book
recommendations
The following is a list and a brief description of some of my favorite books about writing a letter to your grandchildren.
Life's Greatest Lessons:
20 Things
That Matter
Hal Urban
Urban provides a list of 20 important life lessons that provide great wisdom on how to live a happy and meaningful life—things like the truth that life is hard, the requirement of hard work, the importance of habits and how to overcome inevitable failures. Hal was a high school and college teacher for many years, and his writing reflects his great natural teaching ability in succinct, well-written, and easy to understand chapters. He includes a list of books that have shaped his thinking and his life. In the opening of his book, he writes, "Now that you're older and we're living apart again, I've written you another letter - this book."
The Autobiography
of Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin
Franklin says that one of the main reasons he is writing his autobiography is because when he was young, he really enjoyed hearing stories about his ancestors. This curiosity about family is a common and strong feeling among all people, including your grandchildren. This interesting book covers the history of what happened to him and shares his life philosophies that he felt might help those who read his book. This is an excellent combination of storytelling and conveying important life lessons. He also explains his method of tracking transgressions of the thirteen virtues he aspired to.
Meditations
Marcus Aurelius
One of the greatest letters ever written. This was never intended to be a letter or even a book to be read by other people. Rather, it was intended as collection of important thoughts the writer wanted himself to remember. It is more like a journal than autobiography. Readers cannot help but relate to the trials and tribulations that all people share and how to overcome them with the right thoughts. Marcus found it a good way to process his daily thoughts as different challenges that arose in his life. This memoir of reminders has been read and cherished for centuries. As the most powerful man in the world during his own lifetime, Marcus Aurelius felt that writing down his thoughts was just as important as ruling the Roman Empire at the peak of its power.
The Last Lecture
Randy Pausch
This is a great letter! It comes in the form a video recording of a speech and a book from a father dying of pancreatic cancer to his children. It is full of wonderful stories and advice on how to live life. He had six months to live and desperately wanted to pass on his best advice to his three children. He felt bad that they would have to grow up without a father. His lecture is full of humanity, wisdom and humor. The book is so good you’ll wish you had written it. Randy poignantly asks, “What wisdom would we impart to the world if we knew it was our last chance?” In his video that has been seen over 11 million times, he says he was using his speech “to really think about what matters most to me, to cement how people will remember me, and to do whatever good I can on the way out."
SB Speech Tips
Joe Soran
1. Preparation
Memorizing the speech
Clear organization
Research your audience
2. Show up to Give
You need to give the audience something valuable
It's not about you - it's about them.
I was taught this by Doctor Alexander. Thank you.
What can you give your audience?
3. Attire
Dress to your audience
Older people expect better attire
They expect to be respected.
Dress for success.
4. Establish Your Credibility
Introduction is critical
Your bio is very important
People will listen more to a General more than a private
They will listen to a C.E.O. than a burger flipper
5. Opening Hook
You have 30 seconds to capture the audience
The hook has to be great!
Have a great hook
6. Voice Projection
The audience is going to be bigger
The venue is probably going to be bigger
Louder. Amplify if possible. If not, you must project.
7. Tell Stories
What are the most powerful things that can come out
your mouth? - Stories
80% of all successful TED talks have stories
Stories stick.
Tell stories that connect you with your audience.
How do you become a better SB speaker?
There are two lumberjacks...
8. Audience Engagement
Use it wisely.
Don't ask open questions.
Ask show of hands or everyone say "Yes."
If you agree with this say, "Yes."
The three "A's" from Isaac Serwanga
Authenticity engages
An audience can sense authenticity
Awareness
Situational awareness
Audacity
You have to be bold. Boldness conquers fears.
Audacity comes from your passion.
9. Eye Contact
You cannot read from a script
You must engage with your audience
When you lock eyes, even for two seconds,
there is a contractual agreement
You - "I care about you."
Them - "I will listen to you."
It is in our DNA
10. Speech Organization
Tell them where you’re taking them.
Take their hand - make a connection and walk with them.
At the end of the journey. Stop, take both their hands,
look them in the eye and tell them again what you have
seen together.
You can't lose them.
You have to take them by the hand.
Use numbers or letters or sign posts or a story line
11. Body Language
With a bigger audience, be bigger physically
Bigger stage, bigger gestures.
Use arm gestures, not hand gestures
Use the stage. Walk around.
12. Audio/Visual
The more senses you engage, the better
AV has to work without issue
Get there early
Make sure it works
There is almost always technical problems
13. Close Like a Pro
You have more time to close so close strongly
Close with impact
Recap - Help them remember what you said
Have a call to action.
Link back to the beginning. Loop back.
Don't end with Q&A - You should have the final say
Show gratitude.
14. Feedback
Get honest feedback from an expert
Have a mentor and have them attend your speech
Elicit the brutal truth