A Day at Berklee College of Music

Last Monday I had the opportunity to spend the day and part of the night at Berklee College of Music. No, I wasn't taking piano lessons, but I was giving lessons on how I use hip hop as a tool of empowerment for young adults (students and professionals).   My day there began as a panelist on what they called a "Dine and Discuss."  The main focus was on hip hop and it's role in different parts of society such as education, social justice, etc.  I had a great time with my co-panelist, Mike Trammel who runs a great program for high school students called High School Jamz. I must give a shout out to my girl Darcie Wicknick for making all this happen.

From L to R: Ed Woods, Joi Pitts, Leonard "L.B." Brooks, and Sharon Heyward

Later that evening I had a chance to take in powerful information on the business of hip hop and urban music from executives in the music business. The panelist on hand included the following: Ryan Leslie, Ed Woods, Joi Pitts, Francesca Spero, Leonard “L.B.” Brooks, and Sharon Heyward.

Below are my notes and key takeaways that are applicable to more than just folks interested in Hip Hop and music in general.

We will start off with Ryan Leslie who is a recording artist, composer, producer, etc.  He has done an excellent job of staying connected to the people through social media and his videos, which can be found on his website.  For those who don't know Ryan Leslie or "R-Les" as he is known in the music biz, he is a Harvard Grad.  An interesting piece of information is that he was admitted into Harvard at the age of 15 and graduated at 19.  Did I mention he delivered the Harvard oration at the commencement ceremony?  I could go on but I'll let you read this article in New York Magazine for more on his background.  Before we jump into what he had to share, let's put it into context as R-Les did.  He reminded us that he was in Boston when he was first starting his career and he remembered going to tons of conferences and listening to a lot of people, but he rarely walked away with something he could go and use right away.  He wanted to make sure things were different for this crowd.  Here are some of what he had to share with us:

• Have a tireless work ethic
• Keep creating and releasing
• Ask yourself the question: What are you providing that is valuable?
• You have to have a desire to create something that is real and tangible
• Think about how you spend your day.  How much of it is in creation and how much is on evaluation and connecting
• You have to put out content, but then you have to evaluate it.  It is evaluated by the number of hits, comments, etc. you get.

This last point stands on it's own and it gets all the things that you wouldn't usually see--that's right I'm going all CAPS and BOLD, I'M EVEN GOING TO CENTER IT  that is how serious I am about this point and I just don't want you to miss it:

"DON'T HOLD IT! IF YOU ARE A CREATOR YOU CAN CREATE MORE. WORRY LESS ABOUT PEOPLE TRYING TO STEAL YOUR IDEAS AND MORE ABOUT GETTING YOUR CONTENT OUT THERE." -- Powerful!

Professor Kellogg (Moderator) and Ryan Leslie aka "R-Les"

Ryan Leslie had to head out so he was on the panel for a short time, but he dropped a message that goes a long way. "Thanks R-Les."

He wasn't the only one with us; the overall night was just filled with wisdom and words worth sharing with my readers.  Some of the other great points from the night:

• Think of yourself as a brand
• Ask yourself the question: What will make me an icon?
• Know that record companies go after those who already know who they are (packaging is important).
• Artist development is being placed more on the artist.  A couple of suggested things to do:
• Go out and perform
• Engage your consumers
• Protect your brand
• experiment and see what works
• Performing is how you eat and make money.  Focus on booking dates.
• Get good management as it can be difficult to do both: manage your art and manage the business.
• You can't build a brand if you don't know who you are. --Need help? Reach out: www.runthepoint.com

That was my day, filled with giving and receiving.  If you are in the Boston area make sure you come out next year.  I walked away with more ammo for my own business and moves I'm making with my book, Move the Crowd: 30 Days of Hip Hop Affirmations to Change Your Life.  You can definitely expect to see more of what I have been holding back in fear that someone might "steal" it.  I've been reminded that I am a creator so i'm going to do what I do, create.

Keep Running the Point from where you, are with what you have.

Your Ambassador,
Mike Bruny
Let's stay connected and make things happen:
website: www.runthepoint.com
blog: www.hiphopaffirmations.com
video: www.youtube.com/ambassadorbruny
facebook: www.facebook.com/ambassadorbruny
twitter: @runthepoint , @hiphopaffirms

Ambassador Bruny Labor Day Garage Sale Tips / Lessons

I will not pretend to be the guru of garage sales but I did learn a few things at my first garage sale on Labor Day. I'm a huge fan of using transferable skills so I applied a couple of things I've picked up throughout the years to have a good sale.

It all started on Sunday morning when my wife and I woke up and decide to have a garage sale. We had been threatening to hold one for a long time now and with her sister visiting we had the additional support needed to make it happen. Here is what we learned and hopefully the tips can be valuable to you when you decide to have your own sale (hey, maybe it will even inspire you to have your own sale):

Ambassador Tip#1 - Plan ahead; you are not the only game in town. "Yikes! As I finished making my cardboard signs to hang at the entrance to our complex and one for the busy streets not to far away, I quickly realized that someone else already had a garage sale planned in the same complex. Their sale was only planned for Sunday (ours was Sunday and Monday, running until 3p.m.) from 9a.m. - 2p.m. (by the time we saw this it was already 1p.m.)

Ambassador Tip#2 - Learn from the competition and the situation. As a garage sale rookie I took note of the excellent places our neighbors put their posters and decided to put ours in the same place. I figured our yard sale went until 3p on Sunday (1hr after they would have packed up we would still be around-- whowho haha=my best Dr. Evil laugh with pinky to the mouth)

Ambassador Tip#3 - There is no competition. After witnessing the excellent signs my neighbors had for their yard sale, I decided to go over to their sale before they closed shop. I introduced myself and let them know that we are having a yard sale and would gladly display some of the items that they did not sell in exchange for their signs (the signs just said Garage Sale and had an arrow, but they were in key places to help drive business... at least that's what my gut told me.) They agreed and we no longer had competition but allies.


Ambassador Tip#4 - Teamwork makes the dream work. My wife, her sister and I were involved in making this thing happen. Sure anyone of us could have done it alone, but it was so much more fun and gave the opportunity for a rotation because we had a team. We each brought our own individual talent to the table. My wife has the retail / Merchandising background, my sister-in-law is a recent law school graduate so she schooled us on how she used Craig's List while at Syracuse all the time. Her skills put our garage sale on the virtual map, I provided my marketing, sales and analytical skills to the equation. *Important to note that I thought you had to pay to put an event like ours on Craig's List and would not have taken that step if it wasn't for my sister-in-law. We have to challenge our beliefs and be ready to be proven wrong for the sake of success.*

Ambassador Tip#5 - Pay attention to what is happening. Throughout the event we made sure we paid attention to what was selling, what people were checking out, was our pricing too high and how people heard about our garage sale (we had 1 person who came because of Craig's List and all the other folks swung by because they saw the signs on the road-- my gut feeling about the signs my neighbor was using was right...."yes" ). *What we discovered: The signs worked well to pull people in, jewelry, books and CD's focused on personal development sell well. My clothes and shoes with their limited sizing did not sell as well-- my belts did bring in a couple of bucks. I'm surprised no one touched the ties*

Ambassador Tip #6 - Set a goal. Sure, we didn't have the slightest idea how this garage sale would go, but we did set a goal of making $100 bucks for the day. It just made the day more fun and charged to "get that sale." It had me sending messages to my friends on Facebook who live in the area. A couple showed up. Thanks Kandi and DJ Rey! We did not hit the $100 but got pretty close with a $80.

Ambassador Tip#7 - (should really be #1) Have fun. You have a chance to make a little bit of money from stuff you don't want anymore and you get to potentially make new friends. "Shout out to the guy who was just taking his walk, but stop by and told me about some excellent cobblers in the area--now if I could only find a Taylor...sorry, that's another post."


That's all for now....keep Running the Point from where you are, with what you have left after your garage sale!

Your Ambassador,
Mike Bruny
www.runthepoint.com

Ambassador Bruny's 5 Tips From Net-Working In Boston

I took a trip to Boston earlier this week on a Net-working mission.  I've been hitting the street to spread the "Run the Point message," and making some new friends along the way.  I hit up two events this week.  The ECHO (Entrepreneurs of Color Helping Others) monthly meeting and a Tweach up at Lansdowne Pub near Fenway Park. 

First and foremost I want to introduce or remind my readers about my view on Net-working.  The hypen is there for a reason.  It's to remind you that you physically have a net that you have to put to work and that you belong to a net and you have to be willing to go to work for them.  I'm big on reciprocity.  Now back to the tips.

Ambassador Bruny tip #1: Be in the mindset of service.  Ask yourself, how can I be of service as you talk and mingle with the people.  I was able to think of at least 2 people that I just had to connect after having 5 minute conversations.  You have to give in order to get!

Ambassador Bruny tip #2: Introduce yourself to the speaker and host of the event.  They are the ones who got all the people out there and they can help you meet more people. At the ECHO event the speaker spoke about the value of blogging for businesses.  Her name is Angel Babbitt and she has a cool blog called The Bridal BFF (check her out).  We had a chance to talk a little bit after her presentation and we are now connected.  She even gave me a referral to a couple of guys who make bow ties.  I spoke with the host of the event and learned about Boston offline which puts on all kinds of events.

At the Tweach up, which is a combination of a reach out and a tweet up (basically asking you to bring a friend who has never been to a tweet up before to partake in the event), one of the hosts was actually kind enough to give me a shout out on Twitter following the event.

Ambassador Bruny tip #3: Be Yourself. Don't work overtime on trying to be someone that you are not.  It's spotted a mile away and it's just too much work.  Let the people love you for you.  I'm passionate about helping people take things to a next level and that shows.  I love my bow ties and that shows too. 

Ambassador Bruny tip #4: Love The One You're With.  Nothing is more annoying that trying to have a conversation with someone and their eyes are scanning the room.  Focus Daniel-son (remember the Karate Kid) and pay attention to the person who is in front of you. Listen to what they are saying and ask a clarifying question if you need to.  I met so many cool people this past week, just by listening.  I met the lady who is in charge of the PR for Boston University, a dean of students, a guy who is a dating coaching (the real hitch; check him out at The Professional Wingman), a woman who is super passionate about building community and even reconnected with a few people (My man Joselin from Boston Tweet up dot com) to name a few.

Ambassassdor Bruny tip #5: Keep it Moving. At some point your conversation with the person you just met will come to an end.  You may decide to exchange contact information or you may not (there is no hard and fast rule).  Do not feel bad about excusing yourself to network with some other folks.  That's why you're there in the first place.  You can simply say something like, "It was great meeting you, I'm going to mingle a bit."

Bonus Tip: All of the work begins tomorrow.  Whatever networking event you are attending is just a gateway to really getting to know the people you met.  The power is in the follow up.  It's in sending them an email the next day or sending them a card.  It's in fulfilling the promises you made to follow up and/or connect them with someone they should know.

That's how a net-works

As alway...keep Running the Point, from where you are, with what you have.

Your Ambassador,
Mike Bruny

Ambassador Bruny Heads To the Netherlands (Recap)

AMBASSADOR BRUNY GOES TO THE NETHERLANDS

As some of you know I am just back from a trip to the Netherlands were I co-created and co-lead a workshop called: “All Aboard: Life Won’t Wait, Why Should You?”

I worked with an unbelievable woman who believes in living life to the fullest.  Her name is Lady Karen.  We are part of a leadership program that connected us and we decided to work together to bring the people in the Netherlands a workshop they would not forget.  We worked together several weeks in advance through Skype (we would talk every Tuesday for about 2hrs) getting to know each other better and establishing a couple of things, most importantly why we were doing this thing and what we wanted the people to get out of it.


THE WORK BEFORE THE WORK:
Our Stake (Purpose): Make people step out of the waiting room and step into a fulfilling life

Desired Impact: 1) wake people up so they realize what they have been missing  2) get curious to discover the rest 3) regret that they didn't think of it earlier  4) having the feeling of: "I could have AND still can"

Desired Outcome: Start your own compass / itinerary, provide list of interesting books, 5 people coming up after the workshop saying, "Thank you, so much."(They saw the light).

After we had those down the next step was to design our alliance; basically how we wanted to work together.  We decided that we would be upfront with each other regarding anything that was bother us.  We decided to come up with a phrase: “Shall we dance,” to bring us to a place where we could have a heart-to-heart despite any ill feelings we may have been harboring at that particular time.  We spoke about our fears and concerns going into this venture;  Karen shared the concern about actually putting something together that would have some kind of impact on our participates (since we were creating in such a short amount of time) and I shared my concern about working with a partner when I’m used to creating my own workshops and delivering them on my own.  The concern was more that I would try to dominate instead of letting her be part of the dance.

AMBASSADOR BRUNY ARRIVES IN THE NETHERLANDS:
You can watch the brief video that summarizes the nightmare of a delay I had leaving from Logan Airport in Boston:

I arrived in the Netherlands on a Wednesday afternoon giving us 3 full days to put together all the logistics to make this workshop a success.  I started off in my typical fashion of creating a overview of the number of days I will be in The Netherlands and we filled in the slots with the things that must be done (Dinner with friends on Thurs. night, visit the venue, and workshop on Sunday at 12:30 p.m.)  and the things I would like to do (Salsa on Friday night, visit the Apple store, Go to Amsterdam to visit the museums and take in all the sights).  We knew we were in for a lot of work, but really didn’t know how much.

While most folks thought I was vacationing in The Netherlands, the truth was I spent the majority of my time in what I call the Penthouse (Karen lives on the top floor with an unbelievable panoramic view) surrounded by flip charts.  Don’t get me wrong I had a great time with everything including my first Dutch breakfast (which included what was described to me as raw cow which pregnant women shouldn’t eat), realizing that I met more cows than people at first, a great workshop and my one day escape to Amsterdam and all it has to offer.

WORKSHOP TIME:

The workshop was a great success and I love how two individuals came together with a vague idea of what we wanted to create and how we shaped that idea into a concrete workshop that we are looking to conduct in other places.  The response was great and we even got a chance to create in the moment based on what we saw was going on with the participants.  One of the biggest things that our participants walked away with was moving themselves out of the waiting rooms of their lives with the following process:
“I Can’t--> I Can-->I Will.”

One of the personal highlights that came after the workshop was when one of the participants told me that Brooklyn, NY (my hometown) was named after a town that was only 15 kilometers from where we were.  The towns name is Breukelen.  You know we had to visit and I had to take a picture near a bridge so I could say, “I stood at the original Brooklyn bridge.”



THE DAY AFTER THE WORKSHOP:

The day after the workshop was time to play.  We planned to spend the day in Amsterdam.  We walked around and visited a couple of the museums in the area including the Sex Museum, the Diamond Museum and The Van Gogh Museum.  It was amazing to see how much history I was surrounded by.  I stood in a square where Napoleon stood when he first conquered the Netherlands.

I was really moved by Van Gogh’s story.  A couple of the things that moved me:

• I did not know that he did not start to paint or draw until he was 27yrs old and only did it for 10yrs before his death (“yes” he killed himself because he felt he was a failure).
• He did not want his paintings to focus on the teachings of one school or the other, but what he wanted was to leave a certain souvenir to humankind.
• He tried his hand at religion because he wanted to serve
• He had this cool quote, “The time was ripe and I must paint what I am not yet able to, in order to learn how to do it.”  I love that!
• He wanted to create an artist collaborative with like minded artist.  He believed they would be stronger, artistically and financially.

“Yes,” we went into the Red Light District and most of the things you have either heard or read about is true (contact me directly for details).  It does really have a cool vibe with many narrow cobblestone streets with many bars and restaurants.

That concluded my trip to The Netherlands.  I really left there feeling the possibilities of what I can and where I can accomplish it has been severally expanded.

Want to check out more of my pictures?  Visit the following link: http://gallery.me.com/runthepoint#100097

Your Ambassador,
Michael Bruny, CPCC
Professional Life Coach, Speaker, Author
Run the Point Enterprises
www.runthepoint.com

Senior Contributing Writer: www.ethniconline.net

For a daily dose of motivation, subscribe to my newest website: www.hiphopaffirmations.com
(www.hiphopaffirmations.com)

 Gone Digital:
www.youtube.com/ambassadorbruny
www.facebook.com/ambassadorbruny
www.linkedin.com/in/mikebruny
http://twitter.com/runthepoint
=================================
Author of: "Move the Crowd: 30 Days of Hip Hop Affirmations to Change Your Life." As Seen in The Source Magazine
www.runthepoint.com/products

They are Not All The Same (My Adventures with Roy, Part I)

I had a very specific view about dogs…I didn’t like ‘em. I’m not sure when it started but I do remember being attacked by a dog my freshman year of college. I had written all of them off…until I met Roy.
Roy isn’t his really name, it’s Tashee, but I thought he needed a tougher sounding name like Spike, Killer or Roy . I met Roy about a year ago when I went to stay with my sister in Queens, NY. At the time Roy was locked in a cage in the bathroom and did nothing but bark. I thought, “boy am I glad he is in that cage and not chasing me around.”
Fast forward to the present day when I had plans to visit my mom in Brooklyn and heard Roy was there. Knowing my mom, there was no way she was going to keep Roy caged and confined to a specific location of the house. I drove down from MA and came to the door of the apartment where I grew up. I looked at the door and took a second to read the sign on the door that finally made sense with Roy in the house, “Never mind the dog, beware of owner.” I rang the bell and heard Roy’s barking. “Oh boy, here we go.”. I went in and Roy was barking jumping all over the place, but I played it cool. I sat down and Roy was checking me out, barking and moving in and out of reaching distance. I reached my hand and he would jump back. Finally, I paid him no mind and he came to me and placed his paws and head on my knee. “aww” all he wanted was doggie love. He was sizing me up to see if I was a friend or foe.

Ambassador’s lesson #1, I made a huge generalization when I said, “I don’t like dogs.” They are just like people—you’ll like some of them and not others and they all have their own personalities. Don’t generalize a race, religion, breed or anything else.

Ambassador’s lesson #2, situations can play a big part in how we look; for better or worst. You ever met someone at the club where it was dimly lit and thought they were super hot only to find out on your first daylight date that you were gravely mistaken? This was the reverse case when I first met Roy locked up in a cage in my sister’s bathroom and he was barking like a manic. When he was set free and in a different environment, his true personality was able to shine through.
Run the Point from where you are, with what you have!

Your Ambassador,
Mike Bruny, CPCC
Certified Life Coach, Speaker, Author
Run the Point Enterprises 
www.runthepoint.com
www.hiphopaffirmations.com
Gone Digital:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/mike.bruny
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/mikebruny
Twitter: http://twitter.com/Runthepoint
==========================================================
Author of: “Move the Crowd: 30 Days of Hip Hop Affirmations To Change Your Life.” www.runthepoint.com/products

In 2009 Did You Read About...

In 2009 Did You Read About...?

Inspired by a post by Coach Al Johnson, entitled "Read to Lead" (http://coachaljohnson.wordpress.com/2009/12/27/read-to-lead/#comment-53)

I thought I would share a list of the books Ambassador Bruny read in 2009.  Don't just enjoy, participate.  What did you read in 2009?  What's on deck for 2010?

For those of you who are super busy and are wondering how in heavens name did I find the time to read all these books, it was easy.  I followed the Run the Point Philosophy; Run the Point, from where you are, with what you have.  Insight on how you can do the same:

1. Audio Books: You'll notice a number of the books on my list are audio books.  That means I listened to the books whenever I was in the car.
2. Multitask: I listened to some of my audio books while riding the cardio bike at the gym.  I also listened to one of the audio books while on a hike in New Hampshire.
3. Break it Down: When it comes to actually reading books, I have developed the discipline to read ONLY 10 pages a day.  My brain registers it as, "It's only 10 pages.  If you can't do that Mike, then you're just not serious about your personal development."  If you follow the 10 pages a day program for 1 month, you can finish a 300 page book in 30 days. 
   

Ambassador Bruny's 2009 Reading List

1. E-Myth Manager
2. The Power of Focus (Re-read) Ambassador's Favorite
   
3. Crush it! (if you are building an online presence you must read this)
4. Quarter Life Crisis
5. Do You
6. The Champion in You
7. Why we Want You to be Rich
8. Think and Grow Rich (Audio, re-read) Classic!
9. The Carrot Principle (Audio) (A must read for anyone who is looking to build a recognition program for their people.
10. You Can Still Win (Audio)
11. Conversations With Millionaires (Re-read) (like 10 books in one) Ambassador's Favorite
12. The Secret (Audio)
13. The 60 Second Self-Starter (Very good book with tips.)
14. The Servant: A Simple Story About Leadership (This will change the way you look at leadership)

Almost forgot to mention my own book, "Move the Crowd: 30 Days of Hip Hop Affirmations to Change Your Life."

Your Ambassador,

Mike Bruny, CPCC
Certified Life Coach, Speaker, Author
Run the Point Enterprises
http://www.runthepoint.com/

Gone Digital:
Youtube: www.youtube.com/ambassadorbruny
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ambassadorbruny
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/mikebruny
Twitter: http://twitter.com/Runthepoint
==========================================================
Author of: "Move the Crowd: 30 Days of Hip Hop Affirmations To Change Your Life."  AS SEEN IN THE SOURCE MAGAZINE www.runthepoint.com/products

Planning

I thought you would enjoy this powerful note from Andre Taylor. I'm always looking for ways to help you run the point.

Your Ambassador,
Mike Bruny

From Andre Taylor (andretaylor.com)
I recently visited several colleges and
universities. These visits reminded me
of academia's focus on teaching the art
of PLANNING.

The old saying is true: "If you fail to
plan, you plan to fail," but I am struck
by how far apart sometimes theory is from
reality.

The business plan for example, is terra
firma at the university. However, most
successful entrepreneurs have nothing
resembling the dry,lengthy, boring, business
plans developed in school that gather dust
on book shelves never to be reviewed again.

Most entrepreneurs prefer marketing plans
as their key operating document but even
these are far different than plans developed
inside the classroom. For one, most are done
on yellow pads -- handwritten. And many
entrepreneurs don't realize the notes they
keep would be considered "marketing plans,"
at all.

With marketing being SO important for everyone
wanting success in this economy let me share
elements of a "Real-World Marketing Plan."

1. Describe your STRATEGY: List a few sentences
describing your strategy and tangible goals:
"Announce new health shake, build sales to
local business owners, college students, and
stay-at-home Moms. Add 100 new weekly customers."

2. List your TACTICS to get there: "Health Shake:
Circulate 'Buy One, Get One Free Coupon. Goal:
$1,000 in new revenue a week. Oatmeal Raisin
Cookies: Verbally offer wih every order at the
register. Goal: $400 in new revenue each week.

3. Create A CALENDAR: Identify what marketing
activities you'll do over time -- either
daily, weekly, or monthly. "JAN2010 -- New You
Eat Healthy promotion, FEB2010 --'Give Your Lover
A Cupcake' promotion..."

4. Define New TOOLS: List the new marketing tools
you're developing to support your activities.
Keep track of what it will cause to take
advantage of each tool.Put a date next to each.
"LOGO: MAR2010, WEBSITE: APR2010..."

5. New IDEAS/PRODUCTS: List your new ideas and products
in development. "Banana Muffins, Turkey Chili
Soup, Cranberry Chicken Salad..."

Got the point?

Make your marketing plan a short 2-page, "working
document" that'll be your daily guide to stay on
track. Refer to it daily. Keep it with you.

Other content typically described as important
to a marketing plan such as a competitive analysis
and all that "jazz" should be somewhere else.

A marketing plan is the answer to the question: "How am
I going to bring specific quantities of my product
or service, with a specific financial return to market?"

No matter what your business is, or where your business is
-- even if you have no business presently -- you can use
this thinking and marketing plan format to organize your
marketing approach.

I hope this helps you FLOURISH!

Until Next Time,

AT

P.S. Need Coaching To Develop Your Marketing Plan?
Send me an email: info@andretaylor.com

====================================================
(c)2009 André Taylor - Taylor Insight
====================================================
André Taylor is an author, speaker, and consultant
teaching individuals and organizations how to lead
and win. He's an accomplished business leader with
diverse experience including executive positions on
Wall Street, leading the marketing activities of
multi-national organizations, and building successful
entrepreneurial companies. Clients for his leadership
development work include individuals, well-known
personalities, professionals,and many of the world's
most recognizable organizations. More at
www.andretaylor.com.

The Business Side of Things

The Hip Hop Symposium

Part of what I do is comment on my surroundings and share lessons that can be learned from our everyday lives. One area of passion for me is hip hop. At times hip hop gets a bad rap (no pun intended). The aspect that is not always looked at is the actual business of hip hop. A few weeks ago The Berklee College of Music held a panel discussion called, "The Business of Hip Hop." Below are my notes from the event. Take a look at how the lessons learned can be applied in your life, regardless of what industry you are in.
Think BIG, but act small: Before you focus on being the hottest thing in the country, focus on being the hottest thing in your area/region
Continuous Improvement: Focus on the development of your craft (RTP thought: it's the old adage,"luck is where opportunity meets preparation." Make sure that YOU are prepared.)
No Shortcuts: Success is not instantaneous, exposure is. (RTP thought: with the Internet and all the social media channels, hard work and being "good" at what you do still matters. In fact I would say it matters more because there is more noise for consumers to filter through.)
Know your Strengths: Recognize what folks see in you and capitalize on it (RTP thought: start by answering these questions: what are my values, my vision, what am I good at? and what do I want? The answers to these questions will create the foundation to make decisions that are aligned with what is important to you. If you don't stop to look at the above questions, you may find yourself going whatever direction the wind blows. shameless plug: this is what I help people discover as a life coach. If you don't take advantage of your propensity to learn more, don't blame Ambassador Bruny.)
Take the Necessary Steps: Align with a mentor or coach, intern and volunteer to gain experience (RTP thought: solid advice to get you moving in whatever direction you need to go).
Be Creative: A lot of old school hip hop artist are making a lot of money by touring overseas (RTP thought: don't believe the hype; there are a lot of different ways to be successful. Don't just follow the crowd)
Learn: Education is important because at the end of the day that can't be taken away from you.
Serve, before you Earn: The Panelist were asked, “What did you do for free?” They shared the steps they took before they started getting paid at their craft. Some wrote articles from free, some traveled from a different state to intern for free just so they could get their foot in the door. (RTP thought: We may not all be in a position to leave our current jobs, but what about volunteering or working part-time in a field you want to be in.)

Worth Quoting:
"It's good that you are watching the entertainers. They've already made their millions; what have you done?"
"You should be competing with Puffy (referring to Sean “P.Diddy” Combs), not just following him."

They shared a plethora of information in a short amount of time. I am glad I was there so I could now share it with you. As always my goal is to help you run the point from where you are with what you have.

Panelist (L to R): Mike Trammel, James "Big Hawk" Hawkins, Shanti Das, Thembisa Mshaka, Tone Capone, Prince Charles Alexander, Dawaun Parker, Andreas Hale.















Your Ambassador,
Mike Bruny, CPCC
Certified Life Coach, Speaker, Author
Run the Point Enterprises
www.runthepoint.com

Gone Digital:
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Author of: "Move the Crowd: 30 Days of Hip Hop Affirmations To Change Your Life." www.runthepoint.com/products. As seen in "The Source" magazine

You Can Observe a Lot by Just Watching

You can observe a lot by just watching

"You can observe a lot by just watching," said Yogi Berra.
I saw a very interesting thing happen a couple of weeks ago while playing in a celebrity / charity softball game to help raise scholarship funds for the High School of Sport Management. The setting was the beautiful Keyspan Park in the Coney Island section of Brooklyn, NY. I had a view of the famous Cyclone roller coaster on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on another. The perfect weather was icing on the cake.

The thought of such a great event being put on by high school students was pretty cool. I'm not talking about them just showing up the day of the event and simply working. Months of planning went into this thing. They put on the event from "soup to nuts." They secured sponsors, players, celebrities, handled the marketing, ticket sales, game day promotions and operations. Having a background in Sport Management I understood the depth of what was being put on that day.

At 1:00 p.m. the athletes would be hitting the field, pun intended, for a good cause. The talent ranged from, "I've never picked up a bat before in my life" to "I currently play for my college team," and everything in between. Something stood out as we were preparing for the game...no one wanted to play 3rd base. Let's take a quick review of how positions were selected. A coach was given the responsibility to arrange the batting order and field positions. The coach went around and asked, "What position do you want to play or usually play?" For some people who never or seldom play softball they knew they did not want to play the infield (Run the Point Lesson: It's just as important to know what you don't want as it is to know what you do want). After my coach for the day went through asking roughly 10 people what position they wanted to play he announced he needed someone to play 3rd base. As soon as he said that the atmosphere changed. It was as if we were back in school and the teacher asked for a volunteer to complete a math problem on the blackboard--everyone tried to avoid eye contact in hopes that they wouldn't be picked. Ok, enough finger pointing; time to talk about what was running through my mind when the coach made the announcement he was looking for a 3rd baseman. First, physiologically my heart started beating so fast and loud, I thought someone was going to tap me on the shoulder and say, "hey buddy do you mind keeping it down over there, I'm trying to get ready for a softball game." Mentally, I thought--3rd base is a hot corner (I could expect a lot of balls to be hit my way because most batters are right handed), I don't want to mess up and embarrass myself.

After a little bit of self talk, which sounded something like this: "someone needs to step up and you're the guy Bruny", "I like being in the hot corner, it's where the action is and where the opportunity is," "jump in, let's go (my motto for 2009)." After 30-45 seconds of processing my feelings of fear mixed with positive self talk I told the coach, "I'll do it!" (You could see the sigh of relief on his face).

What was the result of my decision to step up? As a 3rd baseman that day, I threw one person
out, and missed one ball that was hit my way. What were the intangible results? First, Peace of mind that I did not back down--let's face it, because of fear. Second, I got an opportunity to practice being in an unfamiliar situation and performing despite fear and doubting my ability.

It's time for you to play 3rd base in your life. Where are the "hot corners" you've been avoiding because you are...afraid, I mean unprepared, I mean not ready yet, I mean not smart enough, I mean--you get the picture. Here are 3 practical steps (Identify, Affirm, Attack) you can take to Identify and over come your fear of 3rd base:
1. Identify: Identify what you are actually afraid of (in the story above I was afraid of messing up in front of all the spectators and not being good enough to play 3rd base)

2. Affirm: Have a behavioral interview with yourself (behavioral interviews usually start with, "tell me about a time when you..." use the same format to think about times when you overcame difficult situations. Use that information as mental fuel to tell yourself, "I overcame obstacles before and I can do it again!"

3. Attack: Put yourself in a position where you have to say, "Oh my God, what have I gotten myself into? Oh well it's too late to turn back now." In other words, quit dipping your toe in the water, jump in and your body will adjust accordingly.

What if you don't get it right the first time? In the words of my college football coach, Mike Tracy, "everyday is another opportunity to get a little bit better." Take his words to heart. Now get out there and play ball.


Run the point!



Your Ambassador,
Mike Bruny, CPCC
Certified Life Coach, Speaker, Author
Run the Point Enterprises



Author of: "Move the Crowd: 30 Days of Hip Hop Affirmations To Change Your Life."

Picture on the right: Antonique Smith (Played Faith Evans in the movie "Notorious"

Just Be There

The past few days I've had the pleasure of spending the majority of my time in a NYC hospital. "No," I did not have the swine flu, although the first couple of days I had to wear a mask. I wasn't the patient--I did spend enough time there and did enough work that I might have been mistaken for part of the staff. My dad was sick and I learned first hand the power of “just being there." Believe it or not, I'm actually trained in the art of “just being there,” but when it comes to close family who are sick, rational or trained thinking can easily be forgotten.

"Just being there" means being with someone in whatever state they are in without trying to change, influence or direct them. It means listening at a deep level and asking questions that show you understand where they are. In my case the Wed-Mon 11a-8p or 9p (I was able to get a late pass on some days) meant listening to what my dad had to say, being there when he took a nap and serving in whatever capacity I was needed. I served as a translator, a messenger, a shoulder to lean on for support (literally), a knowledge broker, a coaxer ("please eat, you need your strength"). My most important role was being there without saying a word; being a familiar face when he awoke from nap.

We don’t deal with folks being sick everyday, but another way to look at, “just being there,” is “hanging out.” There isn't any specific agenda, just to hang and let the non-verbal communication fill the air. Another way that "just be there" may manifest itself is by supporting projects, causes or events of those who you want to "just be there" for.

So the next time you’re thinking it’s no big deal if you don’t show up for a friend or family member you may want to think again. The value of your presence may mean more than you know. “Just be there!”

Your Ambassador,
Mike Bruny, CPCC
Certified Life Coach, Speaker, Author
Run the Point Enterprises

www.runthepoint.com

Gone Digital:
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LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/mikebruny
Twitter: http://twitter.com/Runthepoint
==========================================================
Author of: "Move the Crowd: 30 Days of Hip Hop Affirmations To Change Your Life." www.runthepoint.com/products

Give Folks a Taste of What You Can Do

What do BJs Wholesale Club, Apple computer’s App store, music singles, internships, a lease with an option to buy, and the cosmetic counter at department stores all have in common? They all practice sampling what they have to offer. This is a little different from the 30 days you are allotted to return most unused merchandise or the “100% satisfaction guaranteed or your money back” line. What I'm talking about is, "try me…if I'm good keep me and get more of me.”It takes some creativity, and courage, but you can apply sampling to your own life. Let’s take a closer look at the elements of creativity and courage as it relates to creating your own sampling strategy.

The creativity is in figuring out what you have and what you want to be sampled. There may be a particular company or client you really want to work for but there are some reservations on their part about hiring you or they just don’t have a position to fit your exact expertise at the moment. You can volunteer to work there at no or low cost for a pre-determined amount of time to facilitate a first hand experience of your skills. Once you are in this voluntary position you really give it your all. When you come to the end of the determined time, you ask for the opportunity to continue to provide the great work you have been doing as a full-time member of their team (the goal is you would have WOWed them with your work so they would actually ask you to be a part of the team, before the end).

It takes courage to sample for two reasons: 1. You may not see a quick return in terms of cash. 2. You have to be brave to offer the sample as a trial. "If I deliver what I promised, would you be willing to invest more?" Some of you might be thinking, "Why would a company buy the cow when they can get the milk for free?" That’s not what we are talking about here. Try looking through these lenses and let me know what you see: "You are giving the milk away for free so they can taste it, fall in love with it and in the end want to buy the cow."Where have I used the sampling technique? My book, “Move the Crowd: 30 Days of Hip Hop Affirmations to Change Your Life,” which has 30 days of affirmations. I offer a smaller sample for free. Also, as a freelance writer I've done free samples for my clients with the understanding that if I'm as great as I say I am, we can talk about terms for future articles.

I encourage you to take an inventory of what you have to offer, who can benefit from it and start sampling. The sooner the world gives you a try, the sooner they can fall in love with what you have and demand more.

Signature:

Your Ambassador,
Mike Bruny, CPCC
Certified Life Coach, Speaker, Author
Run the Point Enterprises
www.runthepoint.com

Gone Digital:
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LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/mikebruny
Twitter: http://twitter.com/Runthepoint
==========================================================
Author of: "Move the Crowd: 30 Days of Hip Hop Affirmations To Change Your Life." www.runthepoint.com/products

Supportive or Sucker

I’m back from a vacation split between the Berkshires in Western, MA and NYC. They are two very different places that I have come to appreciate. In the Berkshires, I was surrounded by mountains (climbed Mount Greylock while I was there). In NYC, I was surrounded by a sea of people as I traveled on the “D” train to visit my alma mater, Lafayette High School in Brooklyn, New York. I have noticed something very interesting, at least to me, on the last few trips that I’ve taken from Massachusetts to New York City so I thought I would share the experience.

The last few times my wife and I have traveled from Massachusetts to NYC we have stopped at the first major rest area in Connecticut. Without failure we have run into someone who did not have enough money to pay for gas and just needed a couple of bucks so they could get to their final destination. I’ve given to their cause a few times, but then I started to think, “Why does this seem to always happen at the same location?” It started to feel like one of the social psychology experiments I ran in college to test the helping behavior of strangers.

I do have a soft spot for helping when possible but after the experience I had in NYC a couple of weeks back, I began to wonder if the “S” on my chest stood for “Supportive” or “Sucker.“ Read the story below and decide for yourself.

“I was on my way to the train station at Sterling street to jump on the 2 train. As I got close to the train station a gentleman approached me and said, ‘I don’t want to ask you for anything but I am sick and my daughter needs milk. Would you be willing to buy milk for her?’ I thought I would do my good deed for the day and purchase the milk for the gentleman. What could it cost me, $4 at the most, right? Wrong! What happened next was like a scene out of a movie. We walk into the store and I’m expecting the guy to go and get the milk or ask the store owner to retrieve it. Instead, he just nods and the store owner knows exactly what to do. He has one of his associates go on a latter to get the milk which is on the top shelf. When I asked how much the infant milk cost he said, $16. I froze with sticker shock. I made the commitment so I decided to follow through—in the back of my mind, I was thinking ‘I won’t let this happen to me again. The ‘S’ on my chest was definitely for Sucker at that moment. If that wasn’t enough, as I was waiting for my debit card to be processed the guy I was helping out had the nerve to say, ‘man if you weren’t in such a rush, I would let you take me around to get something to eat.’ I could not help but laugh as I left the store and jumped on the 2 train heading for Manhattan.”

What’s the lesson in the story above...There are a lot of people who can use our assistance. We have to decide how and where we want to use our skills and resources (time, money, and network) to help others. I have developed a plan that may be of assistance as you consider how and where you want to give back. I call my plan, “Give way back”—I just came up with the name, but have always had the concept. What I have discovered in my journey is that the places that can use our help the most are the ones that have the least resources to ask for that help. I listed the places that have had an impact on my life and decided to, “Give way back” by starting a giving plan that works chronologically with my life. Below is my work in progress.

Mike Bruny’s Giving Vision:
My church-->P.S. 189-->Pop Warner Football (Brooklyn Skyhawks to be Specific)-->Lafayette H.S. (now High School of Sport Management)-->Hartwick College(undergrad)-->Umass (grad school: Sport Management Department)-->The Partnership, inc. (leadership program in Boston)

Happy Giving and may the “S” on your chest stand for “Supportive” not “Sucker.”

My wife & I at Mt. Greylock in the Berkshires (Stoney Ledge Trail) My family in NYC (L to R): Nephew Johnny, Mom, Wife, Me


My Alma Mater, Lafayette H.S., in Brooklyn, NY

Your Ambassador,
Mike Bruny, CPCC
Certified Life Coach, Speaker, Author
Run the Point Enterprises
www.runthepoint.com

Gone Digital:
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LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mikebruny

Twitter: www.twitter.com/runthepoint

==========================================================
Author of: "Move the Crowd: 30 Days of Hip Hop Affirmations To Change Your Life."

www.runthepoint.com/products

Net-Working (What you need & What you have to offer)

This is a new section that I am adding for anyone who wants to unite as a network to offer solutions and share challenges they may be facing. Each week I will post what folks have to offer and what they are looking for. Just send me an email with the subject, Looking for or Offering.

I've Been to the Mountain Top

I'VE BEEN TO THE MOUNTAIN TOP

Joel and Bruny

Bold text represents key points to remember.

I decided to go hiking for my birthday. I grabbed a good friend I’ve known since H.S. and we headed to Mount Monadnock in NH. I saw this as an opportunity for reflecting on the past year and planning while surrounded by nature. The weather forecast was good and we were ready to go.

At the base of the mountain, we were chatting about life and the things we want to do but after 5 minutes we quickly realized that we needed to conserve our energy. “We can’t talk and hike at the same time if we want to make it up this mountain.” There are times when you can’t walk and chew gum. You really need to focus on one thing so you can get it done and done well.

The climb was tough and I found myself toggling between two thoughts: “You can do this, just keep your legs moving, even if you can’t feel them,” and “Note to self: For next year’s birthday if you want to be with nature, make sure it’s on flat ground.” I forgot how much energy (mental and physical) was required to make it up that mountain. Adding to the frustration were the people who were zipping by us as if they weren’t on a mountain. We all must focus on our own goals and our own pace. Being distracted by others can cause us to pre-maturely quit due to frustration. This is seen a lot when it comes to figuring out our passion and what we want to do with our life. Does this sound familiar, “Why is it that everyone else knows what they want but me?” I’ll let you in on a little secret, “they don’t.” Let’s focus on our own mountain and how we are going to take on the rough spots.

Despite the challenges of crawling up the mountain, we managed to make it fun. Thanks to my trusty camera we were able to take pictures and video footage of our journey. It can be tough, but you can still find a way to make it fun.

As we descended the mountain, we realized that the amount of energy we needed to exert had been eased a bit. Gravity helped - we did not have to use as much energy and hindered - increased the chances of us hiking on our butt—a little too close to nature for me. The comfortable speed going down allowed us to reach the base of the mountain in record time and talk at the same time. Be aware and adjust as the environment changes. If we kept with the mantra, “we can’t talk and hike at the same time,” we could have been going down the mountain in silence and missed out on part of what made the trip memorable.

check out the video footage (about 1:39 in length) :

P.S. Before I forget; the saying, “The same people you see on the way up are the same people you see on the way down” is true


Your Ambassador,
Mike Bruny, CPCC
Certified Life Coach, Speaker, Author
Quarter Life Answers
www.runthepoint.com / Coming soon www.QuarterLifeAnswers.com

Gone Digital:
Facebook: www.facebook.com
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/mikebruny
Twitter: http://twitter.com/Runthepoint
==========================================================
Author of: "Move the Crowd: 30 Days of Hip Hop Affirmations To Change Your Life." www.runthepoint.com/products

What I learned From Planning a 2,175 Mile Hike From Georgia to Maine

On Saturday May 9, I will have another birthday. I find myself thinking of ways to celebrate. I’ve had all kind of ideas, from taking a trip to Georgia to visit friends to finding a secluded area where I can reflect on the past year and put plans together for what I wish to accomplish before my next birthday. Leaning toward the latter, I found myself on the Appalachian Trail website, reading about what’s known as “Thru-Hiking.” This is a 2,175 mile hike that takes an average of 6 months to complete and travels from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Katahdin Mountain in Maine. It’s quite a challenge to take on with all kinds of uncertainty (weather, trail conditions and possible injuries). The more I read about preparing for the “Thru Hike” the more it seemed like preparing for any big goal; we have to plan, check on our progress from time-to-time and most importantly, we have to take action.

Below are some key points from the “Plan a Hike” section of the Appalachian Trail website. I’ve added my Quarter Life Answers in Bold to suggest how you can use it in your life.

Preparing for the Thru-Hike / Goal

• Do I have to register?
  There is no official registry when setting your goals, but it is helpful to let a couple of people know your goals so they can perform a search and rescue if you get off track.
• What kind of equipment will I need?
  Less than you may think. Using a pen and a journal to capture the goal and keep track of progress will do. In addition, search for individuals who have already accomplished what you seek to conquer can be helpful.
• Do I need to carry a map?
  You can map out your path toward your goal, but there will be detours along the way; don’t be discouraged! Also note that in some cases you may be traveling in uncharted territory and come to many unlabeled forks in the road. If you are a fan of Robert Frost, you may “choose the road less traveled and that will make all the difference.” If you are a fan of Jay-Z, you may, “choose your own fate; come to the fork in the road and go straight.”
• How do I get supplies?
  No need to carry too much. Along the way there are opportunities to refuel and you will also encounter unexpected people that are willing to help you get to your destination.
• How much does it cost? What’s the “opportunity cost” (by taking or not taking one action, what are you missing out on?)
  There are really two questions you need to ask yourself: how much will it cost to go for my goal? and how much will it cost to do nothing?
• Physical preparation?
  You will need to work your way toward your goal. Set a plan that allows you to gradually get stronger as you get closer to your scheduled completion date.
• Mental preparation
  This part can easily be overlooked. Your attitude toward temporary setbacks and your
  “stick-to-it-tiveness,”(I know it’s not a word, but if sports announcers can use it, so can I ) can make all the difference when the going gets tough, and you should expect the going to get tough from time to time. When it looks like the sun will not come out tomorrow, keep your goal in mind and the benefits of accomplishing that goal. I suggest creating a vision board. If you need help contact me.
  

Checkpoints

• How are you doing?; mentally and physically
  You have to stop and check your progress. Take stock of what’s going on in your mind and body. Have you been able to stay positive? Are you in a funk that is making your goal harder to attain? How about your body? Are you getting enough rest, nutrition and exercise? All these things play a part in the energy you need to make things happen.
• Are you are track? Where do you need to make adjustments
  Let’s say you are in month 5 of a 6 month goal and not even 50% completed. What adjustments you need to make? Do you need to double up on your efforts or do you need to push out the end date?
• Check in with someone to let them know how you’re doing
  I strongly suggest that you have at least one person who is aware of what you are trying to accomplish. It will do two things; 1. It will give you a sense of accountability, knowing that someone is waiting to hear if you did or did not do what you said you would do. 2. Having someone along the journey makes it more fun. It provides someone to share the ups and downs with, the triumphs and the temporary defeats. If you don’t share your victory it may feel like it did not happen. Remember the old riddle: “If a tree falls in the woods with no one around to hear it, does it make a sound?”
  
  Happy trails / goal setting!

Your Ambassador,
Mike Bruny, CPCC
Certified Life Coach, Speaker, Author
Quarter Life Answers
www.runthepoint.com / Coming soon www.QuarterLifeAnswers.com

Gone Digital:
Facebook: www.facebook.com
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/mikebruny
Twitter: http://twitter.com/Runthepoint
==========================================================
Author of: "Move the Crowd: 30 Days of Hip Hop Affirmations To Change Your Life." www.runthepoint.com/products

Doing It-- F.O.S

Remember this acronym, F.O.S. (Focus On Service) as you read the information below.

Friday I had an opportunity to see LL Cool J (referred to as LL moving forward) at a discussion and book signing focused around empowering young adults. The event took place at a community college outside of the Boston area. For those who don't know LL; he is a man who has been in the hip hop Industry as an artist for over 20 years. If I could get my book, “Move the Crowd: 30 Days of Hip Hop Affirmations to Change Your Life,” into his hands and get his support, that would take things to another level.

I put on my thinking cap, knowing that people probably give him things (CDs, books, etc.) to review everyday. How could I be different? How could I stand out and create an opportunity to follow up with him at a future date? What would you do?

With only one day’s notice of the event, I started with a little bit of research; why was LL coming to talk at this school? I couldn’t find anything on the internet about the event, but I was able to gain insight into some of the things he has done during his long career.

It’s Friday and there are only a couple of hours before I head to the event. I’m focused on the thought of how I can leave a lasting impression with LL. All of a sudden it hit me; the best way to be remembered is to be of service. I pulled a page from JFK’s book, “Ask not what LL can do for you, but what you can do for LL.” Hmm…How could I, Mike Bruny, be of service to this multi-platinum recording artist who currently commands at least $1 million dollars for acting roles? I continued to focus on service; I wondered what charities LL is involved in? With limited time and a brief internet search I wasn’t able to come up with anything. What else could I give? Well, LL is not the only one with a book. I brought an autograph copy of my book for him. I selected my outfit, bow tie included—great way to standout. When I got to the event, I purchased a copy of LL’s workout book to be autographed. While others were focused on the weightlifting pictures, I focused on the words in search of clues that would allow me to make a connection in the brief 1-2 minutes that I would have when LL was signing the book I just purchased. Right away a quote in the book caught my attention, “Write something worth reading or do something worth writing about,” by Benjamin Franklin. Cool, I brought him something worth reading—my book. It felt as if the stars were slowly aligning in my favor.

During his talk, I listened carefully with faith that something said would provide me the opportunity to be of service and leave an impression. That opportunity came when LL was talking about his next endeavors. He is researching and looking to get into micro-financing in other countries. Right away it hit me, “I know someone who specializes in micro-financing and is very knowledgeable and connected in that area.” I immediately retrieved his contact information from my phone and copied it onto the back of my business card, with a brief note for LL.

The event ended and it was time to get my book signed. I waited in line and rehearsed what I would say in the 30 seconds I would be given as LL signed my book. Okay, it was my turn; I handed him my book (Move the Crowd) and said, “Here is something worth reading”—I took the line from the Benjamin Franklin quote in his book . As he autographed the workout book I purchased earlier, I told him that I heard what he said about micro financing and I am providing him the contact information for a professor at Northeastern University who could be of service. He responded, “My man” and gave me a handshake. I left the event feeling good because I was able to set myself apart, not only by being the only person with a bow tie , but also being aware enough to see an opportunity to be of service. Besides, how many people who were at that event can say they were of service to LL Cool J.?

Where are the opportunities for you to be of service? Are you trying to get things done, but are running into resistance? Look for ways you can genuinely be of service. Remember this acronym, F.O.S. (Focus On Service).

Your Ambassador,
Mike Bruny, CPCC
Certified Life Coach, Speaker, Author
Quarter Life Answers
www.runthepoint.com / Coming soon www.QuarterLifeAnswers.com

Gone Digital:
Facebook: www.facebook.com
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/mikebruny
Twitter: http://twitter.com/Runthepoint
==========================================================
Author of: "Move the Crowd: 30 Days of Hip Hop Affirmations To Change Your Life." www.runthepoint.com/products