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Point to Ponder  "Twenty years from now you will be more
disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did
do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch
the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." Mark
TwainWhen I joined
Toastmasters in April of 1991 (21 years ago) I was picking up the
pieces from a devastating divorce that had left me battered, bruised
and, perhaps, broken. I was rebuilding and this 'silly' dream of
becoming a professional speaker re-emerged.
(Bob pictured here as the
Star Ferry arrives on the Kowloon side of Victoria Harbour. The Hong
Kong skyline is what you see in the background.)
It had long been
suppressed and dormant. As I began to dream, it came back and called
to me... follow your path, explore, dream, discover. Like this
quote from Mark Twain, I began to move out of my comfort zone into
the winner's zone.
I joined
Toastmasters of Today back in mid-April of 1991 (21
years ago) and found a group of supportive people who encouraged me,
educated me, engaged me, and helped me push past my fear into making
my dream of 'Speaking my way around the world' a
reality. Thanks seems so inadequate for where that journey has
led.
 Irene and I just returned from 5 weeks of travel
that took us to Hong Kong twice (my 35th country) and a return visit
to Australia (my 3rd, her 2nd) where we felt the sand between our
toes.We cried as her daughter
Amanda and Michael exchanged vows (April 4th) on Blue Holes beach
outside of Kalbarri, Western Australia. What an amazing backdrop for
a wedding.
I also had the
opportunity of presenting my Speaking for Success
workshop in Perth on April 14th, where 71 people invested a Saturday
afternoon to learn how to be more persuasive and powerful speakers.
What an amazing and responsive audience.
Several of those who
attended gave us an evening tour of Freo
(Freemantle to the tourists) where we were staying following the
event. We had drinks in one spot, dinner in another, coffee again on
'Cappuccino Row' and wine at another spot on the bay to finish the
evening. Thanks guys!
The D17 incoming District
Governor, Ross started a conversation as to how they could recruit
sponsors to be able to cover the costs and have me come back next
May to speak at their convention. I said, I would be open to coming
back. So we will see.
We did some sailing, took
a few cruises, lots of beach time, played tourist, saw the dolphins
again in Monkey Mia, and even flew to a small island (part of the
Abrolhos chain) 60 kms off the coast of Geraldton to spend part of a
day exploring, snorkeling, and relaxing. That was a highlight for
sure. I even got to fire the ceremonial one o'clock cannon at the
Round House in Freo. Overall, we had a great time.
 We also flew to Melbourne, Victoria to spend a
couple of days with my friend Lindsay Adams and his wonderful wife
Debby to celebrate my birthday. (pictured here)I first met them when
Lindsay was the 2009-2010 President of the Global Speakers
Federation and we got to know each other better when we both spoke
at PSA Holland. We had fun and built on that friendship.
It was wonderful to be
away and to spend time with friends and family in Australia. But, I
have to admit we were glad to come home too.
Hong Kong was
amazing and is now on our 'let's go back' list.
 This past year has had its challenges as well
as its very pleasant moments and successes. It has been an adventure
we've been pleased to share with you.Our May 2012 issue marks
the beginning of our 8th year of publication. That amazes me. Who
knew? We look forward to sharing more adventures as we grow and go
over the next year.
See you in
June.
"Travel is more than the seeing of sights;
it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of
living." Miriam Beard
(Bob pictured above
during his Speaking for Success program in Perth.)
Archives of past issues are
available on our www.ideaman.net website. Last Minute News May will be amazing.
Catching up on work and such after being away from the office for 5
weeks. This has been a great opportunity to break from the routine
and start seeing how it will be when Irene is retired and we can
take more time away, especially in the winter months. I made a
conscious effort to minimize the time I thought about business and
CAPS, other than the program in Perth and answering a few client
enquiries. It was a nice break!
I'm off to Montreal on the10th to speak
to our CAPS Chapter that evening and then taking the train over to
Ottawa on Friday as I speak for our CAPS Ottawa Chapter on the 12th
as well. Will be doing a program on product development called:
Gee, I'm giving birth to a book - hope it isn't a hard
cover, at both chapters. Will also be doing this program
for our South Western Ontario CAPS Chapter in September. Sadly it
means I miss a second month at our CAPS Edmonton
chapter.
We're going to spend some time at our
place in Egremont getting it set up for the season. Pull out all the
lawn furniture, etc and rototil so Irene can plant her garden. Have
some work for a couple of client events to fine tune and back to
writing projects to fill the gaps.
Thanks for
reading  Bob
and the D17 Toastmasters Leadership team in Perth,
WA
Bob 'Idea Man'
Hooey would be pleased to be a part of your success team
and to work with you to help make your conference, meeting, or
training event a larger success. For more information about
customized keynotes, professional and personal leadership training
and coaching, or seminars/retreats, please visit http://www.ideaman.net or call our Creative Office
at: (780) 736-0009
Ask about a customized conference,
coaching or training package to suit your specific career,
company, or organizational needs. Ask about our innovative
leadership and/or sales leaders' motivational training
programs.
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