Maybe you get tired of me saying this, but I lived a blessed life.  I have an amazing family, and a group of friends and business associates who encourage and inspire me everyday.  Jim Rohn was known for saying, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” There may be some debate in that, but I remember the first time I heard this quote–it absolutely resonated with me and I instantly became more aware of my friends and business associates.  I finally recognized that who I was hanging out with would eventually have an impact on who I would become.  It wasn’t just the time I spent with my closest friends that I began to scrutinize, but even the amount of time and types of people I chose to have brief encounters with for coffee, lunch or business meetings.

Since I’ve put boundaries around my self and my time, I’ve found virtually every area of my life to have simplified, improved and become more harmonious.  One of the great people I’ve chosen to spend more time with this past year is my friend Brian Goodell.  We met at a conference last year, and I was immediately drawn to his humble, approachable, positive, transparent, self-confident nature.  I seem to like these qualities in people, and I liked Brian immediately.

As it turns out, Brian has an amazing back story that I’d encourage you to learn more about (watch this video).  I’ll plant the seed with this–he has an inspiring come-from-behind story, winning two Olympic Gold Medals in 1976 in swimming, has had a successful entrepreneurial career, and is a highly requested speaker and success coach for athletes and business folk (check out his website here, and his slideshow here).  During one of our lunches this past week, we were discussing the speaking engagements we have on our calendars, leadership practices we’ve witnessed (good and bad ones), the importance of positive mental imagery and hard work, how we could assist each other towards meeting our goals, and diets (we were eating sushi).  As I returned to my office from lunch, I realized that I always leave my chats with Brian feeling inspired, uplifted, and blessed.  Shouldn’t every day, and every interaction be like this?

We also chatted briefly about Brian’s ‘76 Olympic teammate, Gold Medal decathlete Bruce Jenner--what a hero he became to the nation.  I had to chuckle though, because I was reminded of the classic John Belushi SNL skit, Little Chocolate Donuts. You’ll grin just watching this, but take particular notice of the lit cigarette at the end.

Who do you want to become, and who are you spending time with?

As promised, here’s my post about last Friday’s meet-up with Craig Duswalt and Eddie Money.

Suzanne and I first saw Eddie Money at The Fillmore in San Francisco, the summer of 1995.  Eddie and his band were staying at one of our hotels (which has since been torn down and is now a high-end assisted living facility), and he put us on the guest list for his show.  He was absolutely awesome that night, and fond memories from the 70s and 80s rushed back.  At one point during the night, he put his foot up on one of the speakers, and yelled into the microphone, “I’ve still got it!”  Usually, if you have to say you’ve still got it, you don’t.  But in this case, he was right.

15 years later, I had the privilege to meet up with Eddie again last Friday at my friend Craig Duswalt’s RockStar System for Success event in Los Angeles.  I was meant just to go up for dinner, but Eddie brought along a couple of guitarist and his very talented daughter, Jesse, and they played a small private concert for Craig’s attendees. Aaawwesoome!

Now, at 61 years old, Eddie’s still got it, and is the hardest working man in show business.  He was funny, engaging and…yes, yes, he played Two Tickets to Paradise, Shakin’ (watch the classic video here) and several other hits.  But the highlight for the evening for me was a new song that was a tribute to our men and women who serve us in the military.  Watch the clip below.

Eddie Money Military Tribute Song from Larry Broughton on Vimeo.

By the way, since Eddie’s birthday is today (March 21) we sang him an early Happy Birthday song.  If you get a chance to see, Eddie in concert, please go! Keep rockin’.

I’ve flown in and out of Orange County, CA’s John Wayne Airport so many times in the past couple of months that I’ve lost count.  I made it a habit a few years ago to stop by the larger-than-life John Wayne statue, with the huge garrison flag as it’s backdrop every few trips to the airport, just to reflect on the love and gratitude I have for our country.

Despite our shortcomings, I’m struck that we remain an inspiration to people from around the world.  I love to travel and experience different cultures, and can’t think of a country (in the several dozen I’ve visited) that I wouldn’t mind visiting again.  But I can’t think of another country that offers the combination of scenic beauty, political stability, positive spirit, and entrepreneurial opportunity that we have here in the U.S.  For that, I am eternally thankful.

I was reminded of this again tonight as I attended a small private concert with 70s and 80s rock legend Eddie Money (more about this in a later post), who played an amazing tribute to our selfless men and women who have served (are serving) us in military uniform.  I understand that we can’t all agree on political issues and religious beliefs, but I thank God that I live in a country where we can openly discuss and debate the most important issues of our time.

I say it often (perhaps, because I can’t believe it myself): I live a blessed life!

I had the opportunity recently to take part in a fund raising event for The LEAP Foundation, whose mission is to help high school and college students, as well as recent graduates get ahead in life.  They offer one week of curriculum, during the summer, based on experiences of those who have accomplished great success-both professionally and personally.  LEAP values mentoring, achievement, and strong personal morals in today’s youth.

Glazer-Kennedy’s Marketer of the Year, James Malinchak, and reality TV star/celebrity dentist Dr. Bill Dorfman

Perhaps it’s because there have been times in my life when I felt rudderless, and positive mentors helped me find my way, that my heart was drawn to The LEAP Foundation.  I was so impressed with Dr. Bill Dorfman’s genuine heart and passion for mentoring young people that I couldn’t help myself but to offer support.

Will you please do me a personal favor?  Take just a minute and click though to see what The LEAP Foundation is all about.  You don’t need to do any more that that.  I think you’ll be impressed. http://www.LEAPfoundationUSA.org

Have you heard of the country’s most famous hot dog stand, Pink’s Hot Dogs?  It’s been a Hollywood legend since 1939.  If you’re in the mood for a dog that’s other-worldly, stop by Pink’s…the legions of celebrities who visit Pink’s don’t even mind waiting in line with the common folk here.  I had lunch with Owner Richard Pink to discuss the success of his multi-generational business, and the marketing of his legendary brand for Tools For Success (which should be launched 2d quarter 2010). I’ll share some of his tips in a later post.

Take a look at this amazing spread!  It’s going to look great on me.

In celebration of last night’s Superbowl game, I wanted to share with you a fun little experience I had while in Los Angeles recently at a conference with marketing guru James Malinchak.  It was dinner time the second night, and since I’d been sitting in a hotel ballroom most of the day, without access to email or voice mail I was jones-ing to get online to see if the world had passed me by, or if there had been a coup back at the Home Office in my absence .

As I was leaving the hotel restaurant toward the internet connection in my room, with my Styrofoam box of over-cooked buffet Chinese food to-go container of Beef & Broccoli, I bumped into (literally) sports legend Joe Theismann (former Super Bowl Champion & ESPN Commentator).   I recognized him immediately–the nice smile and perfect hair gave him away.  A million things ran through my head as I stood there looking DOWN at him (I know! He’s only 6 ft tall.  But his aura is much taller).  Should I introduce myself?  Will I seem like a crazed fan?  What if he’s a jerk?  Will I sound like an idiot?

Well, acting very smooth, indeed, I managed to apologize by reaching out my right hand (still holding my plastic bag full of food) and introduced myself.  I was able to flip the plastic bag to my left hand just before he grasped my right one to shake it.  For a little guy, he’s got some big, strong mitts.  And at 50+, he’s still a stud and an absolute gentleman.  We exchanged greetings and I mentioned that I was at the conference and looking forward to hearing him speak the next day.  Folks, he did not disappoint.

Joe was funny, amazingly articulate, insightful and inspiring.  Naturally, he shared some stories of his successful football and business careers, but I most enjoyed his tales of overcoming challenges (you’ve gotta watch this video of Joe vs LT) and failure.   My biggest take-away was a reminder that “you can’t live off of yesterday’s performance.”  If that’s all we’ve got, if we stop striving for greater significance, it seems we’ll find life to be rather hollow.

Stalk and pursue your greater goals.  Here’s to your success!