More on the Kindle and the Power of Sharing Your Goals

If you read the comments from my last post, you know that I had a surprise waiting for me when I woke up this morning. Herman, a friend and fellow blogger and business book author, decided to send me a Kindle. What a huge gift - I am blown away with surprise and delight and gratitude. The reason I am sharing this with you is not to brag or gloat - I am humbled by Herman's gift. I want to share this because Herman's story reinforces the gargantuan power of small actions - my favorite butterfly effect. Here's a portion of the email Herman sent me this morning (Herman said it was OK to share it):

Meeting you was a great event for me this past year.  I am sure I would have made progress in my efforts to start a blog and get attention for my books…but a special person arrived in the form of Lisa Haneberg and made my progress leap ahead.  Starting on November 26th there will be a Daily Hermanism given with a brief comment by yours truly everyday on over 500 radio stations across America.  The wing flapping you started on your trip to Baltimore has now had super results in achieving our goals.

In the January edition of Spirit Magazine, the Southwest Airlines publication, there will be a feature on HERMAN and more people will be made aware of my work.

Last week I visited the University of Wisconsin and Salisbury University where wonderful college kids embraced Hermanisms.  Today I visit another college.  My wings are flapping all the time.

And so, Lisa Haneberg…to honor your help in all of this…I have ordered Kindle for you and it will be delivered to your doorstep in 3 to 5 days.  If you already have it, or don’t want it….give it to a deserving person of your choice.  Please accept this gift as my thank you for the inspiration you bring others everyday.

It feels kind of strange sharing this because I know it might seem like I am tooting my horn. Look beyond this, please, and consider the examples of focused action (which I put in bold type). A conversation that I had with Herman (perhaps a total of two or three conversations) in which he shared his goals and what he wanted to do with his career and book was in some small way catalytic. Herman saw the spark of possible forward momentum and ran with it. What I did for Herman was nothing that we all can't do for each other on any day of the week.

I don't say it like this to diminish the importance or value. I love being a catalyst and think it is the best work in the world. But we all can and do play the role of catalyst and when we do, we help change the world one situation at a time.

I know I sound like a broken record, but sharing your goals with others can be the best and most powerful thing you do to put your progress on the fast track. It won't happen every time, but some number of those conversations will be catalytic and if you see this happening, grab on and go for the ride.

When I wrote about the Kindle I certainly had no idea or expectation that something like this would happen. It's amazing and I am very thankful to Herman. If you want to learn more about what Herman is doing, you can find his site here and blog here.

Oh, and I can't wait until I get to give the Kindle a try! Yippee!