This week holds no shortages of gratitude for me. (Photo Credit: Gabo).
Here are a couple of reasons why:
REASON #1
The Adversity University community continues to make inroads with a very active, vibrant comment section. I am seeing old as well as new subscribers, readers and visitors take time out of their busy schedules to leave value-added comments. It’s gotten to the point where some of them are now talking to each other, right here in the open! Wow! This phenomena is happening with increasing frequency and I’m very grateful for it. It is one reason I love blogging!
REASON #2
My win with the BeTheNextBestSellingAuthor.com video competition continues to attract attention from all over.
Kenyon Salo from Passion Before Paycheck became the latest person to step forward from the competition and offer congratulatory words. Last week it was Margie Remmers of Look What They Did! - Profiles in Goal Achievement.
The funny thing about Kenyon is that long before I heard from him, his video entry had already captured my attention when I was checking to see who I was up against. That’s how I knew who Margie was when she introduced herself last week via email.
Right after seeing Kenyon’s video, I was inspired to track him down because I wanted to wish him luck for the competition as well as introduce myself.
Kenyon’s heart-stopping video opens with him being interviewed about a near death experience that happened shortly after jumping off a cliff in Switzerland and crashing into the trees down in the valley. Then it cuts to the actual jump, making my heart thump! (It wasn’t my intention to make that last sentence rhyme but hey, it worked, didn’t it?).
Whereas Margie did an interview with me, Kenyon invited me to submit a story for a series he was doing over at Passion Before Paycheck. I got all excited and sent him 6 stories instead of one, telling him to pick his favorite!
Well, he liked them all so much that he decide to spin off a brand new series called “Listening to Stephen on Saturdays” with a new story every Saturday for the time being.
Wow, what an unexpected gift - thank you Kenyon!
For those of you who want to see his heart-thumping video, I’ve embedded it here for your convenience (NOTE: If you are an RSS or email subscriber, please click on the title of this post to see it):
REASON #3
Thanks to Simpleology’s Bestseller Blueprint program (one of many prizes from the video competition), I continue to make daily progress towards the fulfillment of my publishing dreams. I am very grateful to have a renewed sense of focus and energy behind this exciting endeavor. Here are some things I did this week to bring me closer to it:
- created a new domain name for a separate blog/website that will be entirely focused on the book and its eventual launch
- whittled down the list of potential titles and subtitles
- begun laying the groundwork for an e-book campaign (perhaps here at Adversity University)
REASON # 4
I’m all set to go to “blogging business school” at SOBCon08 next month in Chicago where I’ll be meeting other bloggers for the first time since I began blogging in 2006. These are people I’ve developed strong online friendships over a period of many months but haven’t yet met in the flesh. I’m thankful for the opportunity to bond with them as well as learn a thing or two about building an actionable business plan for Adversity University. I plan to bring my digital camera and take a lot of photos!
Let me know if you plan to be there too - I’d love to meet you! Email me for more information about where I’m staying and my travel schedule.
REASON #5
After a few months of playing around with digital camcorders but returning them because of either poor quality (Canon Camcorder) or insufficient options (SONY Compact Camcorder), I pondered what to do next.
One day, in total frustration, I found myself staring at my very old, but fully functional and at one time expensive, analog SONY camcorder sitting on the closet shelf. Murmuring to no one in particular, I pondered aloud, “There has got to be a way to make some good use out of this thing.”
Suddenly an idea flashed through my mind: Go and visit the SONY Store and see if they have anything up there.
After arriving at the store and telling the salesman what I was looking for, he led me directly to the SONY Multi-Function DVD Recorder (VRD-MC5). I couldn’t believe my eyes when I learned this machine was designed to do exactly what I was looking for - - it transfers videos from virtually any camcorder and/or VCR directly onto a DVD!
Perfect!
I bought it and rushed back home, eager to give it a shot.
The first thing I did was to make a video with the old camcorder with the intention of posting it to Adversity University (it was a book review - more on that in another post).
But there was one problem - actually two.
After I finally figured out how to transfer the 5 minute video onto a DVD, I played it using Windows Media Player on my computer. I was delighted when it worked!
But then when I tried to upload it to YouTube, I discovered that this five minute video was absolutely HUGE. It was a gigantic 345MB! I was shocked because I thought the SONY machine was also designed to compress videos into smaller, manageable sizes.
Not only do I have to figure out how to compress the file, but I also need to covert the file format (i.e. VOB - what the heck is that?!?) to something that’s compatible with commonly used editing software tools like Windows Movie Maker.
While I’m exceedingly grateful to squeeze every last ounce of life from the old camcorder and found a way to transfer 8 mm tapes onto a DVD, I now need to find a software that will compress the videos in a way that they can be uploaded to YouTube, not to mention converting the files to a common media format.
Anyone out there who can recommend a software for this? Please speak up and leave a comment with your suggestions and/or ideas. I’d appreciate it!
REASON # 6
Finally, but not least, I am grateful to be teaming up with Jim Cermak of Cermak Marketing. I met him at a networking event a couple months ago and we decided to meet again for coffee. One thing led to another and we’re now in the process of collaborating on a seminar to take place in May.
Why am I grateful for this?
Because I’m tired of being a one-man operation and doing everything myself. We human beings need to be around others in a collaborative effort. Not only is it true that two heads are better than one (remember Men with Pens?) but something powerful takes place when you partner up with someone who share similar values, philosophies and dreams. It’s more fun to work with someone instead of doing it all by yourself.
So I thank God for bringing me person like Jim who I have absolutely no trouble communicating with and even more importantly, who also believes in the power of having faith in God, ourselves and each other.
As soon as we put together the final details of this seminar, I will announce it here for those of you who are local subscribers and/or visitors.
Food for thought: What are you grateful for this week? Remember, the more we focus on what we’re grateful for, the more we attract it into our lives.
If you liked this post and you want to be notified of the next one, subscribe via Email or Full Text RSS Feed. I would love to have you as part of the community!
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7:08 am on April 4th, 2008 1
Once you burn something onto a DVD, you need ripping software to get into a file that you can edit with. If you google “Magic DVD ripper” you’ll find the free trial version of the software. You can have 5 free uses. It will take those VOB things and make it into an avi file, which you can then import into Movie Maker. Hope that helps!
7:10 am on April 4th, 2008 2
P.S. - Movie Maker has different compression settings that you can use to get it smaller. There might even be one setting specifically for Internet use.
7:31 am on April 4th, 2008 3
Hi Christie:
Thanks a lot for giving me some pointers. Okay, so I need ripping software? I’ll take a look at Magic DVD Ripper and see what I can find. Do they have this available in the stores like Best Buy or something? Have you used this yourself?
As far as compression is concerned, are you saying that once I “rip” the movie on the DVD, I can convert it to something like .avi, get it in Movie Maker at which point I can compress it for uploading to YouTube?
Is that the correct understanding? As you can see, I’m so NOT technologically oriented but I’m learning! Thanks for your input - I really appreciate it.
4:11 pm on April 4th, 2008 4
Stephen,
Excellent week for you! I’m grateful for my web designer/colleague. She lives in Australia, and took her valuable time to help me continue to improve my website!
I’m grateful to my Skype friends are there for me in my business. Without them it gets lonely, and the resources we have collectively is priceless.
Thanks for making me take a minute to be grateful this week.
10:45 pm on April 4th, 2008 5
Stephen - thanks for sharing with us all the wonderful things happening for you. Kenyon’s near death experience video was incredible. It seemed peaceful at first but the ground sure came up fast and the trees. Wow!
I enjoy visiting and keeping tabs on your new adventures.
Blessings,
Pat R’s last blog post..Forgiveness – Why Do We Make It So Hard?
6:18 am on April 5th, 2008 6
Pat:
Your comment along with others is evidence that I must be on the right path, keeping everyone updated on my adventures, particularly with respect to the book situation.
I’m glad! I plan to keep doing that. In fact, I have some more news coming - get ready!
6:21 am on April 5th, 2008 7
Lisa:
If there’s anything I’ve learned in life, it is to keep finding ways of expressing gratitude. It’s a powerful force to reckon with and if we are consistent with its expression, opportunities open up in ways that are often surprising and unexpected.
I am not an expert in quantum physics but there’s something about the energy of gratitude that causes the entire universe to sit up and take notice. Amazing mysterious stuff!
Congratulations on your colleague’s assistance with respect to your website. I look forward to seeing it when it’s spruced up, ready to go!
5:17 am on April 7th, 2008 8
Hi Stephen,
It’s been a liitle while since I’ve stopped by. All I can say is wow! You are really taking everything to the next level - but I can’t think of anyone who deserves success more than you. My hat is off to you.
Chris - soupornuts.com’s last blog post..Surviving cancer ignites passion for helping others
5:54 am on April 7th, 2008 9
Chris:
Welcome back! Thanks for your support. My dream all my life has been to take things to the next level…somehow. This is one of them.
5:10 pm on April 7th, 2008 10
Stephen,
Thanks for always reminding us to be grateful. You are such an inspiration to all of us. Yes, you do have a lot to be grateful this week!
Lisa, it is amazing isn’t it? Gratitude is something I’ve been pondering on a lot lately. I beleive it’s the foundation of finding happiness in our lives. When we remove the “I deserve everything to be handed to me” mindset and replace it with “look at everything God has blessed me with!” then everything changes. When we view life as a gift and every new day that we wake up as a gift it totally changes the way we live.
Jennifer’s last blog post..How Big are You?
7:09 pm on April 7th, 2008 11
Jennifer:
You are most welcome. Doing this is one of my favorite things to do at the blog. It forces me to think of good things that have happened to others as well as to myself. The more I focus on the good things, the healthier my outlook and the more I attract like-minded things.
I’m glad to see you communicating with other subscribers like Lisa. It’s way cool to see that happening here. It’s almost as if the comment section has taken a life of its own.
10:10 pm on April 7th, 2008 12
Jennifer,
Don’t you feel like you are walking inches above the ground when you let others know that you appreciate them? Today I thanked the lady in the appliance store for being so accommodating and agreeable. It’s sometimes surreal.
Stephen, I agree communicating with other posters,it’s great when you get your visitors talking to each other.
Lisa Callsen’s last blog post..Technical college pays $175,000 for not providing an interpreter
10:57 pm on April 7th, 2008 13
Stephen,
I use Vegas Video pro 8 by Sony. I use it mainly because I produced a documentary once on it. It’s great software and I think will do everything you need and more….. Not the cheapest out there though.
Michelle Vandepas’s last blog post..The Moses Code Movie Review
5:42 am on April 8th, 2008 14
Michelle:
I’ll check into the Vegas Video Pro 8. I’ve also heard about Pinnacle Studio Ultimate. It’s about $129 and is apparently loaded with features. (Update: I read a review from PC magazine online and it doesn’t look too hot because of inherent weaknesses within the program itself that I hadn’t been aware of). I just checked out the Sony Vegas Video Pro - you’re right - it’s not the cheapest for it’s selling around $550. Ouch!
5:53 am on April 8th, 2008 15
Lisa:
I’d like to jump in on your conversation with Jennifer for a sec here.
I agree 100 percent how surreal it can feel when we are literally given red carpet customer service. It’s sad though because that kind of customer service appears to be a rare event these days (when it should be a normal, everyday thing) that every time it happens, the recipient of such service is more often reeling in shock, awe or in such gratitude because unfortunately, it’s so unusual these days.
In a few days, I will be uploading a video book review about a great book I just read about customer service as soon as I figure out how to convert the video to the right format and then go from there. I’m still in the embryonic stages with regards to the whole video production thing. But I’m getting there!
10:28 am on April 8th, 2008 16
Stephen,
That’s great about the book review. Can’t wait! I could go on and on about customer service. My biggest example is fast food cashiers. I don’t blame them, I blame upper management for not correcting the problem! A typical scenario is, I’ve got the kids with me, I approach the “chain” counter. The cashier is standing there. We look at each other. I wait for a greeting. I don’t get one. The cashier is still looking at me with this, hey lady are you gonna order soon so I can get back to doing nothing look. My kids are saying “I want…, I want”. I look down at them. I sigh, give in to the fact I haven’t even been greeted. I would take a non-verbal greeting since by nature I am a visual person. I would have took a smile, anything.
Nope! Doesn’t happen. It’s ridiculous!
So I can’t wait for the book review.
Lisa Callsen’s last blog post..Technical college pays $175,000 for not providing an interpreter
11:27 am on April 8th, 2008 17
Yes, Lisa, inches… many times feet if it is done in real sincerity. Everyone loves to be appreciated!
Stephen, yes, it is when we go above and beyond what is expected that we not only feel great, but so do our customers and we create customers for life. Yes, it is very rare these days. I recently became friends with Shilpan at http://www.successsoul.com who has some great posts on customer service. He acts on it too.
I can’t wait to see your video Stephen!
Jennifer’s last blog post..How Big are You?
7:25 pm on April 8th, 2008 18
Stephen and Lisa (and everyone else) I just came across a book that I thought was very relevant to our discussion of cusotmer service.
Kirsten Harrell did a review of the book in her blog post
http://ipopin.typepad.com/think_positive/2008/04/the-celebrity-e.html
The name of the book is The Celebrity Experience: Insider Secrets to Delivering Red Carpet Customer Service. You can read more about it by going to her blog and following the links there. It sure sounds like a good one to look into.
Jennifer’s last blog post..Ingredients for Inner Peace - How to Get Your Priorities in Order
8:38 am on April 9th, 2008 19
Jennifer:
You’re not going to believe this but this is EXACTLY the same book I was planning to do a video post about! I loved the book too.
It was a great read and as soon as I figure out how to convert my video into the right format, I plan to post it here at the blog.
The book was so good that it ought to be a business bestseller!
10:41 am on April 9th, 2008 20
How funny Stephen! I hope I didn’t mess anything up for you and spoil the big moment. So sorry I if I did. I was just trying to help your readers out. I can’t wait to see your review.
Jennifer’s last blog post..Ingredients for Inner Peace - How to Get Your Priorities in Order
10:53 am on April 9th, 2008 21
Jennifer:
Oh no, not at all. I’m actually very glad you brought it up because it reminded me to push the video scheduling along (which means I need to move along the lessons I’m learning in how to convert videos properly).
And more to the point, anything others are doing to help my new friend promote her book is a happy moment for me.
So, no worries!
11:08 am on April 9th, 2008 22
Great! I’m glad I didn’t steal your thunder. I’m very excited about watching your video and reading the book. I would offer my advice on video taping, but well…. I have none. I’m video illiterate.
Good luck!
Jennifer’s last blog post..Ingredients for Inner Peace - How to Get Your Priorities in Order
1:09 pm on April 9th, 2008 23
Jennifer:
No sweat - I’ll figure out this video thing. It’s one step at a time kind of thing.
I’m so glad you are eager for the book’s release and other videos I’ve got coming. That’s cool! I think you’ll enjoy them.
3:44 pm on April 9th, 2008 24
Jennifer,
Hope you enjoy the book!
Stephen, you, Kirsten, Phil Gerbyshak and others are so wonderful and I appreciate you all from the bottom of my heart!!! And jennifer, thanks for spreading the word before you even read the book.
Warmly,
Donna Cutting
5:04 pm on April 9th, 2008 25
Hey Stephen,
Funny that you just read the book too! I look forward to your review. I really was blown away by some of Donna’s stories!
Jennifer,
I am glad that I inspired you to read the book. I know you will enjoy it.
Donna,
YOu are so welcome… it is always a pleasure to pass a long such a great read.
Kirsten Harrell, Psy.D.’s last blog post..Daily Affirmation - Success
11:21 pm on April 9th, 2008 26
Donna, I’m glad to help you out. I checked out the book at Amazon and it got such rave reviews I knew it was a must read for all business owners. I hope it goes very big! Best of luck to you!! And thanks for writing it for us!
Jennifer’s last blog post..Ingredients for Inner Peace - How to Get Your Priorities in Order
7:55 pm on April 10th, 2008 27
Kristen:
I am tickled pink to see everyone talking to each other here at Adversity University. Thank you everyone for feeling free to do just that.
Oh yes, Donna’s book was EXCELLENT. I hope to have a video post up on my review of the book soon. I really want to convey my feelings via video rather than in words because I think it’ll come through more powerfully. I enjoy promoting books and other things that I feel so strongly about.
I’m excited that I will be meeting her soon at the SOBCon08 conference in Chicago.
9:13 am on April 14th, 2008 28
Hey Stephen,
Ooohh.. I am jealous! I wish that I could make it to SOBCon08. I will have to settle for reading all about it from those of you who go. Have a great time there!
And… you have created a nice place for people to interact… well done!
2:16 pm on April 15th, 2008 29
Kirsten:
I’ll definitely have a report on this conference when I come back. I will have my new digital camera with me so I’ll be taking a lot of photos. It’s my first blogging conference so it should be interesting. I’ve never met any of the bloggers I had been corresponded with except for a couple of local ones.