This week I retuned from South Africa where I spoke on Sunday to a room of professional speakers. I wrapped around my story the impact of various words throughout my life.

“Richard, wake up. Mums not come home, lets go look for her” were some of the most significant in my life back in 1975. I had no idea what lay behind those words from my 7 year old sister and what was to unfold that day. We never saw mum again.

I have heard other significant words throughout my life and i’m sure you have too.

I’m starting some initial research into stories that surround the most important words people have heard in their lives. Would you be willing to share the words that mattered most to you in your life?
At this point, all I need are the words, and a small story describing how those words came about. I’ll come back to you to fill out your story as necessary. Funny, sad, genuine, transformative. Perhaps these words mattered because of who said them to you. All will work.

Because the stories will end up in a book, I’ll get back to you for
permission.

Enter your words and short description in the box below as well as some contact details.

Thanks!

Richard McCann

This has never happened to me before and I do hope it never happens again.

I’m currently on tour and have not been home since Monday. yesterday I was in sunny Ramsgate where I delivered 4 sessions, one session to 800 unsuspecting individuals and today 3 in Worcester. As well as speaking to their staff as part of their CPD I spoke with two audiences one of which presented me with a slightly unique situation. 

I’m afraid I can’t give you her name as I never got the chance to ask her.  I noticed her looking uncomfortable  right from the start and I did wonder what time she had gone to bed or whether or not she had actually slept at all. 

Anyhow I tried to ignore her until she actually fell asleep before my very eyes. I began considering a new career as this was just too much. maybe it’s because I  have lost my edge, my spontaneity, my iCan.

After a few more minutes I refused to continue with my presentation. I hoped that she would now wake up. She didn’t. So I then whispered to the whole audience to look at this girl. as I pointed to her and everyone began looking in her direction I began wondered what to do next. 

I then, in a very enthusiastic and very loud tone, shouted ‘Morning!’ With no response and no sign of life I began to suspect there was something wrong with the teenager.  Her friends began making funny gestures towards me and whispered ‘Carry on. Don’t make it worse.’

With their reassurance I attempted to carry on with my presentation but I have to say I was a little shook up. ‘What on earth was the matter’ I asked myself.

The presentation ended minutes later and I by now the young lady was wide awake. I pondered for a while but missed her exit as I was approached by many of her fellow students who were eager to speak with me.

You can imagine my shock and slight embarrassment when the young lady appeared after the crowds had left to apologise for falling asleep and then explain that she suffered from ME and that it happened very often.

OMG! How could I have been so stupid……..

What’s the old saying which springs rapidly to mind?

Never Assume. It  makes an Ass out of you and me.

Lesson learned.

Can’t is the father of feeble endeavor,
The parent of terror and halfhearted work;
It weakens the efforts of artisans clever,
And makes of the toiler an indolent shirk.
It poisons the soul of the man with a vision,
It stifles in infancy many a plan;
It greets honest toiling with open derision
And mocks at the hopes and the dreams of a man.

Can’t is a word none should speak without blushing;
To utter it should be a symbol of shame;
Ambition and courage it daily is crushing;
It blights a man’s purpose and shortens his aim.
Despise it with all of your hatred of error;
Refuse it the lodgement it seeks in your brain;
Arm against it as a creature of terror,
And all that you dream of you someday shall gain.

Can’t is the word that is foe to ambition
An enemy ambushed to shatter your will;
Its prey is forever the man with a mission
And bows but to courage and patience and skill.
Hate it, with hatred that’s deep and undying,
For once it is welcomed ’twill break any man;
Whatever the goal you are seeking, keep trying
And answer this demon by saying: “I can.”

Edgar Guest – 1916 – A Heap o’ Livin’

Thanks to Anna Louise Haigh for sending this. I love it.

Anyhow, unfortunately there was a little bit of snow and the decorator ended up sliding down the hill where the house was, which was icy.  He ended up hitting the kerb and a bulge appeared on his tyre, which he then had to replace for safety reasons.  Now I’m sure we’ve all had the odd slide when we have underestimated the driving conditions and we’ve lived to tell the tale, but when I was informed by the decorator that the job was off until the weather cleared I was simply amazed. I suggested that there was no more snow forecast (I sent the BBC weather report for the following 5 days) and that if he was concerned that he could leave his car away from the hill and walk to the property (where was his iCan attitude? I asked myself).

I pointed out that I needed the painting doing as someone was moving in in a few days.  Now I have no ill feeling towards the decorator in question here but it did inconvenience  me and I knew that there had to be someone out there who was willing to do the job, to put his life at risk, to venture through the three feet deep snow, to go without food for 36 hours, to be away from his family for weeks, to go where no other had ever dared…, and there was. (Ok I went overboard there)

His name was Nigel Cann.  And he could and he did. He was there thew next day and worked through all weathers (sunshine) and he completed the job by Friday night. He had the iCan Attitude that I suggest we all adopt.  Actually that’s not quite correct.  To adopt something suggests you never had it.  We all have it.  It’s how we learned to speak, to ride a bike, to walk.  These things don’t come easy and often we take them for granted.

So a big ‘thank you’ to Nigel Cann for daring to go where others wouldn’t.  Mind you with iCan in his name it’s what I would expect.  You can contact him viahttp://www.ncannpainting.co.uk/.

It reminds me of a time last year when we did have a thick covering of snow and I was booked to speak at York Racecourse in the afternoon for a Housing Association.  I had to abandon my car as we only moved a mile in an hour so I jumped on a bus, then on a train, then another bus and finally walked a mile in the snow to get there.  I couldn’t let the client down and I couldn’t afford not to do it.

Are you prepared to go where others won’t, do what others don’t, and can you when others can’t?

Oh, do me a massive favour.  The fantastic attitudinal photo above is Fred, the son of our friend, who kindly allowed me to use it in this post.  First of all she’s a fantastic photographer and iCan highly recommend her, but if you could ‘Like’ her page on Facebook as a collective ‘thank you’ from us all that would be great.  Follow her onTwitter.

Have a great week.

Well I never. What a week this has been. For 7 years I have been speaking and without question I always make the point in my presentations that there is

“nothing wrong with asking for help”.

This was cemented this week when I was contacted by the Bradford Telegraph & Argus to advise me that a tee shirt had been produced which included the great and good of Yorkshire on it……including that of Peter Sutcliffe. Of course I found this distasteful and told them in no uncertain term. Funnily enough they chose not to include my comments in the online story I saw the next day which I found strange.

The following day on BBC Radio Leeds I heard a representative (owner I think) of the company who designed and printed the tee shirt who was attempting to defend himself. His argument was that it was just a joke and when asked by BBC Leeds if he had considered what the women who he killed might think about the tee shirt. His reply begged belief.
“I don’t think they would be that bothered”.

I was obviously furious and I don’t think I had felt this way for many years. I was physically shaken up and I immediately contacted the individual concerned and pleased with him to reconsider. He just listened as I explained who I was and the impact of the actions of Peter Sutcliffe and how it is now being felt by my children who are beginning to ask how Grandma Wilma died. After I had spoken he told me he would think about it and text me if he changed his mind.

It was at this point that I decided to ‘Ask for Help’ by sending out and email, tweet and facebook message to everyone I know to ask them to email the company if they felt as I did to request he reconsider his design.

I can not tell you how humbled, touched and moved I was to receive hundreds of emails from those who had contacted the company to request he withdrew the tee shirt. Many went a little bit further than that but I can’t possibly repeat it here. I had emails from India, South Africa, Australia and from all over the UK.

By asking for help the company withdrew the tee shirt and are now redesigning it without Peter Sutcliffe on it.

THANK YOU

A few months later someone wrote to me to let me know that Jordan had been interviewed by OK magazine whilst on holiday and when asked what she was reading on holiday she replied that it was a book about the Yorkshire Ripper. My book wasn’t actually mentioned but as both our books were in the top 10 (me above her) at the time I felt as though she was probably checking the charts like most authors do and was interested in my book. Or maybe not, but I like to think so.

It wasn’t until a few days ago that my virtual relationship with Jordan was reignited. Last week, whilst at the National Indoor Arena giving a talk, I decided to attempt what Jordan did last year in my home town of Leeds. I wanted to beat the world record for signing the most books in an 8 hour period . For reasons that have never been explained Jordan failed in her attempt.

I was speaking at the Kleeneze Showcase event and as they had purchased 2500 copies of my new book ‘iCan’ I decided I would attempt to sign them all and beat the record. I don’t think I  appreciated how difficult the task was going to be but after 3 hours of constant signing and with no sign of much progress I began getting worried. I decided to speed things up but I have to say it really tested me. I actually began forgetting what my name was. Anyhow I persevered and just after 7pm I finally got to book 2012 and decided that during this Olympic Year it was probably a good place to collapse.

I got through 6 pen refills and surprisingly my hand felt fine. It was a fantastic achievement and I really felt as though I had completed a minor marathon. Regretfully I have to announce that due to the books not being sold at full price the attempt would not be recognised by Guinness. I didn’t care. I had still signed more books than the world record holder so personally I feel like a record holder. In fact I have inspired myself to set a world record during 2012. Watch this space for that.

How about you? How could you push yourself a little more? Could we squeeze some more from you? I believe we all have the potential to do more. Just for the hell of it, tomorrow do something that you hadn’t intended.

If you would like to purchase a signed copy of the new book or the audio version then take a look at my products page where there is a special offer right now.

We have just received news from our on the spot reporter who brings us this report live at the scene.

A number of members of the public have already been seen placing what witnesses describe as an ‘online order’ from their homes in a number of yet to be disclosed locations around the UK.

Officials have not yet confirmed the contents but it has been suggested that its 100% pure inspiration. You may recall from numerous recent items that it has become something of great scarcity of late.

This is not the first time we have featured Richard McCann. He was originally charged with being a ‘Sunday Times No1 Bestselling Author’ some years ago although details of his whereabouts since have been sketchy. Speaking in around 200 locations a year means he is extremely hard to keep tabs on.

Members of the public are urged not to approach purchasing this item without using extreme caution. Once consumed you may never be the same again.

Order your copy now.

Earlier this year I discovered that Peter Sutcliffe would remain behind bars for he rest of his life as his appeal against his whole life tariff was unsuccessful. I was asked what my response was by Sky News and I did a live piece outside a venue I had spoken at a few minutes earlier, and believe me it was definitely outside my comfort zone.

Whilst I was there I spent some time having a chat to the lovely reporter Tessa Chapman who was interested in how I became a  motivational speaker .  She asked me for some advice as she was to give a presentation to a college in a few weeks’ time.  After I had shared a few ideas I then asked her a few questions.
I was intrigued at how she became a presenter for Sky News.  What she then told me I thought was fantastic, and I wanted to share it with you.  When she was six years of age she wrote to ” Jim’ll Fix It “.  This was a weekly programme presented by Jimmy Saville, a retired Radio DJ and TV celebrity.  I should probably explain what the show was about for any younger readers.  Members of the public wrote to Jim and asked him for help to achieve a dream or ambition that they had.  He chose half a dozen on each show to help fulfil their dreams.

Depending on what age you are, you may or may not know of Jimmy Saville and it doesn’t really matter.  What is important here is that Tessa had some idea where she wanted to be in the future and it was something that was meaningful to her.  She had wanted to read the news for most of her life, and some might call it luck that she did indeed get to read the news, but I would suggest that it’s more than that.  When we know what we want to be, do, or achieve, our brain is on heightened alert to look for ways in which we can make it a reality.

If you rang up for a pizza and the pizza shop owner asked what type of pizza you wanted I doubt there are many of us that would reply with ‘Don’t know’ or ‘Surprise me’.  But that is what happens for many people.  They go through life not knowing where they want to be and they stop in a job they hate for fifteen years.

I met a woman in York a few  weeks ago after she had sat in on one of my talks, and afterwards she told me a story of being made redundant after working for BT for  many years.  She soon discovered that it was a blessing in disguise as she wasn’t fulfilled in her job and she now works with the local authority helping young people who may have had issues to deal with in their life.  She’s never been happier.

If you were to write to “Jim’ll Fix It” who could give you anything, what would you ask for?  Go on, write it here instead…, but then write another, this time from Jim telling you that the show ended 20 years ago, but here’s what you need to do to achieve that thing…, you’ll be surprised what you might come up with.

I wrote this piece a few months ago but today with Jim’s passing I felt is appropriate to highlight at least one person who he had inadvertently inspired.

I bumped into him in my local Indian restaurant and couldn’t resist having a chat with him. Myself and my good friend Ayd Instone approached him and he gave us his take on the youth of today and how he first got started in the music business. I’ll never forget the conversation and his willingness to speak for so long to complete strangers.

RIP Jimmy Saville died 29.10.11

I noticed, as I sat in the front sitting room tirelessly trying to catch up with the influx of emails that we all receive these days, a few old photographs of what looked like the proprietor in the army around 30 years earlier.

The next day over breakfast I mentioned the photos and asked how life was compared to his time in the forces. What he came out with stopped me eating my cooked breakfast.

He said there were hard at times, fighting the IRA and whatever else was going on but

……..”even the bad times were good“. Wow! Even the bad times were good.

Its strange because even though I have had a difficult childhood, not only losing mum to Peter Sutcliffe but the hardships that followed, I am quite often thinking about my childhood with fond memories.

Even my bad times were good.

Even mums death had a positive outcome. I now have an understanding that I wouldn’t have had if it had not happened. I can now support people who have experienced what I have. That’s a gift and although its not one I would choose or wish on anyone it happened. I have a choice to either only look at the negative aspect of what took place or if I wish also look at the good to come from it.

How about you? On reflection have you had negative things happen in the past that you can now say something positive about?

Only yesterday I came across someone with the ‘Can Do’ spirit in my home town of Leeds. I noticed as I walked through the city centre a photographer snapping away at random shops. I was intrigued enough to ask him what he was up to. (I love speaking to people you know)

It turns out that Luke, who turned out to be a kind of graphic designer, was taking a photograph of what he thought was a tired looking shop front and then taking it back to his studio where he then worked his magic and then approached the shop owner to demonstrate what he was capable of. Fantastic.

He knew that business is tough right now and if clients weren’t going to come to him then he was going to go out (of his way) and go to them. I was so impressed when he told me the lengths he was prepared to go that I asked if he minded if I shared what he was doing with you. Of course he agreed. I loved his strategy. In fact he was just returning from a meeting with a popular restaurant in Leeds where he had just had a meeting showing off his ideas for them. As I often say as a motivational speaker: its not about what you cant do its about what you Can Do.

Here’s an example of what he does and click here to find out more about Luke.

Before his magic

After his magic