Attracting A Crowd: Starting A Riot At The Dollar Store
A reprint of an article from about five years ago, inspired by a giant ball display at Walmart. 
***
So I bring my daughters to our local Everything For A Buck Emporium to pick up a few odds and ends. We’re in the toy aisle and come across a basket of small playground balls with Pokemon on them.
Of course being who I am, I grab three and start juggling. Hey, I’m bored!
About five seconds into my fun time I attract a group of five or six kids. I’m guessing the oldest is about ten. No parents in sight.
“Hey, Wow! Look at what he’s doing!”
Of course the performer in me comes out, so I throw a few little tricks in for fun. Criss-cross arms, fountain pattern, just little stuff. One bounce off the head. And of course the kids go wild.
Now juggling in on a stage or other wide open place with professional juggling equipment is one thing. Juggling Pokemon balls with uneven weights in a store aisle with kids all around is another. The balls came down in pretty short order, which wound the kids up even more.
So the ring leader picks up a couple and does the classic little kid “throw one in the air and pass the other from hand to hand” maneuver. He doesn’t survive his first toss. And of course the rest of the kids follow suit.
Before long, they’re all asking me how to juggle and telling me I’m even better than the guys in the circus.
And of course, one kid – right on cue – picks up a Nerf football and does his best NFL quarterback impression. He flings it the length of the store. Perhaps it’s best we don’t know where it landed.
“Quick girls, get your stuff and let’s get out of here.”
Fortunately the store was only staffed by two ladies, bother of whom were working up front. We pay and leave. A clean get-away.
Now in case you don’t know me from any place other than this story, I am a juggler. I created the Juggle To Success program, so I’m actually more a juggling trainer than a juggler. I believe in juggling as a way to teach all the important things in life…healthy risk taking, team building, self-confidence, managing change, even making complete paradigm shifts in business and educational organizations.
I also wrote a book on this very topic.
So as much as I’d prefer not to start riots in retail stores, I’m actually very happy I lit a spark in these kids. Enthusiasm is where everything starts. It lets you know what’s possible and gives you the incentive to dream big.
I wonder if someone’s going home tonight and thinking about a future career or some other big goal…
while tossing pairs of rolled up socks in their room…far away from anything breakable of course!
How To Succeed: Ya Gotta Love The Work!
Loved Thanksgiving with my family, enjoyed watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade that morning.
But there was something I would have rather done.
Excuse the camera shakiness…had my nephew take his first try at videography.
Why We Don’t Do Black Friday
Shot at my parents’ dining room table right after Thanksgiving dinner.
No, that’s not my wife. That’s my sister, Bonnie.
Why there is SO much more for you in not being part of the thundering herd. Bonnie knows it. Jill knows it. I know it.
HOW TO ATTRACT: Be Like The Fire Department
Winter Storm Alfred hit Connecticut on October 29, 2011.
It was all business. It knocked out our power for six days. If you want the details, check out AWESOME AND TERRIFYING. It tells the tale in a pretty compelling way.
Lots of things stand out about the storm. The downed trees and power lines. People fighting over lines at gas stations. People coming together.
And the joy of knowing our family had the means to protect itself. Part of the power outage was spent at a world class resort in the southeastern part of Connecticut.
But the part that stands out most to me was Saturday night, about five hours after the snow started. The power had been out for several hours. I had just finished a mad dash across the backyard, putting some propane tanks in a clear space where no trees were likely to fall on them.
I stood on the front porch and listened to the storm.
It was already dark, and with no streetlights there wasn’t much to see.
The sound of big mature oak trees cracking under the weight of snow was profound. I wondered when one would ht the house, or power lines near it.
Then I heard the sound of a large diesel engine. Looking to the left I saw a fire engine driving slowly up the block. It cruised slowly past our house.
A telling moment.
The easiest thing for the fire department to do would have been to wait out the storm at the station. They had generators, so they had light and heat.
Not to mention they would be safe from trees and power lines falling all around them.
But that’s not what the fire department does, at least not the Bristol, Connecticut Fire Department.
They cruised the neighborhood, in their big engines, though not nearly as big as the elements that furiously swirled around them.
They were out there as the last line of defense in a very unpredictable world.
They made us all feel a little safer. Even if they weren’t in a position to give complete help, knowing they were there and willing gave a measure of comfort and security.
I liked knowing the BFD had my back, and I’m going to make sure they know it too.
*** ***
That night, when the heat was on, someone positioned themselves as the Big Dog…the Alpha Male.
And it wasn’t out of a desire to be dominant. It was from a desire to protect.
They were willing to take a risk for their community. And in the eyes of that community, they got bigger.
See where I’m going with this?
Whatever your community is, if you’re the one who is willing to do what others won’t, or (using my least favorite word) can’t, you become a giant.
Or at least a source of safety and comfort.
Certainly a source of authority.
People are attracted to you.
(Show me any child who isn’t attracted to a fire fighter, or at least a fire engine. For that matter, show me an adult who isn’t either.)
People are wiling to follow you.
People are willing to submit to your leadership.
Because you are strong.
And safe.
And by the way, that community could be a marketing group.
Or it could be a school.
Or a family.
Or a couple.
Or it could be a community of one. Just you.
Showing yourself you are capable…you are willing to be the one who does the heavy lifting.
Not out of the need for recognition or approval.
But because you have it within you.
And you have the energy, desire and compassion to take care of your fellow community members.
That recognition will eventually come.
But you won’t need it.
You’ll already identify yourself as a hero.
Be like the fire department.
Brave. Tough. Willing to serve.
Be a hero.
If you go down, you go down with glory.
If you stay up, you find new heights of achievement and new depths of gratitude.
Your Friend,
Larry
HOW TO RECEIVE is open for business. If you want to find the courage inside you to become like your town’s bravest, come on board. Classes start January 3, 2012.
Get What You Want…Without Crashing
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HOW TO RECEIVE
Teleclass Begins Tuesday January 3, 2012. For More Information Or To Register, Click The Image. 
How To Juggle (and Change Your Life Forever)
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