Welcome to 2009

And the new version of the Action Mail Newsletter. This year, we have many exciting new resources in the pipeline for subscribers, so stay tuned. I look forward to your feedback on the new (and developing) danthurmon.com.

The year of “Off Balance” 

As you are already well aware, 2009 is going to be a wild ride! We are living in historic times: A precarious and battle scarred economy, world wide attention on our new President and the actions of Congress, thousands of jobs lost on a daily basis.  

We’ve never been more Off Balance.

What are you going to do about it?

As we stand at the crest of 2009, ready to ski, sled, crawl, or tumble headfirst into uncertainty, what are your expectations for this year? For most of my clients and the people I know, the answers to that question are “measured,” at best, including:

“In this economy, we’re just struggling to stay alive.”

“2009 is going to be awful. We’re already focused on 2010.”

“We’re not going to participate in the recession.”

I work with a diverse list of clients, in many different industries, both Private and Public sector. Most are experiencing some degree of downturn, ranging from unexpected bumps to total devastation. 

Some sectors are thriving. But even those who remain successful are experiencing a “wake up” by association. We all gasp at the events and news reports of job losses, plummeting portfolios, schemes, and scandals and wonder “What’s next?”

The Perfect Storm of Uncertainty. You are here.

The “perfect storm” of uncertainty – economic, geopolitical, and personal issues taken together – leave
 us all unquestionably “off balance.” But are you “Off Balance On Purpose?” Do you feel emboldened by the changes, or are you shaken to the core?

We can’t remain spectators. The world has enough singers in the “Hallelujah Victims’ Choir.”

The truth is, you can’t control or even predict the waves that threaten you. But you can steer the boat. Your boat.

To regain a sense of control, focus with greater conviction on the positive aspects which you can manage and improve. I believe that this year is a sensational opportunity to go back to basics and strengthen the fundamentals that contribute to your long term success. 

Fundamentals

To weather the uncertainty that lies ahead and make the best use of time and resources, I propose that you and I make this the year to return to (or reinforce) the fundamentals of success.

Every day, you lay the groundwork for your unfolding success story. What you choose to do now, at this moment, will determine how you handle adversity, and how you are positioned when new opportunities materialize down the road. 

It’s not about the weather. It’s about the whether – Whether or not you are willing to take action.

Into Action

Make 2009 your year to:

1. Develop Daily Discipline – What are you doing every day to sharpen your ax, improve yourself (Exercise is free), or create a new opportunity? I don’t mean a once in a while effort, or a heroic, desperate,  “Hail Mary Pass” approach to change. What do you do every day to prepare for the opportunities that await you? 
2. Build Relationships – With so many people in need of help, support, and friendship, this is an important time to focus on helping others. Make it part of your purpose to care for those in need, and you’ll benefit immediately (from the joy and fulfillment), and for years to come (due to the lasting relationships you’ll foster). 
3. Embrace Sound Business Practices – Now is the time to get back to basics, with regard to your finances. Make value based decisions. Conserve costs where you can. Leverage your resources, and make the most use of what you have.
4. Go to School – During this year, learn something new. Become a beginner again. This is an important time to remain humble and become more skilled or more knowledgeable in your chosen field.

As the year unfolds, I can guarantee there will be new opportunities, as well as unexpected challenges. 

That’s life! The question is, will you be ready to capitalize on the opportunities? Will you be prepared to handle the challenges?

The answer to those questions depends upon your approach to fundamentals.

Let’s get to work.

Your partner in action,

Dan 

View Past Newsletters

Destinations and Transitions – October, 2008

Seize the Adventure – September, 2008

Becoming Irreplaceable – August, 2008

Capability and Capacity – July, 2008

Sustainablity – June, 2008

Read the rest of this entry »

What’s in a name?

As a professional motivational speaker who delivers keynote speeches for Opening, Closing and General Sessions across the country, I meet a lot of people. My name, Dan Thurmon, often appears on screen, in conference programs, and on signs outside my sessions. The problem is, it often appears incorrectly.

You see, my name is not Dan Thurman or Dan Thurmond. It is Dan Thurmon.

Don’t take this the wrong way. It does not bother me, personally. I understand the confusion and confess that remembering names is not exactly my strong suit.

The problem is, many times people try to find me by searching for Dan Thurman or Dan Thurmond, and they have difficult doing so. That is why I am writing this Blog post. If you searched for Dan Thurman (or some other incorrect spelling) of my name and found this page, you’ve made it to my website and are in the right place! Now, you can watch my videos, send me an email, or learn more about my programs, clients, and the like.

Other common misspelling of my names, include:

• Dan Thurman (any relation to Uma?)
• Don Thurmon (not Don, but Dan)Don Thurman (swapping vowels, first and last)
• Don Thurmond (like “Strom Thurmond”)
• Dan Thurmond (one “d” too many)
• Dan Therman (maybe it was just a typo)
• Don Therman (ok, that’s not even close)

I really don’t care how you spell my name. I really just want to make sure that people who want to connect with me (and my message) actually find me. My keynote presentations and books focus on peak performance and help people navigate uncertainty with confidence. I call that living Off Balance On Purpose.

Because of my high energy, highly visual and physical programs, incorporating acrobatics, juggling and audience interaction, I am often told that my performances are unforgettable. What is forgettable, though, is the correct spelling of my name.

I’m OK with that.