iLearningGlobal.tv Bite Sized Motivation

By Jim Cathcart

The Next Generation of Motivational Training has arrived!

My First Generation: In 1974 I sold motivational messages on cassette tapes in Little Rock, Arkansas.
The tapes were recordings made by Earl Nightingale, "the dean of personal motivation". Each was about 20 minutes long and very inspiring. I sold them as a system of self-training that could be used to transform your life.
It wasn't just hype, I had done it and others were too. The "Human Potential Movement" was in full swing!

People nationwide were flocking to Motivational Rallies and buying self-improvement books by the truckloads. If you were a professional speaker then your calendar was full of bookings. I was doing about 120 speeches a year in the late 1970s. It seemed that folks just couldn't get enough of the knowledge and skill that came from these sources.
One problem was, I had to sell people on the concept of listening to tape recordings as a form of learning and then I had to sell them the tape player and batteries so they could listen to them. Most people still had 8-tracks in their cars!

My Second Generation: (The reason I say "My" is because much came before me but, for me, this was all new.)
During the 1980s everyone got on board the audio learning bandwagon. Instead of just a few gurus like Earl Nightingale, Paul J. Meyer, and W. Clement Stone, we now had dozens of new personalities bringing exciting messages. Tony Alessandra and I created a six tape audio album with Nightingale-Conant Corporation (the dominant audio publisher at the time) and so did: Denis Waitley, Zig Ziglar, Norman Vincent Peale, Tom Hopkins, Nido Qubein, Cavett Robert, Don Hutson, Ty Boyd, Ken Blanchard, Charlie "Tremendous" Jones and even Tom Peters. New personalities were emerging almost weekly: Brian Tracy, Mark Victor Hansen, Steve Brown, Robert Henry, Patricia Fripp, Danny Cox, and I could go on and on. The National Speakers Association (NSA) had become a breeding ground for people with something to say and the ability to say it powerfully. If you had a cassette album in the 80's you had a following.

My Third Generation: In the 1990s books came to the forefront. The concept of self-improvement was now mainstream. People expected to be "life-long learners." Books exploded into the marketplace bringing even more new authors and experts. What was rare in the 80s was now commonplace: Business and Self Help books were on top of the bestseller lists.
The Walkman started the decade as the consumer's preferred audio resource but the CD closed the era. Digital communication had hit its stride. I was learning to do web conferencing and refining my website while collecting email addresses instead of street addresses. We created online universities and all sorts of new digital products. Video emerged as the hottest new medium but people were still bound to their video players and later DVD players. Blockbuster and others made home movies a strong alternative to theaters as the preferred venue. The People's Network brought us The Success Channel on Dish Network.

My Fourth Generation: As the century changed so did the learning styles. Mpeg and iPods began to show up in the fitness centers and cars. People started wearing headsets everywhere. The desktop computers of the 90s were quickly replaced en masse by laptops. Portable computers made Starbucks the office of choice. Then Blackberrys and now iPhones kept us even closer to our resources. iTunes and its offspring made music omnipresent: in cell phones, nanos, laptops and more. Tivo gave us the power to control how and when we watched our favorite TV shows. Our world was transformed! And so was how we learn. Websites gave way to Blogs as the dominant delivery mode for business information. Online shopping edged out brick and mortar shops. TSTN.com brought us motivational programming through our laptops.

And now...The NEXT Generation!
What used to live in the public library now lives in your pocket. What used to be hidden in books awaiting your gaze now lives in e-books with links, photos, video clips and more through your notebook computer or cell phone. What was once happily condensed into 30 and 40 minute presentations is now coming to you in 6 minute lessons. And it is still inspiring and fresh information delivered by experts and gurus in their various fields. Podcasts have evolved into bite sized lessons that we can select. No more streaming linear programming where you have to wait for your favorite to come up in the queue. Now you get to select the expert and the topic you want and voila! it is there in your digital device with both video and audio at your command. iLearningGlobal.tv has taken the next logical step in delivering information and motivation.
This is the closest thing to having the experts waiting nearby and walking along with you while sharing their messages.
You are now the driver and you select and control the information flow.

I'm proud to be a new faculty member of iLearningGlobal.tv along with my famous friends and colleagues. Come visit us and view programs from: Tony Alessandra, Brian Tracy, Don Hutson, Scott McKain, Shep Hyken, Al Walker, Dr. Paul Green, Karyn Buxman, Patricia Fripp and many more.



Check out the programs on your preferred digital device today: http://www.ilearningglobal.tv
and, if you want to grow a business around self-development check their marketing system:
http://www.ilearningglobal.biz/jimcathcart.

Step Up and Make A Difference: Serve Others

By Jim Cathcart

"Service to Humanity is the Best Work of Life"

The last line of the Creed of the Junior Chamber of Commerce (The Jaycees). 

On September 11th Senators McCain and Obama spoke about the importance of personal public service to our country and culture. They expressed support of the idea to make military and civilian service a priority. One of the fastest ways to cultivate a sense of commitment to your community and your country is by stepping up to serve others. The satisfaction, dignity and pride that emerge from this are substantial. 

I have served as both an enlisted man and as an officer in the Army Reserve and National Guard. And I've served my communities through numerous non-profit and charitable organizations. 

As a young adult I remember feeling that I was being selfish by not getting involved in serving my community. There was no specific stimulus that I recall, just a general feeling that I had a duty to do something for others. One night at my friend, Bill Gillespie's home another friend, David Puckett, asked, "Bill, didn't you once belong to the Little Rock Jaycees?" He said yes. And David said, "They are trying to form a new chapter of the Jaycees here in Pulaski Heights. There's a meeting this week, you should go." I asked, "Can I go?" He said, with a slight pause, "Sure, I guess so." So I went. 

The meeting was in the community room of a small local bank. There were only a handful of people there but I remember vividly that when Bill Patrick and Jimmy Wallace spoke of how satisfying it was to serve your community and how you could learn leadership skills by doing so, I felt compelled to join them. I signed up that night, paid my $10 or $20 and volunteered to help bring more people to the next meeting. 

Meeting number two was in Glenn Cox's barber shop. We had a room full of people and scheduled yet another meeting until we finally had our original 20 members that were required to charter a new chapter. I recruited 13 of those 20 people. 

When it was time to elect officers someone nominated me for charter president but I declined, feeling unsuited for the challenge. We elected Larry Peters and I was named "State Director" (that's the chapter's liaison to the State Headquarters). Then the work began. 

We needed a regular meeting place, a list of projects to do to serve the community, training for all of our new members and officers, and more. Our treasurer had to open a bank account for us, someone needed to learn how to run a meeting well. Feeling overwhelmed but ready to work, I immersed myself in reading the "Officers & Directors Guide" and the other publications put out by the Jaycees national headquarters in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In fact, I read the O & D Guide from cover to cover three full times in about a month! It was filled with great ideas and systems for running projects, leading meetings, motivating volunteers and more. 

I learned the fundamentals of Parliamentary Procedure and how to establish a constitution and by-laws. And, about every third day, I was attending or leading a meeting. 

Within three months I had done so much and learned so much that I was elected District Director (at that time they called it "State Vice President" and there was one in each district). This meant that I would be the advisor from the State Headquarters to the five new chapters in my district and any others that we chartered thereafter. Soon it was seven chapters and I found that I now had a new full time job (without pay) in the evenings and weekends after my regular day job. The Jaycees became my mission and joy. I was fully involved and loving the challenge and the feeling that what I was doing mattered to the rest of the world. 

One of my chapters was my own, The Pulaski Heights Jaycees, another was in the wealthier neighborhood, The Metro-West Jaycees, then there was the Southwest Jaycees and the East End Jaycees. The East End was in an all black neighborhood and some of the charter members had been active members of the Black Panthers. To say that my job was "interesting" would be an understatement. I spent my nights after work going to people's homes and holding meetings with all kinds of new people in the cause of community service and leadership training. I was selling the mission and systems of the Jaycees virtually every night. And it worked. We grew and thrived and soon were being acknowledged statewide for our successes. 

I'll save you the longer story, but suffice it to say, that I attended and participated in or led 400 Jaycees meetings in my first two years as a member. I worked on committees, moved boxes, cleaned floors, recruited new members, sold tickets, manned registration tables at Walk-a-thons and other fund raisers. I attended training sessions and led other ones. I read manuals, listened to tapes and guest speakers, helped people serve food, painted addresses on curbs to raise money, stuffed envelopes, made phone calls and much more. My wife and baby boy were present for many of these events and pitched in wherever they could. Our life now revolved around the Junior Chamber of Commerce and community service. It was as if I had been starving and recently discovered a cache of food. I couldn't get enough. 

Naturally, my zeal was noticed by others and I was offered more opportunities to serve. As I took on new duties I began to travel around the state conducting meetings and giving presentations or training at other chapters. Soon I was the state chairman in charge of Individual Development programs (leadership training). At the end of the year I won the award as the Outstanding State Chairman. There were thousands of members in a couple of hundred chapters in our state and receiving a big award at our state convention was tantamount to The Academy Awards (to me.) 

This was a whole new experience. I had never received an award before. Hearing my name called from the main stage in front of hundreds of my peers was enough to make me dizzy and shell shocked. I had joined to serve but getting celebrated by my friends was a bonus beyond my imagination! 

Since those days I've traveled to all 50 states, all provinces of Canada except one, and circumnavigated the Earth twice in one year. I've been the local president, national president, chairman of the board, event chair, and a committee member of more groups than I care to count. I've worked with The White House to train speakers for "Just Say No!", Parents for Drug-Free Youth as a strategic planning consultant, Quest Institute, International Youth Foundation, The Boys & Girls Clubs, Community Foundations, The Heart Association and industry associations as well. 

After the shock and terror of 9-11-2001 I decided to form the "101 Leaders Alliance" to get the non-profit leaders along the Highway 101 corridor (where I live) to join hands in the encouragement and training of more service leaders across all disciplines. We held our first Leadership Summit in 2006. 

From all of this experience the one thing I can tell you for sure is, the Jaycees are right, "Service to Humanity is the Best Work of Life!" 

Please find the causes you care about and get involved. The world needs you and your talents have a place in this world. Thank you for your service. 

Please let me know if I can help you motivate others to serve. 

Success Magazine - October 2008 issue

By Jim Cathcart

Success Magazine has a long and noble history. It has been inspiring people for over 100 years. 

Recently Success experienced a revitalization under the new leadership of Darren Hardy and his wonderful publishing team. Their premier issue was released in April of this year. 

The October 2008 issue just arrived in my mailbox and it is even more impressive than the earlier ones. Dr. Mehmet Oz is featured on the cover and inside are articles by or about: 

Marcus Buckingham, Patti LaBelle, Zig Ziglar, Coach Tony Dungy, and Jim Cathcart. 

Yep, I've got a two-page article on pages 84 & 85 titled: 

"Relationship Intelligence - Value People, Boost Your Sales."

This message outlines the basic tenets of Relationship Intelligence (tm) and how you can use it to build High-Value Relationships. In the article I share my experience with my insurance agent Dave Scott and why I've stayed with him since 1983 despite moving 150 miles away from his offices. 

I'm very proud to be associated with Success Magazine and encourage you to subscribe and then devour everything they print. It is a high quality publication with a special added bonus in each issue: A combination DVD/CD with video and audio messages from people like: John Maxwell, Jim Rohn, Brian Tracy, Denis Waitley and more. 

United Nations Speech by Jim Cathcart

From: Cathcart Institute, Inc. 

The Global Speakers Network is a part of the International Federation For Professional Speakers. Their 2008 Annual Meeting was held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City on August 5, 2008 and the keynote speaker was Jim Cathcart, past president of the National Speakers Association (USA) and member of the Speaker Hall of Fame. 

The members who attended this event were the Presidents and key officers in their respective countries around the world. IFFPS president Joe Sherren addressed the 2,000 assembled members of the United States' National Speakers Association and then passed the gavel to incoming International President, W. Mitchell from the USA. 

After a tour of the UN facilities including the General Assembly, and a one hour breifing by one of the UN staff executives the group enjoyed a cocktail reception on the 4th floor deck overlooking the East River, followed by a dinner at which Jim Cathcart was the keynote speaker.

The essence of Mr. Cathcart's speech was: 

The Power, Privilege and Responsibilities of the Platform.
Some of his key points were:

• Others are watching your example and depending on your performance.
  
• Asking others to help is a sign of strength.
  
• You are only using all your strength when you reach out to others.
  
• Organizations are organisms not machines. They are living systems.
  
• The essence of the organization is the interactions among the participants.
  
• Developing yourself is essential so that you have more to give.
  
• To get others involved remember: People go where they get value and where their friends are.
  
• Find out what they consider to be valuable and how they decide who are their friends.
  
• Your decisions and actions will determine the future of your country's speakers association.
  
• What you do matters, a lot, and others are looking to you for leadership.
  

Incoming president Mitchell provided closing comments and inspiration to all attendees.
For more information on the International Federation go to: http://www.iffps.org. 

To schedule Jim Cathcart for your events contact: http://www.cathcart.com 

NSA Rocks! 2000 speakers in one room...no listeners?

By Jim Cathcart

Right now I'm at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City with about two thousand other members of the National Speakers Association. This is our annual convention for this four thousand member association and as you can see about half the members spend the time and money to attend the five day annual meeting. You really ought to see this. 

There are authors, motivators, trainers, coaches, consultants, subject experts, media personalities, speakers bureau owners, celebrities and staff members who support them. The convention agenda itself is 40 pages long! 

All of this was started in 1973 when professional speaker Cavett Robert gathered a few of his colleagues and suggested that they work together to create a larger market for speakers, a "bigger pie" he called it. Well folks, it worked. Today the market for adult education, motivation and corporate performances is in the hundreds of millions. The meetings industry comprises numerous organizations that chose to join hands with NSA as each built their piece of the industry. 

As a past national NSA president and a member of the Speaker Hall of Fame I have a dozen official events to attend or preside over during this week, all the while surrounded by my "classmates" whom I've known for years and whose names have become household words. On Tuesday, August 5th I will be speaking at the United Nations for the first time. 

I'm one two US delegates to the International Federation For Professional Speakers and will be attending their convention and board meeting before and after the NSA events. Watch this site for more news on these programs. 

And if you are in NYC on Sunday night at 8pm, I'll be performing in the Astor Ballroom, 7th floor (guitar & singing) with a number of my fellow speakers. 

Rock on! 

Jim

Freedom!

By Jim Cathcart

In the ultimate "guy movie" Braveheart, William Wallace as played by Mel Gibson uses his last breath to scream "Freedom!" This simple declaration had the profound effect of defying his captors and inspiring his followers. 

There is enormous power in both the word and the concept of Freedom. It defines the United States of America. 

"I'm proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free! And I'm proud of all the men who died to give that right to me. And I'll proudly stand up next to you and defend her here today. God knows I love this land, God Bless the USA!" 

Lee Greenwood

Every fiber of our society is infused with the quest for and protection of Freedom. You can even see it in our choices for transportation. Why do we have so many solo drivers in cars; in a word "Freedom!" What is the appeal of motorcycles? Freedom. Why so many bicycles on the road? Freedom. Why do so many people choose jogging as their primary exercise? Freedom. Golf? Freedom. iPods? Freedom. We choose the tools that give us the most options. 

Why do we want TVs with so many channels? Yep, freedom of choice. Why do guys channel surf so much? It is the genetic hunter instinct and the joy of exploration. The remote isn't just a tool for changing channels, it is a vehicle that allows you to travel to yet unknown places when you want. 

How come we form so many Professional Associations and Societies? (There are hundreds of thousands of them!) To protect our freedom within our chosen professions and to expand our markets. Why do small businesses outnumber large corporations by such an astounding numbers? Freedom. 

Why are Americans willing to put their lives on the line for other countries through the military? To protect and extend Freedom. We literally are more committed to Freedom than to protecting our own personal lives. That is HUGE!  

At the core of all of this is our belief system. We believe in a personal connection between mankind and God. He endowed us with "certain inalienable rights: Life, Liberty (Freedom), and the Pursuit of Happiness." In other words, we have the power to choose. We, the people, are sovereign. We don't post huge photos of our leaders and clerics in the public square. We don't go through intermediaries to communicate with our Creator, we go straight to the source. We know that when all is said and done, we will be standing alone in front of our Creator with no excuses and no defenses. No lawyers, no priests, no protectors except Him. And what makes this desirable rather than terrifying is that we believe in the forgiveness of sins and redemption of the individual. In America there is always hope. Without this belief system we would be a very different people. 

We treasure our Freedom and the rights inherent in being an American. And we ought to demand to be held personally accountable as well. 

But I believe this goes even deeper. It is my personal belief that we, as living beings, have a genetic purpose that goes beyond our belief system, and that is to live fully. It is the ultimate goal of all life forms. Our "job" is to be what we were designed to be and to continue to grow as long as we exist. "Go forth and multiply" isn't just a Bible passage, it is what life is all about. In the book and movie, Jurassic Park, Michael Crichton said, "life will always find a way." 

But to survive we need Freedom. And it is more important for our species to survive than for just us individuals to do so. That is why we are willing to die to advance the cause of Freedom. 

When each person has the Freedom to make choices they tend to make the best choices. Only when they are controlled by others and manipulated through rules/laws that suspend the laws of nature do they tend to go astray. 

In nature every entity is 100% accountable for what they do and don't do. If animals, plants or insects don't do their "work" then they don't eat and they die. But people try to change the rules so that not everyone is accountable. When someone gets something for nothing (an entitlement) then someone else somewhere is getting nothing for their efforts. Naturally we should protect our weak but not by removing their need to live and think on their own. That would remove their dignity and cause them to become a drain on society rather than an enhancement of it. 

Let's return our society to one of total personal accountability and responsibility. And let's protect the Freedom of every person to be able to choose good or bad, smart or dumb, easy or difficult. You can never truly "protect people from themselves" nor should you. Educate people so that each successive generation makes better choices. Then let's allow people to learn from their mistakes as well as their successes. It won't be simple, easy or comfortable but it will certainly be worth it in the long run. God Bless the USA. 

Here is an inspiring YouTube video of an Air Show including our National Anthem. 

It is four minutes long and very impressive. Enjoy! 

In the Spirit of Freedom, 

Jim Cathcart 

Linkedin Q&A is a great research tool

By Jim Cathcart

As my readers already know, I'm writing my next book "Relationship Intelligence (tm), how to create & grow High-Value Relationships." The subtitle is "It is Who Knows You that really counts!" 

Recently I posted a question to my Linkedin social network connections (I have over 400 of them at present). In order to explore some of the key aspects of this book's message I posed three separate questions to groups of 200, one group got two questions. Within 11 hours (from late one night until just after the start of business the following day) I received 120 replies! 

These weren't just token responses either, they were very thoughtful and intelligent comments. 

The questions I had posed were: 

"What is a Relationship?" (Since everyone tells us to develop them, we need to agree as to what they are.) 

"What are the criteria you use to determine which relationships to cultivate or not?" 

and "What is the most difficult part of developing new relationships for you?" 

Naturally you will see the summaries of their replies in my book and articles over the coming months but I wanted you to see the value of using our Social Networks as research tools. 

Though it is frowned upon to send broadcast marketing messages to your contacts, you are welcomed to send questions and surveys. This can be a good way to not only tap their collective intelligence, but also an indirect way to get your own message out. Give it a try and be sure that it offers value to your contacts or stimulates some useful conversation. 

I'll be exploring even more ways to tap all this wisdom in the marketplace and will keep you posted on my discoveries. Please share yours with me.  

P.S. I'm now the spokesperson for SynergyStreet.com, a network designed especially for entrepreneurs. On September 11, 2008 we will be holding the first Synergy Street Summit in Charlotte, NC. (More to come on that later.) If you are anywhere near Charlotte, please plan to spend the day with us on the 11th. I can promise you an inspiring and information filled experience with lots of extra bonuses as well.