Arizona FCCLA Conference

Yesterday I was given the great opportunity to attend the Arizona Family, Career and Community Leaders of America State Leadership Conference. My good friend Dakota Johns was invited to speak. I help coach Dakota with his speeches and at 17 years old, he his blowing people away with his abilities.

Dakota invited me to the conference to give his introduction and pump up the audience. It's fun being a part of his "entourage." I kind of feel like a crops between his hype man, manager, coach, friend and tech crew.

There was a lot of energy for the speakers and Dakota's parents sitting in the front row made things perfect.

Dakota is an advocate for people with disabilities. He's been diagnosed with Down Syndrome, but he doesn't let his diagnosis prevent him for pursuing his dream to be a speaker.

After Dakota spoke we got to watch Keynote Speaker Justin Boudreaux speak. The keynote was amazing. His three points in life were spot on.

Opportunities are taken not given
Connect to your dreams
Accept yourself

Great points proved by people who inspire me, just like Dakota. He follows those three steps everyday.

Enjoy some pics from the conference.

Book of the Month

My goal this year is to read 12 books. I'm off to a slow start, but will be picking up pace soon.

My recommended read this month is "Delivering Happiness." It's written by the CEO of Zappos. Tony Hsieh. The book is one of the few books I recommend that people buy and keep.

It talks about how the Zappos company created a culture and environment that people want to work in and work with. The theories in the book are very straight forward and easy to understand, but give the reader a great perspective on life and how to find happiness.

To learn more about the book, click the link below

http://www.deliveringhappiness.com/

B.A.D. to the Core

I work as part of the Motivational Speaking Duo called "The BAD BAD Apples." We believe B.A.D. is a way of life! It means if you would like to achieve or be successful you have to be B.A.D. The means you have to have Belief, Action and Determination. You also need to Build And Develop.

Our mission is simple – Encouraging others to achieve in creative ways

We are B.A.D. to the Core! Here are our core values!

-Values to establish Belief Action and Determination and to Build and Develop

1. Create an environment of growth, which is rich in communication, creativity,

knowledge and fun.

2. Life Happens. What is good for family is good for business. Family is our highest

priority.

3. Always pursue positive life experiences.

4. All decisions will be short term focused with long-term perspective.

5. Customer Service will be relational focused and not monetarily focused.

6. Business opportunities will be aligned with areas of passion and interest.

7. Enjoy life, get the full experience and celebrate the little things

Great Quote

Photo from the White Tank Mountains State Park, Arizona

Been working hard lately to live the life Kelly and I believe we were put on this earth to live. It's hard work and sometimes we need some inspiration. Inspiration can come from many different places. I get a lot of inspiration from quotes.

This quote really inspired me today.

"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what make you come alive, and do that, because what the world needs is people who come alive." Gil Baile

Blast from the Past

Almost 5 years ago, I was invited to the University of Miami Florida to help the students in an attempt to break the Guinness Book world record for Simon Says. It was freshman orientation and we had almost 2,000 people in the area for the event.

We fell 70 people short of the record.

I think it's time for me to make a second attempt at the record.

It fun to think that I've been apart of two attempts to break a Guinness Book World Record. The first two just missed, so the third time is probably the charm.

Read the link below to hear more about my attempt 5 years ago!

http://www6.miami.edu/news/everitas/2007-08/08-23-07.html