by Rosemarie Rosetti, PhD
With the rising cost of gasoline, everyone is trying to economize. Many are looking at ways to get more mileage out of every gallon of gasoline.
Did you ever consider how to get more mileage out of everything you do? Have you thought about how you can be more effective and have a broader scope of influence?
Last month, I realized that I had the ability to get more mileage out of my speaking presentations. I had been asked by Jim Tressel, head football coach at Ohio State University, to deliver a keynote presentation to 130 Buckeye players and coaches. The topic was “Handling Adversity.” With my background as a motivational speaker, I was asked to share my lessons to live by, to help the team members handle their adversities, both on and off the football field.
As I was preparing my remarks, it occurred to me that I could get more mileage out of this engagement. I wanted to facilitate an exercise that would allow the audience to apply what they were learning, as well as to help me with my personal mission or purpose in life: “To make a significant difference in the lives of others.”
The idea came to me to give each person in the audience a piece of 8 ½ ” X 11″ colored construction paper and a marker. I would ask each of them to write an encouraging note to a recently injured spinal cord patient in Dodd Hall at Ohio State University (OSU). Each of the notes would be signed by the player or coach that wrote it. The players would also write their jersey number and position they held on the team. I would collect the notes the night of my speech and deliver them to Dr. Pease, chairperson of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. The cards would then be posted in Dodd Hall. They would serve as inspiration to the patients and their families to help them to face their adversities with determination and a positive attitude. The team and coaches could make a positive difference to the patients. Coach Tressel and Dr. Pease supported my idea.
On the night I spoke to the team, I guided the audience through the activity. Each audience member wrote a heartfelt note and submitted them. I was moved with what I saw. Many had written quotes that they treasured in life. Others created original verses that read like greeting cards. It was obvious that this team took the assignment seriously.
After I spoke, Coach Tressel agreed to make a financial contribution to a spinal cord injury (SCI) research fund that I started at OSU. He also agreed to help arrange for the OSU SCI research department to get recognition at a home football game next year.
I delivered the cards to Dodd Hall that evening and checked in with Dr. Pease 3 weeks later.
Dr. Pease reported that the initial reaction of the doctors, nursing staff, and patients was overwhelming. The timing of these messages at the beginning of the football season added to the excitement. Many view the team members and coaches as celebrities and were awestruck to see these personal greetings.
As I look back, I see the results of my presentation magnified by the ways I was able to get others to assist me with my mission to help others.
Individuals, corporations, associations, organizations, and foundations all have missions. We can get more mileage out of our efforts by broadening our scope and influence. We need to think about what we can do to advance our mission and how we can engage others to help us to have a broader effect. Think more about regional, state, national and international reach. We should enlist the support of others whose missions are similar, collaborate on large projects, build synergy and momentum.
Rosemarie Rossetti, PhD, a member who lives in Columbus, Ohio, is a speaker and writer. To book her to speak at a conference, or to subscribe to her free monthly inspirational column, go to: www.RosemarieSpeaks.com.
Copyright © 2005, Rosemarie Rossetti, PhD-Rossetti Enterprises Inc. All rights reserved worldwide. Reprinted with Permission: Women’s News Monthly, October 2005.
