Stu Saunders Presentations

Stu-Pendous Blog - Archives for September 2008

These are the thoughts of speaker, author and camp director Stu Saunders.
For Stu’s original blog, you may still access his archives here.

Your children

Sep 26, 2008

I have three amazing children. Got thinking this morning while I was journalling. It hit me like a bucket of COLD water. When my kids are reflecting on my life after I pass what will they think of me, my life, goals, accomplishments, how I chose to treat people?

So I wrote a list of the qualities that I would love them to say when asked… “What was your dad like?”

Even if you don’t have children you can benefit from the exercise. Picture you have lived a full life and your future children are sitting around having a coffee with a reporter. The question is “Tell me about your dad/mom, how did they live? What did they teach you?”

Take the time to write this list in your journal and share your list here on the STUpendous BLOG!

Here is something else to think about when you finish the list. What if it all ended tomorrow? What would they say now? Don’t wait to create the life that you want to live! Don’t wait to treat people with kindness, love and respect! Don’t wait to care about a cause bigger then yourself. Don’t wait to get up and see the sunrise, play in a puddle or work harder at something you love! Don’t wait!!

Posted by Stu Saunders in Goal Setting Leadership Learning and Growing Motivation on Sep 26, 2008 at 7:35 am | Permanent Link | Comments (5)
Show time

Sep 20, 2008

Can’t help but wonder how some people show up on a daily basis. Show up for work, school, social events and life in general. I work with young people every day and sometimes I wonder what they are thinking when they put very little investment into making their days more fulfilling. They don’t “try” to be better. They have to understand that they aren’t going to be 15, 16 or 17 forever. They must realize at some point they will have to start to make something happen.

I was working with some students the other day and found myself in awe of some of the negative attitudes of some of the grade nines. One young man had his pants so far down his legs he looked he forgot to get dressed. I watched him as he struggled to walk, looking awkward at best. I mentioned that he might find it easier if he pulled them up a little. He replied, “F u Old man!”

Hmmm, I thought what was his plan for the future? What were his goals and dreams. I think you all know this! How you show up for life every day is the direct cause of your future. I hope that you understand that most people in life that are successful in business, sports, family and life that are people who show up fully! What you wear, how you talk, who you associate with is a direct connection to how your life unfolds.

So stop and look at yourself today. Are you making yourself the best you can TODAY? Don’t just show up, show up fully! You never know who’s watching and what opportunity is about to present itself.

Posted by Stu Saunders in Leadership on Sep 20, 2008 at 10:38 am | Permanent Link | Comments (2)
Waiting

Sep 13, 2008

We live in a instant gratification society. We expect everything fast and then faster! If our computers don’t load in tenths of a second we say it’s slow, we can’t wait for a picture to be developed, or good food to be made. The idea of unplugging from the cyber-super-fast world is scary.

I had a doctor’s appointment yesterday, I was expecting all sorts of “results” and I received none. I was told that I have to wait now until next week. That’s frustrating. My first reaction was to be angry and start to question and blame. Then I realized that we as a human race could benefit a little from learning the art of waiting. There is a skill in be able to wait. In my case I want to know now, but in other cases we want to get results because we are excited.

Here is the challenge today, take some time to sit in silence and do nothing. See how long you can wait there without moving. Be still. Try and do it for 30 minutes. Then write what you felt, thought about and experienced in your journal. Also, please share you thoughts here on the STUpendous BLOG!

I can WAIT to read your response!

Posted by Stu Saunders in Leadership on Sep 13, 2008 at 3:11 am | Permanent Link | Comments (4)
Fresh obsessed

Sep 2, 2008

Isn’t the first day of school grand!! Isn’t it the best day of the year for all students and teachers at every level? I think so! I spoke today to a group of freshman students at a local college. Had a great time, fun group. Before the presentation I was chatting with the Vice-President of the college and noticed a few students skipping out to do… well to go… they were on their way to.... well actually that’s the point. They probably went to wander around, sit somewhere, go to the coffee shop. One guy said he was going back to bed!

I couldn’t help but think, they don’t get it. They are missing out. I know as a fact then when you are in school it seems like it will last forever. But trust me as someone who left college almost 20 years ago, it doesn’t last forever, not even close. After the presentation as 57 year old man walked over to me and thanked me. I asked if he was a teacher at the college? His response was brilliant…

“Nope, I am making up for a lot of lost time, pissed away my youth doing pretty much nothing. I am going to get some of that time back. It’s a privilege to learn!”

Why does it take us all so long to realize the good things. So, as you start another school year today commit to fun and make sure you also commit to celebrating every day the opportunity you have to learn! Be obsessed with the learning opportunities you have in front of you! It’s a chance for a FRESH start!

Here’s today’s question… Read it, write it, answer it and SHARE your answer here on the STUpendous BLOG!

“How will you take advantage of your NEW school year? What will you different to learn and grow?

Posted by Stu Saunders in Leadership on Sep 2, 2008 at 8:50 am | Permanent Link | Comments (8)
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