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Nov 01

Ryan Avery - Transform weakness into strength

Are you a Bad Company, Good Company or Great Company?

By Ryan Avery Communication, Leadership, Motivation No Comments

I am reading Ryan Holiday’s The Obstacle is The Way (highly recommend) this week and one thing that stood out to me is this excerpt from Andy Grove:

“Andy Grove, a former CEO of Intel, outlined when he described what happens to businesses in tumultuous times: “Bad companies are destroyed by crisis. Good companies survive them. Great companies are improved by them.” Great individuals, like great companies, find a way to transform weakness into strength.”

What is ONE way we can transform ONE of our weaknesses this week into strength?

Ready… set… be THE!

Oct 25

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Get Creative

By Ryan Avery Communication, Videos No Comments

This week I had to be creative while being on the road and in a hotel room to deliver one of my virtual presentations. Here is the set up!

My challenge for us this week is to get creative the next time something comes our way that we are not used to or puts us in a different environment.

Where can we get creative this week? Ready… set… go!

Oct 18

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How to Get Ready for A Virtual Meeting

By Ryan Avery Communication, Leadership No Comments

I have 17 virtual keynotes this month and more than a dozen coaching sessions.
I had one client ask me how I get ready and prepare for all my virtual meetings and thought I would share it with all of us this week.

We use the acronym C.L.A.P. to get ready for our virtual meetings:
CONTENT – Do I have the content I need in front of me for this specific meeting?
LIGHTING – Is my lighting what I want it to be?
AUDIO – Is my audio working correctly?
POSITION – What is the angle of my camera and does my background represent me personally and professionally?

This allows us to stay ready, present ourselves that best represents us and our company, and allows us to connect with those we are speaking to online. Remember, “How we are perceived, dictates what we receive!”

Make sure to use C.L.A.P. for your next virtual meeting this week and see how you feel different online.
For those who want it, here is the infographic you can share with your team.
Have the best week and remember to always be THE!

Oct 04

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Because It Offends You Does Not Mean…

By Ryan Avery Communication, Family & Personal Life, Leadership, Motivation No Comments

Here are my notes this week about being offended and what we can do when we are offended!

May 26

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How to Interact With Customers While Wearing a Mask

By Ryan Avery Communication, Leadership No Comments

A few clients have asked me how they can communicate with their customers while wearing a mask. I thought there might be a few others out there who want a few strategies to keep in mind when talking with customers while wearing a mask. Please feel free to share, print the PDF, or keep! If you have any other suggestions always open to know more! Stay healthy out there!

How to Interact With Customers With a Mask On

Jan 06

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Do You Want a Handwritten Letter?

By Ryan Avery Communication No Comments

Last year I got sent handwritten letters from many of you and each one of those envelopes made my day!

I think there is something special about going to your mailbox and seeing an envelop that has your name printed on it in human handwriting! I want to be more conscious of doing little things that can make a BIG difference so this year I am going to write at least three hand-written letters a week to those who want one!

Do you want a handwritten letter? All you have to do is email me your mailing address at letters@ryanavery.com with a subject that says “I want a letter.” Tell me what’s going on in your life! What do you want to accomplish this year? Give me a good Would You Rather question. Let me know where you plan to travel!

This will be fun for me and hopefully it is a way I can give back in another way to say thank you for all you do for me! I did this campaign several years ago. Although I couldn’t get to everyone’s request I really did and will continue to try to send as many as I can. I for sure am committing to at least three a week!

I hope you are enjoying the start to your week and I look forward to receiving your emails. As always…

Dream BIG,

Ryan Avery
PO BOX 9344
Portland, OR 97207

Question: Know someone who could use a letter? Share this article on your social media or via email and let the hand writing begin!

Jun 15

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11 Killer Tips to Stop Saying “Um” Forever

By Ryan Avery Communication One Comment

Do you use filler words like “um,” “so,” and “like” when you speak? Check out this infographic from

Apr 13

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Three Best Ways to Start a Speech

By Ryan Avery Communication No Comments

You can start a speech a variety of ways, but please, pretty please, never start a speech by saying something like, “Hi, thanks so much for having me today, it is an honor to be with you… blah… blah… blah!”

What a waste of time!

Remember that more than 90% of people don’t change their first impression about you. If you come out doing something boring and generic in those first few seconds, you will be remembered as being boring and generic!

Begin your speech by talking about one or all three of the following:

Talk about the Culture: What do you find fascinating about their culture? What art, music, or fashion have you experienced while in town that you really appreciate?

Talk about the Cuisine: What local restaurant did you just eat at that your audience will know and love? What food did you try and not like, but are glad you tried it? What food do you want to get more of and wish you had in your town?

Talk about the Contributions: What has the organization or city given back to the community or world? What inventions, stories, people, or leaders have come from there? What contributions have they given, and why are you happy they made them? How has it helped you in your life?

While speaking in China for example, I started off my speeches saying, “Hello, how are you doing today?” in Mandarine (Culture). Then I went into talking about eating jelly fish and cow stomach (Cuisine) for the first time after we visited the Great Wall (Contributions).

This technique helps you build trust with an audience, gets you to explore their world and shows them you care about what they have done! Start your next speech using one or all three of these things. You will capture their attention, their minds and more importantly their hearts! As always…

Dream BIG,

Ryan

Feb 06

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What is a Todayer?

By Ryan Avery Communication, Leadership, Motivation 3 Comments

The reason I started this blog was to motivate and inspire people to take action on their big goals. I believe we all have the opportunity to add value to this world, and the bigger we dream, the more value we add.

I see my friends, family and community go through the motions of life rather than utilizing their potential and giving their gifts to the world. It’s been said, “The biggest obstacle keeping you from becoming the greatest, is you settling for being good at what you do!”

Just like a car needs gasoline, humans need motivation to move. The farther you plan to go the more you need! My articles, videos, speeches, and life are dedicated to motivating you toward accomplishing your goals and helping you make things happen.

This blog is for those who want to take advantage of today, plan for tomorrow, and to achieve their BIG dreams. I write, speak, and share stories to motivate you to pursue your goals while being open and honest as I strive to attain mine.

So where does the term “Todayer” come into play?

I want to build a like-minded community of people who think, “I am sick of being average, and I am ready to be the best!” I looked at those who were accomplishing big things and I found that each one of them

Takes advantage of what he or she has right now
Plans for the future
Has a positive attitude
Takes action
Gives back

So, for me a Todayer is someone who takes advantage of today, plans for tomorrow, and actively goes after BIG dreams!

We learn as we go, we support each other while we are on our way, and we make things happen. Do we mess up? Yes! Do we give up! No! We take advantage of what we are given and use it to help others, build up those around us, and make an impact.

After seeing this quote, “The goal is not to live forever, the goal is to create something that will!” on an old journal I thought… I want to build a community around people who want more motivation, want to make a difference in this world, and want to go after their big dreams… no matter how crazy, outlandish, and far-fetched the dream seems!

I hope you will join us. Read, share, and comment on articles and videos you see here. I am here for you. I am here to offer motivational stories, strategies, and insights of real value to you.

You will see a lot more of the word “Todayers” on this blog. My hope is to one day see the word spread and have a community full of those who take advantage of today, plan for tomorrow, and go after their BIG dreams!” As always…

Dream BIG,
Ryan

* Subscribe to this blog via email at the top right hand corner of this article if you feel you would like to join us in being a Todayer!

Jan 30

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My 4 Favorite Speeches of 2014

By Ryan Avery Communication, Motivation No Comments

I watch TED talks every week. Sometimes, I lose track of time as I watch speech after speech soaking up knowledge and critiquing a speaker’s style.

In 2014 I heard four different speakers who each moved me in different ways. Here are my four favorite speeches in 2014 and why:

Dananjaya Hettiarachchi: The 2014 World Champion of Public Speaking rocked the stage in Kuala Lumpur at the Toastmasters International Convention. He had the world captivated with his message and is doing a great job representing the organization!

Edward Snowden: What I loved about this speech is how we can utilize technology to get our voice heard. We no longer need to be on stage to share a message. This speech is inspiring, futuristic, and insightful. You can see the government’s response to Snowden’s speech here. In my opinion, whether you agree with Snowden or not, he did a much better job presenting. You can tell why how you present makes just as much of a difference as what you present.

Simon Sinek: I may or may not have a man crush on Simon Sinek. He is genuine, full of knowledge and uses his voice to create better leaders. His books are fantastic and his speaking style and ability is of the quality of Ziglar and Robbins. His speech inspires me to be a better leader and motivates me to “up my game” as a speaker!

I realize there are no women on this list and I am going to do a much better job this year keeping my eyes open for amazing females who rock the world with their voice!

What were some of your favorite speeches of 2014? If you know of someone who moved you last year, please share in the comments below! As always…

Dream BIG,
Ryan

Jan 23

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The 5 Best Books for Speakers

By Ryan Avery Communication, Motivation 6 Comments

Here are the best books for speakers. These five books have changed my personal and professional life in some way or another when it comes to being a better speaker:

Million Dollar Consulting. This book is hands-down the best business book I have read on public speaking and consulting. If you read only one book on the business side of speaking and consulting, let it be this one! It is life changing!

Speak Like Churchill, Stand Like Lincoln. This was the book I read which helped me win the world championship of public speaking in 2012. I still utilize the tools in this book. Anyone serious about speaking on stage needs to pick up a copy!

Speaker Leader Champion. Yes, I wrote this book with Jeremey Donovan, but more importantly–what this book allowed me to do was dive deeper into public speaking and the art and science behind motivating people on stage. I learned more from writing this book than I have from any other thing I have done as a speaker. It is for those looking to excel in the workplace through the power of public speaking. I recommend for anyone wanting to teach a subject to write a book about it, first. It forces you to focus, research, and find stories that can help your target audience.

Stop Talking, Start Communicating. I was handed a copy of this book by my publisher. It changed the way I communicate on a day-to-day basis. Those who are searching for ways to improve the way they communicate on and off stage need to pick up a copy of Geoffrey’s book!

Confessions of a Public Speaker. This book gives great insight into why people are afraid of public speaking, what it is really like being a professional speaker, and why everyone is not fit for it in the first place! It’s a great read filled with tips, stories, and strategies for those of us who call ourselves speakers.

Read and implement the strategies found in one of these five books this year and watch your personal and professional life strengthen immediately! As always…

Dream BIG,
Ryan

Question: What other books do you recommend? Leave your answers in the comments below!