One person can make a huuuuge difference. One person can change the dynamics of something completely. One person can make or break something. One person can make something a success, or bring something down to the ground and destroy it. One person can make the difference in a great show, or on the other hand one person can destroy a performance. One person can create a change or opportunity for you than could take years to attempt on your own, if you could even ever achieve this.

Sometimes that one person could be a mentor, client, producer, promoter, venue owner, a fellow performer, an instructor, or any one of many types of people we incur in our business.

I've been fortunate to have a nice, lengthy career that spans decades and a couple of generations. I now have parents bring their kids/family to come to my performances, that were just kids or teens when they first saw my show. In my business, performing, and career I have had several "one persons" that made a tremendous impact on my life. As I've mentioned before show business legends such as George Burns, Steve Allen, and Sinatra's (and other's) agent and manager Barzie all made huge "one person" differences for me.

I have had clients that took a chance on me that ended up lasting 35 continuous years. Many others 25-30 years. I have had accounts that allowed me to create something new, unchartered, and create new markets that didn't really exist before our joint efforts. I have had people in at least 2 different industries that gave me an opportunity to pioneer something new, innovative, and exciting that together we changed the industry(s) worldwide.

I could go on and on but you get the idea here. Of course, the longer you've been in business, likely the more of these "one persons" you may have in your business, career, and life.

I know we don't often stop to reflect, acknowledge, and think back as we are all usually so focused on moving forward, but it is important to always remember those "one persons" that helped make us who and what we are.

I also think this is important to discuss with younger performers who may not be aware of this concept. I am not a believer in "being discovered" as in the old Hollywood story of Lana Turner at the counter of Schwabb's Drug Store in Hollywood, but I do very much believe in that we can create our own breaks, situations, and opportunities, and often they start with "one person" who will believe in you, see and understand the vision and opportunity, and are willing to take a chance on you.

I strive to be this "one person" for those I coach, consult, mentor, and train. Am I for all of them? Of course not. But I do have such an impact on some that I am honored if it leads to me being one of their or their first "one persons."

Have you had any "one person(s)" in your business, career, or life that made a notable difference? Let's discuss as many could take things away from this I'm sure.

The one person for was Earl Nightingale.

I was invited to an Amway meeting when I was 18 years old. You know, the pyramid scheme that sold soap. I was never interested in signing up with Anway, but the motivational materials they provided were like gold to me.

I had heard about positive thinking and believing in yourself before, but I thought it was just a nice thing to say. In Earl Nightingale’s motivation tape called, “The Strangest Secret” he explains exactly why it works and the science behind it. It all made sense. Its not an overreach to say my life was never the same after I digested his words on that short cassette tape.

As a side note, I have shared this tape with at least 2 other young men that were having trouble in their life. Sad to say, they are still having great trouble in their life today! They didn’t get it or wouldn’t believe it. Or most probably, didn’t want to put in the effort.

Nobody. I did it all myself.

How did we know you would say that?

Because it’s true?

Earl and Napoleon certainly can change the course of a life! I understand the criticism but if you actually give it a try it sure does seem to work!