by Austin

October 28, 2010

Oct. 27, 2010



Total Distance for today: 0
Total Distance for Trip: approx. 233 miles
STATUS: in Baltimore, arranging opportunities ahead

Success!

Today, I was able to land two speaking opportunities for high school assemblies in Washington, DC, get the ball rolling on a possible talk in Howell, MI, when I fly back briefly to meet with the Mayor’s Group Planning Executive about the Academy for Entrepreneurs we will be founding in Detroit, and have a 2-3 minute telephone conversation with my favorite author, Tim Ferriss! Awesome!


It’s rather ironic, because I didn’t really get off to a stellar start. I started out at a coffee shop, trying to focus on arranging speaking engagements, but I just couldn’t get into it. I was getting frustrated with the difficulty of it – turns out it’s pretty hard to get a national movement rolling. 😉 However, I distinctly remember thinking at one point: “I don’t care how I feel about this situation, I’m just going to pick up this phone and call this number. I will get a school today.” The next number I called was for the principal of the CHOICE Academy in Washington, DC… Landed! He was pretty excited, and I’m pumped about the opportunity to inspire the high school students there on November 9th. I then spoke with the Assistant Principal at Coolidge HS, also in DC; he has to verify with the main Principal, but that’s basically landed as well.


I have to say, once I got on something of a roll, it felt easier. I was calling places thinking, “I’m going to speak at this school; it’s just a matter of working out the details.” Let me tell you, that mindset changed everything. I’m currently in the talks with one of the Assistant Principals at Howell high school, and I’m expecting to arrange Fowlerville tomorrow.


To top it all off, I was listening in on a live teleseminar, with my favorite author, Tim Ferriss, and feeling a bit bold, I decided to try to ask a question during the Q&A at the end. I wasn’t sure it would happen, because so many people were listening in. It did! Tim was able to give me a very nuanced answer as to how to deal with “Entrepreneurial A-D-D.” You know: the condition that causes most entrepreneurs to get very excited about projects in the beginning but rapidly lose steam later. He basically suggested that I either A) Accept my ADD and find ways to plan my business pursuits so that I can pass them off within that 3-6 month time-span or B) Organize my time such that I get the variety that I need from various pursuits in my life. I think the latter makes the most sense, because it allows me to get the variety I need to stay stimulated and excited, without running too many business rabbit trails.


So, what did we learn today? Hmmm… 1) Take action in spite of how you feel in the moment. 2) Make confident statements about what you will achieve, even if you’re having a hard time believing it yourself. 3) Finally, be bold, persistent, and direct, and success will be yours! What an awesome day! Now, let’s go and have another.

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About the author 

Austin

From a 3412 mile inline skate across America for Freedom to a pilgrimage halfway around the world, speaker and life coach, Austin Szelkowski has lived an intrepid spiritual journey. Over the last 11 years, he has skated across a continent, built 3 successful businesses, been enlightened by a mind-bending spiritual awakening, and endured a terrifying dark night of the soul journey in 2017. His story brings courage in the darkest places – providing a sense of spiritual adventure and hope.

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