Last month I invested in a trip to Chicago and spent four days with peak performance coach Tony Robbins.

 

If you don’t know Tony or his work, he is worth knowing. He grew up in a household with very little money, often experiencing holidays with no food and a rotating door of four absent fathers.

 

His career took shape in the early 1980s as he walked on the beach, 40 pounds overweight, listening to the rock tune “Barracuda,” and feeling a big change was needed.

 

At the age of 19, after working with other legendary speakers like Jim Rohn, Tony’s path of success included conducting seminars, radio shows, writing books, and coaching.

 

Wikipedia reports Tony earned more than 30 million dollars in 2007, and that he has coached Serena Williams, Donna Karin, and Greg Norman, just to name a few. If that’s not enough, this spring NBC picked up eight episodes of “Breakthrough with Tony Robbins,” a reality show that follows Tony and participants as they battle personal challenges.

 

I’ve been a fan of Tony’s for years. I’ve read a few of his books and seeing him live was an item on my wish list. This year I decided I was going to do it.

 

A while back, I saw Tony on NBC’s “Today” show. The segment touted his web site so I checked it out and signed up for his emails.

 

I receive them often enough, but not on an obnoxious schedule. They’ve always been inspirational and have a deliberate business purpose. Most include a video of him, which I’ve found to be a great way to disseminate information and sell product. I’m definitely going to start using video when Oddpodz relaunches in few weeks.

 

TR sold me. The last email video message mentioned his upcoming Unleash the Power Within™ event to be held in Chicago.

 

I signed up. And not just as an attendee. I purchased a Diamond class ticket for an additional $1000. Why spend the extra bucks? Because, 1) I deserve it (which I know sounds like a Saturday Night Live segment with Jack Handy) and 2) If you are going meet other high achievers, it shouldn’t be in the nosebleed section. The extra fee was well worth it. Not only did I meet a ton of very cool, got-it-going-on people; the choice seating and no-wait entry zone is the only way to go.

 

By far this event was one of the most enjoyable, inspirational things I’ve done in my adult life. And I would highly recommend it to people looking to take their lives to next level of success and happiness.

 

The event was held at the Radisson in Schaumberg, IL, which is one of the nicest convention properties I have visited. It is very contemporary; hip, and energizing.

 

The event attracted over 3000 people from 18 countries. It was four packed days of incredible content, inspiration, and networking.

 

Tony was completely amazing. His nonstop energy and conviction were invigorating, and for me the fact that he and I were born in the same year and same month was my magic connection. I have to admit, there were moments during which being his age made me feel like a slacker.

 

Then I had a dose of reality. I am definitely not a slacker; I just need to amp up my standards and goals a bit this year.

 

All four days were extremely intense. There was lots of jumping, yelling, dancing, and loud music, and tremendous energy flow.

 

I learned some fascinating methods for controlling the mind and managing the body. And there are sessions that the wussies should not apply. Breaking old and bad patterns is very personal. While the event includes a big room of people, the exercises are very intimate.

 

If you ever take this journey, wear running shoes and bundle up. The room is frigid. In fact, I heard they kept the temperature at 58 to keep everyone alert and focused. It worked for me.

 

The first day Tony introduces human concepts about how most of us live; embracing our values and needs, thus creating the results we have. He then walks though those same situations and demonstrates how people can achieve different results by breaking old patterns, changing their story and mastering a deliberate, strategic state of psychological and mental being.

 

While none of this is new, breakthrough science or even a foreign language to most, it is presented in a way that can alter one’s thinking and beliefs and produce meaningful change.

 

My mind was in very good place when I arrived in Chicago. While the economy has challenged all of us, I had a very good year and continue to make excellent progress on my road to higher success.

 

My agenda in attending this event was two-fold, 1) observe a fellow master speaker and business authority and 2) further develop my success package. I took away both.

 

As many of you know, part of Tony’s Unleash the Power Within™ program is the infamous fire walk.

 

This is where sane humans prance across several yards of smoking-hot, burning coals while their fellow higher achievers and some tribal drummers chant on. And most don’t burn their feet.

 

Including me.

 

I’m not disclosing all the details, because the ultimate experience comes from participating in the journey; but I will tell you, it was one of the coolest experiences I’ve had.

 

Being with thousands of complete strangers, in 37-degree, raining and windy, freeze-your-ass-off, brutal weather and achieving this scary-as-hell task was freaking remarkable.

 

Some highlights the event taught me and Tony Robbins teaches so well.

 

• Fear is the universal poison. But there are ways to leverage it and manage it to achieve happiness and success.

 

• Your past does not equal the future unless you choose to live there.

 

• The one word to sum up success is progress.

 

• Your mind and body are amazing success and happiness alleys. Master them both.

 

• Proximity is power.

 

• Start now. Life is not a dress rehearsal.

 

So, did my fire walk experience unleash more of my personal power?

 

Stay tuned and you’ll see for yourself.

 

Countdown begins, as we get closer to the re-launch of Oddpodz. I promise you, the wait will be worth it.

 

If you’d like more information on attending one of Tony’s events, reach out to my pal This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it at Robbins Research International, Inc.


Even in this tight economy, there is no shortage of conferences to attend. From pure networking to specific educational events, there are plenty to choose from on any given topic. The question is how do you decide which ones to attend and which ones to pass on, and how to you get the most from your conference investment.

 

As a speaker and consent learner, I attend lots of conferences, both as a presenter and as a participant.

 

Through these experiences, I’ve compiled a list of items that have helped me better evaluate a conference before I sign up.

1) First, get clear on what’s important to you.
For me, it’s always a mix of learning, networking and experiencing a pleasant time with inspirational people. I would much rather attend fewer conferences that provide an awesome experience, than a whole bunch of mediocre ones.

2) Put the pencil to all your costs related to attending, conference fees, all travel costs, books, drinking and eating. And now look at what you will gain from attending. Does the math work? Or can you accomplish this online in your PJ’s?

3) Also determine whether the event provides all learning materials and copies of presentations after wards, online?

4) Do you get a list of attendees?

5) Are the speakers top-rate, business experts or mostly sponsors and vendors pitching their stuff?

6) Is there other business you can do while you are traveling to the conference city?

 

Should you decide to attend a conference, now make sure you use your time wisely.
1) Research the speakers and program options in advance.
2) Don’t sit by people you know, site next to people you want to know.
3) Pack enough business cards.
4) Dress like your brand. There is only one first impression.
5) If you meet someone meaningful and a new biz relationship is in the stars, follow up with them on a timely basis and communicate with something of value, not a form note that screams you are just another contact.

 

Tuesday, I addressed The Florida Conference for Women held in Orlando. It was a very nice, productive conference. Granted I was speaking there and not a paying guest. However, all the items that are important to me if I were an attendee were exceeded. In fact, whether I’m speaking or not, I would attend their next event in Florida.

 

Florida Conference for Women gets high marks from me.
-The attendees (over 1000) were a quality group of business woman, entrepreneurs and women in transition.

-The speakers were top rate and national business authorities.
-The visual experience (from collateral mail pieces to programs and gifts), the venue, the food and the staff were all excellent.
-The ticket price was very reasonable for the overall experience, along with the quality knowledge and connections that were made accessible.

 

This event was sponsored by the Florida Commission on the Status of Women and the FCSW Foundation, Inc.

 

For other conferences produced by the same group, check out:

 

TX
PA
MA

 

If you attended the FL Conference for Women event and would like a copy of my Power Point Presentation on Personal Branding, view it and download below Personalbrand Flconf.Ppt

For the Personal Branding Audit go to the Free Biz Findz section, then the personal branding section and it is posted there for download. If you have a problem, shoot me an email.