The STU-PENDOUS BLOG!

So my birthday was a couple of weeks ago. I see these birthday celebrations as more of a time to look back and see where I have been rather then where I am going. It helps me see if I have come as far as I thought I would over the last 12 months.

I had gone out for dinner with one of my three friends for a dinner at a new restaurant call “Crave”. It was an early night as one of the couples has a new born princess that was under watchfull care of a relative. So I was dropped off fairly early. So as I stood on the wet front lawn of parents home, about to go to my childhood bedroom for an early night, I reflected.

It was strange. I was all alone standing on the same street where I played hide and seek with my friend John and Lori. It seemed like yesterday and yet was so long ago. I wasn’t happy… I was lonely. Waiting for the door to open and my children to run out and welcome me home, to see the smiles of the ones that I loved. I thought I would perhaps jump in my truck and go visit some of my friends… their all gone now. Matt in the States running a major bank, Jonathan in Stratford about to star in the upcoming production of Oklahoma and King Lear.

So I walked up to the door and knocked (still don’t have a key, not allowed) and there was my mom. With a hug and smile. We ventured down to the rec room and watched an episode of House. In bed by 11. I layed in my bed for a while, running my year through my head. Creating new goals and dreams for my next year of life. I got up, unable to sleep and journaled for an hour. I wrote down everything that I had accomplished… after a long while, I realized that I had done so much. My year was full. I didn’t complete it all but I learned a lot and grew so much.

Last night I took my mom out for dinner she was celebrating her birthday. As I watched her laughing with her grandchildren I thought to myself when I was a child I played hide and seek with my friends at the top street. When my mom was a child living in England she lived through the Blitz, the bombing of London. We all live different lives and different memories and measurments. I am ready for this year. I am ready to create something new to reflect on next March.

Here is today’s question… read it, write it, answer it and share your thoughts here on the STUpendous BLOG!

Take a sheet in your journal and write down everything in you have accomplished, learned and experienced in the last year. Really think. Write for at least 30 minutes, don’t stop! Are you doing the things you want to? If not, refocus your energy and start today!

Today’s picture is of my mon… Happy Birthday (39th)

For more information on Stu Saunders Presentations or YLCC contact info@ylcc.com

Long time away… such a busy time. Thanks for continuing to check back and support my BLOG!

Last week I was in London and found my new favourite Starbucks. I love to spend time at Starbucks, always good music, always wonderful Barista’s (staff that serve the coffee) and never a short supply of warmth.

I had set up in the corner of the store, sat down in the big comfy chairs and began working on my laptop. About two hours later, I got up to get my third beverage when it happened.

“No charge Stu!”

“Thanks… Why?”

“The gentleman before you just had a baby. He bought a $20 gift card and told me to buy drinks until it ran out.”

I smiled, felt good and returned to my chair with a renewed sense of happiness. Sometimes it’s the little things we do. That man had just experienced such a surge of Joy. He has been given the opportunity to change the world with his new child. What a better way to start then to be the change you want to see in the world.

“Be the kindest person you can be and the world will come to you!” I have always maintained that. Congratulations to that mystery dad. I know that as a single dad, the best I can do is too be the example of the person I want my children to be.

Here is today’s question… read it, write it, answer it and post yout thoughts here in the STUpendous BLOG!

How can you pay it forward today. What can you do that would give without asking for anything?

No picture today… just picture you being the kindest person you can be!

For more information on Stu Saunders Speaking or YLCC contact info@ylcc.com

Mentos are refreshing. They make you feel fresh. When you feel like you need to get that good clean taste you grab a mint. The other great thing that you can do with Mentos is add them to Coke (or Diet Coke for a less sticky option) and they will create an eruption that really is impressive. The more mints you add the bigger the explosion. Mentos are cool!

Mentors are also cool and the more you have the more you can create a positive explosion in your life! Many people don’t know where to find a good mentor. Many of them are all around you, you just need to look a little harder and not be afraid to ask for their guidance.

I have three mentors; Robin Sharma is my life mentor. I have read many of the books from numerous authors on leadership and life, but found Robin to be most real. After I had a chance to meet him, this belief was reinforced. He walks his talk! We are now working together and he has become a friend. I chose Robin as a mentor because he truly strives to be the person that he speaks and writes about. Mike Pearse is my camp mentor. I met Mike when I was in high school, he was a student teacher and quickly became a friend. Mike is the Director of a camp in Ontario and is one of the best there is. He has a natural ability to keep a group of kids mesmorized and is never afraid to share a good idea with another camp. Phil Boyte is my speaking mentor. Phil has the most impressive style. He is always the same on and off stage. When you speak with him you feel at ease and calm. He has an ability to make his audience feel good, as if he is speaking to each person individually. A skill I would love to learn.

None of these people have “agreed” to be my official mentor but all three have been there for me, to provide guidance, advice and an example of who I want to be and become. You can have mentors that don’t even know you exist, but they live a life you admire or have a belief system that is inline with yours. I really find both Richard Branson and David Suzuki to be men who I admire and have garnered inspiration without ever speaking with them personally.

Mentors are a very powerful tool to help bring your life to the next level. Like a Mentos they provide you with a fresh outlook and these mentors when added to your life can create an explosion of positivity.

Here is today’s question… read it, write it, answer it and share your thoughts here on the STUpendous BLOG!

Do you have a mentor now? If you could chose a mentor, who would it be? What are you looking for in a mentor?

Today’s pic is of my mentor Robin, we need a new picture!

For more information about YLCC or Stu Saunders Speaking email info@ylcc.com

Spent a day stuck in Saskatoon. I was speaking in Lloydminster at a career conference. It was great… haven’t done a speech in what seems like forever. I was brought in by Husky Oil so a big thank you for that.

I had a great time and really was energized after the speech was over. The comments and conversations made me feel great! Afterwards I chatted with some of the Husky Executives and they where so pleased with the program. One said to me “This must be a dream job”. Made me think…

Are you planning for the future? Are you happy with your current position? During the presentation I mentioned to the audience that over the last 15 years I have had a few different careers. I have thought before that I had “made it”. Each time I came back to my job as a speaker, always loving it. I know that I am not done, I am still so young. The more I do the more I learn, the more I fail, the more I challenge myself to get up and start again. It’s ok to fail, it’s not ok not to try.

Here is today’s question. Read it, write it, answer it and share your thoughts here on the STUpendous BLOG!

If you could choose your perfect career, what what would it be? What would you be doing? Where will you be? How old are you? Be specific.

Today’s pic is from the career conference. Thanks so much to the whole crew!

For more information on how you can bring Stu (Middle Botton Row) email info@ylcc.com