Above The Line Article:
"Champion to the
Insignificant"
By Erik Carlson
As I mention in the story (you have to see me share it
to get the real effect), I wasn’t paying attention
while sitting the bench in that College Basketball game,
and when my name was called to get into the game, the coach
called time out, so I couldn’t ‘wake up’
in time to figure out which way we were going. What happened
after the time out, well, you’ll have to see the clip
to ‘see’ what happened.
The message I give to corporations and groups after I tell
that humorous story has four parts, but today, when I think
of that day, I’m reminded of just one: Focus on your
target. I failed to focus on my target that day, and today,
as I ponder some tough choices, I have to stay clear-minded
enough to focus on what is truly important to me.
A long time mentor and close friend of mine, Fred Crowell,
shared with me in a car ride to a speaking engagement in
Spokane, Washington, just last November, something about
himself that rings true in my own life. Like Fred, my entire
life, I have tried to be a ‘champion to the insignificant.’
I appreciated Fred sharing that with me about himself, because
it encouraged me to see the real truth, that when I speak
to groups, emcee, or entertain, I tend to get in front of
audiences that cannot afford the ‘high fee’
speakers. I’ve never landed the big $10,000 speaker
fee, but I get 50 to 60 engagements each year for groups
that I am honored to encourage; even though they don’t
have a budget.
This article is talking about focus. At some point, I need
to not worry about focusing on ‘landing the whale,’
but run with what the Lord has put right in front of me;
namely, these such engagements that will never have the
means to bring in a ‘big gun’ speaker. Well,
I’ll be their ‘big gun!’ In two days,
I’m flying to Lewiston, Idaho, to speak to schools
and youth groups about abstinence and making good choices.
I’ll be in heaven! I pray I will always have the ability
to accept such engagements.
I just met today with a man who runs a non-profit for special
needs kids and their families. I proposed to teach the kids
magic as a way to empower them and boost their self esteem
as they discover their own special gifts. This is heaven
for me.
What is it that you need to focus on or, like me, re-focus
on? What do you need to champion in order to live your passions?
I’d like for you to share your thoughts with me, and
encourage me in what you are up to in this area. Go for
it, I believe in you!
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