It’s exciting to continue on with my weekly interviews because it’s truly having a powerful effect on the Adversity University community in different ways.

Here’s a small sampling of comments I’ve been receiving lately about the Stephen Hopson Interviews.  Because so many of you have left comments on a variety of different interviews, I thought it’d only be fair if I pulled out a handful of names from this month’s comment champs (see sidebar “Monthly Comment Champs”) for today’s post .  Photo credit:  JennyYo).

From Jennifer, Principles of Peace:

It was great to have him here. I enjoyed that……

From Tom Stine, Spiritual Life Coach:

Stephen, glad you bought Chris to my attention.  I really enjoyed this interview, and I dig his site.

From Patricia, Spiritual Journey of a Lightworker:

Interesting person to interview. I just read a couple of Chris’ blog articles and will go back and read more.

From Karen Putz, A Deaf Mom Shares Her World:

One of the reasons I like these interviews so much is that I get to meet new people all the time through your blog. I went over to Chris’ blog and read the “ass kicking” post. I’ll definitely be reading more!

From Corinne Edwards, Personal Growth with Corinne Edwards:

I don’t know how you got this “get” of an interview with her. Congratulations.  It is a great compliment to you, Stephen! And as usual, you asked all the right questions. That is the test of a good interviewer. Asking the questions the reader wants to know……….

From Ryan, Ryscott

You scored a pretty nice interview here. Makes me wonder if I should start interviewing…?

From Nita, Moments:

Nice interview!! I am impressed that Karen is able to juggle so many things, let alone raising three kids, a house to boot, and lastly, not least, making time for her hubby!!

Be on the lookout for more coming up in the near future like Todd Goldfarb of “We the Change” and Jay White of popular “Dumb Little Man.”  Can’t wait to introduce you to them and others!

Ok, enough of the accolades.  Let’s call Chris Guillebeau from backstage.  He’s been waiting patiently for us to call him out.

CHRIS!  PLEASE COME OUT NOW!

(Hugging, shaking hands and making sweeping motion over audience with my left hand as if I were whispering to him, All this for you my friend.)

Let’s get started Chris!

11.  What would you say was the defining moment (personal “tipping point”) that forever changed the course of your life?  For example, was it someone who made an impact on you or was it a spiritual revelation?

There have been many such moments, but what I think of first are the four years I spent in West Africa from 2002 to 2006. I realize that four years is not really one tipping point, but that time influenced my life and the way I see the world far more than anything else.

Stephen’s Response:  I can only imagine what it must have been like to live in South Africa for an extended period of time.  I’ve read novels, biographies, blog articles and so forth about other people’s experiences there.   One day I plan to visit South Africa, just to see what it’s like.

12.  At Adversity University, I often talk about the value of changing our perceptions in order to deal with adversity.  How have you dealt with adversity in your life?  Give us specific examples of adversity and what you did to overcome them.

I like your theme of changing perceptions; I think that is very important.  A lot of adversity we experience is not that limiting once we decide to see things differently.

After my first year in Africa, I was offered the job of Programs Director for our charity organization. It was the #2 position in the organization, with responsibility for 120 staff and volunteers. Because it was a senior position and I was so young (24 at the time), a number of people were opposed to the appointment.

The way you overcome adversity like that is to simply do whatever it is people say you can’t do, so I just started doing the job and trying to do it better than anyone else ever had.  Similarly, when you, Stephen, decided to become a pilot, you chose to ignore the idea that you weren’t supposed to do something like that.  You just went out and did it, proving a great example for the rest of us.

Stephen’s Response:  Thanks Chris.  Somehow I learned that the results of my life is largely determined how I handle it through the lens of my own perceptions.   All we have to do is look.   Wow, what an experience that must have been for you to take over a large staff organization with such resistance.  That’s very difficult.

Right - we can chose to ignore what others say we aren’t supposed to do - or we can accept them.  Both of us chose to ignore the naysayers and go forth.  Amazing story there Chris.  To be honest with you, I don’t know if I would have been able to handle the resistance of a majority of people who I’d be in charge of.  I’d much rather have acceptance.  But then what do I know? I’ve never experienced that kind of adversity - I have no idea how I’d handle it.  Hmmm….interesting.

One final thought here:  Has it occurred to any of us that the majority of adversity we experience is a result of dealing with people?  Think about it.  When was the last time you experienced adversity as a result of nature or “an act of God”?  When was the last time you had challenges because of other human beings?

Bingo!

13.  What is your favorite word?  Least favorite?

Sorry, but I don’t think I have either a favourite or least favourite word.

Stephen’s response:  Well, that’s a first!  LOL.  Okay, no biggie there.  Wink, wink.

14.  What was the most embarrassing moment of your life that you now look back at and laugh, cry or smile?  What was the lesson(s) you learned?

I wish I had just one “most embarrassing moment” - in fact, I probably have at least one per continent. But the one I think about most was when I walked into the glass door of a Starbucks in Singapore.  It was definitely as bad as it gets in terms of embarrassment.  From that experience, I learned to always look carefully for hidden glass doors whenever I go to Starbucks… and also that at some point, you just have to get over your embarrassment and go on with life.

Stephen’s Response:  Wow, one per continent?!  How many of us can say that about our lives?  “One per continent”?  Oh good Lord, you walked into the glass door of Starbucks?  That actually reminds me of the time when I literally walked through the front glass door at home when I was a kid.  The difference is that I was seriously cut up and bled rather profusely.  I remember the ambulance guy holding my arm with swaths of bloody towels with the kindest smile on his face.  He was saying, “You’ll be alright son.”  I think I was in and out of consciousness or something to that affect.

I agree with you 100 percent that you just have to get over your embarrassment and go on with life.  Imagine the times when I mis-prounced words that I had never heard of before only to be corrected by someone (either publicly or privately).

15.  What 3 books, blogs and/or mentors have influenced you and why?  (ONLY THREE IN TOTAL)

Let’s take books:

Haruki Murakami’s books have helped me think about life and purpose, especially A Wild Sheep Chase.

Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged is a beautiful book that rounds out the individualistic side of my belief system.  (For the other side of caring for others, I look to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.)

Jim Collins’ Good to Great is a modern-day classic for a good reason. Everyone should give it a look, even people who aren’t interested in business.

Stephen’s Response:  The reason I asked about books is because I positively inhale them.  I love reading.  I read something every single day.   Sometimes I have two or three books that I’m reading at the same time. Talk about “multi-tasking!”

16.  Name the top 5 articles from ”The Art of Nonconformity” that you believe readers at Adversity University would benefit from.

Different reasons will identify with different articles, but to get started I’d recommend The Decision To Be Remarkable, How to Recruit a Small Army, The Flip-Side of Self-Employment and Freedom, Why You Should Quit Your Job and Travel Around the World, and 28 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Started Traveling.

Stephen’s Response:  The one that was absolutely, positively a favorite must-read was “The Decision To Be Remarkable.”  That simply bore into my heart and soul - I felt it spoke to me because I believe it’s so important to lead a “remarkable life.”  Why shouldn’t we?  Of course, I won’t judge those who choose not to lead one but we only live once.  Why not make the best of it?

17.  What do you hope God will have to say to you when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?

“Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Stephen’s Response:  Hey, that was a nice one - a “feel-good” kind of statement.  Sort of like a statement of vindication or acknowledgement that “you done good.”

18.  Being deaf, I am always curious to know which sounds other people love and hate to hear.  Tell us a sound you absolutely adore and a sound you detest.

I’ve never thought about that before - good question.  I guess for me I like the sound of coffee being made or the sounds of airplanes.  I can’t think of any sounds I detest, but I don’t really like movies or TV much, so perhaps those would count.

Stephen’s Response:  Well, you travel so much so I would guess the sound of coffee from the galley in the airplane and the roar of the engines are like music to you because it means you’re on the move around the globe.  That’s my impression.

So you don’t like movies or TV?  That’s interesting.  I cut off my cable TV to prevent myself from getting distracted but I love movies - I belong to Netflix and can’t seem to get enough of them.  I like to corral myself away and live vicariously through the actors from time to time.

19.  We all have our likes and dislikes.  What would you say turns you on and what turns you off?  Give the first answer that comes to your mind without censoring or editing it.

I like ideas, encouragement, adventure, good music, real food, and time with people I care about.

I dislike closed-mindedness in general, along with people who criticize others without adding any alternative of their own.

Stephen’s Response:  Good points, especially the close-mindedness part.  Seems like there are those who are only too happy to criticize but when pressed for alternatives, they clam up.

20.  What’s the biggest, boldest dream you have for yourself Chris?

The biggest dream and the biggest fear are related. I hope to achieve a high number of personal, significant goals for myself while building relationships with people all over the world that help them achieve their own goals. I plan to do that through writing, teaching, and working with groups. My fear is that I won’t make as much of an impact as I would like.

Stephen’s Response:  It’s true.  The higher we go, the scarier it can be because it’s something bigger than we’ve ever imagined it would be.  Like my dream of flying the HondaJet.  There are numerous ratings and training that goes along with it to the point where it can seem overwhelming.  Flying on instruments (which is what I became famous for in the world of aviation in 2006 because I became the first deaf pilot to achieve it for those who don’t know me) is a very challenging task so imagine the added workload when flying bigger and faster airplanes in “bad weather.”  When I think about that dream, a small part of me wants to shrink from it in fear because i think to myself, “Can I handle this?”  So I can understand totally!

21.  And finally but not least, where can we find out more about you?

http://chrisguillebeau.com/3×5

Thank you for the thoughtful questions!

(Turning to the audience:  Let’s give Chris a hand here - he’s been a most wonderful, interesting guest here at Adversity University!!).

Thank you Chris for coming here.  Your background certainly added some flavor here and I am grateful for your time.  Best wishes on your next trip!!!  Don’t forget to stop by the university for a chat sometime, okay?

Everyone else, have a great rest of the week!  I have a full gratitude post coming up at the end of the week so stay tuned………

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