| What happened in Chicago? Several weeks ago, | | | | confidence growing, and my learning curve |
| there was a conference held by an Internet marketing | | | | accelerating. |
| group. Its name was Gateway to Wealth. The trip was | | | | I found out Friday evening there was a private party |
| impressive and full of surprises. | | | | being held by the Wellman's and Ambrose for affiliates |
| To start with, I wanted the experience of not having a | | | | of their products. I wrote a note to Alicia that I wanted |
| voice, depending on myself alone, and go to an event | | | | to go. She said she would ask Keith and let me know. |
| with many other people. All strangers, but typical of a | | | | An invitation was given and I was on my way to the |
| conference a person would attend. So I packed my | | | | Affiliate Party that evening. As it turned out, it was |
| clothes, gassed up the Jeep, and headed for the | | | | another lucky moment in my life. Here's why: at the |
| Windy City! It is a 5 hour drive. About half way there I | | | | party, I was engaged in conversation with Alicia and |
| was imagining what to wear at the different events. | | | | Jeff Wellman. I had my trusty note pad and we were |
| You can see what I was concerned about. Then there | | | | talking about webinars, which are meetings over the |
| was a realization, my clothes were hanging in my | | | | Internet. I said that I wanted to do a webinar. Jeff was |
| closet at home! No longer was I dressing for success. | | | | curious how that would be done since I had no voice. |
| In my mind for a second, I imagined people saying, "look | | | | That is when he learned about the software on my |
| at that poor guy, no voice, and no clothes." A Quick | | | | computer that would speak for me once the |
| analysis of what I was wearing, what was in my grip | | | | information is typed. He wanted to see how it worked, |
| and it looked to me like a pair of pants and a shirt | | | | so the next day we went up to my room and I |
| would get me through the weekend. Lesson # 1, don't | | | | demonstrated the SpeechPro. He was impressed. |
| depend on your clothes to get you through. | | | | What I did, was copy and paste one of the articles I |
| Thanks to Garmin, I arrive at a beautiful Renaissance | | | | had written about the Gateway to Wealth conference. |
| Hotel near O'Hara Field. It was impressive. I parked my | | | | Jeff liked what he heard. Those comments along with |
| Jeep and went in to register which was up an | | | | the flexibility of the SpeechPro, has now turned into a |
| escalator and on the second floor. One of those | | | | Webinar that Jeff and I are going to schedule. The |
| bigger than life, spacious areas that is meant to | | | | topic will be overcoming challenges and excelling |
| impress and it did. I walked up to the registration area, | | | | because you decided that is what you want. Currently |
| pulled out my note pad, and confirmation information. | | | | we are in the process of working on the format, |
| Handed it to the clerk and waited to see what was | | | | content, and logistics of the Webinar that is going to be |
| next. | | | | held soon. Lesson #3 you never know when an |
| All smiles and ready to help, the clerk filled in the | | | | opportunity is going to show up. |
| appropriate information and gave me my "key." When | | | | It is now Sunday and the last day of the conference. I |
| was the last time you got a key to your room? | | | | have met many people using my note pad primarily, |
| Anyhow, he said to me, this will open your door and | | | | recognize by attendees, and talk to many of them. |
| you must insert it in the elevator for your floor button | | | | Today one of the featured speakers is Jeff. I knew he |
| to work. Plus, you were served breakfast and in the | | | | was going to mention something about me because |
| evening hors d'oeuvres. I am thinking, these guys at | | | | he asked if I would mind if he did. He is up on stage, |
| Gateway really know how to negotiate a room for | | | | building steam and momentum on the topic, take |
| $99. Up I went to room 1527, along with my porter and | | | | responsibility and seize the opportunity that is available |
| luggage. He opened the door and I was speechless | | | | to all of us, and then for about 5 minutes he talks |
| again. This room was fabulous. It was the size of 3 | | | | about me not having a voice and being at the |
| rooms. It had three sitting areas, a king size bed, office | | | | conference and we are going to do a webinar |
| area, a bar, wide-screen TV, three phones, how handy | | | | together. It did surprise me with what he said, and then |
| for someone, huge bathroom, bathrobe, another TV, | | | | points me out in the crowd! |
| and decorated to fit the ambiance. This room was | | | | All eyes are on me for a second and I am thinking, this |
| impressive! I was thinking, "There has been a mistake | | | | is surreal. Remember that my first concerns were |
| of major proportions." Now I need to tip the porter. I | | | | would I be able to communicate and relate to people. |
| am thinking, how much do I tip him if staying in a room | | | | Jeff starts to wrap up his talk of about 1 hour, and |
| like this? So I give him a $20...and ask for $15 in | | | | again refers to me and my situation. The results were |
| change...I mean, let's be real, right? | | | | after the talk, I am now a recognized. Some want to |
| This is funny, no clothes, but a great room. Lesson #2, | | | | talk, many give you that, "so you are that guy" look. |
| if you are lucky, go with it. | | | | Another thing I noticed is that when eye contact is |
| Coincidentally one of the largest malls in the USA is | | | | made and I was walking or standing talking to others, |
| near O'Hara, how handy. Directions from the concierge | | | | people would smile. |
| and I am on my way to enhance my wardrobe. About | | | | It did make me feel good, and it also raised |
| a mile down the road, I see a Marshalls. Perfect for | | | | expectations as well. If there was someone I wanted |
| me, and in I go. Out 10 minutes later with new pair of | | | | to talk to, it was easier because of the recognition. I |
| pants, a polo shirt, and all for less than $50. Back to the | | | | was also aware of the caution to engage in a |
| palatial room, pull out the ironing board and iron to | | | | conversation by some. It reminded me again, it is my |
| flatten the creases in my new digs. You should have | | | | responsibility to eliminate the barrier of communicating |
| seen that scene. This room has everything. | | | | and to help the person feel comfortable enough to |
| The next morning it is time to go and register for the | | | | engage in a conversation. It is important to keep in mind |
| conference. I had emailed the staff about my coming | | | | that my situation is different, and folks don't always |
| and concerns and they had responded very positive. I | | | | know how to respond to different. |
| was expected at registration and met Alicia Bowers. | | | | The conference ended around 7 that evening. I was |
| She was invaluable the entire weekend. We hit it off, | | | | able to have a final conversations with all the leaders |
| and she introduced me to everyone that was a part | | | | and staff. The last surprise It was a new experience. I |
| of putting on the event. Jeff Wellman, Keith Wellman, | | | | gave a testimonial about a mastermind group session |
| and Gary Ambrose are among the most successful | | | | that was held Saturday night. I had my portable |
| marketers in the country; we met and had a chat. The | | | | communicating device with me, typed out my |
| whole conversation initially was with note pad and pen. | | | | impression and gave my testimonial on camera. |
| It works amazingly well. People want to know what | | | | Lesson #4 Seize the moment. You cannot be afraid |
| you are saying and take the time to read your note, | | | | to try doing new things; do not put limitations on |
| respond and the conversation continues. The | | | | yourself. |
| conversation is focused and you don't waste words, | | | | This turned out to be a terrific weekend. It was full of |
| but they are complete. | | | | surprises, challenges, and memories that will stay with |
| It was a good day with many conversations, my | | | | me for a long time. I am a blessed person. |