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26
Apr 2013
Posted by mitchamatthews
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Encouraging the next generation.

(WARNING: This may be a caffeine-induced RANT… or it may be something more.  You decide.)

Q: How do we want to encourage the next generation?

BACKGROUND:

Over the past few years… I’ve been wildly blessed to get to speak on more and more college campuses AND to be a part of the rock star event called Succeed Faster (designed for high-caliber college students and recent grads).

hard work trumps talent when...

Well… I was able to talk to one of my favorite rock stars yesterday… as she’s getting ready to graduate from college this coming weekend.  She (like many soon-to-be graduates) is standing in the tension of feeling excitement and fear.  You know the place.  Many of us have been there.  Feeling that Stockdale Paradox of believing fully in your future AND wrestling with the tough stuff of “the now.”

I’ll admit that our conversation came at the end of a very long and robust day.  I listened but I didn’t bring my best game.  I encouraged…  but I didn’t bring a lot of truth.  This morning… I felt nudged to send a follow up email.  I just wanted to throw some ideas out there to both meet her where she was at AND push her whole-heartedly into her awesome-yet-scary future.

Here’s a part of the email I sent her:

Hey ______,

It was sure great to talk with you yesterday. 

I’m both proud OF you and excited for you.

One additional thought… and it’s a bit heavy… BUT I wanted to share it.

You started out in college a small fish in a BIG pond.  Over time… and because of your commitment to “bring the awesome” and M.A.S.H… you became a BIG fish in a small pond. 

You OWNED it because you brought your best and delivered.

Now… you’re about to enter the HUGE pond of the open market. 

You may feel like a very tiny tiny fish in a HUGE freeeeegin’ pond now.  And that’s natural.  TOTALLY natural. 

But hey… keep swimming.  Keep bringing the awesome.  Stay committed to working your butt off and doing what you do best.

The world doesn’t owe you anything… but you know that. 

You have to go and make your mark in that new BIG pond.  But you can do it.  Just know it’s going to feel like a big pond for a while.

Stay committed.  Keep bringing your best.  Keep doing the stuff that no one else is willing to do to pursue their dreams.

I promise you… as you do… you’ll become the BIG fish you were created to be. 

AND you’ll find waters that are going to be an awesome fit for you!

You were made for this sista.

Dream FREEEEEGIN huge… and go after it.

Talk soon,

 

I can tell you that when I wrote this… I hadn’t intended to blog about it.

BUT… I’ve been plagued by a question ever since I hit “send.”

The question is:

Q: HOW CAN WE BEST ENCOURAGE THIS NEXT GENERATION?

Seriously.

This isn’t an easy question… but it’s an important one.

We need to be talking about this.  We need to be intentional about this.

  • We need to encourage AND bring truth.
  • We need to hug AND push.
  • We need to protect them less and we need to hold them capable more.

Their future is dependent on it.  Our future is dependent on it.

But… how do we do it?

Think about it.

In this next couple of weeks… how can you encourage a graduate?

  • How might you hug and push?
  • How might you meet them where they’re at… but not let them stay there?
  • How might you help them to dream bigger about their future AND also prepare to work their butts off in the here and now?

Think about it… but also share your ideas.

Comment and let us know what you think might be the best ways to encourage this next generation.

Thanks for being in this together,

Mitch

 

Posted in: Mitch's Blog

25
Feb 2013
Posted by mitchamatthews
1 comment

Celebrate Innovation Week –

I’m wildly honored and excited to be a part of DMACC’s renowned Celebrate Innovation Week!

Click here to find out more!

Click here to find out more!

WHAT: ciWeek

ciWeek allows people to meet, acquire knowledge, and become inspired by some extremely innovative people. ciWeek 2013 will focus on Building a Better Future (with a futuristic World’s Fair theme).

The event will bring together speakers such as Daymond John, founder of F.U.B.U. and a shark on ABC’s Shark Tank; John Gaeta, Academy Award-winning visual effects creator for movies such as The Matrix Trilogy and Speed Racer; and Jessica Matthews and Julia Silverman, inventors of the Soccket and founders of Uncharted Play.

Thanks to the support of some fantastic sponsors ciWeek is free to attend and most presentations are open to the public.

WHEN: Monday, March 4th through Thursday, March 7th

Some noted highlights:

I’ll be speaking on Monday night from 6 to 7 pm.  I’ll be speaking on Innovation’s Secret Weapon: Employee Engagement.  This session is free and open to the public.

On Tuesday night from 6 to 7 pm, Adam Carroll will be speaking the power of relationships and how they can be at the core of innovation.

On Wednesday, co-founders of Uncharted Play will be speaking from 1 to 2:20 on “Socket: From Idea to Innovation.“Idea to Innovation

On Thursday, FUBU founder and Shark Tank’s Daymond John will be speaking from 1 to 2:20 on “5 Steps to Become a Shark“

HOW MUCH:

Again… thanks to some great sponsors… this event is free to attend and it’s open to the public.  NOTE: Some presentations may have limited seating, so you’ll need to check the website for availability.

WHERE: DMACC West Des Moines Campus

All events will be held at the West Des Moines DMACC campus.  If you haven’t visited this building… you should.  It’s an innovative feat in and of itself!

SPECIFICS ON MY TALK:

ENGAGE! How Inspiring Full Employee Engagement Can Be Your Secret Weapon for Innovation

A new challenge is developing.Mitch Matthews - Speaker

Although people are choosing to stay in their jobs longer… actual employee engagement is at an all time low!  In fact, a recent Gallup Poll found that 54% of employees across the country said they were not engaged in their work.  And an additional 17% identified themselves as “knowingly disengaged.”

Do the math… that’s 71% of employees that are either not engaged or knowingly disengaged!

That’s not a challenge… that’s a PROBLEM!

With “ENGAGE!” I present a FOUR STEP PROCESS that leaders can utilize to dramatically increase their own level of engagement… as well as help their teams to do the same!  Which will also ignite innovating thinking and new solutions!

We will…

  • Uncover one key concept that undermines any new training initiative and help you to overcome it!
  • Offer specific stories and case studies that will inspire leaders but also give them specific strategies to use immediately!
  • Show how tying an employee’s bigger goals and dreams to their daily work can make a significant impact on their focus, dedication and loyalty!
  • Provide a core concept to help leaders to “control what you can control” which will make the the difference on a leader’s performance as well as help them (and their teams) to overcome the grinding stress that can cause disengagement!
  • And much much more!

These concepts, strategies and stories will help you to engage at new levels and help your teams to be more fully engaged too!

Mitch Matthews speaking to an audience

 

 

Think about it.

What could happen if your leaders and your employees were performing with a high level of contribution AND a high level of satisfaction in their work?  What could it do for innovation?  What could it do for generating new ideas and better solutions?

Let’s find out on Monday, March 4th!

I can’t wait to see you there!

Mitch Matthews

 

 

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Posted in: Ideas to help you think and dream BIGGER!, Mitch's Blog, Updates on Mitch

30
Nov 2012
Posted by mitchamatthews
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Dream BIG Achieve MORE: Something to learn from Zig Zigler!

Hey gang -

This morning on my “Dream BIG! Achieve MORE!” segment on LIFE 107.1 fm… I gave a shout out to one of my heroes… Zig Zigler.

As you may have heard… Zig… the speaker, author and legend passed away on Wednesday of this week.

He was a master storyteller, encourager, strategist and truth teller.

Yup… I loved Zig.  (I bet you did too!)

Well… today, I shared one of my favorite stories from Zig… especially for those of us who feel a little stuck… from time to time.

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It’s some simple but powerful wisdom that came as the result of a conversation he had with his wife Jean (his “red head”) as she was preparing Christmas dinner.

Check it out.

And if you’re feeling a little stuck… I’m hoping it helps.

Keep dreaming BIG and achieving more,

Mitch Matthews

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Posted in: Ideas to help you think and dream BIGGER!, Mitch's Blog

20
Nov 2012
Posted by mitchamatthews
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Something we can learn about worry… from Purple Cows

It’s Thanksgiving week… that week we all want to rest, relax and be grateful together.

But… does worry ever get in the way of that rest… relaxation or gratitude… for you?

Me too.

Well… here’s a short segment I recorded with my friends at LIFE 107.1 fm on this very topic.

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Listen in as we talk about something I learned about overcoming worry from purple cows (actually… my high school psychology teacher).

This simple little strategy may help you to enjoy your Thanksgiving holiday a bit more (and go after some of your big dreams too).

Hope it does.

Oh… and also… know that I’m grateful for YOU!  I’m REALLY glad we’re in this together.

Keep dreaming BIG and helping others to do the same,

Mitch

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Posted in: Breaking free from worry to help you think and dream BIGGER!, Ideas to help you think and dream BIGGER!, Mitch's Blog

30
Aug 2012
Posted by mitchamatthews
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BIG Dream Gathering – Des Moines – Tuesday, September 25th!

We’re bringing the BIG Dream Gathering back to Des Moines!

On Tuesday, September 25… we’ll be partnering with Grand View University to hold a BIG Dream Gathering that is open to the public!

BIG Dream Gathering and Grand View University

GATHERING SPECIFICS:

  • DATE: Tuesday, September 25th
  • TIME: Here’s the schedule
    • Registration: 6 to 6:30 pm
    • Mitch (BDG co-founder) speaks: 6:30 to 7:15 pm
    • Dreaming BIG: 7:15 to 9 pm
  • LOCATION: Grand View University’s Johnson Wellness Center
    (Click here for directions)
  • COST: Thanks to the partnership with Grand View University… the BDG is FREE to attend!

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

If you’ve attended a BDG… then you know that the BIG Dream Gathering is a fun and safe event that allows people to think about some of their big goals and dreams, write them down and post them anonymously. Then everyone is encouraged to go around the room to look at the other dreams posted and offer ideas, connections or an encouraging word!

We’ve had some amazing stories come from these events. But in the end… the BIG Dream Gathering is simply about real people helping each other with their big dreams!

So… whether you feel like you know exactly what you’d write down… or you’re not sure if you still remember what some of your big dreams even are… the BIG Dream Gathering is for you!

Come… have some fun… be inspired… dream big!

Lastly, this is a family-friendly event… so parents feel free to bring your kids. Kids… feel free to bring your parents! And hey… just as importantly… bring your friends and your favorite co-workers too!

What is it like?

Here’s a short video that gives you a taste of the BIG Dream Gathering experience…

BIG DREAM GATHERING FAQ:

Here are some links if you’re new to the BDG…

We can’t wait to see you on Tuesday, September 25th at Grand View University!

We’ll all be dreaming big together!

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Posted in: BIG dream gathering updates, Ideas to help you think and dream BIGGER!, Mitch's Blog

30
Jul 2012
Posted by mitchamatthews
5 comments

What to do when something about your big dream scares the schiznitz out of you!

A few years ago… I had a dilemma.

We lived in Montana and I wanted to learn how to rock climb. BUT… at the same time… I was freakishly afraid of heights.

I had a decision to make.

I could either simply stick to the safe trails… OR I could learn to overcome this fear and enjoy all that the untamed Rockies had to offer.

So… I figured out a first step.

I signed up for a rock climbing class.Mitch Matthews - The BIG Dream Guy

I’ll never forget standing at the foot of the rock face with Melissa (my amazing wife), a friend and the rest of our small class… as our young but seasoned mountain guide began to walk us through the basics of knot tying and rope tension.

During one of the lulls of his teaching… I slowly raised my hand.

He called on me… and I asked my question.

“So… hypothetically… if you had someone who was really afraid of heights… hypothetically… what would you do to help them get over that… I mean… hypothetically?”

He got excited, and said… “Bro… that’s easy.  I’d rope ‘em up and hang them off the side of a cliff for about 45 minutes.”

I think I maintained a pretty good poker face… but inside I was thinking… “This guy is CRAZY!  I’ve signed up with a mad man!”  But then I looked at the rest of the group… and they were all nodding in agreement.

He continued, “See bro… the human body can’t maintain high levels of fear for more than about 45 minutes.  So if I rope someone up and hang them off the side of the cliff… eventually… usually at about minute 42 of 43… their fear starts to diminish and they start to really get into it.  By the 45-minute mark… they are usually in love with the view!”

Yeah… I was thinking… “CRAZY.”

But guess what…

It worked!

That’s right.

I can’t even begin to tell you how scary it was to step off that rock for the first time… and just hang there by the seemingly thin rope hooked to the harness around my waist.

BUT at about 38 minutes… I started to fall in love.

My heart stopped racing and I started to see things in a whole new way.

I can say that I’ve never experienced a “drug-induced high,” but I’m guessing that this mountain experience smoked (please excuse the pun) that.

At about that 38 to 39 minute mark… the green of the evergreens below grew richer.  The texture of the rock face in front of me was captivating!  The clouds in the “big sky” above were more dramatic than I’d ever seen.

From under that rock shelf I was hanging from… I started to yell… “I love this!  This is amazing!”  (Yeah… I definitely sounded like on was on a “Rocky Mountain High!”)

That 45 minutes changed everything.

After that…

I’m not going to tell you that all my fear of heights were erased.  BUT I will say that I went from freakish levels of fear to a “healthy respect” for the heights that come along with being in the mountains.

Mitch Matthews

Plus… by taking this first step… incredible opportunities to see the mountains in a whole new way started to open up!  I got to climb more remote mountains.  I got to meet new friends.  I got to push myself.  And I got to see things that most people will never be able to see.

Eventually, I was even asked to help lead a climb that would take a young man to the top of a mountain to help him work through the loss of his twin brother.  It was a life changing trip for many reasons… but one I would have never taken if I hadn’t broken through that fear of heights.

It would not have happened if I hadn’t had my “hang off the cliff” moment.

So… how about you?

What is something you’re wanting to do?

And… just as importantly… what’s a fear that’s getting in the way?

Here are a couple of examples from some of my coaching allies from this past week.  (I use the word “ally” instead of “client.”)

  1. A budding entrepreneur who wants a successful and sustainable business but feels stuck. She knows exactly what she wants the business to look like… but has been afraid of some of the technology that could help her get there.   Well… this week… her “hanging off the cliff” step is just setting up a auto-responder sequence through MailChimp.com.  (That may not seem like much to some… but it’s a HUGE step for her because she’s breaking through her fear!  AND… I just got an email from her celebrating her first successful step in the process!)
  2. A budding writer who has a crazy-busy schedule. His “hanging off the cliff” step is blocking out protected time (30 minutes a day) to write.  (That may not seem like much to some… but it’s a huge step when he’s having to take some risks to make that change in his daily schedule.)
  3. A successful leader in the throws of taking his team to the next level. His “hanging off the cliff” step is to have a crucial conversation with a team member.  Going in with intentionality, being focused, not taking things personally and wanting the best for the person.  (That may not seem like much… but you leaders know how tough these conversations can be.)

Now… none of these examples involve anyone actually hanging off the side of a rock face… but they do involve risk.  And risk can be hard.  But… those who are willing to take risks from time to time… are also the people who achieve their dreams and goals.

What might it be for you… this week?

Seriously… what’s something you’d love to do?

What could your “Hang off the cliff” step be… this week?

What small but significant step could you take to break through the fear… this week… and move forward?

What if you wrote it down?

What if you took that step?

Join in the conversation and let us know.

Also… I’d love to hear from you on what some of your “hang off the cliff” moments have been.

What have been some of the experiences you’ve had that scared the schiznitz out of you… but also opened the doors to the very things you wanted to do?  Maybe they taught you something about yourself.  Maybe they helped you to test your metal.  Maybe they just allowed you to see what you were capable of.

Click on comments and share one of your own “hang off the cliff” moments.  I’d love to hear it!

Thanks gang!

Keep dreaming big and helping others to do the same,

Mitch

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Posted in: Ideas to help you think and dream BIGGER!, Mitch's Blog