for her (action). She was incredibly grateful for the Ripples that I started for her and made some immediate inroads she likely would not to have made on her own (Ripple). She shared my philosophy with her husband who works for a major company that just so happened to be a company I wanted to get into. He was so impressed with what I had done for his wife's confidence that he wanted to learn more about what I did and how it might be applied in the work is company does. Today we are exploring ways to bring the Ripple concept into his company (Ripples extending out and returning to me).

Not all Ripples you create for others will automatically return to you but that isn't the point. The simple fact that you are willing to take the chance and create a Ripple for someone stacks a significant portion of the odds in your favor that something good will come out of your efforts. Whether that is a Ripple that buoys your personal or professional agenda or not, the simple feeling of satisfaction of helping another human being in my opinion is the ultimate reward.

Stone. Water. Action.

Are you ready to Ripple?

Well then.....Ripple On My Friends!!!

Would You Take The Chance?

What if I were to tell you that the single most important connection you could ever make was going to appear in your life in the next few days. You know, that one connection that could change your life, your career, your level of happiness and your level of success forever. Yes...that one.

Would you be ready? Would you be willing and able to step outside your box to make sure that their appearance in your life wouldn't go unnoticed? Would you be willing to raise that head in a crowd and keep it raised? Would you be willing to smile at everyone? Would you be willing to engage everyone for fear of missing that all important one? Would you be ready?

Seems like a dramatic line of questioning but is it? I mean seriously, think about how you have acted and responded just in the past week. Have you been willing to step up to the plate and engage a random stranger in conversation just because they were there? Have you looked and I mean really looked at the people who have crossed your path just in the past week? Have you kept an ever vigilant eagle eye (homage to my dad) open for those people who are showing up in your life for some yet unknown reason?

I know it is hard. I know it takes practice. I know it takes effort. I know it means taking a chance, rolling the dice and coming up short a lot of the time. But does that mean you just give up, or worse yet, never try at all?

I can make one definite proclamation about your life and for many of you, it's without ever personally meeting you. There is a plan. You are in it. Other people have a role in it as well. Those people will pop up at the most unusual and often inconvenient times, or so it may seem at the time. But let me let you in on a little secret.....

They are there and are always there for a reason. Wouldn't you want to know why? Would you want to discover what role they were supposed to play in your plan? I know I sure would. I know I would not want to miss that opportunity for fear of it never coming back again.

Life is a gamble. You have to be willing to risk a little to gain a lot. The people you want and need to know are out there; heck they have already surrounded you these past few days. Are you going to simply let them slip in and out of your life like sand through your fingers or are you going to hold on tight and see where the ride takes you?

The most important connection you will ever want or need to make is still out there.....waiting for you to notice them. Take the chance.

Ripple On!!!

Imagine...Rippling Today

I happen to like the John Lennon. In fact the older I get the more appreciation I have for the powerful lyrics that John Lennon wrote for his solo efforts as well as those he wrote for The Beatles. I especially like the song Imagine and every time I hear it still brings a smile to my face and makes me think. I remember listening to that song over and over again on my parent's record player in our downstairs living room; so much so that my Mom would often retreat to her bedroom just to get away from my insistence on playing it.

I tried to imagine what John Lennon was asking from me way back when and still do to be perfectly honest. Call me a romantic but the concept of us all living as one really made an impression on me as a small kid. The imagery that the words painted within my heart made it clear that it was okay to want everyone to be included...everyone to be friends. And though I was a painfully shy kid I tried my best. After all the song asked me to right?

Recently I was asked by someone why I felt that Rippling was so important. The first word to leap from my tongue was imagine. Imagine a world of possibilities that your Ripple actions can make on others. Imagine the doors that could be opened by just taking a chance. Imagine the way you would feel when you know you did something out there to make a difference.

You might say I am dreamer, but I'm not the only one. Rippling works. Rippling makes a difference. Rippling is changing lives. Rippling is changing companies. Rippling is a way to bring us all together....so we can work as live as one.

I hope someday you will you join us...

Ripple On!!!

You Can Have An Effect - Sometimes You Just Need A Reminder

So yesterday I had to take my Ford Explorer back into the dealership for service. I have had a leak that despite multiple attempts to fix it hasn't been fixed. Yesterday I had had enough after seeing the rather large pool of fluid sitting on my garage floor yesterday morning. I had a very full morning and a lunch meeting but decided that I was going to go out to the dealership and raise some hell.

I was mad driving out there. It's bad enough that the dealership is somewhat of a drive for me but I have been out there so much over the past year that the service advisers no longer need to ask me for my name so they can fill out their service ticket. They are a very nice group but the simple fact was I was angry at having to see them again and it was putting me "in a mood."

My regular service adviser was not in when I arrived but the gentleman that helped me was very nice. He immediately sensed my frustration and offered to delay my day no further and offered me a rental car. My blood pressure calmed a bit and I appreciated his proactive approach to at least helping make my bad situation better in some small way. He pointed me to the waiting area and asked me to "make myself comfortable" until the rental car agent could come by and bring me my car. I remember thinking 'great, waiting around with nothing to do.'

I arrived in the waiting room to find a older man sitting in the chairs watching Dr. Phil. He wore a black baseball cap that indicated he had fought in both World War Two and Korea. He had brought old "Bessie," his Ford 250 horse hauling truck in to have the mirror replaced. Apparently his son and law couldn't handle such a powerful beast as Bessie and he sideswiped a mailbox with the mirror, breaking it.

He and I exchanged a few pleasantries and some ongoing commentary about the crazy beauty pageant ladies who were being counseled by Dr. Phil. He was a delightful man full of spark and personality and seemed to enjoy the company. He moved a few chairs closer to "visit" and I suspect to hear a little bit better.

He told me about living on a small little spec of land out yonder and how his truck had seen many a mile of this great state. Not a lick of problems with that "old Ford"; I wish I could be so lucky. We could have made polite chit chat for the rest of the time but I decided to ask about his hat.

His eyes lit up when I asked about his hat and his apparent service in our military. He sat up straighter, spoke stronger and almost seemed to take on a completely different personality altogether. He told me he had joined the Navy in 1944 because it was his only option out of the cotton fields. He spun stories of all his adventures both state side and beyond and spoke of some of the action his crew had seen but oddly didn't seem to want to talk about much of that.

He left the service in 1948 in hopes of making a better life for himself. He went to refrigeration school in Dallas and did well but soon found his job prospects somewhat limited. He rejoined the military but this time in the Army. He met his wife and was shipped off overseas to "fight the fight."

He simply transformed as he talked to me. Apparently he said he suffered from post traumatic syndrome and the "boys in his unit" thought him crazy. He claimed he wasn't crazy but just scared. The night terrors as he described them were almost unbearable and he was eventually given his walking papers and sent on back home to Texas. The sparkle seemed to trickle out of his eyes at that point; replaced by some barely noticeable tears.

"Here I've been ever since," he said almost apologetically.

I could have stayed and talked with him for hours. He was fascinating. To me it seemed like he hadn't had much of a chance to talk to anyone about what we shared in those few precious moments. It seemed really, really good for him and I was so glad that I had asked about his hat. Thinking back it could have been so easy to ignore what is obviously a powerful connection point to him and his life. What a shame that would have been!

As the rental car lady tapped me on the shoulder, I stood up and thanked him. I thanked him for his service to our country and for doing his duty and told him I was truly glad to know him. Big tears welled up in his eyes and he mumbled something barely audible. I asked him to repeat it but he looked down as if embarrassed by whatever he had said. He held my hand with a firm grip and said, "Nice talking with you fella."

It was nice talking with you too!

Think you can't make an impact on someone's day? I am glad my Ford (Fix Or Repair Daily - no joke!) had a problem and that I was led to that waiting area yesterday afternoon. Even the Ripple guy needs a wake up call and reminder every now and then.

Have a great weekend my friends.

Ripple On!!!

Inspirational Story To Get You Thinking

Fellow Author and professional colleague, Tim Sanders, tells an amazing story that will really make you think about just how important it is to create Ripples for those who cross your path in life. Whether it may be a co-worker, employee, customer or friend, you just never know what your actions might mean to another. After hearing this story, I am most certain you will appreciate just what kind of power your Ripple might hold.




Check out Tim's Book by clicking here!

Even The Bad Can Cause Good

I couldn't help be see the Ripple-esq qualities of this story that a good friend of mine shared with me recently. I hope you enjoy it as well.

Have a great weekend my fellow Ripplers!!!

STORY NUMBER ONE

Many years ago, Al Capone virtually owned Chicago. Capone wasn't famous for anything heroic. He was notorious for enmeshing the windy city in everything from boot-legged booze and prostitution to murder.

Capone had a lawyer nicknamed "Easy Eddie." He was Capone's lawyer for a good reason. Eddie was very good! In fact, Eddie's skill at legal maneuvering kept Big Al out of jail for a long time.

To show his appreciation, Capone paid him very well. Not only was the money big, but also, Eddie got special dividends. For instance, he and his family occupied a fenced-in mansion with live-in help and all of the conveniences of the day. The estate was so large that it filled an entire Chicago City block.

Eddie lived the high life of the chicago mob and gave little consideration to the atrocity that went on around him.

Eddie did have one soft spot, however. He had a son that he loved dearly.

Eddie saw to it that his young son had clothes, cars, and a good education. Nothing was withheld. Price was no object. And, despite his involvement with organized crime, Eddie even tried to teach him right from wrong. Eddie wanted his son to be a better man than he was.

Yet, with all his wealth and influence, there were two things he couldn't give his son; he couldn't pass on a good name or a good example.

One day, Easy Eddie reached a difficult decision. Easy Eddie wanted to rectify wrongs he had done. He decided he would go to the authorities and tell the truth about Al "Scarface" Capone, clean up his tarnished name, and offer his son some semblance of integrity. To do this, he would have to testify against The Mob, and he knew that the cost would be great.

So, he testified.

Within the year, Easy Eddie's life ended in a blaze of gunfire on a lonely Chicago Street. But in his eyes, he had given his son the greatest gift he had to offer, at the greatest price he could ever pay. Police removed from his pockets a rosary, a crucifix, a religious medallion, and a poem clipped from a magazine.

The poem read:

"The clock of life is wound but once,

And no man has the power to tell

Just when the hands will stop

At late or early hour.

Now is the only time you own.

Live, love, toil with a will.

Place no faith in time.

For the clock may soon be still.

STORY NUMBER TWO

World War II produced many heroes. One such man was Lieutenant Commander Butch O'Hare. He was a fighter pilot assigned to the aircraft carrier Lexington in the South Pacific.

One day his entire squadron was sent on a mission. After he was airborne, he looked at his fuel gauge and realized that someone had forgotten to top off his fuel tank. He would not have enough fuel to complete his mission and get back to his ship.

His flight leader told him to return to the carrier. Reluctantly, he dropped out of formation and headed back to the fleet. As he was returning to the mother ship he saw something that turned his blood cold: a squadron of Japanese aircraft was speeding its way toward the American fleet.

The American fighters were gone on a sortie, and the fleet was all but defenseless. He couldn't reach his squadron and bring them back in time to save the fleet. Nor could he warn the fleet of the approaching danger.

There was only one thing to do. He must somehow divert them from the fleet. Laying aside all thoughts of personal safety, he dove into the formation of Japanese planes. Wing-mounted 50 caliber's blazed as he charged in, attacking one surprised enemy plane and then another. Butch wove in and out of the now-broken formation and fired at as many planes as possible until all his ammunition was finally spent.

Undaunted, he continued the assault. He dove at the planes, trying to clip a wing or tail in hopes of damaging as many enemy planes as possible and rendering them unfit to fly. Finally, the exasperated Japanese squadron took off in another direction.

Deeply relieved, Butch O'Hare and his tattered fighter limped back to the carrier. Upon arrival, he reported in and related the event surrounding his return. The film from the gun-camera mounted on his plane told the tale. It showed the extent of Butch's daring attempt to protect his fleet.

He had, in fact, destroyed five enemy aircraft.

This took place on February 20, 1942, and for that action Butch became the Navy's first Ace of W.W.II, and the first Naval Aviator to win the Congressional Medal of Honor.

A year later Butch was killed in aerial combat at the age of 29. His home town would not allow the memory of this WW II hero to fade, and today, O'Hare Airport in Chicago is named in tribute to the courage of this great man.

So, the next time you find yourself at O'Hare International, give some thought to visiting Butch's memorial displaying his statue and his Medal of Honor. It's located between Terminals 1 and 2.

SO WHAT DO THESE TWO STORIES HAVE TO DO WITH EACH OTHER?

Butch O'Hare was "Easy Eddie's" son.

A Little Ripple Goes a Long Way

When was the last time you recognized or complimented a coworker, good friend or even a complete stranger for something, anything? You know unexpected recognition, praise and encouragement can impact a person in ways that you could never imagine. Sure it takes a little risk on your part and can maybe at first seem a little uncomfortable but that's alright. The more you do it, the more comfortable you will get at doing it.

There is a particular coffee shop that I drop by nearly every day for my daily caffeine fix. The woman behind the counter is, I think, somewhat introverted. Her shyness could, and is, easily misconstrued as her being somewhat rude or aloof about her duties. I somehow recognized this about her after she first started working there and I consciously decided to do my part to take some action to change that about her; well at least when she deals with me.

I refuse to let a day go by that I don't at least try to joke with her on some level or compliment her either on what she is wearing or note how good it is to see her. This invariably makes her smile big as Texas and I like to think, happy that I come in virtually every day. She really seems to love it when I kid her when there is a line of people standing behind me. I don't know if my efforts somehow yank her out of her introverted dungeon of fear or if my jokes are just that funny and entertaining, but I can truly see the Ripple my efforts are creating. I watch as I step aside to prep my coffee and watch her personality really come out and shine with the next few people in line. My simple act of attention I believe helps her to be better at her job and the people who used to not care for her (and it was obvious) really seem to now enjoy seeing her every day.

What does my effort cost me? Absolutely nothing! I have had the opportunity to get to know a really nice lady whom I likely never would have gotten to know had I just been a mindless customer coming in for my coffee day after day. The changes that I have seen in this woman are nothing short of amazing and I believe are, at least in part, due to taking some action to recognize, compliment or joke with her every time I see her.

People matter and whether you are serving me coffee, driving me to the airport or taking my phone call, I like to show it through my efforts, my attitude and my way of Rippling. Give it try and just see how amazing a small effort on your part can impact another person and how incredible you feel for doing it.

You just never know what kind of Ripple it might create. This morning....my little investment of daily Ripple may have just gotten me a free day old Danish. Yummy!

Ripple On!!!

Steve

Strive For Three

I recently gave a speech to a group of business executives and during the question and answer portion was asked how I might suggest someone begin adhering to a Ripple-centric philosophy for their life. I get this question quite a lot so I figured it would be worth sharing my answer in this platform.

Ripple is about creating or taking action on someone else's behalf. Doing something....anything on a a consistent every day basis. My belief is when you are consciously on the hunt to Ripple on someone else's behalf you become acutely aware of your surroundings and it makes you active participant in the game of life. Not just a transient passenger of it.

So back to the question. How does someone begin utilizing the concept in their life? I have a little mental game I play with myself called Strive For Three. It's quite simple and a whole lot of fun. Here's how you play:

Throughout your day look for three opportunities to help someone and do it. Take an action on their behalf. It can be a big action or a little action but whatever it is, it's an action. It could be as simple as holding a door open for someone and wishing them a good morning. It might be complimenting a co-worker on a job well done or how nicely they dressed on that day. It might be letting that guy who's had his blinker on trying to get into your lane of traffic cut in in front of you and giving him a big smile while you do it. It could be stopping and offering to help that person change their tire. Or it might be buying a cup of hot coffee on a cold winter morning and stopping to give it to the flag man of the road construction crew.

The cool thing is your action can be anything you want it to be!

So as you do these things throughout the day keep track. Write them down. Strive to do a minimum of three each day and record your Ripples in a little journal. Tally your score at the end of each week and see how many positive Ripples you have created out there in the world.

Before long what you will notice is Rippling is no longer a game....it's a way of life. Your good deeds will have you feeling a little like a super hero and extremely good about yourself. That alone is a fantastic reason to begin Rippling every day in every way. And those Ripples you create will come back to you in ways that are unimaginable.

Strive for three is a great way to get yourself actively Rippling. So what are you waiting for?

Ripple On!!!

Fortune Cookie Says....Customers and Friends For Life

One of my favorite sayings when I give a talk, do a corporate training or coach a client goes something like this.....

"People seldom remember what you said. People rarely remember what you did. But people will always remember how you made them feel."

I guess it was about a year ago that this little Chinese food restaurant called Hunan Ranch opened up near our house. My entire family became instant fans because the food was so good. We easily went there for lunch or dinner a few times a month. That was...until we discovered FREE DELIVERY. I am quite positive we will have to take a second mortgage out on the house to pay for all these Chinese food cravings that now seem to strike without warning and come with complete disregard for our household eating budget.

To be perfectly honest we started ordering more regularly for another reason than it was easy, we were lazy and the delivery was free. No...we ordered for the delivery guy. Perhaps the greatest delivery guy ever!

The first time the delivery guy showed up to our house with our order he struck a cord with my youngest son Josh. He showered him with atttention as my wife paid for our order. His playful way of connecting with Josh who is four mind you, was hard to ignore. He affectionately called Josh his "little buddy" and Josh swelled with pride at the sound his new nickname.

Every delivery since has only gotten better. Josh and the delivery guy have become very good friends! The delivery guy, whom I am ashamed to admit we don't know his name (yet), always inquires about where "his buddy Josh is" and it has become sort of a game for Josh to hide out and jump out to give "his" buddy a big strapping hug. The delivery guy eats it up and really seems to enjoy it too.

I am convinced we get our orders faster than anyone else and I won't swear to it but I think our portions some how get super sized! Plus he always seems to have a few extra fortune cookies for both of my boys that just so happen to come with each hug. My oldest son Zachary even has gotten into the act of hugging and high fiving the guy when he comes with our delivery. It's quite a sight to see them blast down the stars when they hear the doorbell and see who gets to give a hug first.

Each delivery is fun to watch and by and large would be enough to keep us loyal customers forever. But it was something that happened the other day that just blew me away and made me want to share this with you.

Kathy and Zach were about to go pick up Josh from daycare when there was knock on the door. Kathy answered the door and there stood our favorite delivery driver complete with a big old smile on his face. He said he hoped he wasn't disturbing her but that he just wants to stop and say hello to his favorite customers. He asked Zachary where his "other buddy" was and Zach explained Josh was still at school. Zach said he seemed a little bit sad to have missed Josh because out from behind his back came a handful of fortune cookies that he had hoped to give to them both.

He had just stopped by to give them to Josh and Zach.

No order had been placed.

No reason to make a stop other than an intentional act of kindness that was guaranteed to make two little boy's day!

An act that has since become legendary in the old Harper household.

Talk about customer service! We were already guaranteed customers but now Hunan Ranch has evangelistic customers that will hopefully bring many, many more customers to this great little restaurant. Though I must admit I suspect our days of ever eating there are over....the kids won't hear of it. They only want delivery!

Customer service over an above the call of duty and an act that I bet leaves even Confucius speechless.

So if you are running a business, working with customers or simply have a chance to impact someone's day, what kind of Fortune Cookie act might you conjure up?

Psst....here's a secret....your customers will swell with adoring pride, just like Zach and Josh do, simply because you did something unique and memorable.

Talk about a Ripple.

Ripple On!!!


Steve

The Power of You

Do you realize that you are powerful?

I am serious.

You are important!

You have a defined purpose and reason for being here.

You mean something.

Your job, your friends, your family, your church, your community are all better off because you are who you are and because you play the role of being you. Say that outloud to yourself....things are better because I am here. Empowering self statement if I ever saw one!

Understanding and appreciating that we are all here for a defined purpose is something I myself have only begun contemplating for my own life but I have to admit the process has been amazing and incredibly enlightening for me. Maybe this is something that comes with age and experience but I honestly believe that isn't it. For me it was focusing on the wrong sorts of things; waiting somehow for life to magically make things good for me. My life has always been incredible and I have been lucky to have abundance of enormous proportions much of which I have always failed to understand and appreciate. But yet it wasn't until I started looking inward and seeing me for who I really am (and destined to be) that the real blinders came flying off.

What would your life look like if you rose tomorrow, looked at yourself in the mirror and thanked God, the universe or whatever you believe in for having another day on this Earth to make your contribution; a literal thank you for having the ability to be powerful in your presence and impact on the here and now! How might your perspective be shifted? How might your priorities magically realign to focus less on the small stuff and perhaps embrace more of the bigger picture? What challenges might not look so insurmountable? What changes in the world might you decide right there that you are going ot be responsible for? What brush strokes might you use to paint the new landscape you call your life?

I write this tonight knowing that I am a valuable person and I am here right now living my life for a specific purpose. I honor that which created me by embracing this fact and trying each day to find yet another piece of the puzzle to complete the picture of what makes Steve Harper Steve Harper. I also realize that I have largely spent a huge portion of my 36 short years taking with no thought of giving back.

The landscape isn't perfect. Life is hard...especially at certain times. Things aren't always going to go my way. I am owed NOTHING! But somehow that's okay. The good and the bad is what makes me who I am. It's all of that and then some and that's what I think people somehow seem to be drawn to. The power in me is the fact that "me" is a work in progress and my comfortableness in knowing that and verablizing it is what I think at times inspires others. They find power in what powers me and that fuels me to get out of bed every day. It inspires me to continue working towards being me and to further my journey and collect more pieces of my puzzle.

I also write this tonight knowing full well that the same can be said of you too. Take the time to recognize the enormous power that you bring to the lives that you touch and those you have yet to touch. Decide to take the time to realize that you are here for a purpose and give thanks for the opportunity. If you, like me, are still trying to figure out exactly what that purpose is...that's okay. Your journey of a million miles begins with that first step. Let your power be your guide and the steps come easier I promise. I guarantee a new perspective, a new reality awaits.

And imagine what Ripples this just might bring forth for you!

Ripple On!!!

Steve

Who Do You Think You Are?

"Who do you think you are? I mean seriously, do you really think you of all people could ever possibly do anything that hasn't been done already? You want to change the world, just how can you, you alone, do that? I will believe it when I see it."

Those were the words that a fellow business colleague (and yes someone I consider a friend) said to me a few short months ago. It was in the middle of one of those conversations that went sort of like..."So when are you going to give up on this Ripple thing and go start a real company...do real work."

True, it would be easy to take those words as a put down; heck they were obviously meant to be. True, I could get mad and hold a grudge over this guy because he doesn't "drink the Kool-Aide" and jump on board the Ripple wagon. True I could simply ignore his ignorance and chalk it up to the guy being jealous on some level.

But what would that accomplish?

People...we all have someone in our life that will for whatever reason try and knock us off our path. We will always have detractors who say we can't accomplish something that we set our minds to. All of us will certainly have our share of people who don't qualify as fans.

But that's okay.

Who do you think you are? Answer that question openly and honestly. What in this world do you expect to accomplish? What will be your legacy?

You are exactly what YOU think you are. You are not what someone else thinks you are. You are not someone else's description. You are you. The quicker that you get comfortable in your own skin and recognize that nothing more important matters than knowing in your heart of hearts who you are deep down inside and living up to your fullest potential will life begin to hold real meaning and purpose for you.

To my friend and colleague, who do I think I am? I am the kid (well...hmmm not such a kid anymore) who is going to change the world with this "Ripple Thing!" That's who I know I am!

Thanks for the reminder.....


Ripple On!!!


Steve

What Will You Do At 92?

Last week on the CBS Evening News, Steve Hartman profiled Nola Ochs as part of his Friday Assignment America segment. Nola Ochs is mother, grandmother, great grandmother and as of last Saturday the oldest person to finish college. She is 92 years young.

I felt inspired by Hartman's story of Ms. Ochs. It seems that Ms. Ochs started taking correspondence courses back in 1972 after her husband died. This past year she decided to kick her studies into high gear and finish up her degree so she decided to mosey on up to Fort Hays State University grab a dorm room and finish what she started so long ago. What makes this story even cooler, is she would finish up and graduate with her granddaughter Alexandra.

To read the story and watch the video of last week's segment, click here.

What do you plan to be doing at 92?

In a time when people work to quit working, Ms. Ochs stands as a definite example that life and learning certainly doesn't end when the retirement party is thrown and your desk is taken by someone else. No, in fact I believe that very possibly that just might be when life actually begins.

How many of us fixate on retirement and the day we don't have to go to work anymore? How many of us have visions of playing with the grandkids and piddling in the yard? Though I submit those are all very worthwhile ways to spend your time I suspect that achieving more, learning more and being more might just be as rewarding....if not perhaps slightly more rewarding.

Rather than looking at being 36 and over a 1/3 of my life being over, I think it might be more appropriate to wonder what I will be learning, who I will be advising and just how inspiring my actions might be in 56 years. What about you?

Thank you Ms. Ochs for inspiring me and creating a Ripple in Austin, Texas. I hope our paths cross at some point in the future though I understand you may be busy. Ms. Ochs starts course in July to begin working towards her masters degree.

Ripple On!!!

Steve Harper

Smile & Say Good Morning - Try Not To Get Assualted

Gregg Riley, a friend of mine, sent me the following quote:

	"You can never tell what type of impact you may make on another’s life by your actions or lack of action. Sometimes just with a smile on the street to a passing stranger can make a difference we could never imagine."

-Ed Foreman
Former Congressman of both
Texas & New Mexico

Gregg mentioned this quote made him recall a story I had shared with a small business group that I spoke to a few weeks ago. I was attempting to illustrate the point that you have no idea how your Ripple could impact a complete stranger's day when I used an experience that occurred while visiting New York City in late 2004.

Those of you who know me know that no one is exempt from my attention. I have made it a habit of mine to talk to people, especially strangers, whenever the chance arises. No, I am not the annoying dude that will creep you out but I think a good morning or how ya doing can, in my own little way, still hold the possibility of positively impacting someone's day.

During one of my first mornings in Manhattan I stopped at where else? You guessed it....Starbucks! Well on this morning I had purposefully gotten into the city early so that I could navigate my surrounds having never been to New York previously. With the location of my early morning meeting sufficiently scouted, I found a Starbucks that had just opened and figured that since it was shortly after 6AM, I could get some work done on this great book I was writing at the time (you might have heard of it...it's called The Ripple Effect).

As I secured my new fangled crazy sized over priced coffee concoction, I proceed to the cream and sugar station. There stood a women in her mid-forties I would guess stirring in her cream and minding her own business. I set my coffee down and popped the lid and simply said "How ya doing this morning?" with a beaming smile.

Her reaction caught me off guard. Her head whipped up and her eyes suddenly turned to black piercing daggers and I could literally hear the lock, load and get ready to fire mechanism click to launch mode.

"What the hell do you mean by that?" she barked. Hit like I had just taken a sucker punch from Mike Tyson I started to mumble something when she grumbled again, "Five years! Five years I have been coming to this Starbucks. Every fricken morning and no one, and I mean no one has ever asked me how's it was going."

Smoke was noticeably rising from her forehead now. I know I had to momentarily look like a deer in headlights but my quick smart ass-like reflexes kicked in.

"That's a real shame. Makes grabbing your morning coffee kinda suck doesn't it?" I smiled with a veiled look of confidence. I figured now was the time she was gonna go ninja on my ass.

She cracked. This harden tough New Yorker laughed.

"So what's your deal?" she asked with a heavy dose of skepticism.

We stood there for a good five minutes and chatted. We talked about the book I was writing and my introverted nature and hence why I make it a point to say hello to at least three new strangers a day to force me out of my shell. We talked about the impact that a smile and simple hello could have one someone who is so fixated on rushing through their morning to get to a job they can't stand and what it might mean to their day. What does it hurt? The simply act of doing something like saying hello hurts no one and likely helps everyone; though undoubtedly in New York they may look at you like you just stole something.

As we parted company I said try it and see what kind of reactions you get. If nothing else you will know that you have done your part to Ripple even if others don't. Worse case it will change your state and what could be wrong with that I asked her.

The following day I again found myself at Starbucks early. I was pounding away on my laptop when I saw her enter. She bee lined it for the counter and rather than just placing her order she asked the cashier, "So how are you doing this morning?" He gave a familar look of confusion but responded politely.

I noticed that she smiled at several people who didn't bother to return the gesture. She didn't seem to care. She was different. She had a different vibe about her from the day before.

She noticed me and came right over. "Hey Texas Ripple, what's shakin?"

"Not much....still working on the book."

"I just have to tell you that this Ripple stuff works. I was suspicious of trying your approach but none-the-less did it yesterday and you know what?"

"What's that?" I asked.

"I did make a difference yesterday even if it was just in my own mind. It felt good. People I work with thought I was nuts but that's okay. I predict your book will sell well. Maybe not so much in New York but around."

We both laughed. It was without a doubt the highlight from my first trip to New York. I could kick myself that I didn't somehow have the forethought to ask her for a card or to give her one of mine. Oh well, New York is a small city and I will be back. Quit the laughing!

My question to you as you read this is how hard is it for you to say hello and smile at three random strangers each day? You don't have to engage in deep meaningful conversation to accomplish something big. In fact the smallest of efforts is often that which moves the largest of mountains. Who said that? Oh I just did. Cool eh?

If nothing else, you could at least look at this like our own personal inside joke and each time you do it chalk it up to another crazy Harper Ripple and pretend we are both basking in the glory of your efforts. Well there is no pretending on my end...I will be basking enough for us both.

Thanks Gregg for sharing the quote!

Ripple On!!!


Steve Harper

Ripple Connection Question of the Week

Hope everyone had a wonderful Easter!!!

This week's Ripple Connection Question really hits close to home. You see I have traveled to Albuquerque to be with my folks as my mom goes through some pretty major surgery tomorrow (Tuesday). Frequent readers of my BLOG know that my mom is in the later stages of Alzheimer's and she hasn't been in the best of health. Though we don't exactly know what to expect we hope she pulls through tomorrow with no complications. Though in her condition any kind of procedure is fairly involved but I have a good feeling.

Alzheimer's disease is a horrible, horrible disease that shows no mercy and it has literally robbed my folks of their golden years. Dad has been an absolute saint vowing to take care of his true love every morning, noon and night and has for the past several years. To see how he cares for her is really inspirational and I swell with pride everytime I am home.

At any rate, as I flew out here this morning I kept thinking of one of my favorite Ripple Connection Questions which seemed very appropriate given my family's personal circumstances. Needless to say I thought I would share it with you and ask that you don't leave any words left unsaid with the ones that you love or who are simply important to you. Pick up the phone, write that letter or jump on an airplane and hold that hand as you share what is in your heart. Do it before circumstances prevent your words from being heard because that is a bell for which the toll can no longer be unrung.

So with no further adieu.....

What are you failing to say to
those who most need to hear it?

I may be offline for a day or two but promise to be back online with some more good Ripple stuff as soon as I am able. Until then, embrace this day, use the Ripple Connection Question and go make some Ripples in someone else's life by extension your own.


Ripple On!!!

Steve Harper


P.S. In case you missed this past weekend's Ripple On News and Notes newsletter and want to see what you missed, drop me an email and I will forward a copy to you (please be patient as it may take me a bit to send it to you because Internet connection in good old New Mexico is hard to come by!). If you have interest in signing up for future editions, please sign up by going to my website and signing up on the front page! Click here!!!

Ripple Connection Question of the Week

It's baaaaaccckkkkk......

I know, I know I have been a bad boy and haven't been giving my loyal readers their Ripple Connection Questions on a regular basis. What can I say but I am sorry. I have had a lot to say as of late and didn't want to interrupt the flow so I temporarily postponed doling out the Ripple Connection Questions temporarily. But don't despair Monfrair....here is your Connection Question for this week.

What Made You Most Proud This Past Week?

This question is a good one if you really want to find out something about someone. You will find that people almost invariably want to brag on something! I ask this question a lot and find that people get this cat stole the bird look on their face and end up blurting out something that really made them proud. It's infectious to see it as it happens and the insight you gain into the person as to what really makes their heart and mind go a flutter is truly amazing.

So....since I have had several of you ping me to say "Why Steve you never answer your own questions!" let me give you my answer.

This past Saturday my son Zachary made the leap from super successful soccer player (the sport which is a true passion of mine) to football player (which is another passion of mine). He started in his first ever flag football game. My little guy, who as of late, has been sensitive to his size thanks to the cruelty of some bigger bone-heads at school transformed into an 8 year old version of Brian Urlacher. My kid, yes my kid, was responsible for 4 individual tackles (flag pulls --- he's only 8 after all), 2 tipped passes and 1 HUGE INTERCEPTION in the end zone that absolutely turned the tide of the game (well maybe not, he is 8 after all, but let a dad have his moment okay?).

My son for just a short period of time forgot about his size, forgot about any of his self-doubt and played like a champion. You would have had to get a crow bar to remove the smile from my face for the rest of the day. Seeing him prove to himself he could play and play with such fierce passion and excitement was absolutely the thing that made me the most proud this past week.

Ripple On or Z-man the Terminator might be lurking and looking for another tackle! :-)


Steve

P.S. Stay tuned for an exciting annoucement about a Ripple Coaching Program you won't want to miss!!!

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

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

Create The Life You Want By Rippling - Critical Question

My good Canadian friend Donna Karlin, internationally acclaimed Shadow Coach, challenges me with a question each and every time I talk with her. I think that question is a perfect way to finish up this series.

What Would Your Life Look Life If....?

When you look back through the lessons on Creating the Life You Want By Rippling, ask yourself what would you life look like if you took the time to implement and engage each of the outlined lessons for your life?

Donna's question always helps me overcome whatever fear, anxiety or trepidation that I might be experiencing. It allows me to gain a better perspective of what is possible if each and every obstacle, self-doubt and perhaps negative barrier were removed.

What would my life look like if I wasn't worried about how people perceived and valued my message?

Would I have more confidence to make more phone calls to companies who need me? Of course.

Would I focus more attention on having organizations bring me in as their speaker? Certainly!

Would I be willing to eliminate anything that stood in my way from bringing the Ripple to the masses? No doubt.

The question gives me perspective and the hint of what is truly possible. A glimmer of hope and a true understanding of what I can have if I am just willing to put in the time, the effort and dedicate my heart.

I would be remiss if I didn't quickly thank you Donna for always challenging me and for making me examine that which is possible! It is my sincere desire that this question helps many of my readers to achieve more with their own lives.

So as I conclude this series I ask you to go back and look at each of the outlined lessons and ask yourself what would your life would look like if.....

Answer the questions and take that step towards living the life you really want and deserve.

Next week I am doing a couple of book signings and speaking as part of a panel discussion at the SXSW Conference with Carlon Haas and Jen Blackert. I am certain that the conference and the variety of interesting and talented people I will meet will leave me with much to report!

If you are in Austin and able to attend....click here to learn more about our session.

To check out the Press Release click here.

Good luck and good Rippling!

Ripple On!!!

Steve Harper

Create The Life You Want By Rippling - Lesson Ten

I have a new venture that is without a doubt accelerating because I have been following lesson ten to a tee. Lesson ten asks that you....

Openly Share What You Want/Need

It seems obvious, almost too simple but yet how many of us fail to do it? How many of the people you know right now know what you want or need? Bottom line you should be proactively sharing with everyone what you want to achieve, what you want to gain and more importantly what you need help with.

Whether your goals, aspirations or simply connections are personal or professional don't be shy to share them. You never know who might be willing and able to help you.

Recently I found myself immersed in a meeting with two top executives that I would have never in a million years be able to meet alone, much less with both of them in one room as a captivated audience. How did it happen? You guessed it....I told an associate my desire to make an inroad with two specific firms. Unbeknownst to me he had connections! A few short weeks after expressing my desires there I was presenting my new concept to two receptive and forward thinking executives and making things happen.

Talk about Ripples!

We can not accomplish much in life without that aide of those we count on. Nothing happens in a vacuum. Sharing your goals, dreams and aspirations can only further serve to let people know where stand and ultimately where you hope to go. I believe if follow lesson ten that you will be surprised at the Ripples that are created for your life simply by those who desire to play a role in helping.

Until next time.....

Ripple On!!!

Steve