My name is Dan Thurmon, and I’m a performer.

Does this mean that I enjoy being on stage, the center of attention? That I embrace the heat of spotlights and am fueled by audience responses and applause? Well, yes. But it means much more than that.

You don’t have to step on stage to be a performer. Even if you shy away from the spotlight, you may be one yourself. In fact, every one of us is called upon to perform; to shine; to deliver our life’s work and our best efforts.

Our performances may be planned or spontaneous. They may last mere moments. Yet these moments – when we are engaged in the act of performing – are extraordinary – charged with energy and potential for transformation. These moments, when we attempt to summon our best efforts, reveal our character, improve us, and uplift those around us, whether we are performing for an audience of one or one thousand.

Some would say, “perform at your best every day,” which is a kind wish, but not exactly realistic or useful advice. I used to say this myself, to my audiences. And sure, it sounds good and seems logical that each day we should routinely put forth our best efforts. And perhaps that is your approach. But in reality, it is impossible to be your best at all times… and it isn’t necessary.

To be a sensational performer, you must be your best when it matters the most.

We all have high and low moments and some days are naturally better than others. Performers seem to sense, however, when their circumstances demand a supreme effort, and they know how to summon their abilities to rise to these occasions.

How do you respond to pressure? Do you feel uncomfortable, nervous, or perhaps even a little intimidated? So do all performers. But they also know how to manage their thinking, leverage their strengths and past experiences, and turn uncertainty into excitement … and then opportunity … and then reality.

Performance mastery, in any field, is essentially converting expertise to execution. All the knowledge in the world or specialized skills matter little if they fail you at the critical moment.

Performance abilities are not born. They are developed. Through trial and error, study, mimicry, inspiration, and luck, we learn how to perform. No matter your predisposed posture to performance, you can become excellent.

Three key requirements essential for performance excellence are desire, awareness, and resilience.

Desire

What do you want to achieve or hope to become? Performers, on and off the stage are driven by a compelling motivation. Motivation isn’t just a feeling or positive attitude. It is a hunger that resides with in. And motivation works, to focus the mind, channel the talents, and inspire new solutions. Is motivation working for you? Or are you lacking in motivational fuel? Desire is what enables you to go “off balance,” in pursuit of excellence, yet remain “on purpose,” connected to meaning and mission.

Awareness

Cultivate an awareness of what you are doing and the result of your actions. Are you getting the results you desire? If not, why not? What, specifically, could be better? How so? Become aware of others who are performing better than you are. Study them. Model their efforts, adapting them to suit your unique style. Then try something new, and observe how that works. Continuous learning requires continuous awareness of what isn’t working.

Resilience

Performers fail. Their efforts sometimes result in glory. Other times, the result is utter embarrassment. What makes someone a sensational performer is the resilience to rise, undefeated from their “flops,” informed with the knowledge of what didn’t work and motivated to try something else.

So how do you prepare and rehearse for show time? Study your craft. Put in the work, become the expert. Absolutely. Without that, you have no right to step on your stage.

But performance is about converting expertise to execution when the pressure is on. And that, my friends, is a different discipline entirely.

No related posts.

© dan for Dan Thurmon, 2012. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags:

Feed enhanced by Better Feed from Ozh

Propel yourself forward with full-on commitment.

In my keynote performances, I use a six-foot unicycle to demonstrate how we can more effectively manage uncertainty and move through change.

Watch the embedded video for a quick peek at that live segment.

If you’ve been in the audience, you’ve seen me weaving in and out of tables and chairs, racing across the room in dramatic fashion to convey simple, but meaningful points:

• In order to move forward, on a unicycle or in life, you must intentionally lean your body forward, off balance, steering (and falling) into uncertainty.
• Once you are off balance, you are motivated to move, harnessing the energy that comes with change.
• It takes consistent, repeated action (in this case, pedaling) to maintain your forward progress.
• There is no such thing as standing still. You are either going forward or going backward.
• Failure to lean into change requires you to begin to “idle.” This means going forward, then backward, in order to halt your progress and resist the natural progression of life.

Idling is the illusion of progress – effort without accomplishment. Basically, you are marking time, moving forward a bit, then backward to stop your progress.  Moving through life this way is exhausting, as you can’t seem to build momentum for forward progress. And, when you glance backward at your life and realize that, after all that work, you really haven’t gone anywhere, it can be quite disheartening.

To break this pattern of idling in your life, you need to intentionally lean yourself forward, Off Balance, but On Purpose. This means reconnecting to a sense of purpose or meaning in your life, and taking action to propel yourself toward a worthwhile pursuit.

If you idle for any length of time, marking the same territory, backwards and forwards, you can begin to cut a rut beneath you. This well worn path feels comfortable, so you choose to remain their just a bit longer. Before you know it, you may feel “stuck” – trapped in the familiar patterns of thought and action. If you are in this predicament right now, follow these steps and answer the associated questions to break free from your “entrenched” position.

Into Action

1. Connect to your Purpose. What is your compelling reason for moving forward? By clarifying your mission, you’ll find that uncertainty transforms to excitement.
2. Lean Into Uncertainty.  What action or commitment would be the equivalent for you of leaning forward on a six-foot unicycle? Whatever it is, do it.
3. Ask for a Push. Who can help? To commit to the process of change, you might need a nudge from someone you trust or a guide to show you the way. Ask for help. Tell a friend or colleague what you intend to do, so that they can cheer your progress and hold you accountable.
4. Take Repeated Action. What actions will you continue to take on a regular basis to keep moving forward? You don’t have to do it all at once. But you must do something consistently.

Idling can be comfortable, and it appears to be safe. But, as I often say, “If you limit yourself to what’s comfortable, you deny yourself what’s possible.” And, in the long run, idling is anything but “safe.” Withdrawing from the natural process of change, growth, and progress can be very risky business.

I wish you purposeful forward progress in all areas of life. And those sentiments are anything but idle.

No related posts.

© dan for Dan Thurmon, 2012. | Permalink | 4 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags:

Feed enhanced by Better Feed from Ozh

As professional speaker and life balance expert, I pride myself on delivering insightful and useful information to my audiences. What is often most remembered, however, is the fact that I am also a juggler, acrobat, and unicycle rider. My programs are also pretty darn funny.

To be a motivational juggler sounds like an odd combination to some. But, for me, it makes perfect sense. I began juggling when I was only 11 years old, and learned to perform from a masterful entertainer named Mike Vondruska. Naturally, I sought to develop my skills and perform on stage, like my mentor. I loved it. In these early years, I delivered comedy juggling, acrobatic performances at fairs, festivals, and special events in the Chicago area. My youth and small size made my act even more of a novelty, and soon I began to grow my confidence and onstage charisma.

As I grew a little older, both my skills and my show matured. I became a sought after corporate entertainer. In fact, my performance skills enabled me to become a young entrepreneur, building a business while I was in high school and, also, paying for my college education, in Athens, GA.

How does a juggler become a motivational speaker and author?

While I was attending the University of Georgia and studying marketing and business, I was also running my own business as a professional entertainer. I had a strong reputation among Atlanta entertainment agencies (where I still live). I was able to immediately apply what I learned at school to my business efforts, which helped me to develop a profitable enterprise that supported both my education and lifestyle. I attended class during the week and performed my shows on evenings and weekends – mostly in Atlanta, which was about an hour from campus.

Of course, my performances were not always such a quick drive from home. I traveled across the Southeast and even across the country, performing in some truly wonderful venues. I often had to “juggle” my class schedule and workload, including the time I missed two weeks of school to perform in Saudi Arabia.

Simultaneously, I was a self-taught student of personal improvement and motivation. I used my plentiful drive time to listen to motivational speakers and authors such as Zig Ziglar, Brian Tracy, Tony Robbins, Wayne Dyer, and many others. I subscribed to the Nightingale Conant  “tape of the month” club, and always had a dose of motivational wisdom ready to go.

At this point, I didn’t envision that I would become a motivational speaker. I did, however, benefit greatly from these lessons as I finished my college education and continued to expand and grow my business.

I graduated UGA in 1990 with a BA in Marketing. At this point, I moved closer to Atlanta and used that as a home base for my performance career. I continued to deliver my solo performances and expanded my company to begin to produce larger events with larger casts.  Over time, however, I began to grow dissatisfied with my simply entertaining audiences, and I began to wonder what else I could do professionally.

It was at this point that I began to ask: What if I incorporated my interest in motivation and personal improvement into my performances?

This one question took me down a road to uncover my true passion and, I believe, the career I was destined to pursue. I began to learn about the world of “professional speaking” (which I didn’t really even know existed). I began to write about my expertise in juggling and performance from a business mindset. I also experimented with incorporating these ideas and routines into my performances, testing their impact and the audiences response.

Juggling, as it turned out, was an absolutely perfect visual for illustrating many vital performance related disciplines, including:

Effective Time Management
Managing Focus
Performance Excellence
Leadership
Teamwork
Life Balance

In 1994, I joined the National Speakers Association, and my educational opportunities exploded. Through this organization, and by attending local and national events, I accelerated my learning curve immensely.

My content continued to grow and deepen, as my key interest was the message, not necessarily the “tricks” I had developed. Still, these unique talents (juggling, acrobatics, and unicyling) continued to serve me well and enable me do deliver speeches that were more than just speeches – they became memorable experiences.

Over the years, I have written two books. My first was Success in Action, and my most recent book is Off Balance On Purpose.  In this work, I challenge some of our common beliefs about life balance and offer an alternative, reality-based approach to integrate the most important aspects of life. I am humbled and thrilled with the response that this book continues to receive. In 2011, I was inducted into the Professional Speaking Hall of Fame, achieving a lifelong goal and ambition.

And, yet again, I owe my success unique perspective, in large part, to a singular moment that was sparked long ago, when an was eleven year old boy was asked by my would-be-mentor, “Hey kid, do you want to learn to juggle?”

No related posts.

© dan for Dan Thurmon, 2012. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags:

Feed enhanced by Better Feed from Ozh

Are you ready to leap into the New Year? Here’s how!

Last week I got together with my friend and fellow speaker, Mike Rayburn, to do some planning and goal setting for the New Year. We had a very productive two day session, discussing all aspects of business, as well as our families, fitness, and spiritual journeys. We really pushed each other to “Go for the Bold.” In other words, it isn’t enough to set safe, predictable, or easily achievable objectives. If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing right … and BIG.

So, you could say we “Super Sized” our goals, to the point that they were exciting, challenging, and even a bit intimidating. Then, to confirm our commitment, we shot the video you see above. It was a lot of fun to do. But also (as strange as this may sound) it made our goals and previous discussions seem more real and more achievable.

As you get ready to “Leap” into 2012, and as you envision the kind of year you want to make it, here are some ideas to keep in mind.

Into Action

1. Set goals that stretch you. Don’t stick with what is comfortable or seek to simply replicate your past success. Envision and commit to a new plan – one that makes you a bit uncomfortable and would make you ecstatic to achieve.
2. Consider all aspects of life. Think through your objectives and goals in all five of your life spheres: Work, Relationships, Health, Spiritual Growth, and Personal Interests. Develop a plan of action that will challenge you to grow multi-dimensionally, not simply in one or two areas.
3. Plan with a partner. Whether you do this with a friend, your spouse, or a business associate, having someone to hold you accountable will make a tremendous difference for both the planning process and (more importantly) the follow through effort. Choose someone who will support you, and you will support, to make sure you stay on track for success.
4. Commit, Commit Commit! You don’t have to jump off a roof into a freezing pool (in fact, in the way of a disclaimer, let me plainly state you should NOT do this. Mike and I are trained professionals with a vague idea of what we are doing.) But I KNOW there is something you can do (safely) to boldly punctuate your pact. Take action to celebrate your commitment and launch the year with excitement.

I look forward to continuing to be your friend and encourager in 2012 … and beyond!

Happy New Year!

Dan

No related posts.

© dan for Dan Thurmon, 2011. | Permalink | 5 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: goal setting, Goals, new years resolutions, Planning

Feed enhanced by Better Feed from Ozh

And more fully experience and enjoy your holidays.

This time of year promises to be a “break” for us – an opportunity to relax, connect with loved ones, recharge our batteries, or deepen our faith. However, the reality can be far from our imagined or intended version of events.

For many of us, the preparations and plans (decorating, shopping, making travel arrangements, and such) become added burdens to our lives. We must suddenly handle all of our usual tasks and responsibilities AND take care of holiday “to do’s,” as well.

The downside of this is that we may lose the feeling of specialness, or the meaning and purpose behind our celebrations.

My hope and plea is that you are able to find and enjoy, in the midst of the madness, the moments that truly matter.

Space Between the Throws

The study and practice of high level juggling has taught me volumes about managing a “full pattern” of objectives. As I teach these principles, one of the points that consistently resonates with audiences is this one:
No matter how much you are handling, there still remains some space between your throws and catches.

It is in the spaces between our actions and tasks that we can experience peace, joy, and purpose. Yet, too often, the tendency is to ignore or race past the spaces in order to get to the next thing, obligation, or task. We hope that, at some point, we will have our tasks accomplished, so that we can then experience peace. Yet that moment doesn’t come or, if it does arrive, disappears like morning mist, in the heat of the moment or winds of change.

“Space” is a gift that is difficult to wrap. But it is absolutely free of charge, and yours to both experience and give away, if you can remember a few simple guidelines.

Into Action

1. Look for the Spaces – Spaces are everywhere, if you just notice them: a pause in your conversation to fully connect with someone special, a moment to take a deep breath and experience the moment, or a purposeful minute of solitude to give yourself a break. Once you start noticing and validating the “spaces” in your life, they will expand and multiply.
2. Be Present – Your full and uncompromised presence is the greatest present you can give yourself or your loved ones. “Show up” with your full self.
3. Simplify – The concept “less is more” never really caught on with marketers and retailers. Listen to the noise of what the world tells you, and you will never have enough. However, once you realize that you already have enough, the little things will take on new and wonderful significance.
4. Pace Yourself – Slow down your experience, physically and mentally. Set your own pace, instead of responding to arbitrary demands.
5. Remember the Purpose – When tempted to run frantically in another direction, reconnect to the meaning behind your intentions. If the purpose isn’t there, then release yourself from those burdens. Where there is purpose, embrace it wholeheartedly, and hang on!

Some friendly, purposeful reminders:

• Renew your relationships with friends and family.
• Deepen your faith, and give thanks for what you have.
• Celebrate the end of your year, and look forward with excitement to 2012.
• Rest. I mean, really rest. Renew your body, mind and soul. You deserve it!

From our family to yours, wishing you joyful celebrations, with room to spare!

Dan

No related posts.

© dan for Dan Thurmon, 2011. | Permalink | 7 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags:

Feed enhanced by Better Feed from Ozh

Off Balance On Purpose Theme by Dan Thurmon

Click the Arrow (or link) to Play or the Down Arrow to Download

Everybody deserves a motivational musical mantra:

a personal soundtrack that will pick you up when you are feeling down, or pump you up before your workday or big moment!

That’s why I produced this song. Not only will it provide you a motivational, musical BOOST, but it will also keep you connected to a mindset and plan of action to remain Purposeful, even in the midst of Off Balance Moments.

Enjoy it with my compliments! Load it on your iPod or smartphone, burn a CD for your car, or add it to your “favorites,” and feel free to share your comments below (including ideas for the upcoming music video).

With encouragement always,

Dan

OBOP Theme Song Lyrics

If you’re feeling overwhelmed,
Confused and out of touch.
If you’re stressed ’cause life’s a mess
And it’s too much.

You are longing for some peace, control and resolution.
May I propose a slightly unconventional solution?
You’ve been told that finding balance is the key to satisfaction,
But I suggest instead that you adopt a plan of action.

A new philosophy for you and me!

Off Balance, On Purpose
Get clear on your intentions and your dreams.
Off Balance, On Purpose
Success and happiness are closer than it seems.

Amplify your life by plugging into deeper meaning.
You’ll be prone to positivity once you are forward leaning.
It’s time to take control and make a choice
Stand up, express yourself, and share your voice!

Off Balance, On Purpose
Stretch your mind and your ability.
Off Balance, On Purpose
Initiate the changes that you see.

You’ve been told that finding balance is the key to satisfaction,
But I suggest instead that you adopt a plan of action
Embrace uncertainty. A new philosophy for you and me.

Off Balance, On Purpose
Get clear on your intentions and your dreams, yeah.
Off Balance, On Purpose
Success and happiness are closer than it seems.
Off Balance, On Purpose
Stretch your mind and your ability.
Off Balance, On Purpose.
Success and happiness are closer than it seems.

No related posts.

© dan for Dan Thurmon, 2011. | Permalink | 13 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags:

Feed enhanced by Better Feed from Ozh

What you perceive to be a daily grind is someone else’s dream life.

We need to celebrate the struggle, as that is what makes us who we are. Here are some “gifts of the grind.”

Gifts of the Grind

• The grind helps us develop consistent action and disciplined thinking that have a huge impact over time.
• The grind stretches our abilities and makes us stronger.
• The grind offers opportunities in the form of repeated “failures” that lead to breakthroughs, often at the point of exhaustion.
• The grind teaches us about ourselves and refines our sense of purpose.
• The grind creates pain, frustration, and discomfort that help us become willing to change.

No related posts.

© dan for Dan Thurmon, 2011. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags:

Feed enhanced by Better Feed from Ozh

Always be your best!

It’s advice we have often heard and advice I’ve even offered during my motivational programs. The problem is, it isn’t possible. We can’t always be at our best, most positive and productive “setting,” every moment and in every encounter. Sure, that is the goal – to offer your greatest contributions. But on occasion, during stressful moments, in a weak mental state (especially while fatigued), any one of us has the potential to “lose it” and issue a less than helpful response.

However, I do think that there is one area in life where we can make one decision that will make a significant, positive, and ongoing change for the better. I’m talking about the arena of online postings.

Increasingly, we are in the habit (or forming the habit) of tweeting our thoughts, sharing our “status,” and casting our comments on other people’s lives, words, photos, and ideas. All of this activity takes place in a personal, yet very public space. And the ripple effects of our efforts easily multiply and continue beyond our view. So, as we do this, may I suggest a simple rule to guide you? Post positive.

Post Positive

The words, images, and videos, you share convey your perspective on life. Words can be charged with meanings, attitudes, and emotions. Before you click the “send,” “share,” or “post” buttons, I’m suggesting that you screen your screen, and make sure you are broadcasting positive comments, rather than critical, destructive, or negative ones.

Even in the area of humor, we can easily get ourselves into some trouble. I’ve certainly done it – in emails, texts, and online comments, humor is not always interpreted the way it is intended. When trying to be funny, we can easily miss the mark, especially when attempting to use sarcasm.

I’m not suggesting that you have to be bubbly, happy, and smiley in every instance. Be yourself. But be the best version of yourself. Why? Well, for one thing you are forming a reputation in a very public and enduring forum. Even if you think you are sending a private email to someone, your written words can be easily forwarded or posted. Follow the simple rule that if you wouldn’t want to have your mom read it (or client, spouse, son, or daughter), then don’t put it in writing and send it into cyberspace.

Into Action

Here are some guidelines you may wish to keep in mind, in order to consistently Post Positive:

1. Celebrate greatness – applaud (or “like”) people, ideas, or instances that reflect your ideas of excellence. Amplify the positive.
2. Encourage others – Instead of commiserating with others about how bad things are, attempt to uplift and offer guidance, or at least encouragement.
3. Disagree respectfully – In heated debates, you may feel the need to share your opinion. Do so with class and respect, even if others are losing their cool.
4. Choose clever over sarcastic – Sarcasm is one of the lowest forms of humor. Plus, it’s negative, and easily misread. Instead of going for the easy laugh, be a little more thoughtful with your humor.
5. If you don’t have anything nice to say …. You know. We’ve all learned the lesson. Let’s put it to use. Don’t let the negativity of others drag you down. Rise above, and move on.

You have an important voice. Use it wisely. Craft your comments and your persona in a positive way. Extend these ideas into your “live” encounters, as well, and you will not only develop a winning, positive reputation, but also to enjoy a healthier (and more productive) reality. Positive people feel better and tend to get more of what they want. Just another reason to “plus” your perspective.

No related posts.

© dan for Dan Thurmon, 2011. | Permalink | 5 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Social Media strategy

Feed enhanced by Better Feed from Ozh

Balancing Your Life – Part 3

Dan Thurmon teaches life balance lessons while walking a 10 foot tall slack rope

Please watch the Video Presentation of this message by clicking the play button below. To watch full screen in High Definition, click the arrows in the bottom right corner, and choose 720 or 1080p. Transcript of the video follows.

Did you miss Part One in this Video Series? If so, Click Here!

To see Part Two in this Video Series, Click this Link!

Video Transcript:

The third key about balance I want to teach you today is this: Realize that you can’t make it all the way across the rope in one step. It will take many steps. It will take time. And – here’s the key – it will take many adjustments along the way. You must make adjustments about how you approach your challenge, about what you are thinking, and what you are doing.

Make Adjustments to:

• Strategies
• Ideas
• Actions

The key is that you make those adjustments confidently and consciously.

Overcompensating

Many times in life we find ourselves off course, and the tendency is to over-correct – to make a huge adjustment in the opposite direction – which may just send you off balance in a new direction, and then you’ll have to react to that situation too! It’s about making small adjustments, controlled corrections along the way, which you can do.

[Dan stands up and begins to walk the slack rope]

You can do it, if you have the proper focus and the presence of mind – a state of mind where you are managing your anxiety and stress – then you can recognize those adjustments before they become critical.

And notice, as I’m doing this, that I’m constantly making small adjustments with my free leg, with my arms and hands, and I’m taking a very deliberate approach to handling those adjustments as they are required.

These principles and keys will enable you to chart your course and, ultimately, arrive at your destination. [Dan reaches the other end of the rope.]

So remember, by managing your focus, your state of mind, and your adjustments along the way, you will be capable of handling life’s daunting challenges [Dan juggles three flaming torches atop the rope] with great success.

Stay Off Balance … On Purpose.

Related posts:

1. Balancing Your Life
2. Managing Anxiety

© dan for Dan Thurmon, 2011. | Permalink | 2 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags:

Feed enhanced by Better Feed from Ozh

Balancing Your Life – Part 2

Please watch the Video Presentation of this message by clicking the play button below. To watch full screen in High Definition, click the arrows in the bottom right corner, and choose 720 or 1080p. Transcript of the video follows.

Did you miss Part One in this Video Series? If so, Click Here!

Hi, Dan Thurmon here, back with your second in our video series about Balancing Your Life. And, today, I want to talk with you about how to manage your anxiety, stress and tension when you find yourself to be … a little high strung.

When you are walking on a slack rope, ten feet off the ground, it can be very stressful, because the rope is constantly shifting, and the consequences for failure are steep … literally! And the same is true when you face difficult challenges in life! The problem is, when you become anxious or stressed, you are least capable and least confident, and those are the moments when you need to be the MOST capable and confident.

To perform at your best when it matters the most, you must Manage Your Anxiety. Here are three ways to do that, even in the midst of a daunting challenge:

First, control your breathing. It sounds simple, but when the rope starts shaking, manifesting your nervousness, the remedy is to take conscious, full breaths, and blow that tension out of your body. If you can control your breathing, you begin to move away from panic or fear and into a more resourceful state of mind.

The second key is to find your footing. On a slack rope, you are balancing with one foot in the air, and there is nothing to hold on to! It can also feel that way when you are dealing with uncertainty, or a difficult challenge in your life. But the key to managing anxiety is to find your footing – realize that you still have at least one point of solid contact, and make sure you are doing what it takes to maintain that foundation. So, focus on what you can control, not the areas where you are powerless.

The third key is to set your own pace. When you are anxious, it is usually time to slow down, not race ahead! Don’t succumb to arbitrary or unrealistic time frames. Better to get it right the first time, than to get it wrong quickly and repeatedly.

Use these three techniques to become a better balancer, and manage your stress and anxiety so you can enjoy the journey and rise to your highest performance!

Related posts:

1. Balancing Your Life

© dan for Dan Thurmon, 2011. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags:

Feed enhanced by Better Feed from Ozh