Stu Saunders Presentations

Stu-Pendous Blog - Leadership

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

Frustrated?

Jul 14, 2008

So I got this great new iPhone. I have been excited about this product for about 2 years. I really wanted it. I waited and waited and well… waited. It arrived last week and wow do I love the technology. It is slick and sweet. I was a hit when I arrived back at our camp… everyone wanted to see it, touch it.

So now that I have had it for about 4 days I am completely frustrated by it. I can’t make my email work, sync my calendar and some of the apps I downloaded simply have disappeared. I have been sitting at my computer for about 2 hours… trying SO hard to figure it all out… no luck. I decided to reset my entire phone and try again. From the beginning.

At the height of my frustration I got up to take a deep breath and try and relax, I don’t usually get upset about… well… anything, but I was. I took a brief walk around the building I was in and came back to my computer. I am now ready to start over, reboot both figuratively and literally. I will get through this and I need to realize it’s not important, not a big deal.

Put your problems in perspective, for every issue that seems so horrible there is someone else going through something much worse. This doesn’t mean that your frustration or challenge doesn’t hold validity. It does, it’s just that if you try and put it in perspective you can deal with it better and usually get a BETTER result. That’s a simplification I admit but I do believe that it works!

Keep breathing, keep leading… come on iPhone work with me.

Posted by Stu Saunders in Leadership on Jul 14, 2008 at 9:56 am | Permanent Link | Comments (4)
Evolution

Jul 11, 2008

I love innovation! I was one of the silly ones that got up super early and went to my local Rogers store to buy an iPhone! I was third in line to get my new apple product. I knew there might be some issues with it launching in 22 countries but I went anyway! To say there were some glitches would be an understatement! Rogers computers crashed keeping me in the store for about 2 hours, there were only 6 phones of a designated 16 and then Apple’s web crashed frustrating hundreds of thousands of new users. My friends and I remained calm and about 6 hours later… I am typing this blog on my new iPhone!

Too often we get so upset about things that we can’t change. It wasn’t the sales clerk in the store that caused the problem and in the grand scheme of things I still have what I wanted and I love it! I hope that we all take a giant lesson from this. When times are tough, take a deep breath and stop. Most times in the end it all works out!

Posted by Stu Saunders in Leadership on Jul 11, 2008 at 11:26 am | Permanent Link | Comments (0)
The Zone

Jul 8, 2008

If you have been following my BLOG’s then you know I was working on a 22 day challenge. It was a HUGE succes, then I got busy with camp. Had some friends visit and fell off the challenge. It has been really upsetting me. Then I thought back to a book about a diet called the ZONE. It is one of many books that used to be around my house. The first page shared some brilliant life wisdom. It said something like this…

“If you fall of the Zone diet, don’t panic because you can get right back on it the next day.”

That’s the key isn’t it? You need to continue and work hard on the ultimate goal. Don’t beat yourself up. I am back on it again tomorrow. Back in my 22 day zone. I needed to tell you that so that I could remember it for myself. If you believe in what you are doing, keep at it.

Posted by Stu Saunders in Goal Setting Leadership on Jul 8, 2008 at 7:59 am | Permanent Link | Comments (6)
Panda

Jul 5, 2008

What a brilliant last seven days! Our first week of YLCC is now done. There were so many amazing moments, too many to mention. There were simply great days of pure summer joy.

One of my big moments happened on Tuesday. I took my son (happy birthday Matty) and youngest daughter to the movies. We went to see Kung Fu Panda. The movie was full of laughter, adventure and a really great message. Basically, the point was that (I am sorry if this gives anything away) if you believe in yourself you can do anything.

There was a BIG scene in the movie where the Panda (Jack Black) realizes that he has the power to do what he needs to do. As soon as he said that, my son who is eight today turned to me very proud of his discovery and said…

“Dad! Do you get it? All he had to was believe in himself, he has the secret power by just believing in himself! Do you get it?”

I almost yelled out loud… “DID YOU HEAR MY SON!?” I was so proud!

We all need to find the power with ourselves. It is incredible what I can do, what you can do, what we can do… think about it.

Posted by Stu Saunders in Leadership Family Life Learning and Growing on Jul 5, 2008 at 2:22 pm | Permanent Link | Comments (2)
The beginning line

Jun 16, 2008

Well it’s 10pm on Monday June 16th, 2008. I have done it. In two hours my 22 day challenge will be done. I have really changed part of the core of my being, of who I am and how act and react to people and situations. I am proud of myself and that’s ok. To often we don’t pat ourselves on the back. We don’t high five each other enough. It’s almost as if the thought of simply being excited for something you have done is a bad thing, you are considered to be arrogant or pompous. I strongly disagree. I was like that for a long time, hiding behind myself. Always concerned that if I tooted my own horn that I would be look down on.

Now please don’t get me wrong. I am not talking about grand standing or showing off. I simply mean it’s ok to say “Good Job” and then smile and move on to the next challenge. I feel good about me. I like that feeling.

As I got closer to the end of the challenge, friends were asking me if I was looking forward to a beer or sleeping in or taking some time of running. I was surprised at the questions. For a while I was thinking that it would be nice to just “get through it”. Now though I have created new habits, new thinking and simply a new way of living. Imagine if we all could instill 1 good habit every three weeks into our daily lives! At the end of a year you would have over 15 new habits! That’s awesome.

So to answer their question… No. In fact I take the last 22 days as simply the walk and stretch to my the starting line, the beginning of the race. You just can’t walk up to a marathon and start running. More often then not you will fail. I am ready to put the feet into the blocks and begin the real challenge; the race of life. So what’s my next step? Another 22 day challenge. Another list of 15 things to change and work on, to get better at.

Racers… Take your mark…

Oh, by the way I will be writing a blog in the next couple of days that will explain how you can do your own 22 day challenge. So check back and again thanks for all the support.

Posted by Stu Saunders in Goal Setting Leadership Motivation on Jun 16, 2008 at 5:08 pm | Permanent Link | Comments (1)
Pushing the boundries

Jun 7, 2008

Spending a wonderful weekend with my friend and mentor Robin Sharma. It’s the annual Awakening Best Self (ABS) weekend held at an amzing place called the Kingbridge Centre. One thing that I love is the entire idea of the weekend, to find out what we as human beings can be. To look at the child that we were and where we lost the spark for learning, loving, laughing and truly living.

Today is the 13th day of my 22 day challenge. It’s great because that’s what it’s all about, the challenge. I love to push myself and find the change in myself and then in turn help others find the change in themselves. This is the idea of the new website http://www.ylcc.com. We wanted to create a website that would better represent all of the work that we do with people of all ages. I have already felt the energy increased around our new website, we pushed the boundries of what we had, what we thought we could do. What we found is we can do better. Just like with our own lives.

Day 13 is almost over and number 14 is upon me. Tomorrow will be the pushing of new boundries. I am excited for me and just as excited about you. Imagine what we all could do if only we pushed ourselves every single day. Man, I find life more exciting every single moment!

Posted by Stu Saunders in Leadership on Jun 7, 2008 at 9:09 am | Permanent Link | Comments (0)
When 50 was equal to 1000

Jun 5, 2008

Day 11, half way through the 22 day challenge. It really has been amazing. People have been asking me what is this 22 day challenge? It’s actually quite simple. The idea is to take the 15 areas of my life that I need to improve and commit to 22 days of non-stop work on them. No excuses, no days off.

Why 22 days? Simple, there is a common belief that it takes 21 days to form a habit. So to make it for 22 days is to engrain the habit a little more. You can do it too! Just pick those 5, 12, 15 or 19 things that you want to change, write them down, keep a check list and then really commit to them. Watch the magic happen. Only pick the changes that truly matter to you!

Last night was special, magical in fact. I was the MC of the annual Soldiers Memorial Hospital Golf Tournament and auction. What was incredible wasn’t just the fact that that we raised $130,000 for the hospital, it wasn’t the fact that we were able to buy a new stretcher, infant weight monitor and a vital sign monitor. People were generous and there was lots of fun to be had.

My favourite part of the evening and the most magical was when we started the live auction. Now, I am not an auctioneer, but I was able to encourage the crowd to spend over $20,000. The first item up for bids, a fifty dollar bill. Our hope was to raise $100. The idea was that people shouldn’t come to charity auctions looking for a bargain. The point is to raise money! What happened next was awesome… The first bid was $50 (by me), then $100, everyone clapped we had done it, doubled the value. Then someone at the back said $250! What, wow!? I thought we were done, someone else said $500… then $750, the crowd was really excited. Finally an older gentleman put up a single finger… One thousand dollars. We closed the bidding. We had just raised $1000 for a fifty dollar bill. I was almost in tears.

I asked the winning bidder what drove him to spend $1000 for a 50 dollar bill? His answer was brilliant…

“We have a universal health care system, aren’t I part of this universe? We all need to work together.”

I think if we all had that attitude about our communities, companies, our lives, friends and families we would all be a lot better off. It can’t always be about me, it needs to be about us. Together we truly are better.

Let’s open the bidding at $250! Do I hear $300?

Posted by Stu Saunders in Leadership on Jun 5, 2008 at 11:00 am | Permanent Link | Comments (1)
The dot, dot, dot

Jun 3, 2008

I write a lot. I am not the best writer and I usually have lots of mistakes. I am lucky though to have some trusty proof readers. You can tell when one of them has read my material and when one hasn’t been proofed. One of my favourite things to use is the “...”. I use it to signify a pause, a moment to think. When the reader should stop and consider the thought that has been written.

In life we rarely take time for the “...”. We live at a pace of such speed that we miss what is happening all around us. I was going for a run the other morning and got to my favourite spot on my route. It’s a little stream that runs through a forest, goes under the road, continues for another 150 feet and then eventually spills into the Lake. As I was running by I heard splashing, I turned quick to see three very large pearch swimming up stream, perhaps spawning. I slowed down to look. I turned looked to my left at the other side of the stream, winding away and disappearing into the woods. There, about 40 feet up was a Blue Heron. It was flipping small fish into its beak, one after the other. This moment was amazing. It was time for the dot, dot, dot.

I find as I continue on the 22 day adventure (day 9) I am discovering more about myself, life and the world around me. I am taking time to absord life through my skin, eyes, nose, ears and touch. It’s beautiful. It’s calming.

Take some time today to stop, absorb, listen. It can change the course of your day.

Now, if you will excuse me, I have some life to absorb…

Posted by Stu Saunders in Leadership on Jun 3, 2008 at 10:00 am | Permanent Link | Comments (1)
Bike riding

May 31, 2008

I don’t remember learning to ride my bike. I am sure my dad or mom helped. I do remember my first real bike though. A purple chopper. One of my most vivid memories of being a child was my father taking me to get a new seat for it, one of the cool ones. Just like a real chopper motorcycle. I can see myself clipping my hockey cards on the spokes so that my bike would make that perfect sound, like I was really ridin’ a hog. Such a great memory.

I do remember teaching my first daughter to ride her bike. My hand on the seat. Running with her, letting go and then she would wobble a little, then a lot and then in the end fall, cry a little and want to quit. We wouldn’t though, I would always say to her, as I have with the next two kids, “If you fall off, get back up, wipe of the dirt and try again.”

I can see her just as vividly, that moment when I would run along behind her and let go and she didn’t fall. I would keep up with her not holding on. Then suddenly, I would slow down. She would ride along farther ahead by herself, tassles on the end of handle bars flowing in the wind, silver, pink, red. She would sail, I would stop. My eyes glazed over a little as this moment would be the first of many, those moments where you have to let go and let your child grow, help hoist the jib sail and let her ride the waves of life that lay ahead. To chart her own course.

The key with life is no different than the key to riding a bicycle. You fall off, you get back up. Does it hurt to fall, yes and in the the case of a bike it can hurt a lot complete with bruises and blood. The moment though that you get it, the pain is gone… forgotten. Soon you ride with your hands behind your head, as if on a unicycle. With ease and grace.

Today is my day 6. I have fallen a little here and little there but for the large majority of it I have pushed through. The best part is it’s getting easier. Life’s like that, some call it “the secret”, I call it bike riding. Nothing can beat that feeling of the wind in your hair, the sun on your face and the speed you get up going down a hill. It is truly brilliant.

Live your days that way. Be the Lance Armstrong of your life. Peddle hard, fall… but get back up. I will.

Posted by Stu Saunders in Leadership on May 31, 2008 at 9:00 am | Permanent Link | Comments (0)
My guide

May 28, 2008

So three days into the 22 day challenge and I couldn’t be in a better place. Really loving it. I can actually feel myself getting healthier and stronger. I can feel the blood in my veins speeding up with excitement! I have taken to meditating in the morning. If you would have told me three years ago I would be meditating, I would have told you that you were a little crazy! I love it though. I have been doing it off and on for the last year and half and really using it find piece, to learn the art of focus (always working on that one).

Today as I sat on my couch, my candle lit and the light smell of vanilla in the air I closed my eyes. The sounds of the ocean and the Japanese flute coming from my stereo. When I focused myself, I found I was on a beach, a light cool mist in the air. I took deep breaths. Soaking in the surroundings. I saw myself as I want to see me. Fit, smiling, calm and happy. I looked to my left and saw a man standing, alone. He was dressed in white pants and flowing white shirt. The colour that of a sand dollar. His head tilted to the sun. Although the sun was hidden behind light grey clouds hiding its warmth.

I walked closer to him, trying to make eye contact. I couldn’t see his face. Although his hair was longer and his skin worn from a life of enduring strong gusts of sea air.

“Who are you?” I enquired.

“Your guide.” was the answer.

I waited for more but nothing. His eyes remained closed his face directed towards the sky.

“What are you looking at?” I finally asked, trying to break the silence.

“The Sun!” a slight smirk could be seen coming from the corner of his mouth.

“But, you can’t see the sun, it’s behind the clouds.”

“You don’t have to see it to know it’s there...” he said in a wise tone.

I looked up, trying to see what he saw; I closed my eyes and looked again. There it was, the sun. Brilliant! When I looked back towards my guide to tell him I saw the sun he was gone. I was alone again on the beach. Just me, the sand, the ocean and the sun.

It’s true, isn’t it? You don’t have to see it to know it’s there. Disney saw his Magic Kingdom long before it ever truly existed. King saw a world of equality years before it would ever be realized (still isn’t there yet). It’s like the life that you choose for yourself. It hasn’t happened yet… not all of it. You have to see it before you can achieve it.

That’s the point of my 22 day challenge… I need to clarify in order to see what’s next. What is it you want to see in the future? Think about it, it could be awesome!

If you’ll excuse me, I have some sun to soak up.

Posted by Stu Saunders in Leadership on May 28, 2008 at 9:40 am | Permanent Link | Comments (2)
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