Plans are Underway!

We've got the committee together and we're currently making plans for the 2nd Annual Bigger Small Talk Summit in Fargo, North Dakota Tuesday and Wednesday, June 10-11.

Here is a comment from a participant in last year's inaugural event:

"The conference was quite different than what I expected, but it was a great surprise. I learned an immense amount of information about many topics. It felt liberating to discuss feelings & opinions freely. Coming together with people I've never met & sharing ideas is the biggest step in making things happen in the world."

In addition to the actual Bigger Small Talk event of Day One, Day Two will feature Dick Richards, author of several books including Is Your Genius At Work? The Genius Workshop will assist participants in identifying and then naming their own genius, that part of each of us that makes us who we are. When you've named your own genius, you will have access to a much deeper level of conversation at work and at home.

Here's a comment from last year's Genius Workshop:

"It felt really amazing to finally understand & pinpoint my essential qualities. It wasn't exactly an 'aha' moment, but as my genius indicates, as I 'integrated' and made connections, I felt/feel increasingly more connected to my genius."

Make your plans now to be with us in Fargo June 10-11. Rumor has it there might even be a pub crawl being organized so you'll be able to enjoy the atmosphere of beautiful downtown Fargo from a different vantage point! Register today at www.biggersmalltalk.com. You'll be glad you did!

So what, exactly, is Bigger Small Talk?

I've had that question a couple of times since I came up with that title and I'm not really sure there is a pat answer.

My response has been, "what does it mean to you?" which usually starts another conversation, which, I guess, is my intention. I think if we can ask better questions, we will get better answers.

One of the best questions I've heard recently is Suzanne Whang's "What's good?" as a greeting instead of the standard, "How are you?" or "Whuzzup?" or some of the other things we just automatically say and don't really expect an answer.

What are some questions you've heard or asked that have led to more meaningful conversations? What have you learned from those conversations? How have those conversations affected your relationships at work and at home? To me, that's the meaning of bigger small talk.

What does Bigger Small Talk mean to you?

Live at Bigger Small Talk!

We are creating amazing dialogue right now right here in Fargo. In fact, we are currently (1:35 p.m.) dreaming about selling our blogs for $5 million! Dick Richards has joined us for an open space session titled: Creating and Maintaining a Great Blog and we are right now demonstrating blogging as I type!

Watch this space for more information and updates!

Big Things Happening in Fargo!

If you can't make it to this year's Summit, consider making a trip to Fargo next summer as we host the second annual Bigger Small Talk Summit!

Buzz is building in Fargo and we're looking forward to welcoming Dick Richards to present "Is Your Genius at Work" on Thursday to help people identify who they are at work and at home.

Because it really comes down to who we are. Really - who we are. Who we say we are is of very little concern because we are measured by the perception - what others can see. And the challenge is that we can't see what we project because we're the projector.

Do you know what your clients, co-workers, family members, public sees when they view you? What are the results that you and others are seeing? Is there a disconnect between what you say you are and what others see? Between what you say you are and what you REALLY are?

We'll talk about these and other important topics at the Summit for Bigger Small Talk. You won't want to miss it!

Coming to FARGO??

If you would like to have an opportunity to make a difference in a BIG way in your communication and in your life, consider participating in the inaugural Summit for Bigger Small Talk in Fargo June 27-28.

The summit will take place on Wednesday, June 27 and, using Open Space technology, we will create a wide open agenda that will allow everyone to participate in and build action plans around subjects and topics that they are most passionate about.

June 28 is an opportunity to work with Dick Richards and others about your genius, which is inevitably linked to work and career, but lies behind the experience and talents categorized in a resume.

100% of people who participated in this event in Minneapolis last month said “Yes” when asked, “Would you recommend this workshop to others?” That’s about as close as you will ever get to a guarantee of a worthwhile use of your time and money! So come on to Fargo!

People who recognize their genius report gaining a stronger sense of identity, a clearer sense of career direction, increased confidence, language to communicate the value they add to work situations, higher work satisfaction and productivity, and a greater sense of personal harmony.

Click here to register for the event. You won't want to miss this opportunity to network with others who share your passion about substantial conversation that leads to BIG action in the world!

What keeps you from playing BIG?

I'm thinking today about all the times I have thought about something and then haven't DONE anything with it, only to have my idea come back at me from someone else. Why don't I ACT when I have an idea?

So I'd like to challenge all of us - me included - to starting thinking BIG ... to dream the most outrageous dream ... to imagine what the world would look like if you were playing to your fullest capacity. What would you think? What would you say? What would you DO?

I would create a foundation or an organization or some entity that would be responsible for teaching school kids how to ask better questions - of themselves and others - and then to add a layer of personal accountability to that. Maybe it would be a series of charter schools which are all about teaching the fundamentals (reading, writing, math) but making it fun and applicable, and then helping the kids uncover and remember their own genius and strengths and capitalizing on who they ARE, instead of who they might someday grow up to become. I would incorporate Wayne Dyer's idea of taking orphans who have no family and raising them in an environment where there is no doubt - where they are raised in pure love and acceptance and belief - and then educated - allowed to share their own inspiration (inspiration = in SPIRIT) before putting all that information in (information = in FORM).

Maybe there is a "camp" for adults who want a week of this stuff in kind of an immersion basis. Kids could be in one part of the building/setting/"camp" and parents/adults could be in another section and then they come together to share what each has learned and created. (Thanks for this idea goes to my friend Virgil!)

This is the type of conversation I envision creating and allowing at the Summit for Bigger Small Talk. What topic or subject makes you come alive? Where are you inspired and compelled to bigger action?

Consider bringing your ideas and your passion to Fargo June 27-28 where you'll meet others who are itching to co-create with you.

Register online at www.biggersmalltalk.com - and tell everyone you know to come along.

How FAR will you GO to put your mouth where your heart is? Come to FARGO!!

What is Bigger Small Talk: A SlideShare Presentation

Thanks to Jodee Bock for putting this great presentation together. I posted it up at SlideShare if you're subscribing via RSS (or just click in to see the presentation)

Hope to see YOU in Fargo!