As we run out of April, I am reflecting on my month and the significance of this month. April has been a pivotal month over the years. It was in April many years ago that I decided to leave my job at IBM to pursue my dream of being a motivational speaker. In particular, April 18th is a big day for me. In addition to being both my brother Gerald’s birthday, it was also the birthday of my grandmother. On a grander scale it also is the anniversary of the day Paul Revere helped change the course of history with his infamous mid-night ride. Still grander (at least for me!), April 18th is the anniversary of my first date with my wife. The story: she asked me out (her mother suggested it). We spent the entire day from 6:30 am until 12:30 am, together, 18 hours (it started with an early morning triathlon I did in which I set course records for the slowest time recorded in triathlon history). After the tri, we spent the rest of the day at the beach then had a cook out at my house with friends before attending Kontiki – a beach themed Chi O party. This year we celebrate 18 years of marriage.
My first date and ultimately my marriage happened because of connector personalities (I met someone who introduced me to another friend who later introduced me to my wife). This all happened over a couple of years in which we had a friendly acquaintance. After attending a wedding with one of her friends, we spontaneously stopped by her apartment to show her my new Jeep. Her parents were there and they were ALL in their PJ’s (at 9:30 or 10:00 on a Saturday night!). A few days later, she lamented to her mother that her normal “date” and current boyfriend would be out of town for her final sorority party. Her mother said, “what about Tim?”
Now, 18 years and six kids later, we are traveling through this journey called life. While THINKING about writing (instead of actually doing it), I starting thinking about the significant of all the number 18’s and 8′s in my life. I started writing this on April 18th (see above). My childhood history hero not only rode his historic ride on April 18th he also died in 1818 – which if you divide by the number of children I have (8) it equates to 303 (which is the area code, from which I write this with my daughter who is traveling with me. My daughter, while born on the 9th day of the month, in less than 8 years will be … you guessed 18! When she is 88, the year will be 2086 and I will be 86-ed if I don’t get my sleep and stop this fixation with 18. Have a gr8t weekend!
So you get SOMETHING out of this post, check out the info below:
www.gladwell.com/tippingpoint/index.html (scroll down to point # 6 or better yet buy the book). Paul Revere has always been one of my favorite people in American history. I learned reading Gladwell book that he alarmed the colonist because he was a connector. His connections and ability to inspire people to action changed the face of America history. Whether it’s first date or a historic and patriotic action, connections life and history changing.
Tim Richardson is a professional speaker and author. Tim writes and speaks about how to build community (with customers, with co-workers, and in the community where you live). His programs focus on how to increase employee morale, lower employee turnover, increase customer loyalty and build a better sense of healthy community in cities, states, and countries all over the world. He is a community builder by volunteering in scouting, youth sports, and as a board member in several organizations including president and founder of the Bill Walter Melanoma Research Fund. For more information on Tim, go to www.TimRichardson.com
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