Ryan Avery, Author at Ryan Avery

Dec 10

The 12 Photo Challenge on 12/12

By Ryan Avery Motivation 2 Comments

Where has 2014 gone? I still can remember partying like it was 1999 as we shot off fire-works on the street in my hometown neighborhood in Houston, TX and thinking how crazy the world would be in ten years! Well, it is 15 years later and here we are!

So what better way to remember this year than taking a night and looking at all of your photos from 2014. All of them!

But here is the challenge! Go through all your photos and remember all your ups and downs, twists and turns, and lessons you learned along the way. Choose twelve photos that stand out for you the most–twelve photos that depict your year!

Pick these twelve photos and share them with us on Facebook on 12/12. Include the following information when you share your blog article or photo album:

NAME: 12 photos for 12/12
(Example: Ryan Avery: 12 photos for 12/12)

Here is text for the album or blog description:
Several of us are getting together to go through all of our photos this year and selecting twelve photos that highlight the best, worst, happiest, saddest, coolest, adventurous, or most terrifying moments of our year!

Here is the hashtag for the album and photos:
When sharing your photos or article on social media use: #12x12x12 so we can all follow each other and see what others post. Tell us about your year’s greatest lessons, stories, insights, sorrows, and triumphs! Let’s see how we can portray our year using twelve photos from the past twelve months!

I am looking forward to seeing your albums and seeing what photos you pick for 2014! As always…

Dream BIG,
Ryan

Dec 08

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3 Ways to Expand Your Comfort Zone Today

By Ryan Avery Family & Personal Life No Comments

Whether introverted or extraverted, we can all expand our comfort zone. Here are three ways to expand your comfort zone starting today:

1) Walk into a store and try something on you can’t afford. I did this last week with a Dolce and Gabbana jacket. Wow! It made me feel uncomfortable. The jacket was priced more than my first car! You could tell that all the store clerks knew I was not going to buy it. Go into any Gucci, Tiffany’s, even a Lamborghini dealership and try it out! It will boost your confidence all while expanding your comfort zone.

2) Talk to someone to whom you would never usually speak. Perhaps a homeless person on the street, or someone who has a different sexual orientation, skin color, gender, or race than you! We will all benefit the more all of us get along and become comfortable with each other.

3) Say yes to something that you’ve never tried. Go skydiving or bungee jumping. Go to a new restaurant. Order a different drink at an unfamiliar bar! Say Yes, and see what adventures await you!

Expand your comfort zone because the more comfortable you are the more confident you will feel. I challenge you to try one of these things today and see how big your comfort zone becomes. I bet it will expand by at least 20 feet! As always…

Dream BIG,
Ryan

Dec 03

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2014 Holiday Special for Toastmasters

By Ryan Avery Motivation 2 Comments

Happy Holidays to my Toastmasters family! What a year this has been and I am so excited to be starting my fourth year as a Toastmaster in 2015!

Highlights of my 2014 Toastmasters Year

Earned my first DTM
Toastmaster of the Year for District 7
Gave speeches in 12 Districts including the US, Canada and China!
Completed the 2013-2014 North America Tour
Attended the International Convention in Kuala Lumpur
Helped Start Competitive Speakers Clubs Around The World
Co-authored the #1 Best-Selling book on Amazon, Speaker Leader Champion, that shows you the power of Toastmasters and what it can do for our careers

Because you have supported me so much this year, I wanted to put together a special promotion for my Toastmaster family! This discount is for Toastmasters and $5 of each sale will go to support the MFA Grant; where Chelsea and I pay the first year of membership dues to those who are 18-25 and cannot afford joining.

Your Toastmaster Holiday Special Package is Perfect For:

Toastmaster Clubs
Club Members
Aspiring Speakers
Family and Friends
And of course yourself!

I hope you take advantage of this offer as it will help us support more young people to be able to join Toastmaster clubs around the world! In addition, the package will show you how to be a better speaker and leader and show you how you can use your voice to make a difference in 2015!

I hope you have an amazing Holiday Season! Let’s keep making things happen for Toastmasters and our fellow members around the world. Let’s keep growing as speakers, leaders and champions and let’s always remember to…

Dream BIG,
Ryan

P.S. I only have a limited amount of these so first come first serve.
GET ALL THREE PRODUCTS: ONLY $49.00 + FREE SHIPPING (US ONLY)
OFFER ENDS DECEMBER 5^th
(or while supplies last).

– Or –

Signed Book: $29.00 each
Two-CD Set: $29.00 each
Push Past it DVD: $29.00 each

What do you get in this package?

BOOK: Signed copy of Speaker Leader Champion: Succeed at Work Through The Power of Public Speaking

After reading this book filled with 90+ speaking strategies, you will understand how to:

1) Gain the speaking edge and how to develop/deliver engaging stories
2) Use humor, body language and stories like a champ
3) Manage fear and anxiety while speaking

* PLUS: You get the transcripts from 12 World Championships speeches and inside tips from 12 World Champions on how to be an influential speaker!
______________________________________________________

CD SET: The Averys’ Strategies: 30+ secrets, insights and tips for winning the World Championship of Public Speaking

In this two-hour, two-cd set, you will uncover:

1) Key components in delivering a World Championship Speech!
2) How to keep your audience engaged with your every word!
3) How to deal with nerves and feel confident on stage!
4) What it takes to practice like a champion vs. how most people practice!
______________________________________________________

DVD: Push Past It: The evolution of a competitive speech

In this one-hour DVD, you will learn what it means to:

1) Have your wife as your coach and get your loved ones on board with your big dreams!
2) What it’s like to have another World Champion as your mentor and what they can teach you!
3) What goes into making a six minute winning speech!
4) Why you (yes, you) should compete in the International contest!

______________________________________________________

GET ALL THREE PRODUCTS: ONLY $49.00 + FREE SHIPPING (US ONLY)
OFFER ENDS DECEMBER 5^th

(or while supplies last).

– Or –

Signed Book: $29.00 each
Two-CD Set: $29.00 each
Push Past it DVD: $29.00 each

Dec 01

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9 Reasons Why You Haven’t Accomplished That Goal of Yours

By Ryan Avery Motivation One Comment

So you have this goal! Well, kind of. You have this idea that you have for a goal or something that sounds really cool, but you haven’t accomplished it yet nor have you even told anyone about it because you are afraid that if you do, it might come true or you will fail along the way!

Look, no one benefits from us being average. So, step it up! It is time for you to go after that BIG dream or lofty goal of yours. Wouldn’t you rather fight for something you love doing than die doing something you hate?

We need you to accomplish your goals. We’ll all benefit. It is selfish of you not to go for it because the world is better when your story, your message, your ideas, products or services are shared!

So, if you are making excuses about why you can’t accomplish your goals I am here to tell you that there are nine reasons why you really haven’t accomplished them:

1) You don’t even know what you want. Your goal needs to be SMART. Make it very clear that you know exactly what you want. It is easier to get to a destination if you know where you are going rather than hoping you stumble across it along the way!

2) You haven’t written it down. If you are afraid to write it down, how are you going to get your body to do it? And you can’t just write it down; you need to post it up where you read it everyday!

3) You haven’t told people. Let people help you get to where you want to go. No successful person has ever accomplished anything of value without the help from others. People love to help other people. It is in our nature. They just need to be asked and informed about what it is you want to accomplish.

4) You have not committed to making your goal a priority. Goals have to be a daily priority. You have to stop saying things like “tomorrow” or “when I get this, I will then do XYZ.” Make it a priority!

5) You are afraid of failing. Failure sucks. It really does. It is embarrassing, it is hard, it makes me want to pull my hair out at times. But anytime I fail (which seems to be more often than I would like these days) I remind myself that I am creating a better story. The more failures you have, the better story you have. People love stories, so fail and fail often!

6) You are afraid of succeeding. I am not going to lie. This has been one of the things that has stopped me from accomplishing my dreams more than anything. I like my life and my lifestyle. To pursue your dream means changing your lifestyle. It can be scary. But, we can’t let who we are meant to be hold us back. We should focus on what value we can bring and how many others we can lift up along the way!

7) You think you don’t have the right resources. This is BS! Sorry, but if you are reading this right now that means you have access to the internet and that is the greatest resource of all time. You have the right resources; you just might not know how to use them correctly to get what you want!

8) You don’t know anyone else doing what you want to do. It isn’t easy being a trailblazer, to venture down a path that has never been walked upon. It isn’t easy creating something when you don’t know if it will work or if people will accept it. However, it is worth it because all the things we have were once created by someone like you starting down a new trail!

9) You haven’t started. My favorite quote from Jim Rohn is “You do not have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great!” Too many people procrastinate. They don’t get anything done because they are afraid to get started. Start already. You are not supposed to know how to do it, you are supposed to know what you want to do. Learn along the way!

Go and accomplish those goals of yours! The world needs you to! As always…

Dream BIG,
Ryan

Nov 28

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If you want to be the best…

By Ryan Avery World Records No Comments

This article will be short and sweet! If you want to be the best, then all you need to know is this: the only competition is you! You can’t be the best by comparing or holding yourself to other people’s standards. If you want to be the best you need to do your best!

What are you doing today that will make you the best at what you do and remind yourself you have the potential to be number one in your desired category? Stop competing against others and start competing against yourself! As always…

Dream BIG,
Ryan

Nov 26

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3 Ways to Make a Thanksgiving Toast People Will Remember

By Ryan Avery Motivation One Comment

It’s time for the holidays and being a true Toastmaster I had to give you three ways to make a Thanksgiving toast people will remember! If you want to make an impression on those you are spending time with this holiday season try one of these three ideas:

1) Share a time your family (or those you are eating with) helped you this year: Most likely people around you have helped you accomplish something in your life this year! Let them know how much you appreciate them and what you learned along the way as they supported you! Relive an up or down moment but make sure to end with a positive story or inspirational thought that will leave everyone happy and thankful that you are in their life!

2) Put a note under everyone’s chair: Before everyone comes over, you can write a letter of thanks to each person who is coming over for dinner. Tape it under their chair if they have assigned seats or pass them out at dinner, but ask them to read it when they get home! Make a short toast to give thanks and remind them why they mean so much to you.

3) Initiate A “One Word” Toast: Start by sharing the power of one word and let everyone go around the room to say in one word what are they thankful for (some people will say things like family, health, love, house, kids or friends). Take photos throughout the night and remember their one word. The next morning in a subject line write their one word and then attach the photos with a message that says, “Me, too!”

Happy Thanksgiving Todayers! I am so thankful I have you in my life. You give me an outlet to share my voice, you have helped me learn so much along the way, and have truly made me into the speaker I am today! I would not be here without all of you, and I am so lucky to be able to do what I do! If I can remind you to do one thing today and forever it would always be…

Dream BIG,
Ryan

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Nov 24

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Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY: HOW TO WRITE YOUR BESTSELLING BOOK IN 2015

By Ryan Avery Motivation No Comments

Nov 21

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7 Ways to Stop Procrastinating Starting Tomorrow

By Ryan Avery Leadership, Motivation, Productivity No Comments

Procrastination is one of the biggest challenges leaders can face. I know the first step for me in getting over my procrastination addiction is finding ways to not let the pressure of the deadline motivate me. So what can we do about it?

Here are Seven Ways to Stop Procrastinating Starting Tomorrow:

1) Make a list: Write down all the things you need to get done on a piece of paper, on your computer notepad, cell phone, or anywhere you look on a regular basis.

2) Break it up: Let’s say you have 19 things to get done on your to-do list. Pick three to accomplish each day. Not 19! Three tasks, that’s it! If you have one really large task, break it up into even smaller components. For example, if you need to create a proposal for a new client, break it up into (a) research the company for one hour (b) write the proposal for three hours (c) spend one hour proofreading and seeing what else you need to add before sending it off to the client. Get three things done each day that are the most important. If you accomplish those, then move on to more! This will help you feel accomplished and train your brain to get more done.

3) Ask yourself what happens if you don’t get it done: What are the consequences if you procrastinate doing what you have planned? Will you be more stressed? Will you have to ditch your friends or family? Loss of sleep? What do you lose if you wait till the very end to get it done?

4) Ask yourself what happens if you do get it done: On the flip side, what do you get if you do it now? More time? More money? More experiences with your kids and family or friends? More opportunity to accomplish more? Knowing what you’ll get will help motivate you to get it done early!

5) Eliminate temptations: The best way to stop procrastinating is to get rid of the time wasters: social media, your cell phone, and people coming in and out of your office asking you questions. When I have tasks I need to do, my wifi is off, my phone is not in my office, and my door is shut. If you are being interrupted every ten minutes, it is hard to get anything done!

6) Get someone to hold you accountable: Let others know what you want to get done and by when. We seldom like to let those we love and like down, so if you tell them what you plan to do and by when, they will motivate you to get it done. You can also add a little more pressure by saying to the person, “and if I don’t get it done a week before my deadline, I will give you $20 cash!”

7) Reward Yourself: After every three things I accomplish each day, I reward myself. I either go for a walk, get a drink with my friends or watch a show with my wife. Don’t wait for the big reward at the end; reward yourself every step of the way!

Procrastination can be your worst enemy. It is definitely a habit worth breaking! Try incorporating one of these into your daily routine and see how much better you feel and how much more you accomplish in an everyday work situation! As always…

Dream BIG,
Ryan Avery

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Nov 18

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Ryan Avery’s Videos

By Ryan Avery Motivation, Videos One Comment

Here you can watch several of Ryan Avery’s full keynotes and trainings in a variety of industry settings. Below Ryan illustrates his flexibility when working with you and your team, his ability to relate to his audience and his value to all in attendance.

WATCH: Ryan Avery Training Reel
Ryan Avery has trained leaders on every continent in the world. Ryan has proven experience in captivating diverse audiences that range in age, size and industry. Watch now what value Ryan Avery brings to this team of leaders at Diageo’s World Class Business Training Day and the refreshing, proven and valuable content he delivers every time!

WATCH: Ryan Avery’s Keynote Speaker’s Reel
Get the taste of what it’s like to have Ryan Avery as your keynote speaker and what his audience members say after they hear him speak. When you are looking for the keynote speaker to wow your audience, to motivate your audience and to educate your audience in the most refreshing, proven and valuable way, Ryan Avery is the speaker you are looking for!

WATCH: EXECUTIVE KEYNOTE – Vistage International VES
Ryan Avery delivers his Go from A to THE keynote at the Denver Vistage Executive Summit in front of 300 CEOs and their Key Executives. Ryan Speaks to 40+ Vistage groups and events throughout the year with his average rating of 4.8 out of 5.0 in content and delivery.

WATCH: LARGE AUDIENCE KEYNOTE – Uponor User Conference
Ryan Avery delivers the opening keynote at Uponor’s User Conference at the Las Vegas Bellagio hotel in front of 1,000 leaders. Ryan spoke for 35 minutes instead of 60 minutes as to get the conference back on track with time. Ryan is flexible, professional and the easiest speaker you will ever work with.

WATCH: COLLEGE KEYNOTE – IACURH Conference
Ryan Avery delivers the custom keynote for IACURH’s annual conference titled, “This is Our Time” as it was the theme of the conference. Ryan spoke, inspired and educated more than 300 college students and he ended his talk with a rousing standing “O” ovation!

WATCH: NON-PROFIT KEYNOTE – Vancouver District 96 Conference
Ryan Avery delivers the opening keynote for the D96 Conference in Vancouver, Canada in front of 200+ Toastmasters. Ryan has spoken to over 30 Toastmaster Districts around the world and has helped start 8 clubs in four countries since 2012.

WATCH: World Record Video
Ryan Avery and his wife, Chelsea Avery, recently set the World Record for being the Youngest Couple to Professionally Speak on All Seven Continents. They were a combined age of 29 years, 8 months and 12 days. They accomplished this by professionally speaking in seven continents in seven months, with their last training in Antarctica on November 28, 2015.

Nov 17

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Chelsea’s China Quotes

By Ryan Avery Motivation 2 Comments

To keep the “quote” tradition alive I wanted to show you that Chelsea is the same in China as she is the United States! Here are 10 quotes from Chelsea during our trip across the Pacific!

“I got you a cookie… but then I ate it!”
* In relation to her walking 25 feet to get me a cookie but it looking “too good” on the long walk back to our table that she had to eat it!

“Here help me hide these!”
* In relation to her grabbing seven cookies at another event and asking me to put some in my bag so people didn’t notice how many she took!

(I think Chelsea may or may not have a cookie problem).

“You need to do something with your hair and face!”
* In relation to me about to go on stage to speak in front of 500 people

“You are a cow! Fine, I will try it!”
* Me putting butter on my 3rd croissant I ate for breakfast

“No! I watch too many crime shows and I would know how to cover it up!”
* In relation to me saying, “That would be so sad if you accidentally killed me!”

“So… I got fries!”
* In relation to me asking what she got for breakfast

“Ok, I will stay awake for your presentation. I just got my second wind!”
* In relation to her being tired! Just curious… was there ever an option that she could sleep in the front row while I was speaking?

“Ahh, that kid kind of makes me want to have a kid…nope! Nope… never mind!”
* In relation to seeing this adorable little kid walk by us and as Chelsea said that, the boy sneezed on her

“They should test movies on me!”
* In relation to her watching a commercial and it making her cry

“I felt like I was just in a cologne ad!”
* In relation to being crammed in a tiny elevator with 10 Italian guys and a man’s hairy chest pressed up against Chelsea’s face while she stood in the middle

Remember to start your own quote book with your family, friends and loved ones. You can use those quotes in your speeches later and they make for good memories when you go back and read through them! Enjoy the start to your week and as always…

Dream BIG,
Ryan

Nov 14

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17 Speeches in 17 Days with 17 Photos!

By Ryan Avery Adventure 15 Comments

I spent 17 days delivering 17 speeches in China and Hong Kong these past few weeks.

I want to say thank you to D85 and D89 for hosting us and making these events happen. You were so gracious and kind. You and your teams could not have been better to us! Thank you also to McGraw-Hill, SAP and the IFC for hosting corporate events and Speaker Leader Champion talks!

Below are 17 photos from our adventures speaking in China!

Our first stop was Beijing! We ventured to the Great Wall and found it to be a life changing experience. We also were pretty much the only white people and this caused everyone to look at us. So several times we got stopped by people and they asked if we could take photos with them. It was hilarious. It made me think of how that would work in the United States if we saw someone that looked different than us and we went up to take their photo! Do you think people would be flattered or offended? Thank you Felix for an awesome time!

This was one of my favorite meals while we were in China. However, here is a tip: You see that bowl of dumplings to the left? Well when you bite into them you need to be carful! Why? Oh well you know, because they are filled with juice and if you want to have juice fly all over the table and everyone gets soaked in it, then it is a good idea! Again, sorry to everyone at the table for making a mess! I now know how to eat dumplings! Thank you Susan and Beautiful (That is her name translated into english) for a wonderful day in Shanghai!

This was one of the coolest “21-Century” speaking opportunities I have had so far. I spoke on top of the 68 floor at the IFC in Hong Kong while my speech was being live-streamed at their offices in China, Singapore and Australia. We interacted, they asked questions and I taught a workshop about how to deliver a winning presentation. Does this mean I have spoken in these countries now?

The room fit 110 people according to the fire ordinance! No worries though, we fit 200+ students in this room while I delivered my talk at the Beijing Foreign Affairs lecture hall. Speaker Leader Champion just got picked up in Mandarin and will be available in China staring May 2015!

After getting done with almost a two-hour training to corporate managers at SAP headquarters in China, what else should you do besides a thumbs up selfie? Thank you Flat for making this one happen!

This was one of the nicest hotels I have stayed in. It was located in Shanghai with a view of the skyline, a rooftop deck and glass pool on the 28th floor! I spent every morning and night here looking out at the city. China has shown me that we in the United States do not know what it means to have a “BIG” city!

I went scuba diving indoor with three whales while I was in Qingdoa. What scared me the most was the size of their teeth! I didn’t know whales had teeth. Did you? I also learned a valuable lesson about the importance of communication as the Mandarin-Speaking instructor reminded me before I got in the water that “we must pee in the pool!” We had a long conversation about me not wanting to pee in the pool and after a while I realized he was trying to saying “we mustn’t pee in the pool” It really is the little things that make a BIG difference in communication! Ryan (was his name also), I had a blast diving with you and thank you for taking me here!

The food. Again the food was spectacular! We tried some items that I would usually never try in the United States like jelly fish, pig intestines and I saw more chicken heads on a plate than I would have liked to but other than that the Chinese know how to cook and cook well!

Master Your Stage! The D89 Fall Conference was spectacular! So many new friends and their leadership team is fantastic! They had one of the best conferences I have ever been to. They showed us a great time and I hope we can visit D85 again in the future! D85 also inspired me to learn another language and I am now committed to being fluent in Spanish by the end of 2015!

Sail Your Dream – The D85 Fall Conference! I have to give major props to the leadership team in D85 as they really set the stage for what Conferences are like in China. Full of fun, entertainment, education and did I mention fun? I had such a blast spending time with members and leaders in D85 and can’t wait to be back!

I am not going to lie, we may or may not have watched Mulan before we went to China! When we got to the Forbidden City that is all I could think about and that it was no longer a cartoon but real life! This was probably one of the best monuments we went to while in China as it always seemed fake to me but now I was actually getting to walk in the same place that more than 30 emperors walked over a 400+ year time period! Amazing!

Chelsea and I celebrated on top of the 118th floor at the Ritz Carleton in Hong Kong for our last night there! It was a bit cloudy/foggy but the view was still breathtaking! Thank you Cecelia for an amazing evening and day around Hong Kong!

We now have so many amazing memories to take back with us and also so many amazing gifts. After each speech they gave us a gift that was either edible, usable or artistic! We have already enjoyed the treats and hung up the art! A huge thank you to Derek for getting us a suitcase to bring back home and to Yang for the wifi hotspot that saved us so many times!

Oh the shopping! We shopped probably too much while we were there. You can get suits perfectly tailored to your body for $250 USD. You can get iPhone cases, scarfs, hats, bowls, art and anything you want on the streets of Hong Kong!

We saw a lot of funny English translations while we were there but this one had to be the funniest! Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

I may or many not have freaked out when I saw my name in Mandarin on this sign and a lot of people looked at me like I was crazy. This photo made me so happy even though I had no idea what it said, I felt like I was a real international speaker!

I know I said I liked Chinese food, and I really do! But this pizza literally made me salivate when I opened the box! Derek asked me what I wanted to eat before I taught one of my last workshops and jokingly I said pizza. Well, he knew just the right spot and got me the best pizza I have ever tasted! It was amazing!

China and Hong Kong were a blast! Thank you again D85 and D89 for an unforgettable experience. During our time there I hope we inspired hundreds of Toastmasters to continue their journey in our wonderful organization and your fantastics Districts. I hope we inspired many more to use their voice to make a difference in the world. I hope we get to come back in the future and please know that you and your teams gave Chelsea and me memories that will last a lifetime!

As always…

Dream BIG,
Ryan

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