Wow, I am not sure if Seuss raided my mind or if I will be opening for Jay-Z…but in the mean time I have an “Experimental Idea” to share with you.  Start to treat your life like a grand experiment.  Oh, by the way, even if you don’t see it that way…life is merely a grand experiment.  Who’s to say I will even finish the blog post without having a heart attack or my blog will experience a cyber attack before you get my message.

But seriously, there are really no guarantees in life…I would even challenge even the surety of “death and taxes.”

So many of us hold back waiting for the perfect moment, instead of perfecting the moment or even worse missing the moment.  Which by the way is perfect.

So, if life is an experiment and it is already happening even if you don’t know it…then whats the point of my blog post.  I didn’t say to “experiment” but instead to treat your life like an experiment.

Big difference.  Because if you don’t recognize life is a grand experiment, you are probably not getting the benefits of the experimental process.  First lets take a look at a definition of experiment.

In scientific research, an experiment (Latin: ex- periri, “to try out”) is a method of investigating causal relationships among variables. An experiment is a cornerstone of the empirical approach to acquiring data about the world and is used in both natural sciences and social sciences. An experiment can be used to help solve practical problems and to support or negate theoretical assumptions.

Wow, that’s a mouthful but what I most like is the Latin root is “to try out.”  Its kind of like that old LIFE Cereal commercial where they encourage “Mikey” to try it…because he might like it.  That is all I am asking you to do.  To try out some new ideas, some new habits, some new goals…if you like it (data) then keep on doing it…if you don’t like it (data) then stop it.  Its really that simple an experiment.

The other thing I like about calling it an experiment is it takes the pressure off…if its just an experiment then you can always start a new experiment.

Experimenting is similar to adventure and exploration.  Which sounds a whole lot more fun than planning and committing.

What is your next grand experiment?

“Your thoughts become your reality,”

I envisioned myself showing up at holiday parties with enthusiasm and love in my heart.  I saw myself enjoying the family and friends I would be spending time with.  On the way back from my last shopping trip I had the inspiration to create a fun holiday game to play with my family.  Our family has always enjoyed Pictionary but I wanted something different and holiday oriented.

My wife is actually was the inspiration for the game.  She often will belt out her best impression of Santa Claus each year during the Christmas season with a bellow “Ho, Ho, Ho…Merry Christmas!” I must admit she does it with such enthusiasm it is almost uncomfortable.  Interesting (not what Megan calls it), I started to mock her Santa impression and realized it was actually quite heart opening  experience.  Belting out a “Ho, Ho, Ho…Merry Christmas”  is actually extremely joyful.

So, without going into excessive details I created a game similar to “American Idol” where we judged each others Santa impressions.  One of the rules was everyone had to participate…and from my view it seemed like everyone had a great time.

Since many of you are probably just starting your Holiday Party Tour around your town or around the country, I wanted to encourage you to be intentional with your thoughts about the experience you wanted to create for the holidays.  My intention was to have a “Holly Jolly Christmas.”  I want to challenge you to do the same.   I am confident you will be pleasantly surprised where this intention might take you.

“Every production of genius must be the production of enthusiasm.”

Benjamin Disraeli

“Life isn’t as serious as the mind makes it out to be.”

Eckhart Tolle

Have a Holly Jolly Christmas (if that’s your intention).

Burl Ives & Brian Monahan

I assure despite my lack of blog output, my inspiration and passion are as great as ever, I just happen to be more engaged in the “fields of my life.”  I am sitting in a hotel room in Ithaca, New York contemplating how my I find myself on the campus of Cornell University.  On the surface I am attending a Hospitality Summit…hospitality being the primary industry my employer ITA Audio Visual Services serves which explains why I am here.

However, internally I am asking myself what in the world am I doing at Cornell University.  My barely middle class upbringing has no reference for an institution like Cornell University.  In fact, until I turned on my GPS after landing in Ithaca, NY I wasn’t even sure what part of New York I just landed in.  For all I knew I could of been in Vermont or Maine, however, as I shuttled to the Cornell Campus…I realized this was about as far from my upbringing as I could travel.

Ivy League schools are something for Mitt Romney’s children, not a simple Cincinnati Westsider like me.  Interestingly, I found out otherwise.  There was a spot at the table for me.  I was attending a Hospitality Conference and the Hospitality Industry has a very unique distinction.  The Hospitality Industry provides opportunity for anyone who has a desire to serve and work hard…regardless of social and economic status.

After nearly 20 years of working my way up in the audio visual/hospitality industry I found myself side by side with Ivy Leaguer’s, academics, investors, owners, marketers and life long hospitality professionals and I realized we have a lot in common.  We all need each other for success.

I am not quite sure what my point is today but I did want to share “Where Art Thou” yours truly Brian Monahan, the Expert in the Rough on this fine day in early October 2012.

Here are a few random nuggets of learning I have gathered this week in Ithaca.

• Hotel Revenue Managers have 76,000 pricing decisions daily…that’s too many!
• Customer Satisfaction is the booby prize…consider “Customer Delight”
• The biggest innovation in the hotel industry in the last 20 years is comfortable beds.
• Your brand is now in the consumers pocket (i.e. their mobile device).
• Employee satisfaction has a direct correlation to customer satisfaction and increased revenue/profits
• Howard Johnson’s used to have 800 restaurants…and now has none.
• Consider effect over function in your business
• Lack of mentoring and career planning might be biggest barrier to women advancing in their careers…versus traditional glass ceiling issues.
• I am glad I am not paying off an Ivy League Student Loan

Do you ever get tired of hearing your own story over an over about what’s preventing you from living a better life?

I know for me I have been telling an endless story about how my foot pain is preventing me from running, which has caused me to ditch regular fitness and eating healthy.  I know for others it might be a story about bossy bosses, financial challenges and/or tragedies of love.  Whatever the story is we often develop it over a lifetime and causes us to detach from solutions.

We forget to look at the truth of the situation and our part in it.  We forget we have the power to make a new choice and write a new chapter.

I realized I have been very attached to a story about how my bad foot is keeping me from being healthy.  I am thinking it might be time to wrap this story up as it has become a bit of a tragedy.

Next time you notice yourself telling yourself and others the same story over…(blah, blah, blah)  and over, consider this option.

Instead of dreaming up another chapter…this simple technique will end your story in a flash.  Simply add the words “The End,” and you can move onto a new outcome.  You might have to do this more than once since you have become pretty attached to this story but eventually you and others will get the point.

Start a new story.  My new story starts with me considering new options for health and fitness.  I am embracing low impact exercises and asking for help.

I have a bad foot…The End.

I am finishing up a week of vacation and have had lots of time to ponder the current state of my life.  During this time I realize I have been in a period of duress.  A failed business in 2011, a new job with increased responsibilities, an all consuming 3.5 year old, health issues and rebuilding my marriage…as we learn how to be parents and spouses.

Of course, we all have our lists of life’s challenges and I share to give you a reference point, in case you are in a similar space.  Because what I have noticed for myself is I haven’t had a lot to give (so I thought).  Which really shows up in all areas of my life.  I have realized I have been more reserved, less engaging and generally aloof.  I have let others engage me, I have waited for others to put their hand out first and I have taken the hugs.  I have been absorbed in my pain.

What is interesting is that I cannot take enough hugs to refill my energy and spirit, the secret is to give them.

It’s an interesting life shift…so many of us try to hoard our energy when the only way to expand it is to add fuel to the fire of life.

Funny as I write this I am reminded of a lesson I learned at Life Success Seminars in 1988.  In fact, this message was given to me directly by the facilitator Jim Quinn.   During one of the learning modules Mr. Quinn pointed out that my life model was similar to this:

Imagine a man (Me) standing in front of a wood stove with an armful of wood, he said to the stove, “I will give you wood, when you give me heat.”  Of course, the man froze to death.

I must admit I have been playing out this skit in many areas of my life but it doesn’t have to be this way.

This week…I am giving hugs!

Every year in late May I get a little teary eyed thinking about how innocently my blog started back in 2008.  A life long study of the “Gurus,”  Expert in the Rough was born as a vehicle to share my ideas about living an outstanding life (instead of regurgitating the gurus).  It’s a funny thing when you start sharing your ideas with the world you either have to put up or shut up.  I can proudly say I have never put up but have been humbled a number of times.

Expert in the Rough has changed me in ways I will never ever be able to explain through mere words but I will keep trying.  The cool thing about writing a blog over a period of time is the benefit of perspective.  My perspective has changed immensely during the last 4 years mostly due to the birth of my daughter in late 2008.

I had zilch of an idea how parenthood would change my life.  You could say I “Brian Monahan” am a mere 3.5 year old to life with my new perspective.  I am glad Expert in the Rough has been a place for me to document that perspective shift.

So, what’s different for Brian and Expert in the Rough in 2012.

• I find myself wishing I had kids earlier in life, I had no idea I was so self centered, for so long.
• I am a rock solid dreamer who will have no regrets on his deathbed.  It’s a rough journey but I guess you could call that being on “Brand Message”
• I have learned that moving towards the pain is where the real work in life begins.
• My best message is always just sharing my truth.
• I get knocked down and I get up again…although a little slower than at 25.
• No matter how much I try to prove myself to the world…I can’t outrun the voice in my head…its time to stop and listen.
• Blogging is not “Blog it and they will come” and comment, life the movie Field of Dreams,  in fact,  it’s kind of a lonely exercise which lends well to the item above.  No matter how much I kid myself that this message (blog) is for you, it’s instead clearly what I need to hear for myself.

So, that’s the short list.  On a more practical level Expert in the Rough has been great writing practice and has helped me with writing speeches.  I have shared in the past it wasn’t until I learned how to write that I learned how to speak.

So, 624 in Blog years, I say.  I like toying with numbers so I dug up some data and found out a very generous life expectancy for a blog would be 6 months and the average human has a life expectancy of 78 years.  I applied some formulas via some algebraic fractions (can verify the validity of my computations) and came up with an age for Expert in the Rough at 624 years old.

I am not sure if that makes me eligible for AARP but should at least qualify me for the Buckeye Card in OH.

If you are new around here, you can catch up by starting back at the beginning.

EITR’s First Blog Post May 26th, 2008.

What’s interesting is if you take a step back most leaders are sharing a simple and obvious message.  Their message is not technical but connectable. The obvious is what you know but refuse to do.  The obvious is what you aspire for but feel inadequate to achieve.  The obvious is where to start first.

Leaders are profound for reminding you about the obvious.  Leaders are profound for having the courage to state the obvious.

Seriously, give the obvious a try sometime you might be surprised how profound it is.

Shifting gears…I used to joke that being a coach is a lot like being Mr. Obvious, your job as a coach is to wake people up so they can hear what they already know inside.  So, on a less serious note I am sharing a  favorite comedy skit called “The Mr. Obvious Show” which is regular feature on “The Bob and Tom Show” a syndicated radio show.  For those who are familiar with Mr. Obvious this clip is appropriate for all audiences.  Enjoy.

 Mr. Obvious Link YouTube.

Recently, I was sharing a conversation with a co-worker and he mentioned the word courage and encourage in close proximity.  So often when I hear the word encourage I think of lifting someones spirits or creating positive feelings.  Rarely do I think of courage.  Interestingly, my life’s mission to to cultivate passion and inspire courage.  I am thinking I could simplify my mission is “to EnCOURAGE.”

Miriam – Webster Definition of Encourage:

I can’t believe I sit here scared to take “The Risk” to start blogging again.  Seriously, a simple blog post…which I have written hundreds of them but I sit here in fear…Fearful that I better have something profound to share…Fearful that you will judge me for taking “A Risk” and I share another  “Failed” coaching business.  Fearful I will be asking for your attention ”Again” knowing that when I write I get inspired and might decide to take another “Risk.”  Fearful, my blog might come off as more of a “therapy” exercise than something of value for you.

So here is the truth.  It was very easy last year (April 2011) to announce on my blog that I was blazing a bold new trail in my life.  I was starting a business, “a coaching business”… I would be helping others live their dreams and living mine all at the same time.  The “All American Dream” of entrepreneurship.

Fast-forward January 2012 and I was blazing another bold trail in my life but no blog post.  What’s up with that?  Some of it was logistics but most of it was embarrassment.  You see, I had taken a “Big Risk” and started a business but “failed.”  I had given up a great paying job, a stable work environment.  I had ventured into dangerous waters.  I “wasted” a lot of retirement money.  I racked up some credit card debt.   I tried what most won’t and even tried to convince others to do the same.  But I “Failed.”  Who wants to proclaim their failure?  Not me …but I am!

That’s the real nugget in this story.  Most people never ever attempt to live their dreams never take “The Risk” out of the fear they might have to face up to their possible…”imminent failure.”  I hope me sharing my “Failure” might give you the courage to take “The Risk” and know it’s going to work out.

“The Risk” you might have to share your failure…or maybe your success.

That’s the problem with “Risk” it has unknown outcomes.  Interestingly, there is multi-billion dollar business called “Hollywood” that capitalizes on telling stories with “unknown outcomes.”

Which leads me to believe that most of us, secretly want to take “The Risk” but instead have chosen to go to “The Movies” and live vicariously through others “unknown outcomes.”  Interestingly, we like the movies because they often end in a positive way…by result or inspiration.  I believe the same is true with life.  If you take “The Risk” you almost always end up with some positive outcome.

So, you’re thinking “Brian get to the point,” how does your story end.

Here’s the deal.  I took a risk.  That risk didn’t pan out as I had envisioned.  I was hemorrhaging financially and decided to “coach myself.”  I asked myself the questions I asked of my clients.  I listened to my answers.  My answers were to regroup.  Find a job that uses your strengths, supports your family and lifts the financial burden.

So that is what I did I regrouped and I took another “Risk.”  I started to look for another job and amazingly I found one that I don’t think I could have landed without taking “The Original Risk” of starting a coaching business.

So, here is my big announcement.  In January I accepted the position of “Assistant General Manager” with ITA Audio Visual Solutions a Cincinnati based audio visual services company.  We are an in-house audio visual provider for over 30 hotels nationally in world class hotels from Marriott to Renaissance Hotels.

The position utilizes most of my passions and strengths combining my entrepreneurial spirit, business acumen, coaching passion and audio visual expertise.  My goal is to eventually take over full management of the company as the owner operators consider the next phase of their life.

What’s even cooler about this story is this position wasn’t even advertised.  I took “The Risk” and applied for a sales position with a competitor of my former employer.  It was very emotional for me to consider “changing teams” but there was not a position available at my former employer at the time.  Unfortunately, despite the position being well paid and in my skill set “the competitors” position required too much travel, so I removed myself from consideration.  This was very scary to do in this job market but I had to honor my instincts.  Crazy, they came back to me with a better opportunity…The Assistant GM Position.  I share this because I think so many of us are risk averse that we limit our opportunities by playing it safe.  Life is one big story of “you can’t get there from here” kind of thing.

So, unlike a movie this story does not end here.  I am kind like “Rocky Balboa” you can expect another sequel to this story.  I am digging in at my new position and expect this is going to be a long stop on my journey.  Now that I have gotten my feet wet at my new position I have some “mental bandwidth” available to start blogging again.  I have a book on my horizon.  I have more stories, failures, half-baked ideas and success to share.

“The Risk”…is playing it safe.

My favorite way to expand my circle is by reading blogs.  Recently, I was reading one
of my favorite blogs “Shoestring Branding” by Mario Sanchez Carrion and he mentioned on
of his favorite blogs was by Mark Cuban.  I don’t know much about Mark Cuban and for
some reason I thought he was a blowhard and I would not like his message.  What’s
interesting is; he is probably a blowhard but I enjoyed reading his blog.  I started
thinking a great way to expand my circle of influence is to find out what my “influence’s”
are reading.  If Seth Godin is one of my favorite bloggers then where is he getting his
inspiration.

Since, I hope I am one of your influencer’s I am going to share my ten favorite blogs aside
from Seth’s Blog since that is a complete given, he’s my favorite.

• Hello, My Name is Blog – Scott Ginsberg
• Very Cool Life – Drew Rozell
• Sales Caffeine – Jeffery Gitomer (actually a newsletter but clearly an influencer)
• Hubspot Blog – Hubspot Marketing Company Blog (sign up for their reports as well)
• Gaping Void – Hugh MacLeod
• The Art of Non-Conformity – Chris Guillebeau
• Fail Blog
• Event Manager Blog – Julius Solaris
• The Marketess – Krista Neher
• LifeHacker

Of course many of these are part of the blog echo-chamber but there are a few relatively
“popular unknowns.”

Share your favorites in the comments on my blog or Facebook.