People often ask me who my heroes are, expecting I think my response to include perhaps a famous mountaineer, a sporting legend; or some other historical figure. I see the look of recognition in their eyes; the “aha, I get it” as I list them out:

“Mahatma Ghandi, Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu”, until I get to “Bob Brown”…
“Who is Bob Brown?”

I first met Bob in 1995, huddled under a tarpaulin in a storm, by a campfire, in the northwest corner of Tasmania know as the Tarkine. I was with a group of activists known as the Tarkine Tigers; a ramshackle mob of young people who’d taken to protesting the destruction of the worlds largest intact temperate rainforest. Camped out to stand vigil, over weeks at a time in the middle of winter, was demoralizing work. We were few; the opposition many; the system “adjusted” to make it illegal for us to even be in the area. One by one they were picking us off; placing us under arrest and feeding us into a legal system that meant if we returned; next time we’d be facing criminal charges; not just a misdemeanor for not doing what we were told.

I’d been out doing some “surveillance”, and arriving back in camp; there was Bob, drying out his wet clothes by the fire; giving everyone an update on what was being done through the political channels to support us. A tall, bespectacled, lanky man; a doctor by trade, Bob looked totally at home surrounded by our crew; a pretty feral looking mob whom the media had painted as losers and no hopers who should go and get real jobs. Not only did he look at home; he respected us. Despite appearances and background; he was one of us; in many ways the grandfather of the movement we were now part of.

Three months later I was assigned to guide a young couple into one of our hidden camps. It was vitally important that we show people the Tarkine; that they get a taste for themselves of this wild place, and hopefully; moved by the experience, they would join us. Meeting early in the morning at our secret trailhead, I noticed the worn out boots on the man.

“Are they the only boots you have?”
“Yes” he replied, “they should be okay, shouldn’t they?”

At that moment another vehicle arrived, and out stepped Bob.
Greetings aside, Bob looked down at the mans feet and repeated the same question I’d asked earlier.

Same answer.

“What size are you?” says Bob.

Here’s where I should point out that at this point in time, Bob Brown was the leader of the Tasmanian Green Party.

We said our goodbyes; Bob wishing us luck, and after a dozen steps down our forest trail, I turned to see Bob walking back to his car; barefoot, carrying the mans shoes…

The next time I saw Bob was at his court case, whereby he was found guilty of breaking a court order that he not return to the Tarkine following an earlier arrest. He was bundled into a police car and taken to Risdon prison where he would spend the next nineteen days…

Commitment.

How many leaders have you seen display that level of commitment?
What would you do; how far would you go for a purpose bigger than you?

I watched Bob go on to lead the Australian Green party.
I watched him join the senate.
I watched him face ridicule as the lone voice for the environment amidst the muck raking and dirty politics he faced in parliament week after week.

I smelt the tear gas on the coat I lent him when he returned it to me after the S11 protest against the World Economic Forum in Melbourne, saw the bruises on his body where he’d been charged on the front line by police with batons on horseback. (This was in the year 2000 by the way, when people protested based on their beliefs; not because something had been taken away from them).

I watched him walk the talk.

That’s what a true leader does; he walks the talk.

Bob Brown is my hero.

Earlier this week, Bob announced his resignation as leader of the Australian Greens. It’s time to pass the baton. “After all” he said, “I am 67”…

I can’t thank you enough Bob for all you’ve done.
For the environment, for future generations; for humanity.
For the inspiration.
Many, many more will thank you as time goes on; including those happy to see you go.

Bob Brown
The Tarkine

People often presume that, because of the nature of what I do (you know, being a professional speaker, telling people what to do etc), that I must have it all figured out.

That would be incorrect.
Wrong.

Here’s the deal.

We never stop learning.
That includes me.
It also includes you.

Two weeks ago in Canmore AB I crashed trying out my new skis. Not a major, high speed crash, but I came down solidly on my left ribcage (on the left pec to be precise).

It hurt. A lot.
Not enough to stop me skiing the next day, but enough to make me realise the day after that that skiing the next day probably wasn’t the smartest thing I’ve ever done.

Footnote: Although not my smartest move, I’m still glad to this day I did. It was kind of like a “screw you” to the crash; the kind of thing for some reason we seem to have to do as men. Reminds me of the time I shook a friends hand despite my broken finger, and had to explain to Margo as we drove away, me nursing my hand, why it had to be done…

But I digress.

The injury was one thing, but where the problem started was that I decided that what I needed to do was just keep going about my days, as best I could, and that my ribs would just have to get better. This wasn’t easy. Actually, moving at all wasn’t easy (make that, is still not easy). Try moving about without using your arms, or legs. See.

A full week later, I agreed to see a chiropractor.
The first thing she suggested is that I set about icing it fifteen minutes on, thirsty minutes off, fifteen minutes on; three or four times a day.

The first thing I realised is that this would have been way more effective if I’d started this routine straight away; say on the day after the crash; instead of going skiing…

So, I’m on the long road to recovery (with two subluxated ribs), all too aware (again) of the awesome power of denial.

Don’t do what I did.
Take time to stop, reassess and take action.
Kind of like I’m out to teach with The Solution Revolution.

Yes, we do teach best what we most need to learn…

Kyle and Team on the Summit of My Kilimanjaro

Twelve years ago, a co-worker tried to talk me out of climbing a mountain because there was a section of trail he was quite familiar with, that he couldn’t see me being able to navigate through. I knew back then as I know now, that by the time I reached that section of trail, I’d be seeing with a very different set of eyes than the ones he’d used the countless times he’d passed by.

I’ve had lots of people over the years tell me they’d love to climb Kilimanjaro, but that they didn’t think they could do it. My response is always the same.
1/ Decide to go. Make the commitment.
2/ Prepare. Put yourself in the best possible position for success.
3/ Enjoy it. Don’t turn it into a huge ordeal (see #2).

After all, if I could do it with no legs…
Well, the bar just got raised some.
Quadruple amputee and author of No Excuses Kyle Maynard just did it with no arms, or legs...

Now, I have to point out that Kyle’s is an awesome achievement, but that’s not why I’m writing this now.

Is there something you’ve always wanted to do, and have been making excuses?
Does Kilimanjaro seem just a little more achievable now that Kyle and I have done it?

Do you see your project now with a new set of eyes?

PS
I had the opportunity to interview Kyle before he left for Africa for my Solution Revolution project.
You can check out a snapshot of our interview HERE.

Trust me; you could be badder.
And I’ve got just the place for you to learn.
This Thursday and Friday (26th & 27th January), my friend JBT is hosting the first, the inaugural Badass Conference.

Here’s the blurb; you decide if it’s for you; or not…

“Imagine living a life with absolutely no excuses. No reasons for not being your best. No more bullshit.”

I’m in. In fact, I’m speaking.
On Friday.
At 3.40pm (Eastern Time).

Click on this link to The Badass Conference for details on how to join me.

Ps
To give you a sense of just how badass this event is going to be; guest speakers include:
Seth Godin
Julien Smith
Leo Babauta
Jonathan Fields
Brian Clark

Instead of a resolution, I’ve got a prediction for 2012.
It’s going to be “interesting”.
What does “interesting” look like?
It depends.

I spent a lot of time this past year working with my friend Steve Satterwhite on breaking down what I know; pulling it apart in order to create a model we can all use to find solutions in situations that seem hopeless. (You’ll see more on this model when we launch www.thesolutionrevolution.com in a few months).

The model is based on three truths, three stages we need to move through in order to create something new; something better.

Acceptance.
Responsibility.
Questions.

Let’s start at the top.
Most (but certainly not all) have now accepted that a fundamental shift has occurred in the economy (it’s actually occurred in all aspects of our lives; let’s just stick with the economy for now).
Many (but again certainly not all) have also realized that we are all responsible (in some way, shape of form) for some of the changes taking place, and that we are also responsible for working our way through these changes.

And now, on the cusp of 2012, I believe we are entering the period where we begin asking questions. About everything. Where we begin to question not just the way we do business, but why we do business.

This is where interesting comes in.
If you’re creation is based purely on profits, and we don’t actually need it; I believe you’ll find 2012 “interesting”…

My questions for you:

What will “interesting” look like for you in 2012?
What will you create?
What kind of questions do you need to ask in order to create it?
What will your creation add to the world?

Here’s where Deepak Chopra comes in.
Take a few minutes to watch this interview, where Deepak gives his take on why business needs to become more than just about profits.

Enjoy!
And may 2012 be a year for creating for you!

Warren

Another how-to tip for amputees or anyone who uses a wheelchair for mobility. Winter driving can be a challenge for anyone, but for someone with a “disability” there are additional concerns we need to think about…

Would love to hear your ideas on any other how-to style videos you’d like to see. Please do post your ideas and thoughts in the comments.

Things have been busy around here in preparation for the February launch of my new project; The Solution Revolution. Part training course; part Inner circle, I’ll be interviewing leading experts and thought leaders on Solution Focused Change; bringing their expertise and insight to you.

Be sure to sign up HERE to gain access to VIP Beta testing, early bird discounting and some cool giveaways

I’m really excited today to let you know that my interview with Ishita Gupta for Fearless Magazine is now online!
You can read all about how I manage my own relationship with fear HERE.

Get the Kleenex ready…
This is not just the story of an incredibly inspiring and brave young man.
This is also the story of an incredible woman, Moira Kelly, who has continually shown in her life what’s possible when we ask not “what can I get”, but “what can I give…”
Amazing, amazing video.
Huge congratulations to you Emmanuel!

is coming.
Soon.