Where did the summer go? It’s hard to believe July is almost over and that we’re about to enter the last phase of summer before the new school year begins.
Let’s kick off with a gratitude quote:
Gratitude is a quality similar to electricity: it must be
produced and discharged and used up in order to exist at all. –William Faulkner
University Speaking Engagement in the Fall
Speaking of school, I’m grateful to announce that Penn State University booked me for a speaking engagement in September. The main theme will be on diversity. (Photo credit: astrycula)
I am scheduled to speak 3 times over a two day period. One will be just for faculty and the general public while the other two (the following day) will be for a combined audience of both students and faculty. It is yet another opportunity to make a difference by sharing my life’s experiences and demonstrating that it is indeed possible to “achieve the impossible.”
Another Best-Selling Author Is Now Reviewing…..
Every week I ask myself who I can contact for a possible testimony for my book, Obstacle Illusions: A Journey of Epic Proportions. There is power in asking. If you don’t ask, you don’t get. I keep track of who I’ve invited to review the manuscript in exchange for a testimony. So far, I’ve received 4 great testimonies.
Two weeks ago, a very famous author whose name many of you will recognize, surprised me by agreeing to review the manuscript for a possible testimony. Then just earlier this week, I asked yet another best-selling author if he’d take a quick look at my book too. He said YES!
I’m grateful that I have the courage to continue to ask, one expert at a time, for a testimony to help me bolster the sale of my future book. Some have said yes, some have not responded while others have said no.
What an interesting journey this is turning out to be!
Meeting Planner Took Me Out to Lunch
After my presentation to the National Tractor Parts Association last weekend, Phyllis Cox, the dynamic meeting planner, took me out to a great Italian restaurant where we had a delicious 2 hour lunch.
That alone speaks volumes on how she thought I did. I’m told I have a testimonial letter coming from her soon. I can’t wait. Thanks Phyllis for the lovely treat – the food was excellent!
The Courage to Try Something New
After soliciting feedback from my followers on Twitter, I reported on Monday that I decided to use a YouTube video to introduce myself to the audience of the National Tractor Parts Association. To see the video and read up on this, see Don’t Be Afraid to Solicit Feedback for Remarkable Performance.
I’m grateful I had the courage to follow through on the feedback because the experiment was a success. The audience was positively stoked after seeing that video. I learned that this was far better than having someone introduce me via a one-page sheet. Now that I’ve seen how effective it is, I plan to open all future keynote speeches with this video!
Mark Sanborn’s New Book Mentions Stephen Hopson
Mark Sanborn, a nationally acclaimed best-selling author (The Fred Factor and You Don’t Need a Title to be a Leader) and popular business speaker has a new book coming out in September by Doubleday called The Encore Effect: How to Achieve Remarkable Performance in Anything You Do.
I was sent a bound galley of the book and read it in two sittings. Of course, i couldn’t wait to get to pages 26 and 27 where I was mentioned in a sub-section of Chapter 3 called “Remarkable Performances Can Be Life-Changing.”
I’m humbled and grateful that Mark invited me to share my personal story for inclusion in this forthcoming best-seller. Thanks Mark!
You can pre-order it at Amazon.
Another Successful Cermak/Hopson Seminar
On Tuesday, Jim Cermak of Cermak Marketing and I conducted our second Driving Your Business to the Next Level: Inspiration and Common Sense for Business, Marketing and Life seminar.
Not only did we experience a large jump in the number of registered attendees, but we also managed to attract a diverse group of people including the owners of an exterminating company, an insurance company, an air purification business as well as the marketing director of a physical therapy company, to name a few.
We’ve structured our seminars around the use of my exclusive H.E.A.R. Principle (H=Have a passion, E=Entertain the possibilities, A=Authenticity, R=Remember who helped you), weaving both inspirational stories and marketing tips into it.
Of course, since Jim and I just launched this program, we are still refining and polishing it, ironing out kinks and making adjustments along the way. It just keeps getting better and better.
I know I can speak for Jim when I say we are grateful to hear back from seminar attendees with some rave testimonies:
This seminar was outstanding! Stephen’s life story and his ability to overcome many obstacles was amazing an inspiring. Jim’s expertise in the marketing field with many examples of how to apply his principles to any business, gave me many ideas to take back to work. Since attending the seminar, I am digging deeper into figuring out my company’s uniqueness and the power of persuasion in the selling cycle. Thank you Jim and Stephen for spurring me on to the next level! –Deb Kasper, Marketing Director of Rehab Services, Inc.
I attended the one day seminar….there were golden nuggets on that day that we found could be applicable to our daily business. The life experiences that Jim and Stephen shared are beneficial for any business today. i would recommend their seminar to any business owner or CEO for that matter. Kurt Pluta, Owner of Exit Terminating
While I specialize in giving one-hour keynotes, I’ve discovered that I enjoy working with another person in a 2.5 hour seminar setting.
Conducting a seminar with another person adds more energy into the room. It gives us an opportunity to recharge and recollect our thoughts before going back up again. The audience is given two presenters with different presentation styles, adding more flavor to the overall program. Jim and I take turns going up, giving each other high fives in passing.
It’s so much fun it’s a hoot!
An Unsolicited Testimony from a New Fan
Every now and then I get a stupendous email from a new fan who somehow found me on the Internet. I am always very grateful to receive these kinds of correspondences because they remind me that I am making a difference even though I don’t always know its impact.
Take a look at this email from Jean Shallvay:
Dear Stephen:
This is not an inquiry, simply a message from one soul to another.
I accidentally (is there any such thing as accidental?) stumbled across your site when searching on Google. I found you first through Adversity University then linked to your website.
After reading and looking at the amazing work you do I am so moved I have to tell you what an amazing inspiration you are for people.
Just watching your demo 10 minute video moved me to tears. So I imagine the impact that you have on people in person must be profound.
So take my words as validation that your work does reach people beyond your expectations in all imagined and unimagined ways.
The one block I have in getting my real purpose driven message out there is fear. I am an aware individual. I also feel that when I see your courage and passion exemplified that I can do better….
FYI – Originally from the SF Bay Area and now living in Sydney Australia it is unlikely we will cross paths. However if you are ever down under please let the folks know at NSAA so they can get you in for a monthly speaker night.
Warm regards,
Jenn
Wow, thank you Jenny – you have no idea (but then maybe you do) that your email truly made my day!
Food for thought: How has gratitude brought more abundance in your life?
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Welcome! You've arrived to a newly renamed blog (formerly called Adversity University) specializing in personal development for spiritual beings having a human experience. To see a speaking demo tape and other information, please click 
11:59 am on July 19th, 2008 1
Very full and satisfying week, Stephen! It just keeps rolling along for you and those who follow you are thrilled.
When did I miss the name of your new book?
Obstacle Illusions: A Journey of Epic Proportions.
GREAT NAME! I LOVE IT!
Corinne Edwardss last blog post..DO YOU HAVE A DIVINE PURPOSE?
3:17 pm on July 19th, 2008 2
Stephen – Wow!! It’s been a while since I’ve visited and I’m amazed at how much you’ve accomplished and what’s happening in your world. Great job!! You’re getting the word out there inspiring people from all over and I’m so happy to see it unfolding for you.
Blessings,
4:18 pm on July 19th, 2008 3
Stephen, it is an absolute honor just to call you a friend, and our seminar this week was indeed a HOOT! Thank you for always helping me to think of more things to be thankful about each week.
Blessings brother!
4:39 pm on July 19th, 2008 4
Well done, Stephen. Cool to read….. Tom
Tom Stine | Spiritual Life Coachs last blog post..Spiritual Awakening – Adyashanti’s View
6:57 am on July 22nd, 2008 5
Corinne:
How do you like the new layout here? I just upgraded the theme, which made some nice corrections to the comment section. Your pretty face is now showing up every time you leave a message. Hooray!
Thanks Corinne for your continuing support. I love how we’ve stuck together in the blogging world. You have become a true friend, fan and supporter of mine.
As for the name of my book, I had purposefully kept it hidden for I wanted to let some ideas percolate but in the end, that title seemed to resonate compared with “THAT’S RIGHT STEPHEN!”
6:58 am on July 22nd, 2008 6
Pat R:
Well, I’m delighted you’ve come back for a visit! Yes, a lot has happened during the time in which you had been elsewhere. Thanks for stopping in again. It’s great to have you back.
It feels good for things to fold naturally and I’m looking forward to seeing what unfolds down the road!
7:00 am on July 22nd, 2008 7
Jim:
Indeed it’s a blessing to be working with you in the manner which we have this year. Conducting a seminar with you has been an interesting experience for me.
As you know, keynotes are my specialty, not seminars (especially when doing them alone for 3 hours). However, you’ve given me the privilege to see just how much fun it can be when doing it with another person. I’m so glad we went forward and took steps in the right direction!
It’ll be interesting to see what our next seminar brings forth.
7:02 am on July 22nd, 2008 8
Tom:
Every time I see a comment from you and your face, it reminds me to go within and reflect. Amazing! I’m grateful for your continuing support. Thanks for coming back and letting me know you’re inspired by what you read here.
6:53 pm on January 18th, 2009 9
Stephen, there may exist moments when you almost shudder at the enormous impact you seem to have on people. You are engaging in a kind of healing that strengthens relationships with others as well as with yourself. Your sense of commitment to your clients is always tested, and yet your stories leave a very positive impact.
The journey you describe reminds me of a man I met who had studied to become a physician against his better judgement. He had dreamed of playing the saxophone professionally, but self-doubt overwhelmed him. Over time, he had convinced himself that he would not be able to support himself financially with his music, to the point where he even hid his instrument in a closet. Now, he could play, but people around him discouraged him. They did not beleive in themselves and projected their insecurities on him. He became increasingly unhappy and did some dream therapy. When music and creative expression repeatedly came up, I encouraged him to reconnect with his passion. He started playing again, first for himself, and he eventually found the courage to focus completely on pursuing his dreams. He became a much happier person.
Many people seek to escape from what they presume are their personal identities. Yet they do not realize what causes their restlessness or loneliness. If you adopt the identity of others or, do something that goes against your mind and heart, this is not escape. It is denial of something that enables you to feel whole. How you engage in your life could involve any number of pursuits. The reasons why you do them or not is a never-ending journey into or away from fulfillment.
6:58 pm on January 24th, 2009 10
@ Liara Covert:
You know Liara, I was born to do this! So were you. We all are here to help one another. I’ve had people tell me over and over again how much I’m not aware of the impact I have on others so it’s nice to be reminded from time to time.
You know how it goes? A person is simply doing what is called for him/her to do and then goes out and does it. What’s interesting is that we all get caught up in numbers.
We are taught to go by the numbers. Take a look at Obama for example. When he was running for president, he often attracted thousands of people at his rallies. Most people would say “He’s making a HUGE impact” because of the numbers. But then there’s another, possibly more powerful way people like you and I and others are making a difference.
Rather than going by the numbers, we go by how DEEP we are having an impact on people. It’s not about how many are influenced by how deeply touched they are and the numbers are usually much less. Am I making sense here?
Like I have, at this writing, about 600 subscribers, right? Well, I’m willing to bet that because of the kind of writing I do here, I’m attracting only those who are meant to be touched and inspired on a deep level, versus having thousands who might not be “reachable.”
What do you think?