A self proclaimed “Self Help Junkie,” I have read just about every “self help” book under the sun.  You know, the classics….Think and Grow Rich, PsychoCybernetics, The Road Less Traveled, The Power of Positive Thinking and don’t get me started with “self help crack” Chicken Soup for the Soul series of books.  Yes, I think I have read them all and I am looking for a new drug, I mean type of book.

I thought you might be burnt out as well on the “self help” craze and looking for a new direction.  I have a new  book category for you “Thought Provoking.”  I have tired of the idea that someone might have an answer for me.  Do I really want to limit myself with the constraints of someone else’s concept of “self help.”

Thought provoking takes self help in a different direction.  Instead of telling me what to do it provokes me to reflect on an idea or a concept and create something new.  You can even take this a step further and not only seek to be provoked but become the provoker.

In todays information age there are plenty of answers available but are there enough people with the courage to provoke new thinking?

Thought provoking material on my nightstand:

• Shambhala: The Sacred Path of the Warrior

• This Will Change Everything: Ideas That Will Shape the Future

• Linchpin: Are You Indispensable?

Blogging is an interesting recipe.  One part inspiration, one part obligation, one part guilt and a whole lot more work than you could ever imagine.

The thing I like most about blogging is following an inspiration.  The part I hate is following inspiration and not being able to fully cook my inspiration.  The results of my half baked inspirations lay dormant in my Wordpress and Google Docs as drafts or unfinished inspirations.

Over the weekend I was inspired to share these half baked ideas as cliff notes if you will, a title and a 2-3 sentence explanations of what the blog post was supposed to be about.  I hope you enjoy these.

I am going to call it Inspirational Spring Cleaning.

Last Will and Testament

Blog posts are the new cave drawings.  Blog about your ideas, your wishes for the world and someday you just might get quoted.

The Aladdin Factor

One of my favorite books of all time, ask for what you want and people often will give it to you.  So easy, so simple.  My request, read my blog, make comments on my blog, share it with friends.

Get Out of Your Element

This one of my favorites, that comfy life you have been living might just be holding you back from new ideas and new opportunities.  Carpe Diem my friends, stand on your desk and smell the sunflowers.

The Things I Learned Last Week

This was going to be a recurring blog post, something simple like everything I needed I learned in Kindergarten kind of cheesy.  I believe you can drastically improve the quality of your life by taking a few minutes weekly to reflect on your lessons learned.

Follow the Energy

It has been said the only thing more contagious than enthusiasm is lack of enthusiasm.  I recommend you find someone who inspires you and ride their coat tails.

Just Show Up

This is the little brother of the Aladdin Factor.  In all of my years… my desk and couch are the least lucky places.  Opportunity is directly proportional to the amount of time you place yourself engaging people.

Cash for Clunkers

I think this is a fun concept.  Wouldn’t be great if we could trade in negative co-workers, bad habits and other undesirables for cash.  What would you trade in for cash?

Door Prize

I don’t know where I was headed with this one, but if you are still reading and make a comment on my blog I will send you a book from my extensive business and self help library.  In fact tell me what book you want (ala Aladdin Factor) and If I have it is yours.  Otherwise I will recommend the closest book I have to your topic.  Limit 20 people.  A guess that sounds like a Door Prize.

John Denver and 4 Non Blondes

This was my tribute post about how John Denver’s “Rocky Mountain High” and 4 Non Blondes’ “What’s Up” still impact my life.  Both songs reference a certain age 27 and 25 respectively.  The also reference a great big hill, for whatever that means.  But you realize quickly as I knew you would this is a half baked idea and I am still trying to get up that great big hill of hope.  The truth John and 4 Non were reflecting on life just like I am today 38 years old with a new baby in my life and I must say my perspective has changed.

The Power of Being Real

I might have actually touched on this topic in one of my blog posts.  The act of me sharing these “blog post rejects” is an example of being real.  Who gives an “F” what everyone else thinks.  How many years are you going to live someone else’s life.

The Mirror of Life

Your life is a direct reflection of the thoughts and feelings you have on the inside.  Think of it like a report or an account of your innermost desires and beliefs.  Have you taken the time to look in the mirror or do you prefer to live in the dark?

Blind Faith Strategy

A asteroid or a nuke could end it all today, so aren’t we pretty much always living with Blind Faith.  Life is short so why all of the calculated risks?

100 Ridiculous Things to Do in a Lifetime

This would probably be better titled.  100 stupid things I did in college.  FYI this list does not include urinating off the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge just after the start of the New York City Marathon in 1997 but finishing the marathon might qualify if you get my drift.

Tell me about something ridiculous you would like to do in this lifetime.

The Truth about Starting from Scratch

Unless you are headed back to your momma’s womb there is no such thing.  Quit your pity party and take an account of what positive resources you have in your life.  If you’re breathing that is number 1 on your list.

The Quest for Imperfection

Live and learn, live and let die, if you can’t be with the one you love, love the one your with.  Perfection is the booby prize in life.

Does Your Monkey Have a Name

We all have something that is holding us back in life.  Maybe if you name it you might be able to deal with it.  That way you can tell that Monkey to get off your back.

Blogs and Babies Need Lots of Love and Attention

Note:  Babies need more attention, I am short sighted to mention them in the same sentence

We is More Selfish than I, Let me Tell you Why

Don’t know where I was headed with this one but sounds like an interesting blog post.

Limit, Restrict and Condense

Twitter is so popular because we are all immersed and inundated with too much information.  WE are now in what I call “The Over Information Age.”  Your greatest opportunity for success is providing products or information in condensed format as we enter this age.

Make a Big Splash, Go For the High Dive

Physics – More speed, mass and velocity equal more displaced water.  Why are you limiting yourself to the 3′ board when you can go for the “High Dive”

Risk

Take One!

Who are You, Am I Talking to a Wall

This must be my bloggers Pity Party Post, nobody reads my blog, I must be a bad blogger.  Sorry for those who do read, you are not nobody.  Even inspirational bloggers have bad days.

Track Your Life, Innocent Moments of Big Impact

Like the day you met your best friend, the day you met your wife.  I like to contemplate if certain life acquaintances or circumstances disappeared how different my life might be.

I still think the day I was going to look at an apartment and the landlord did not show up and I found another apartment down the street and eventually my “wife to be” moved in across the street and kind of changed my life.  I know that sentence has a lot of “ands” and yes that is how you know something was a big impact in your life because “and something else” happened.

Go First and Change the World

The world has enough followers, Earth needs more leaders!

The Great Pumpkin Post

I love pumpkins and I love pumpkin pie.  I also love the “Peanuts” Halloween special “The Great Pumpkin.”  I think a lot of people have excuses about their life that are more in line with being “Great Pumpkins” than being real.  Is there any excuses you need to let go of to start living your “Great Life!”

I feel much better now, I hope you do too.

I can now move on to some fresh topics and new inspirations.  Thanks for reading!

Thanks to Richard Terpening for being the very first guest post on Expert in the Rough.  Read on.

What can I contribute to Society?

-Make a contribution to my favorite organization.
-Donate things I no longer need to the local mission.
-Donate blood
-Volunteer my time to the community.

After a trip to my local shopping center, I discovered a simple suggestion.

Contribute Courtesy

An effective display of this conduct is to simply smile. A simple smile can change attitudes. A simple smile can create a pleasant day.

So I will simply end this with a simple

-Richard Terpening

Richard is the author of “Literature of a Liberated Runner”

Description:

What do you think about while you’re running? Literature of a Liberated Runner is the Literature of my Long runs. When I am out running I am free from distress. I have a clear mind that explores concepts that I am never consciously aware of. I become a child, a poet, a soldier, a saint, and I find myself in different adventures and with new ideas. I also have the ability to think clearly about issues that need to be resolved. This is a book of essays, poems, and short stories that I created during my long runs.

You can purchase his book on Lulu by clicking here.

I have not read his book yet but I am going to download it today.  I am very excited since my blogging spark began when I started writing my blog Running Revelations.

"START" Watch

So many talented people I know wait until they are ready to start something new.

My question is how can you be ready unless you start?

It’s the proverbial chicken before the egg question.

My belief is the only way you will be ever ready to start is if you actually take the plunge and start today.

Starting today allows you to build confidence, experience and momentum.

Not starting today builds fear and stagnation.

You will never know the doors that will open for you by being in the flow of starting on your dreams today.

On Your Mark, Get Set, Go!!!

Howdy,

They say the key to life is an “Attitude of Gratitude.”

Tell Me Something Good about your life.

Share it right here.  It’s a great way to start your week.

• I am thankful I work for a company that is doing well in this tough economy.
• I am thankful for a healthy baby girl 4 months old and all smiles.
• I am thankful for a beautiful wife who loves me dearly.
• I am thankful I am inspired and connected with my life and passion.
• I am thankful for a wonderful and supportive family.
• I am thankful for good friends.

Alright it’s your turn.  What are you thankful for this week?

Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has plenty; not on your past misfortunes of which all men have some. –Charles Dickens

Pecha Kucha Cincinnati is promoting its upcoming event by producing a video.

We need  That’s right, you heard me, PRONUNCIATORS!
You only have to try to say the word “PechaKucha”, it will be quick and painless.  But since you’ve expressed interest in PechaKucha, we’d love it if you would put your face where your facebook is!

D E T A I L S
Lightborne Studios, 210 E. 14th street downtown, between Main and Sycamore.

Today: Noon  - 2pm

The more the merrier, the more diverse the merrier.  Please feel free to bring a friend or family member!

Hope to see all you PRONUNCIATORS there!

PechaKucha Cincinnati

Do You PK?

If you plan to attend just show up.  Or you can catch me on Twitter until 11:30am Today.

See you there.

Do You PK?

I do and so does Cincinnati!  Sleepy and conservative Cincinnati has joined the international movement known as Pecha Kucha Night.

You are probably thinking Pecha Kucha, isn’t that one of the Pokémon characters and why is Cincinnati celebrating a “Pocket Monster?”  I don’t blame you for the confusion.  Pecha Kucha and Pokémon do have a common root as they are both English translations of Japanese words.  Pecha Kucha simply translates as “the sound of conversation.”

Pecha Kucha Nights are the creation of a pair of architects, Astrid Klein and Mark Dytham as a technique or style of presentation for designers to share their work without boring the daylights out of everybody involved.

Klein and Dytham came up with a simple idea of 20 slides or images timed at 20 seconds each.  6 minutes and 40 seconds, pure genius, with the limitation of 20 slides at 20 seconds each, the presenters are forced to present only their best work allowing the cream to rise to the top.  If there is no cream to rise the presenter is limited and no awkward yawning from the audience because their time is up.

I was introduced to the concept of Pecha Kucha by Daniel Johnson Jr. the founder of New Media Cincinnati, a local group of social media addicts who meet monthly to share ideas and to be “social.”  In November our monthly meeting was conducted Pecha Kucha style.  I was immediately attracted to the idea due to my nearly two decade career in audio visual productions and sitting through hours, days, weeks and years of really boring PowerPoint presentations.  Pecha Kucha is an answer to my prayers.

My inspiration led me to whip up a Pecha Kucha in under an hour since my 3 week old daughter did not allow for much more.  I parsed my notes for a business networking e-book I had been working on for a few months and “20 Ninja Networking Secrets” was born.

You can view my slide share below:

After the meeting I was inspired to research hosting a Pecha Kucha Night in Cincinnati and I started creating a team of advisors to help me launch the project.  I emailed Klein and Dytham and did not hear anything back.  Pecha Kucha is a trademarked concept so I did not want to step on any toes.  Over the holidays I shelved the project and planned to start gathering a team after the first of the year.

A good friend from the past contacted me over the holidays looking for audio visual assistance for an event she was putting together with a coworker.  She asked about my experience in the Contemporary Art Center in Cincinnati and asked if we could meet.  She had no idea I had any knowledge of Pecha Kucha.  I asked about the event and she mentioned designers and artists would be sharing their work at the event.  I asked, “Is this a Pecha Kucha Night?”  She was floored.  Although Pecha Kucha is an international movement, the average person will look at you a bit funny when you mention the name.

I shared with her that I had a vision of hosting Pecha Kucha nights in Cincinnati promoting the city to attract conventions and meetings.  I shared that I wanted to host one on Fountain Square in Downtown Cincinnati, her team had the same idea.

I must admit at first I was a little disappointed, my ego wanted the glory of bringing Pecha Kucha Night to Cincinnati but I quickly realized that a ready made team was the way to go.

My friend invited me to a planning meeting and it just so happens that the Pecha Kucha founders replied on the same day with their contact info for the Pecha Kucha Cincinnati team.  I must admit it is interesting how life’s twists and turns often lead to the same place.  Pecha Kucha found me.

I am now an official member of the Pecha Kucha Cincinnati planning committee and my employer Prestige AV & Creative Services is on board as a sponsor of the event.

I hope you join us on February 13th at the Contemporary Art Center.

Visit DoYouPK.org for more details.

Follow on Twitter @doyoupk

By the grace of God!

2008 will go down in the books as a curious year. The United States of America is experiencing some of its most defining moments.  We are marking a new era with our first African American President Elect and experiencing an economic mess created by greed and gluttony.

I find myself in a curious place.  2008 was by far my most tremendous year, but much of the nation is facing tremendous challenges.  I look to 2009 with an optimist’s eyes.  I have created a solid foundation for my life but I know that some factors are out of my control.

With all of this in mind the only proper thing for me to do is create a gratitude list.

I am grateful for:

• The birth of Ella Grace my beautiful daughter in October 2008.
• The love of my life my beautiful, encouraging and loving wife Megan
• A loving and supportive family
• Friends with great values
• The health of a friend who is battling cancer
• Great health insurance to cover life’s challenges
• A successful place to work, Prestige AV & Creative Services
• Professional success that has reached a tipping point of less work and greater results (Fun!).
• Great and loyal clients who practice good faith business
• A spark of inspiration to propel Expert in the Rough and my writing career
• A fine home and reliable transportation
• A God who I can count on
• 12 Years of sobriety
• A seriously distracted 20 something years to show me how not to live
• A precious baby who is teaching me how to live in the moment and smile
• A new Blackberry to keep up with my Social Media interests.
• A Toastmasters Group to mentor my public speaking interests
• A vibrant Cincinnati Blogger network to learn from
• A blessed life that continues to get better and better

What you can expect in 2009 at Expert in the Rough:

• Twists and turns to the focus of this blog, I have vast interests and I am still tweaking my focus.
• Better writing, longer pieces
• Real life Interaction with me and other readers via classes and social media platforms
• Video elements, monthly interviews with real people I know and their approach to life
• Peaks and valleys to my output, I underestimated the time it takes to raise a baby
• More “personal posts” sharing what’s working and what is not working
• Surprises for both of you and me, I can’t predict it all but I know as long as I am inspired opportunities will arise.

2009 is what you make it. Pick your path and trust in what is inside of you.  The only truth you have is the voice and feelings you experience every day.

The attached ticket grants the holder Permission to Fail in 09!

Facsimiles, Copies, Torn, Wet and/or Counterfeit Versions of this ticket are acceptable for entrance into this Down Economy.  Watch CNN & FoxNews for tour updates.  This tour WILL be coming to your town.

It’s inevitable The Down Economy, The Recession and The Great Depression Revisited are coming to a town near you in 2009.  You have no options except to fail.  That is why 2009 is a great year to get started living your dreams.

Are you following me.  Since you are going to fail at everything else.  Everything is bleak.  The sun will never rise, you no longer need to worry about the risk of failure.  It is inevitable.  It is for sure. So, if you are doomed to fail and so is everybody else,  why not take a chance on living your dreams in 09.

It is a bit counter-intuitive but 2009 could be your best year ever to start living your dreams.  Here are 9 reasons 2009 might be the year for you.

1. Stocks are cheap.  Buy Low and Sell High. Warren Buffet is doing it.
2. Housing Bubble has busted.  Once Again Buy Low and Sell High.
3. Others have given up.  You might be surprised there are businesses that are thriving.
4. If you fail you can blame it on the economy.
5. Businesses are reassessing contracts in an effort to save money.  This is a great opportunity to get your foot in the door.
6. A great time to scale down, get out of the rat race, reassess your lifestyle.  Even the “Joneses” are scaling back.
7. The world was supposed to end in 2000 so you have been granted at very least an extension.  Get moving.  Maybe it’s a 9 lives type of thing and 2009 really is the end of the world.
8. If you take the numbers 2009 and add them together you get eleven its a great Blackjack hand.  The experts, recommend that you “Double Down” on eleven.
9. George Bush’s last day on the job is January 20th.

Check back early next year for the “Pleasantly Surprised by your Success Tour. “

Recently I ran a contest on Twitter.  I offered 100 Word Promo to my 100th follower on Twitter.  I find it rather interesting that a Social Media Company ended up being my 100th follower.

For those of you unfamiliar with Twitter, it is basically summed up as a Micro-Blogging platform limited to 140 character length blog posts.  This seems like a ridiculous format but it has become the rage of the blogosphere.  The key feature of Twitter is the “Follow” feature.  You choose who you want to follow and therefore you get only the information you approve.

Twitter lends itself to Personal promotion and interaction but many Brands have jumped in setting up Twitter profiles.  The jumping in of Brands on Twitter often pisses people off since many of these brands forget Twitter is a personal platform.  They forget to talk to people versus broadcast at them.  Their manners often come off as a one way conversation.

I have not been following @HubSpot for very long on Twitter but I will give them a pass on setting a Twitter profile since they add value in a number of ways.

Hubspot’s tag line is “Inbound Internet Marketing System”

Hubspot is actually an evangelist for the new marketing model.  Instead of broadcasting at everybody they teach you to develop a web presence which attracts the people who want or need your product.  It’s the smell of home cooked cookies approach versus the megaphone approach to marketing.

I recommend 4 HubSpot Products:

HubSpot Internet Marketing Blog

Website Grader is a great tool for identifying what areas your blog/website is performing well and what areas your blog needs improvement.

Free Internet Marketing Kit, They might call you once but they have not bothered me since.

Twitter Grader is just another way to benchmark yourself against other websites and bloggers.

My Grades:
Website Grade: 89 (up from 59 in July)
Twitter Grade: 59 (My first reference)

Thanks HubSpot for following me @coachbriany

I think that was a bit more than 100 Words!