Toronto, 11.30am, Sunday, February 15 2009

Life is good. It’s a gorgeous, sunny day. I’ve just taken my two terrier/poodle mongrels for a walk. My wife made me a delicious brunch of cheddar-cheese omelette on freshly baked wholewheat bread washed down with a bold Starbucks blend. I’m about to attend a coaching session by an Apple Genius on how to produce a Hollywood quality iMovie. Then I’m going for a one hour swim at the Toronto Athletic Club. Then I’ll spend a couple hours reading John Steinbeck’s Winter Of Our Discontent in the company of a great South African Red. Then I’ll enjoy a dinner of cedar-wood-smoked trout with my family, followed by an award-winning German movie we rented for $3.95 at Blockbuster. It doesn’t get better than that. Whatever else is happening elsewhere in the world today, my day is as idyllic as any day of mine can be.

Together with all the people and canines who will share my day, I created it. I chose the activities, but they will make the activities real. I reached out to them, but they were ready to reciprocate. They designed their day to sync with mine. They made themselves, their facilities and their gifts available to me. Today is an extraordinary day. But so is tomorrow and the day after. Sunday may be more leisurely and relaxed, but on any given day, I will choose both my activities and my attitudes to make it a special day. All around me, there are people and facilities standing by to conspire with me to create happiness. I’m acutely aware of them. I’m grateful for them. Every one of them risked their wellbeing to give me mine. The folks at Apple took colossal risks to create their magic. The folks at the Toronto Athletic Club placed a 25 yard swimming pool on the 36^th floor of a downtown skyscraper to give me my aquatic workout. Steinbeck risked the critics and won the Nobel Prize when he created Discontent. Every step of the way, I’m enjoying a pleasure because someone had the passion and commitment to produce remarkable things. And that’s truer today than ever before.

I’m creating my own happiness but I cannot create my own happiness on my own. It takes a village, a global village of people – alive or dead, known or unknown. I want to reciprocate by helping others create their own happiness. That’s why I’m writing this – it gives me pleasure and it helps me stretch my capacity. But I want to be the reason why other people are savouring their life at a higher level as well.

As tough as things are out there, out there is a pretty amazing place and it’s getting more amazing all the time. There are an abundance of resources and opportunities present to the people who are alert to their presence. In fact, they may even more abundant in these times because less people are looking for them. The opportunities haven’t diminished, people have. So protect yourself against personal diminishment. Nourish your appetite for exploration, experimentation and innovation. Take a chance by being a source of wonder and happiness for others.

Seriously, what could you do right now to make someone happy? And by the way, I’m not offering you this possibility because I’m Mother Theresa. There’s gold in lighting other up. They’ll reward you very well for your contribution. They’ll choose you over all others. They’ll talk about you and your fame shall make you even more desirable. So go do it. And tell me what you’re doing just as I’m doing with you right now.

And remember, no matter how bad your world gets, it’s still Nirvana compared to the alternative. It’s still full of miracles, marvels, delights, delicacies, teachers, angels and adventures. They’re in front of you right now. See them. And be seen.

Toronto, Wednesday, February 4, 8.14pm

It’s been a wild week. Last Wednesday I was in Vegas speaking to 500 Limousine company owners. Then I flew to Nassau to talk to 350 Franchisees and General Managers from Harvey’s. Then, this morning, I spoke to 200 trainers and staff from the Cambridge Group of Health Clubs in Toronto.

Each session was more intense than the previous one. Each session demanded a whole new level of pre-eminence. Good enough wasn’t good enough. Even outstanding would have sucked. Nothing less than take-your-breath-away brilliance sufficed. In each case I earned a standing ovation because the audience felt my personal intensity. They breathed my level of commitment to their learning. They shared my ecstasy and gratitude at being part of such extraordinary events.

So I’m writing these words in a state of celebration and exhaustion. I’m delighted my mission was accomplished but I’m still catching my breath. I haven’t experienced this level of intensity since the Fall of 2001. It’s relentless. There is no rest or refuge from the daily barrage of disturbing data. The sky isn’t falling in and life goes on, but every day heralds a new wave of challenges and problems. I’m stretching for insights and inspiration to defy the gravity of the times. Solutions that would have cut through the clutter last September are now dead on arrival. Clients are fewer and their resources are less. There is no automatic revenue. Every dollar must be wrenched from the clenched fists of reluctant investors. It’s tough, man. And it’s getting tougher. There is no short term fix. The New Normal is The New Intensity. And the New Intensity demands that you bring your own brand of Personal Intensity to win.

The Random House Dictionary defines Intensity as: great energy, strength, concentration, vehemence, etc., as of activity, thought, or feeling. So what does that look like for you? It may be vocal and extrovert like mine. Or it may be softer, quieter and gentler. Your style doesn’t matter. Your application and focus does. Most of all, others must be moved by your power. They must recognize your superiority. They must want what you have to give them. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a limo ride or a hamburger or a workout. It must be memorable. It must be an experience that only you can provide them. It must thrill others because it makes them special – not just make them feel special. It must literally transform them in ways big or small. That’s the new bar. It’s not just what you do. It’s how you do it that ignites others will to unleash their intensity.

So the bad news is that we’re all being called to higher level of daily contribution. The good news is that we’re all being called to higher level of daily contribution. What’s it gonna take for you to ratchet up your game? How conditioned are you to keep the faith and stay the course? What’s your source of mojo and magnificence? How many amazing people have you recruited to your cause? How effectively are you marketing your contribution to others? What’s your plan for sustained preeminent performance? It’s show time, baby!

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