jeff noel – Page 1120 – Disney Customer Service Keynote Speaker

Cat’s in the Cradle?

Our son, almost nine, just told me, “Your Family is the best thing you have”.

He’s in Orlando and I’m in Lahti, Finland.

I awoke at 4AM, which is 9PM in Florida, my wife and son were watching “So You Think You Can Dance”.

Two amazing things happened at his summer camp, as the Disney World-YMCA facility celebrated their fifth anniversary with a big party:

He danced with other children in front of all the Parents, Staff and Guests.
Using a microphone, he read a poem to everyone. He also wrote it.

It was great to hear his excitement when I told him, “I’m amazed you did those two things in front of all those people”.

He said, “I’m amazed that you’re amazed”.

I could tell in his voice that he felt he had done something out of his comfort zone, and that he felt more confident for having done so.

What I didn’t tell him, was the fact that being here in Finland is making me feel that way too.

“And as I hung up the phone it occurred to me
He’d grown up just like me
My boy was just like me

And the cat’s in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin’ home son?
I don’t know when, but we’ll get together then son

You know we’ll have a good time then” — Harry Chapin

Carpe diem, jeff noel 🙂

Very Interesting Breakfast

Just had breakfast at the Sokos Hotel, here in Lahti, Finland with a fellow Team USA member.

We’ve enjoyed each other’s company the past couple days, and have quite a bit in common. We are even in the same age group. In Master’s track, that’s like a bonus.

Our conversation made me think, “Do I start every day on my knees because of obligation or guilt?”

It took a split second for the answer, “Those reasons never crossed my mind. Ever”.

The reason for doing it is simple.

It is a symbolic habit.

Symbols help provide a frame work from which we can trigger important things in our thoughts, and be better prepared to act on our thoughts.

Thinking good thoughts is not enough for me. Action is what is required.

Always has been, always will be. At least in my world. Carpe diem, jeff noel 🙂

I Must Confess

I Must Confess, please forgive me, but the last four days, I forgot to start on my knees.

In Finland since Sunday, and trying diligently to adapt to many things: Language, signage, food, customs, directions, and most challenging – the seven hour time difference.

The good news, it’s not very long after awakening that I remember, and take appropriate action to honor the commitment.

Ever find yourself making a commitment, working through some challenges, then hitting your stride so to speak – and then in just a few short days, the commitment seems like it could become a memory?

Right there with you. Let’s commit to each other that we won’t give up, even when we have a million distractions, which is about, oh, every single day.

Carpe diem, jeff noel 🙂

Practice Makes Perfect

Practice Makes Perfect.

I’m amazed at how many times I’ve told others the vision for Lane 8 and Mid Life Celebration.

The two are not mutually exclusive.

It makes me better prepared to teach Leadership as a Professional Speaker, which I’ve already been doing for ten years.

Why would I suddenly be better prepared?

Because for the first time in my life, I’m talking about something so big, I find it difficult to say it the same way twice.

It feels so lofty, so hard to articulate, maybe even impossible.

What’s been revealing, is that the more I talk about it, the more confident I get. Why?

Because I can feel the positive vibes from the listeners.

There has not been a single person who has said they thought the vision was stupid or ill-conceived.

In fact, quite the opposite.

I hope you get to practice what is important to you and that your confidence continues to grow. Carpe diem, jeff noel 🙂

What’s Big in Finland?

What’s big in Finland? Skiing. Seriously big. Like, they held the 2001 Skiing World Championships here. Other years as well, but most recently the year our son turned one.

So many new and good things coming my way. Will try to share as much as possible. Tomorrow is race day. Stay tuned at www.Lane8.org . Carpe diem, jeff noel 🙂