Be Extraordinary
A few weeks ago Michael Hyatt ran a contest in conjunction with an interview he did with Scott Schwertly, author of “How to be a Presentation God”. The rules went like this: tell me why you want the book in a comment.
Easy, right?
I presented the “story of a young man” which was how I came to love public speaking. It started in high school when I was the listening ear to several students. It grew in church when I was asked to teach a class. It was refined in college when I took every opportunity handed to me to present in front of the class. And it lead me here — looking to start a business that will revolve around writing and speaking.
I ended the whole thing with a line I thought was fairly clever:
With your help, Michael, his next step in the process will be reading “How To Become a Presentation God.” Will you help him? Will you help me?
After almost a week of waiting, Michael announced the winners and I was one of them!
I was stoked.
The book arrived a few days ago and although I haven’t had much time to read it, I did read the first chapter.
I can already tell it is going to be an amazing read.
Presenting Like A God
Most books won’t leave a lasting impact. Certainly something can be learned from any book and the journey a good book takes is certainly worth the time to read it, but a few months or even weeks later most books fall into the back of the mind.
But some books are different. The journey leaves a lasting impression and the information taught stays for a lifetime. How to be a Presentation God
I will give my full review later, but let me give you a preview of something I have already taken away from the first chapter.
The Message is Slave to the Messenger
In the first chapter Scott prepares the reader for the most important part of presenting: the presenter must be extraordinary. I’ll quote Scott at length:
Do we possess the attractive qualities of passion, energy, and direction or are we waiting for some opportunity to come along that justifies the effort to be great? Today’s speech may be routine information on home warranties at the local Rotary club, but who know where that could lead? The only way not to find out is to give a lackluster presentation.
Be extraordinary. It’s a tall order – one that I often forget to strive for myself. Not too long ago, I learned a trick that helps me focus: at the beginning of each day, I put five pennies in my right pocket…Each time I do something extraordinary, or just a little beyond my routine, capacity, or comfort zone – calling an old friend, helping a stranger, getting flowers for my wife for no reason – I move a penny to the left pocket. A complete migration of pennies from right to left reflects a truly meaningful day, one worth emulating tomorrow. Do this daily and watch the fruits of your life compound. Make it a lifestyle and you can comfortably lead people wherever you are going. (emphasis mine)
I cannot stress enough how important that last line is. “Make [living extraordinarily] a lifestyle and you can comfortably lead people wherever you are going.”
This is fundamental to what it means to be a blogger and an entrepreneur.
The whole purpose of blogging is to lead others towards a different life. Make it an extraordinary life and it will give them a reason to follow you.
As an entrepreneur you must be extraordinary! Why should I purchase your product instead of the other guys — because yours is extraordinary.
This is the contractor who is able to get the work done on schedule and under budget.
It is the speaker whose words take people to another world.
It is the eBay seller who can fine gems amongst the ugliest piles of garage sale junk.
As a blogger and entrepreneur, your goal is to create a life so extraordinary that people can’t help but follow you.
What Are You Waiting For?
I believe this book will be one of those gems that changes the way I do things. I will give my full review after I finish it, but until then why don’t you pick up the book and we can read it together? Start your journey into extraordinary today.
Brandon (132)
Loren Pinilis (109)
Mike Luna (103)
ixnayonthetimmay (83)
Dustin (78)
moe (63)
Don Sartain (59)
Pastor Matt (36)
JeniferR (30)
Adam (20)
Awesome! Speaking is great, and it is truly an art. It reminds me of one post I did awhile back about my experience with speaking in front of my class: http://bigb94.wordpress.com/2011/03/29/4-steps-to-become-an-effective-speaker
I really liked that post (I don’t think I commented on it because it was one of the ones you did in transition). God stuff, Brandon! If you want to continue speaking I highly recommend “How To Be A Presentation God” I am only a few chapters in, but I can already tell it is going to help me!
Sweet! I will check that one out!
Eh, I’ll just preach Jesus and let Him be extraordinary.
You’re missing it Don. Preaching Jesus is one of the things that will make you extraordinary! Paul reasoned with people, he says he did not use elegent words, yet his letters are full of them.
Consider the some of the great preachers of the past: Luther, Calvin, Spurgeoun, Augustine. These were extraordinary people because they preached Jesus.
Consider also some big names of today: Piper, Chandler, Driscoll, Sproul. These are extraordinary people who inspire others to follow them because they preach Jesus.
Just want to make sure I was reading this post correctly. What would be the motive of trying to be extraordinary? Is the goal (from reading this post) to use our influence to lead others to Jesus?
My comment was a response to Don. The point is that if you want to have influence you must offer something extraordinary. Whether that is in evangelism, sales, blogging or anything else where the hope is to lead people.
If you want people to follow you, there must be something there worth following.
I meant to say, my comment about leading people to Jesus was a response to Don
I am intrigued and can’t wait to read your review.
In a world where everyone wants to look like everyone else, being extraordinary makes you stand out. Too much average out there!
very true