My legs are sore.

So are my arms. And my neck. In fact most of my body is sore. I just participated in the 7th annual Colorado Aikido Summit, where I spent a full day throwing people and being thrown. It was exhausting, yet also exhilarating.

Aikido is a Japanese martial art that emphasizes energy and balance, rather than strength and power. I’ve been studying it for about five months at a school (or dojo) in central Denver and my instructor (or sensei) is great. Despite the fact that I master physical things slowly—I’m NOT a natural athlete—I’ve learned a lot in the short time I’ve been training. And I’m really enjoying it.

The Summit was an incredible opportunity to learn from five different instructors from around the world, as well as to train with dozens of people from other dojos. One of the things I noticed was that each sensei had their own distinct style. There is no one “right way” to do Aikido. What matters is whether or not what you do is effective.

In that sense, Aikido is like speaking. There are lots of different styles and approaches, both on the platform and in business models, and you have to figure out what works for YOU. (You’ll get some good ideas in both areas at our April meeting.)

Another similarity between Aikido and speaking is that there is always more to learn. No matter how good you are, you can still get better. That’s why I regularly attend chapter meetings as well as national events.

And a third commonality is that you can learn from EVERYONE. Young, old; newbie, veteran; male, female; friend, stranger. Every partner I trained with during the course of the day gave me a new insight or a valuable tip or a helpful explanation. I find that’s true of NSA and NSA/CO events as well, as long as I’m OPEN to the idea of learning. Whenever you’re talking with someone, keep your mind open to the possibility of “What can I learn from this person?” The results may surprise you.

To learn more about Aikido, visit www.denveraikikai.com. To learn more about our fantastic April meeting, just look to the right. I’ll see you there. Ask me how my legs feel.

Coop

Don Cooper
President, NSA/CO
2006-2007
Enjoy • Enrich • Endow

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NSA/CO Meeting Dates 2006-2007

Mark your calendar! All meetings run from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm.

Saturday, April 14, 2007
Friday, May 11, 2007
Saturday, June 9, 2007

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Thought for the Day:

I used to be an insecurity guard.

 

   

April Meeting
Saturday, April 14
8:30 am to 12:30 pm

Renaissance Denver Hotel
3801 Quebec Street
Denver, Colorado 80207
For an interactive map, click here.

 

Register by Tuesday, April 10 to get your early-bird discount!

Mark LeBlanc
Growing Your Business When YOU Are the Business!

Find out what you need to know and what you need to do, when it's up to YOU to make it all work. Join us for this special program with Mark LeBlanc, the incoming President of the National Speakers Association. 

Mark joined NSA in 1983, at the ripe old age of 22, and is now considered a seasoned veteran by many. He is one of the few people that NSA professionals (and even legends) turn to for business advice and counsel.

In this powerful presentation, Mark will share keen insights, crucial observations and sound strategies that will make or break your speaking career. If you thought you had it all together, and yet your calendar isn't where you want it to be, then this is your don't-miss meeting!

You’ll discover how to:

  • create a marketing plan that gets you booked
  • position yourself for higher fees
  • set up a system for staying focused on a daily basis, and
  • put more money in your pocket!

Mark will share several of his turning points, as well as some of his painful mistakes. The lessons he’s learned can shave years off your learning curve. He is one speaker you can listen to over and over again and keep learning new things all the time.

Mark runs Small Business Success, and is the author of the book, Growing Your Business! and the soon-to-be-released book, Growing Your Business When YOU Are the Business, later this year. He speaks to small business groups and professional associations of all types. He is the creator of the Achievers' Circle weekend program, which is highly regarded as the “anti-bootcamp” experience. For more information, and to see a two-minute video on Mark, go to:  www.MarkLeBlanc.com 

ALSO

Lynn Price
Vision For A Change!

In a rut? Speaking and not being heard? People listening but not responding? It may be time for you step back, think differently and take action in a way you never have before. 

In this breakthrough presentation, Lynn will share critical insights and ideas on how you can tackle the challenges that face you as a professional speaker. When you connect to who you are, what you stand for, and where you want to go in the speaking profession, your audience will respond! Make the difference you were meant to make when you take the path in the direction of your dream!

A Social Entrepreneur, as well as a speaker and author, Lynn Price is the founder of Camp To Belong and the Sibling Connection Initiative, programs that reunite siblings split up in foster care. Her numerous honors include the Points of Light President's Service Award presented to her by President Bill Clinton, the Use Your Life Award from Oprah Winfrey's Angel Network, Parenting Magazine’s Leader of the Year Award, Redbook Magazine’s Mothers and Shakers Award, Swiffer’s Amazing Woman of the Year and the Volvo for Life Award.

AND

Gary Michael 
Jangle Their Juices: The Gentle Art of Audience Involvement

Want to increase your effectiveness as a speaker? Get your audience involved! Your audience will grasp your message faster and remember it longer if they can practice what you preach. 

In this fun and informative session, you’ll learn several games you can use in your programs along with how and when to use them. You’ll also discover how to:

  • increase your audience’s energy level
  • improve your audience’s comprehension
  • maintain control at all times
  • help your audience have fun, and
  • make your message stick!

Gary has M.A.’s in English and philosophy, as well as a PhD in humanities. He’s a former radio and television announcer and the author of the business best-seller Get in Bed with Your Audience and Satisfy Them EVERY Time. And he’s climbed all but one of Colorado’s Fourteeners!

Plus networking led by Nancy Noonan!

 Don’t miss out on your early-bird discount! Register today!

Click here to register

Schedule
7:30   Registration and Networking
7:45   First Timers Meeting
8:30   Program Begins
12:30 Optional Networking Lunch

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Need Video?

Then register for our annual Video Showcase—Saturday, June 9, following the monthly chapter meeting. You’ll be able to capture 10 minutes of your best material with a professional, two-camera shoot by 81-Media in front of a live (and enthusiastic) audience. And you’ll only pay a fraction of what it would cost you to hire your own videographer.

There are only 18 slots available and they’ll go fast, so act quickly to secure your slot. For full details and to register, go to http://www.nsacolorado.org/video_showcase.html. Don’t miss out—register today!

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President’s Gala—Saturday, June 16

Save the date, save the whales and save 10% when you purchase four tires with the attached coupon. Sorry, got carried away.

The annual NSA/CO President’s Gala is going to be an absolute blast and you won’t want to miss it, so mark your calendar now. With ink. Unless you have a PDA, in which case you should use a stylus. Or a keypad. Whatever works.

More details will follow as we make them up, but we can promise you great entertainment, delicious food and PLENTY OF DANCING! Book the sitter now!

 

Don't delay, register today!


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