Steve Weber - Writings

“You’re Gonna Have to Figure That Out for Yourself”

May 17th, 2012

Momma couldn’t tell Forrest what his destiny was.

When Momma Gump is on her deathbed, an anxious and concerned Forrest pleads, “Momma, what’s my destiny”?

Momma replies, “You’re gonna have to figure that out for yourself. Life is a box of chocolates, Forrest. You never know what you’re gonna get.”

We all want answers, just like Forrest wanted his momma to answer his question about his destiny.

But it doesn’t work that way.

And it especially doesn’t work that way for something as important as your own destiny. Your own life purpose. Your own special mission and the reason that you’re on this earth.

Most things, and certainly all the important things in life, are things we have to figure out for ourselves.

Are you asking others to do the hard work that only you can do?
Are you hoping someone else will figure it out for you?
What’s your destiny?

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Next Blog Date: May 21, 2012

Steve Weber is a speaker, Forrest Gump tribute artist, facilitator, blogger, and author. The three principles of Gumption are specifically designed to get you (and your team) to Function with Gumption. Steve uses the simple, yet powerful, life lessons from the movie Forrest Gump to bring positivity back into the workplace. Learn more at SpeakingGump.com.

What Feathers Do You Need To Let Go?

May 14th, 2012

Feathers don’t have to be held on to forever.

At the very beginning of the movie Forrest Gump, Forrest bends down to pick up a feather that had floated out of the sky and landed directly at his feet.

In my presentations, I use the feather to make the following points:

Life’s randomness. There are an awful lot of things swirling around us that we have no control over.
Opportunities. Opportunities come into our life unexpectedly and randomly.
Choices. An opportunity sitting at your feet doesn’t become real until you pick it up.
Letting go. Just as the feather floats off at the end of the movie, some of the feathers you’ve been holding on to should probably be released so they can fly away.

What new feathers are currently floating around and about to land in your life?
What feather is currently sitting at your feet that you need to pick up?
What feathers are you holding on to that you’d be better off if you let go?

Next Blog Title: “You’re Gonna Have To Figure That Out For Yourself”
Next Blog Date: May 17, 2012

Three Invaluable Life Lessons I Learned From My Mother

May 10th, 2012

Rita M. Weber (1927-2001) circa 1945

With Mother’s Day approaching, I’d like to reflect on three invaluable life lessons I learned from my mother.

But first, I’ll mention that next month it will be eleven years since she left us. Last year, I reprinted the eulogy given at her funeral. I miss my mother. But I’m the person I am today because of these three very important life lessons that she lovingly and generously gave me: independence; making choices; and responsibility.

Thanks, Mom! I love you and miss you!

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Don’t Count Your Chickens Before They’re Hatched – Part 1

May 8th, 2012

How many chickens will I get from 24 eggs?

This timeless expression suddenly has taken on a very real, new meaning for me.

“Don’t count your chickens before they’re hatched.”

If you’re a regular reader, you probably know that one year ago I ended up with eight chickens. Specifically, eight hens. Here is that story. My lovable girls have been both a great source of amusement and delicious eggs.

Here is why literally the expression, “Don’t count your chickens before they’re hatched” as taken on a new meaning for me.

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Wolves and Gumption

May 3rd, 2012

After my wolf-spotting weekend in Yellowstone Park, I pondered the following question. Do wolves have gumption or Gumption?

Does this gray wolf have gumption?

The answer is Yes and No to both.

Traditional gumption is defined as:

Sound practical judgment;
Fortitude and determination.

Gumption (capital G, italicized Gump) is defined as:

Mindset – Your thinking;
Moxie – Your acting (or actions or getting things done);
Graciousness – You interacting with others.

So wolves are mostly Yes on numbers 2 & 3 for both traditional gumption and Gumption.

But they are a No for number 1 on both accounts.

Let me explain.

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Front Porch Thoughts – Wolves (more Pictures)

May 1st, 2012

Steve's-Front-Porch-Thoughts

Here are six more pictures from my Yellowstone Park gray wolf spotting trip. Read the full story here.

All photo credits go to John Williams.

Three wolves on an elk carcass in Yellowstone Park

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Front Porch Thoughts – Wolves in the Wild

April 30th, 2012

Steve's-Front-Porch-Thoughts

A few weeks ago, I visited Yellowstone Park with my videographer friend John. John is working on a documentary film about the gray wolf. Living here in the West and specifically in the Northern Rocky Mountains, the issue of the wolf is extremely controversial. Wolves disappeared (were killed) in the Lower Forty-Eight in the 1920s. In the mid-1990s, wolves were reintroduced to Yellowstone Park and Central Idaho. Today, the wolf is surviving – and some claim thriving.

The controversy is straightforward. Are wolves a good part of nature and the ecology as a whole, or are they a menace threatening livestock, game animals, and even man?

My opinion has been formed from the work John has been doing. The bottom line is it’s complicated. It’s not black and white – good or bad – wolves do well in the wild but need to be managed when their hunting territories overlap with people and civilization.

Here are some of my findings and thoughts about the wolf.

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Stories of Gumption – MT School Counselors

April 26th, 2012

stories-of-gumption
Stories of Gumption is a regular column that profiles individuals who admirably demonstrate Gumption as we define it. These are the stories of real people who exhibit gumption in overcoming personal challenges, and validate the spirit of Gumption during their journey. Let’s take inspiration from those who seize 100% personal responsibility and show us how to live a life that exhibits Gump-like character traits worthy of applause!

Last week I presented at the Montana School Counselors Association (MSCA) Spring Conference. School counselors have to Function with Gumption to effectively do their job. In many ways, they’re like independent entrepreneurs working within the educational system.

When successful at their jobs, school counselors not only Function with Gumption personally, they also help their primary clients – the kids – learn to Function with Gumption for themselves. That is a big responsibility and an extremely important contribution to society.

Here are a few things I learned about school counselors.

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Masterminds

April 24th, 2012

Napoleon Hill started the concept of a mastermind group.

Since becoming involved in the National Speakers Association (NSA) starting in November 2010, I’ve been slowly learning the concept of the mastermind.

Napoleon Hill introduced the idea of the mastermind in his 1937 book Think and Grow Rich: “The Mastermind principle consists of two or more minds working in perfect harmony for the attainment of a common definite objective.” … Or, two heads are better than one.

A single person is limited by his or her own thinking and biases. But a group of like-minded individuals can solve problems and challenges quicker and better – the collective whole is greater than the sum of the parts.

Up until this point, I’ve not formally participated in a mastermind group. I do have a group of speaker friends I talk with on the phone from time to time. We discuss the business, challenges, and goals. I’ve considered them masterminds, but they’ve only been the two of us and the frequency is not regular – maybe every few months.

This week starts my participation in a new mastermind group with Karen and Lois. The common connection is we’re all speakers living in the Missoula area. Our goal is to help each other in our individual speaking businesses. We’ll meet once a month for three hours. I’m enthusiastic and optimistic as the Missoula Mastermind Group launches.

Here are seven guiding principles to consider when starting your own mastermind group.

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Safety Gumption

April 18th, 2012

Last week I presented at the Safety Conference jointly hosted by the Utah Mining and the Utah Manufacturing Associations. As the lunch hour speaker, my task was to promote safe practices in both the workplace and at home – and encourage each participant to Function with Gumption.

From my preparations and then the Safety Conference presentation, the idea of Safety Gumption emerged.

Marrying safety and the three principles of Gumption is a natural.

Here are my three principles of Safety Gumption.

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“You’re Gonna Have to Figure That Out for Yourself”

What Feathers Do You Need To Let Go?

Three Invaluable Life Lessons I Learned From My Mother

Don’t Count Your Chickens Before They’re Hatched – Part 1

Wolves and Gumption

Front Porch Thoughts – Wolves (more Pictures)

Front Porch Thoughts – Wolves in the Wild

Stories of Gumption – MT School Counselors

Masterminds

Safety Gumption