Imagine this is your last day on earth. You can share one message with the people you care about before you leave.
What would you say?
That’s the idea behind One Last Talk, a Philip McKernan experience.
Philip is an Irishman who has made Canada his home for almost ten years. His quick wit, strong intuition, and brilliant story telling helps people all over the world get clear on who they are and what they want to do in their life. As part of his mission to help people believe in themselves, he’s created One Last Talk.
He puts 10 people on stage over a weekend to share the message they want to leave the world with. The result is unlike anything you’ve ever experienced.
Few of the speakers have ever been on a stage before, but that is actually part of what makes this event special. It’s not about speaking like a professional. It’s about sharing a meaningful message that connects with an audience in a way that inspires change. From stories about chasing money, losing a child, pursuing the wrong path and considering ending it all, you hear the most incredibly real, raw and revealing stories and are impacted in a way you probably never thought possible.
When you hear these incredible stories, you also might realize that:
- Many of us hide so much because we want to be accepted and yet we long for deep connections with loved ones that are only possible when we share who we really are.
- Most of us dedicate a massive amount of time to making money, thinking about money and worrying about money and yet not a single speaker wanted to leave the world with a message about how to make more money.
- Every single one of us has the power to impact and influence other people in a really big and meaningful way.
You have a gift. You have a way that you can make people’s lives better, happier or easier.
You probably can create a great life and a good income doing that very thing. The first step to influencing and helping others is to believe you can. Then you need to know what your gift is and how you will help.
You might think your idea, your product, your service or whatever you offer isn’t big enough or you’re not experienced enough, so you should wait, but if you know you can help others, what are you waiting for?
Start with helping one person and move forward from there.
It really is about helping that one person who needs you the most.
About five years ago, Philip and I were both speaking at an event in Toronto. It was the first time I had ever stepped on a stage wearing a mic to speak. There were nearly 400 people in the audience.
I was so nervous that I only remember one moment from the entire 45 minutes I was on stage. The moment I remember? I said something that was supposed to be funny. I looked around the room, and nobody was laughing except my husband Dave and my friend Tahani.
Other than that, I don’t have any memories. I was so nervous that I kind of blacked out.
Others said the talk went well, but I don’t remember enough to know.
A month later I saw Philip at the World Money Show in Vancouver. He was moderating a panel that I was speaking on. He commented on how well my talk in Toronto went. When I told him how nervous I’d been, with his Irish accent he shared this:
“You know – I get nervous before I go on stage too. What I find really helps is to think about the one person in the audience that needs to hear my message. Then, it’s about connecting with that person who needs to hear what I have to say.”
I was focused on myself, but I wasn’t on stage for me. I was on stage to help other people avoid mistakes and make better decisions to create a life they want to live.
It was the exact perspective I needed to help me get past my own fears.
I still feel nervous when I step on a stage, but the nerves dissipate quickly now. I’m less worried about what the audience will think of me, and much more focused on whether my message will connect with the person who needs my help the most.
So if you’re still asking yourself ‘who am I to make a difference?” change the question and ask yourself ‘who am I to not make a difference?’
It’s not about you. It’s not for you.
One Last Talk is a beautiful event to see the power of a story, the impact of honesty and the importance of connection. It’s a reminder that you don’t need to do something big before you can have a positive impact on others. Inside each of us is a message that other people need to hear right now.
It’s not about money at all, but it’s interesting how much money people can make when they are open about who they are and clear on what they need to do to serve others.
So think about who needs to hear what you have to say. Who could be living a better life if they just learned what you have to teach, heard your story or used the product you have to offer?
You have the power to positively impact people all around you. You can create a great life doing something that matters to you. And, you don’t have to feel ready to do it. You just have to start …
In Philip’s words, “You can think as big as you want however if you cannot BELIEVE BIG then you are just passing the time.” So, “in the absence of clarity, take action“.
You may not want to step in front of a room to share your message, but if you do, the best tip I can give you is the one Philip shared with me – focus on the person who needs to hear your message the most. AND … I have three other tips to help you prepare and feel comfortable when you get up there. You can watch those right here:
Not sure what to do first? That’s why I put out the Broad Thoughts Newsletter each week for you! That’s also why I coach and teach. You have a gift to give others – let’s find the right people and the right way to share it so you’re connecting with those who need you the most.
You’re still not sure if you’re the right person to do what you want to do? You don’t have to believe me … One Last Talk is coming back in 2016. And Philip has released many of the past talks in small books so you can read and experience what each of the brave speakers shared with the audience at the live event.
