My Story

My wife often reminds me of the unsavory saying that I might fall into you-know-what, but I always seem to come up smelling like a rose.  So be it.  I ponder why it is that some people seem to have all the luck.  No doubt you've heard the saying, "The harder you work, the luckier you get."  I believe that hard work, coupled with a healthy dose of positive attitude, equals long-term success.

We may think we're down now; there may seem to be insurmountable obstacles in our road; our morale may take a dive like the recent stock market, but it (we) can always come back.  I had no idea how my life would unfold when I quit teaching high school back in 1982.  With a Master's Degree in Counseling Psychology and a B.S. in Theatre & Speech Communication, I wondered about -- and prayed over -- my direction and my destiny.

Then for 2 years, I was very fortunate to serve out my "post-graduate apprenticeship" under the tutelage of a wise and successful mentor who was an agent for Wilson Learning in Philadelphia.  He helped me learn about the training and development business; helped me hone my presentation and facilitation skills, and guided me through the process of making sales calls on prospective clients.

When I started feeling that I needed a greater understanding of the "inside scene," I took a job as Director of Training
& Development with one of my clients, Hershey Entertainment and Resort Co.  My first corporate job afforded me the terrific opportunity of realizing that I did not want to be "institutionalized."  In 1989, I thought I had died and gone to heaven when I was hired as a Seminar Leader with (the then) Franklin Quest Co.  I finally had landed a principal,
if not a starring role, in the training equivalent of Broadway.  However, after the Covey merger in the late '90s, with
more than 1,800 Time Management workshops under my belt, I found myself on the unemployment line.  A few short jobs later, I decided it was time to strike out on my own and to speak up about all I had learned and focus on what I cared about most—"Turning on lights so people can shine."

So I offer myself to you, with all my strengths and limitations; all of my accomplishments and challenges; all of my insights and opportunities that have allowed me to shine in my own little corner of the world.  No doubt you too have a light bulb or two that needs to be tightened or replaced so that you can shine your light more brilliantly on others and glow inside as well.

When my middle son was only five, watching his new baby sister in the cradle, he precociously asked me, "Daddy, what do you think Beth is going to be when she grows up?" I casually responded, "Anything she wants." He pursued it, asking, "Yes, but what is her purpose in life?"  Answering more pointedly this time, I said, "I guess her purpose, as anyone's might be, is to use her talents to help others, 'to manifest the glory of God.'" That became the title song of my Christian music album, the theme of my book of inspiring and uplifting poems, and the focus of my life's work as a speaker, seminar leader, and executive coach.  I strive to link everything I do to my higher purpose, knowing that all of my attitudes, feelings, and behaviors manifest themselves daily in my dealings with myself and others in my life.

As I travel on my own life journey, I feel charged with continuing to find new ways to use my talents, skills, and knowledge to help others shine their own light in their world.  Sometimes I fall in you-know-what, but I always seem to come up smelling like a rose.  How lucky can one get?

[ TOP ]