Okay, so I haven't yet had lunch with Joe Vitale. But, I want to sit and have lunch with him. Truly I do. If he phoned me tomorrow and said, "Tori, let's do lunch.", I would get on a plane and fly there, wherever there is.
Why? Because he's one of the few people who inspire me. Let me back up and tell you about the guy who dubs himself "Mr. Fire" and why I want to sit down with him. The first time I saw Joe Vitale, he was the guy wearing "love beads" in the film "The Secret", and while he was interesting, I had no idea who this man really was.
In early June, having just begun the journey into a new life and somewhat shaky in my own skin, I attended the National Speakers Association Annual conference in San Diego. Honestly, I took the two hour drive south to see my dear friend Carolyn who was attending the conference. It was nothing more than an excuse to visit her and see someone who knew me before my life had temporarily been tipped like a wheelbarrow onto the ground.
I arrived to a convention of extraverts! Everyone was bubbly and 'on' and saying things like "what's your topic?", "what do YOU speak on?". Still shell-shocked from the idea of a pending divorce, my most often uttered reply was "nothing'. My complete lack of energy worked on those who intuitively "knew" my problems were self-generated--and had too much first hand experience unsuccessfully trying to change others to bother with me.
Every person I met was an expert on changing and transforming your life into the life of your dreams; whether their platform was from a Christian perspective or weight loss, or prosperity--the underlying message remained steady--you can have it all.
Everyone who decided to take me on as their temporary project began with the same conversation--as I stuffed my feelings with the massive chocolate afternoon snacks.
"Are you a speaker?"
"No", I'd reply as the chocolate was slowly masking my inner pain, and I'd further clarify, "No, I'm just here to self-medicate with chocolate and be with my friend." And the loving person before me would look in my eyes, and the process to help me own my predicament would begin. These conversations took place in corners, over food tables, near the book sale table, by the pool and near the bell stand downstairs. And, it often proceeded this way:
"You need to lift your focus." They'd advise, "Look at your part in the divorce..." And in between tears and bites of medicine, I managed to begin to take some responsibility for my circumstances.
So it went. Three days of free advice from people I'd never see again. My favorite question was from a man selling CD packaging for motivational tapes. "So", his buoyant voice began, "what's YOUR topic?"
I sighed and took the brownie out of my mouth. "Grief." I said, pointing to a chair in his booth. "Mind if I sit?"
He reluctantly nodded, and he too was subjected to my story. I have to admit that after telling him my saga, this guy didn't miss a beat--"Hey, maybe you can make a CD about your experience and sell it."
'Everyone has an agenda' was my new theory. But what is it? What is mine?
I was late for the keynote and arrived in the crowded ballroom just as he was introduced. "Joe Vitale..." Thunderous applause followed, giving me time to find the one hand waving in the dark ballroom, hailing me to my seat.
I sat disappointed at the empty table; my friend whispered that I'd missed lunch. Great. That meant no chocolate. This one would have to be heard sober and hungry. Vitale took the stage like the seasoned presenter he was, not at all what I expected from the guy wearing the love beads in "The Secret".
Something happened as he spoke. He was selling, but he inspired me. He made the moment fun and made me feel that some of the outlandish pranks I'd pulled over the years weren't so crazy after all. He'd done a few that were so fun, I can only tell you it was the most enjoyable hour I'd spent in a quite a while.
I still haven't figured out how I'm going to accomplish this, but I want to be Joe Vitale when I grow up. I want to inspire others at the level he does. And what he does, he does very well.
This man sold 400,000 books from one of his promotions, and everyone thought it was a huge success--but his original intention was over a million--so to him it wasn't as successful because he missed the mark.
And he got me to think; what if my marriage had been a success? What if I learned all the lessons there that I was supposed to?
Joe Vitale has mastered the art of marketing anything, without appearing to be a snake oil salesman. And can I say it? His book, "Attractor Factor" is downright good. As is "There's a Customer Born Every Minute"--his loving tribute to his hero, P.T. Barnum. And I have now gotten his audio programs too.
A good speaker transforms you into a new dimension of possibility, and it became very clear to me while I sat in the darkened audience that Joe Vitale was somehow, someday going to be my mentor. This is a man who loves bold moves, so seeing him in the hallway and thanking him would never get me lunch. He was too distracted with all the people flocking to him.
Oh well. So, here's the magic part; get his books, his tapes, go to his website. This is a man who is a great writer, speaker, and teacher. Why? He's honest, bold, friendly and you can simply feel him speaking to you personally in his work. Study his words if you're interested in attracting your dreams, because this man knows how to teach it.
The title of this piece is one that would make Vitale proud, truly. At least now, I'll have something to say when we do have lunch.
