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Written by Super User

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If you think the events I produce attracting up to 150,000 guests is daunting, have you ever come across a behemoth (in this case a bull bison) with nothing between you and him but a few blades of grass? How about a 10 pt bull elk? Perhaps a moose following you as your backed-up and face to face for two blocks? Now, these were as invigorating and exciting as the events I produce.

1. Novant Health contacted me, unsolicited, to develop and produce three first time events for them. The catch? I needed to do it in three - four months! If you followed what happened with the Frye Festival you'll understand where my mind was calculating challenges ahead because new events attracting thousands of guests with a Grammy Award winner, eight bands, 20 food trucks, AR and VR activations, children's immersive areas, and vaccinations during a time of Covid was a big ask. Events such as these take about 18 months to one year to plan and produce. Again they wanted three in less than four months in three different cities hundreds of miles away from my base. I accepted after running some calculations and securing some assurances of areas I would need support. Bottomline - Done! ~6,000+ attended first one of three.
2. Rotary International (Oyster Bay) contacted me to produce their enormous Oyster Festival with activities and events covering three areas the size of football fields plus four city blocks to entertain its 150,000 visitors.. the numbers kept pouring in despite rain on second day.
3. CURLFEST contacted me to launch a maiden festival in Atlanta, Georgia to ride on the success of their NYC event attracting 30,000.
4. Nissan contracted me to find and secure 400 event locations in three weeks to showcase their cars over two weekends,
5. Estee Lauder wanted me to secure and lock down the corner between St Patrick's Cathedral and Saks Fifth Avenue (as well as Union Square) while diverting the MTA bus and shutting down the bus stop for a promotion. They wanted this accomplished within two weeks over the summer when permitting officials were typically on vacation.
6. The Mayor's office for the City of New York asked me twice to convert raw space (a live street in Jackson Heights, and the Bronx) into a usable dining and entertainment event space within two hours - and clear everything - staging, 110 tables, 800 chairs, AV, and lighting within one hour after the event concluded because the street needed to reopen.

Unreasonable? Just a typical event expectation from some of the clients I've worked with who depend on me to get the job done. It helps to have a creative acumen, many years of experience, possess complex project management skills, and the confidence to get things done that seem impossible or they rather not deal with. When you have a passion for planning and producing events it's like the difference between the experience between a dish prepared by a Michelin awarded chef and a short order cook at a cafeteria.

How often do you put off things off? Have you watched others do what you wanted to do.. and each year it's the same old song and dance in letting those opportunities slip by? We're not getting younger and time waits for no one. If you want to live a life full of what you create, do it now. You bring into the world what you focus on and what you believe to be true becomes your reality.

What is holding you back? To achieve what you want, not what you need.. you might want to focus and get clear what you want, not what you don't want. Your visions can materialize faster when you approach life with eyes wide open and touch the void with your passion, compassion, and a committed dedication to do whatever it takes to complete what is needed to fulfill your destiny. Don't let the negativity, toxic or naysaying proclivity of others be the weight around your neck or monkey on your back.

Surround yourself with those who will elevate you; be a positive sounding board for how you can excel. Don't allow negative people to be part of the trusted circle you interact with on a daily basis. Taking one step forward and sliding two steps back never gets anyone far, nor teaches us how to empower themselves to overcome obstacles in the future. I know, because I've been there.

Filling a cup that has no bottom is a futile task. Those who know only how to take will leave you with a cup with no bottom. Look to share in the cup of life and stay connected with givers not takers. Do you want a better quality of life, relationships, outlook, and even business results? Beware of those who squander, horde, take; and do something for those who give.   

 How do you move forward? Life is not about what we do, what we own, comparing ourselves to others, nor what we look like. It is about being able to live within a world you create with what you aspire to and believe to your core that you own and are your destiny.

 Your legacy is more important than all the riches and material items you believe you need to feel complete. Each breath you take is a reminder you can do great things and even greater things in leaving an incredible legacy for others and for this planet.