Thinking Outside the Box is Stupid

Think Outside The Box
Think Outside The Box
Think Outside The Box

Are you tired of hearing it? Think it is overused?

I am. Actually it has become a meaningless statement for many.

Now let's think logically about this. Think outside the box is a term that tends to be associated with new initiatives, change, creativity, innovation, etc. Now imagine you are looking at a box. Now someone tells you to think outside of it. What next.........Don't think about the color blue, don't think about Superman.

The box is still there. How can you think outside of it.

You want new creative ideas....................

Throw the box in the recycle bin (hey we need to start
living green) and start with nothing. New ideas happen by completely removing all remnants of old thinking.

Where Does The Motivational Speaker Do His Social Networking?

He goes to the National Speakers Association Annual Convention!

Tomorrow I leave to go get my dose of energy; off to NYC to be with colleagues and friends; to learn, laugh and network. It's an event I attend every year and one that I would not miss.

To me this is social networking - being with people. Now I'm not knocking MySpace and Facebook and all the other sites out there which are classified as social networking, because we all have definitions of social networks; mine just happens to involve face-to-face human contact; not sitting behind a computer being someone I think I am or wished I look like. (Those of you posting pictures of yourself from 20 years ago know what I mean!)

There are so many associations, groups, organizations and clubs out there. There are tons of opportunities to get inspired, meet new people, educate yourself, or become better at your job. The internet is a great place to start searching.

I always chuckle when I meet other speakers who are not part of any professional association. I wonder how they could actually speak to associations and not be a part of one? Seems out of touch.

There's a group out there waiting for you to arrive; waiting for the value you provide. I know it. No matter what line of work you're in, there's a group of professionals waiting to meet you. Find them. Meet with them. Spend time with them. And then we can share that feeling of being re-energized!

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Getting Involved Has Its Rewards

Last night I got to sing the male part of that famous ending to the song by Meatloaf, Paradise By the Dashboard Light.

Yep, while all 8 bridesmaids and the bride sang the part "Will you love me forever" I got to sing the "Let me sleep on it" part. I was the lucky one. You see, when the DJ started asking for all the guys to line up, most of them ran off the floor; he grabbed my hand and brought me over to meet the girls.

It was a wedding, you're supposed to have fun. The bride and groom were having this videotaped. How sad would that have been if no one "played."

Throughout my life I have volunteered; whether it be a committee at work, or a leadership role on a board, or acting silly at a wedding, I always knew that getting involved had its rewards. I met people, got recognized by management as a team player, and have been given referrals and leads in my business. I believe it is important for everyone to get involved.

A few months ago I was hired to work with an Employee Activities Committee to help them generate some new ideas. I still remember the lone male's response as to why he joined the committee - to meet the people he worked with. So now you're not Mary the Nurse Manager, you're Mary the.....................

So there I was singing Let me sleep on it............................

Well the 20-somethings nearly fell over when I let it rip at this part:

I couldn't take it any longer Lord I was crazed
And when the feeling came upon me
Like a tidal wave
I started swearing to my God and on my mothers Grave
That I would love you to the end of time
I swore that I would love you to the end of time!

So now I'm praying for the end of time
To hurry up and arrive
Cause if I gotta spend another minute with you
I don't think that I can really survive Ill never break my promise or forget
my vow
But God only knows what I can do right now\
I'm praying for the end of time It's all that I can do
Praying for the end of time, so I can end my time With you!!!

Remember, I'm old according to them. They didn't know I grew up with that song. Now I'm not Rich the old man, I'm Rich the................. (cool dude???) Who knows, maybe they'll look at me differently next time they see me.

A little bit later the DJ came over, said thank you and stuffed something in my shirt pocket. It was two lottery tickets.

Hopefully I added to the memories of the bride and groom's day. Because in the end...........and always forget this................get involved to have fun and benefit others............Your reward will come later. I promise.

My reward for getting involved. I won $1

How To Inspire Creativity and Make A Great Grilled Cheese Sandwich

1. Take two slices of your favorite bread
2. Spray both sides of the bread with olive oil spray
3. Place one slice of cheese on top of one of the slices of bread
4. Next, place slices of fresh mango on that slice of cheese
5. Top the mango with another slice of cheese and the remaining slice of bread
6. Cook in a George Forman Grill, frying pan or oven

So why am I giving you a recipe?.........................

Everyone's talking creativity in the workplace; but here is the catch, creativity happens everywhere and some would say that you're either a creative person or you're not. I believe that opportunities to be creative are abundant if we look for them. Practicing and training yourself to be creative is not as difficult as one might think. Why not start in the kitchen?

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A Visit to the Ice Cream Shop

I was out riding my Trikke last night (http://www.trikke.com/) when my neighbor asked me if I wanted to go for ice cream. I said sure.

About 30 minutes later we were sitting in front of Praline's Ice Cream and he made a comment how people who work in ice cream stores are happy and fun. He then went on to tell me about a relative who took a job as a Disney character at 56 years old and is having the time of his life. Yep, a 56 year old man is walking around a theme park dressed as Goofy.

People don't realize how the environment we work in impacts our mood. When I speak to organizations about morale and teamwork I always leave them this quote:

"Create an environment that is fun and you create an environment that people want to be a part of." - Rich DiGirolamo

How's your work environment. What can you do to fun it up? From colored walls to fire poles (bat poles) between floors, more and more employers are recognizing the need to fun up the space employees spend most of their life. There's a company in Texas that even gives new employees $300 to decorate their cube space. But before you engage a task force and start designing the Excel spread sheets to study this initiative...................

Maybe the team should visit an ice cream shop to get in the mood.

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To learn more about Rich and his employee programs, visit http://www.richdigirolamo.com/

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You Can't Get There From Here!

No, I'm not talking the Poland Spring in Maine, but I am talking Omaha Nebraska from Hartford CT; well at least on Midwest Airlines.

The other day I received a schedule change email from Midwest Airlines regarding an upcoming flight. Now I have to tell I have started ignoring these messages; every single one of them has been about a one or two minute schedule change.

But for some odd reason I decided to read this one rather than trash it. These are strange times for those of us who fly; you just never know what to expect any longer.

Well..........................

It's a good thing I read this message because it would have sucked to show up to the airport and find that Midwest Airlines had packed up and went home; yep they're discontinuing service from Hartford.

You know, we're all busy, doing way too much and have too much on our plates. I know how easy it is to not read emails or listen completely to voice mails. Be careful. Be very careful. You just might find yourself in an airport or at a meeting all by your lonesome self. Or worse yet, inconveniencing a client or fellow employee.

Now, as an aside, I am pissed. Midwest gives you free warm chocolate chip cookies. So in addition to not being able to get there from here and I won't be getting any free cookies!

HIS IS BIGGER THAN MINE!

So recently I spent too much time with someone who had a story for every comment you made, a response for every point you brought up, an I-can-one-up-you for every sentence that came out of every single person's mouth.

After about an hour it became so annoying that it was clear people were choosing not to even participate in any of the conversations that were occurring. If you never thought that silence was golden, this scenario proved you wrong.

But the funniest part was when he said "I have a story about that" and someone else replied "you have a story or answer for everything" and he just didn't get it. He just continued chattering away.

Except I don't know what was funnier; the frustrated look on the person who made the dig or the cluelessness of the Know-It-All.

But it did get me thinking about my own listening skills. What about you? Are you a listener or just thinking about your own thoughts.

Be truthful.

I now declare the end of the phrase "I don't know"

How many times have you asked someone a question and the response "I don't know" is rolling off their lips before you've even taken that final pause.

I don't know.

I don't know.

I don't know.

In my Permission To Speed program I share with people that there is a one word answer to the "I don't know"; yep just about every question can now be solved and there is a one word answer to that question.

Do you know what it is?

Think hard.

Harder.

Is your brain hurting yet?

Have you ordered my book over on the right?

The answer is...............

GOOGLE!!!!!!

With all the tools that Google provides from desktop search to Internet search I am sure you can find the answer. So next time you're about to weasel out and say "I don't know", try saying Google.

You can even find out how to use toilet paper!

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Need a fun motivational keynote speaker for your next event who delivers relevant information as well? Learn more about Rich; visit http://www.richdigirolamo.com/programs.htmlor better yet, call 888.476.1664

Speak Up or Shut Up and Tow The Company Line?

Okay, this one makes no sense. A friend of mine works for a large hospital here in the Northeast. The hospital encourages open, frank, candid discussions between staff and management. You're not supposed to keep things inside, you're supposed to speak up when you feel change needs to occur, wrong has been done, a new idea needs to be implemented or you have what you believe to be a better way of doing things. Sounds like a great place to work.

My friend does all these things. She has an impeccable record and not a blemish in her file. So why is it that she is told she needs to work on her communication skills and given that as the reason she was denied a promotion. She is told she tends to be too vocal about certain things??????

WTF!!!!

People, you need to make your mind up. If your organization is really not ready for open communication maybe you should stop telling people to speak up but rather release the following policy........................... Shut Up and Tow The Company Line.

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Is it time for your employees to laugh and learn a bit? Check out Rich's How To Be A Good Employee program. It's a lesson in communication, teamwork and leadership that everyone can use.

I don't think it's the employees who need the help

"I would like to get some information on your programs. Morale seems to be at a new low here."

That was the comment she input on the contact form at my website.

I emailed her twice.
I called her twice.

She has not responded.

She says morale seems to be at an all time low. Considering the inability to respond to a call or email, when you initiate that call or email, gets me thinking..................Perhaps you are indicative of the reason why morale is so low?

Or maybe she quit?

Some things you need to know about email

• Most people do not read the whole thing
• Most people interpret your email with a negative slant (either because it loses tone and inflection; or perhaps it's due largely to the fact that you're such a negative person to begin with)
• People are not sitting by their computer waiting for your email to arrive in order to respond. And as much as you might like to believe, an answer to your message might not be a top priority for the recipient.

So with that said..................... Next time you need an answer and are the slightest bit concerned about offending someone there is this device with numbers on it; you press the numbers and at some point you might hear a voice on the other end; it might not be the actual voice of the one you're trying to reach, and they might still not get back to you, and you might still be considered a royal pain in the as.., uh I mean neck, but at least your tone and inflection will be captured.

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Leadership - Disco Style!

Last night was one of those nights I went to bed singing and smiling. Last night I saw the Queen of Disco - Donna Summer. She performed here in CT at the Mohegan Sun Casino.

Now Disco still lives and rules in my book; it always will; my MP3 player is loaded with 90% disco music. So when I heard the Queen was coming to town I was all over it.

Donna started the show telling us it was about us. She wanted us to sing. She wanted us to dance. She wanted us to have fun.

But here is something I have observed about Donna Summer and her performances all these years later..........she doesn't dance. The QUEEN OF DISCO does not dance. She shakes a bit; does a twirl every now and then; but I've never actually seen her do that hustle - all these years later. She had a trio of boy toys dancing with her and around her - but she just did her thing - belted out those old and new songs in her incredible voice.

So where am I going with this?

Every so often people question the choice of a new leader; he or she has no industry experience; they did not come up through the company. All I can say is that the Queen of Disco can't dance; but she provides a hell of a great experience and inspires people to have a good time and be a part of the experience she is creating!

I sang. I danced. I had fun.

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To learn more about Rich's Follow The Leader Was So Elementary School program, visit http://www.richdigirolamo.com/ or better yet, call 888.476.1664

That Is Not How We Do Business

So I get call...............

Could you do a humorous program on "How To Become A Good Employee" - (read an earlier post for the article); I talk with them; learn about what the potential client is looking for and prepare a proposal as a follow-up to our conversation.

Then the lines of communication go dead. No answer to phone calls or emails. No response at all; yes or no. I release the date on my calendar.

I finally get in contact with someone who gives me an answer; the need changed and a different vendor is selected.

Hey, I'm okay with that; happens all the time; but don't you think it would be appropriate to tell that to the person who took time out of their day to speak to you and prepare that proposal? That's how I do business; that's how I hope you do business.

I'm wondering who needs the How to Be A Better Employee program; staff or management?

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To learn more about Rich's How to Be A Better Employee program, visit www.richdigirolamo.com or better yet, call 888.476.1664

I Disappointed You??????

People make me laugh. I go to events all the time where people ask for my business card. We have barely had any meaningful conversation; they've spent most of the time telling me how wonderful they are, but they're asking for it - obviously to increase their database.

It is usually a short while after I start getting spam about their great product or service. I usually unsubscribe or email them asking to please be removed from their list.

On several occasions people have actually commented that they were disappointed when I asked to be removed. My response......................

"I was disappointed that you just felt it appropriate to add me."

Usually ends the conversation.

My new business card is going off to the printer this week. On it there is a place where my initials are required before you add me to any mailing list.

Hey, you gotta have some fun!

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Looking for a fun motivational keynote speaker for your next event? Learn more about Rich please visit http://www.richdigirolamo.com/ ; he's like Nasal Decongestant for Stuffy Technical Meetings

Are you really over it?

So yesterday I'm having a conversation with a woman named Lisa. She is a guest at my vacation house this weekend; a friend of a friend. Lisa was sharing a story with me - about a time when she got all "dolled up" for her husband; hair, makeup, outfit - you ladies know what I'm talking about.

She emerges from the bedroom and the comment he makes to her is "too bad she has this ugly vein on her leg." Lisa is devastated. This happened quite some time ago; they are separated now; yet remain "friendly"; she says she is over him; yet here she is telling this story to someone she met less than 12 hours earlier. I questioned if she was really over it.

So I suggested she name the vein after her husband and when she is finally ready to remove her husband she should get the vein removed too!

After dinner and before the fireworks last night Lisa was wandering the streets of Provincetown MA - shopping. We caught up after the fireworks. She had news to share with me.............

She pulls up the hemline of her dress and there it is, as plain as day, her husband's name right there on that vein - a tattoo (a temporary one). The two of us were laughing uncontrollably. The others in our group were looking at us with one of those you're embarrassing us looks.

She told me she is going home to show him the tattoo and remove it right in front of him. She says it is time to move on!


Rich DiGirolamo is a professional speaker from Wolcott, CT. To learn more about Rich please visit http://www.richdigirolamo.com/

Happy 4th of July!

It's the fourth of July here in the US; a time to celebrate independence. I have some great memories of July 4th celebrations; but the first memory that always comes to mind is not a memory but more of a brainteaser that has stuck in my head all these years later.

It went like this..............

Q: Is there a 4th of July in England?

A: Yes, and a 5th, 6th and 7th too!

Now as a kid I was thinking Independence Celebration, not calendar. I don't know why I still think about this every July 4th; and it still brings a smile and chuckle to my face.

Memories. They are what shape us. Go out and make one today.

Rich DiGirolamo is a professional speaker from Wolcott, CT. He calls himself The Big Kid and enjoys "making painful processes fun." To learn more about Rich please visit http://www.richdigirolamo.com