Athlete Motivational Speaker

I'm working on a new web site for my keynote speaking presentations. This is just a work-in-progress at this point until I find a web designer to build it for me.

Just a sneak peak: Athlete Motivational Speaker

Expect to see some interesting things in the future!

Sometimes getting more done means doing nothing at all

A few days ago my wife and I decided to pack up and take off to the cabin with the kids. Other than the mosquitoes, we had a great time. Time at the beach, a bonfire, quite time, movie time, and just an overall enjoyable experience. It was also great to get a break from the computer and get more fresh air!

While I sat on the beach and watched my daughter play in the lake, I begin to think about the value of not doing anything. Can doing nothing be productive? Absolutely!

Our success is extremely dependent upon: (1) Our Energy and (2) Our mental capacity.

All of the education, experience, creativity, and intelligence that you may have can only be sufficiently accessed when you are fresh, rested, and motivated.

I discovered this first when I was in university and saw that others spent hours upon hours studying (coffee in hand) and simply not taking care of their health. Myself, I would spend short periods of time studying and spend much time training for triathlons (12 workouts a week). I observed that many people were so tired and burnt out that they accomplished LESS in a longer period of time. Myself, I was taking care of myself - physically and mentally - and accomplished my studying in short power sessions that produced great results.

My point is this: taking time to take care of yourself produces great results for you. The time you invest in yourself will pay dividends in your work and your personal pursuits.

This summer is all about giving time to my family - and giving time to myself. I know that the time taken now will help me to produce massive results come September.

Enjoy the summer! Take care of yourself!

Wishing you much success,
Scott

Small Business Coaching

To officially launch in September 2010: Small Business Profit Coaching

Stay tuned to take advantage of this great opportunity to launch, build, and grow your small business. Scott Burton will personally coach clients to increase their bottom line.

Small business owners are already contracted to start in September. Contact Scott at scott@amazingcompanyevents.com for advance information.

What if you only had one day?

What if you only had one day to finish whatever you could before a 2-month vacation from your business? What would you do? How would you determine what was important enough to work on versus what you would leave until later?

For me, this is my last day of working in my office until September. My assistant will still return inquiries and provide customer service. I will still support my clients if needed over the summer if needed but, otherwise, I am spending time with my family.

Those that know me know that my mind is continually thinking and working out the next step in growing my business and helping my clients. I am always coming up with new ideas and projects and am constantly working on something. Today is a new experience for me. It's interesting to sort through all of my current projects and be brutally honest with my priorities.

No doubt, I will choose the best activities to accomplish today: the ones that make the most sense for my business and my customers.

This exercise brings to mind the concept of treating every day as if you only had one.

For work: if you had to be brutally honest and strict, what tasks would be picked and which are less important?

For personal and family life: if I only had one day to spend before leaving for a period of time, what would I do today?

I encourage everyone (including reminding myself right now) that we should be more strict with how we spend our time. Strict in a way to maximize enjoyment, satisfaction, and well-being. To maximize the balance and joy that we experience in life. To maximize our ability to reach our own desires and goals.

What would you do today?

I did it! The Hardest Fought Victories are the Most Satisfying

Earlier in the year, I announced here that I had the goal to run this year's Manitoba Marathon. Well....I can proudly announce here that I did it!

I wish I could say that I raced fast and that I felt strong. Truthfully, it was the slowest and the most agonizing (emphasis on the agony) marathon I've ever done. However, I did finish it...after almost 5 hours!

It's hard to communicate the struggle and pain that occurred in the 2nd half of the 26.2 mile run. I gritted my teeth and push well beyond the point where my body begged me to stop.

I kept going inspired by the fact that my daughter said she would be proud of me if I were to finish and earn a finisher's metal. This was the first time that I truly felt that time didn't matter and it was purely the crossing of the finish line that would signify accomplishment.

The joy of having my children waving their home-made signs saying "Go Daddy Go" and "I Love You Dad" made it all the more special.

There's something very satisfying about a victory that didn't come easily. Pushing my limits has always yielded exciting results in all areas of my life. Creating big goals have always inspired to me increase what I am can accomplish.

Now I have a target to beat next year: to beat this year's time!

To be the "best" has never been a motivating force for me. It is to improve myself, despite my beginnings or base line level of achievement, that gives me great satisfaction.

What step - or big goal - could you imagine for yourself?

My belief is this: even if you don't reach your "big goal", you will still be better off (and will have accomplished more) for trying. It's all a win for you!

Don't be afraid to dream big for yourself!

Getting worried about Fathers Day

The marathon is coming up in less than two weeks (on Fathers Day) and I admit that I am feeling a little worried. I normally don't get that nervous about much anymore but this case is different.

Why the worry? Well, I am certainly not as fit or fast as I have been in years past. I am a very competitive person (with myself) and will likely start to beat myself up for not having obtaining a personal best. It is a different goal for me to just finish and not worry about the time.

There is an added issue that my 3 hour and 40 minute run a month ago resulted in major physical burnout. I was ill with a cold at the time of the run. I haven't had a good run since. After concentrating on frequent and short runs (to recover), I'm actually starting to feel my runs getting better. This this is VERY good news! As long as I can get to the start line fresh and renewed, I "should" have little to worry about.

Now to turn things around.....and stop the worry:

Running the marathon has always been my absolute favorite way to celebrate fathers day! There are thousands of people along the course cheering you on and they give me so much energy. It's an exciting day of challenge, struggle, and accomplishment! So many emotions on one day. It really is an incredible experience.

I've put in the miles and my body will (should) make it.

Regardless of how well or poor the day goes, I know that I will be proud to have done it. Really!

Nothing incredible has ever come to me without stepping out of my comfort zone. Father's Day will be a day to test my limits once again.

Sure, I'm worried. But I wouldn't have it any other way! Bring on the day!

When it MUST get done....

Ever had a vision for yourself but you kept pushing it off? Ever wanted something for yourself but just didn't get around to making it happen?

I certainly did. I had a dream to be a performer since I was 8 years old. What did I do: I joined the corporate world.

I spent years trying to find my place in business. I did well, I found success, but I was not happy. What did I do about it? Nothing. I kept pushing off my dream.

Eventually the physical symptoms of headaches and depression set in and I knew I had to make a move. So, I quit.

The moment I said "I quit", something quite miraculous happened. All of a sudden a figurative light switch turned on and I was ready to take action. I was a perpetual machine creating plans and taking action to make my dream come true.

But why then? Why didn't I just do all this before? Because....I had to.

I had to make sure that I could support my family. I had to make sure that I did not have to go back to a lifestyle that I grew to dislike. The key is...I had to.

I know many others who dream to do what I do - using their own talents. Most never do. What keeps them back? Because they don't "have to". They pursue their dream "on the side" or "part-time". Failure becomes then a safe option. Failure is also the easiest option (the option to fall back on when things get tough). For me, failure was NOT an option.

Now, how does this all apply to you? How can you create that sense that you "have to".

Imagine a goal that has been eluding you. Realize for yourself that not attaining that goal has more to do with lack of real commitment than knowledge or ability. Understand that you already have a wealth of abilities in you to get things started.

Make a commitment to yourself. Make it public (write it down!). Give people updates on a regular basis. This creates a social "have to".

Brainstorm and write down all of the benefits that you would go without if you don't move towards your goal. What would you be missing out on? Then proceed to create a mental picture of yourself living the dream. Imagine what that would feel like! Make it real emotional and clear. This create a personal "have to".

Really put yourself in a position where you (mind, body) and your social circle (friend, colleagues) put pressure on you everyday to achieve your goal. Do everything you an to make the commitment strong. Make it so that failure is not an option.

When you find a compelling reason why you MUST, you will find a way to get it done!