2007 was quite a year, filled with ups and downs, triumphs and tragedies. On a high note, I made it into the Toastmasters International Founders District International Speech Contest, an incredible honor and experience. In August, Speak Your Way to Wealth was a phenomenal success in its second year.

On a more somber note, my 89-year-old mother, Jessie Pound, died in a tragic hit-and-run accident at the end of August. I wish everyone on this list could have met her. She was active in her church, fun to be around and had never spent a day of her life in the hospital (except the years when she was a registered nurse). She and my dad, who passed away nine years ago, lived in the same house in Placentia, California for 58 years. She was well-loved in the church and in her community. Her memorial service drew over 400 attendees. My sister and I will miss her joyful presence and wise counsel.

This was quite a lesson for me. We sometimes think that our loved ones will be with us forever, yet it is possible to have them snatched from you because of someone's moment of inattention or because of a health condition nobody knew about. Take a moment now to write to, call or visit an elderly relative or friend and let them know how much you care for them. Life is about change. We don't know what tomorrow will bring. We can only control what we do today. Make the most of this moment.

Everyone knows that writing a book is a great way to get additional business, showcase what you know, and gain credibility in the marketplace.

These are all valuable benefits. However, I find that the most valuable benefit is the one least talked about.

Writing a book helps you focus on exactly who you are, what you have to say to the world, and what you care most about. It also makes you look carefully at the priorities in your life in a way you may never have done.

Most of the coaching I do with people who are in the process of writing the book does not center around the writing process itself, although that is important. It centers around the mental preparation to write.

One of the most common statements I hear is, "Someday I want to write a book." It seems everyone has a book in them. Mostly that is where it stays. In them.

For many people, that is where it will stay. They don't have the desire, commitment or staying power to write. They don't make the decision that what they have to say is important enough to spend the time and effort to get it done.

Yet writing is like a job. If you write every day, organize your work, and continue to do it day after day, you will have a book in weeks or a few months.

Writing is also a crash course in your beliefs and priorities. You will get to know yourself better than you ever have. You will discover strengths you never knew you had. You will overcome obstacles that may at first have seemed impossible. You will become more disciplined, more certain of yourself, and more connected with the world around you.

If you have any questions about the writing process or want to know more about the coaching process, just give me a call.

International Coach Federation Coach Week

I'll be presenting on "How to Write and Publish Your Book" at the International Coach Federation Orange County Chapter Coach Day event, Friday, February 8.

This event is designed to introduce the public to the value of using coaching to help jump start your business and personal lives. If you are in Orange County that day, be sure to drop by. It's at the Chapman University Campus in Irvine, 7545 Irvine Center Dr., #150, Irvine, CA. and runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Plan to stay all day.

Story Magic Weekend

The Story Magic weekend will be held April 12 and 13 this Spring.

If one of your goals for the new year is to upgrade your speaking skills, consider taking my next Story Magic Intensive. Stories are fundamental to all speaking, selling and personal relations skills. Here you will learn to use them in ways that will change your life.

Previous Story Magic Intensives have been great successes. My next one will be held in April and will be limited to a maximum of ten participants.

Story Magic teaches you story creation techniques in a small group setting. These techniques can be used to create stories you can use in speeches, writing or promotional materials. During the event, you will discover where stories come from, you will write your own story and you will practice delivering it orally. Go to www.storyseminars.com for details.

News From Speak Your Way to Wealth

Arvee and I have created an exciting new Speak Your Way to Wealth for next August. We've invited back Adam Urbanski, Eric Lofholm, Dave Lakhani, and Ken Foster. Exciting new faces this year will be:

• Gary de Rodriguez, international expert on Neuro-linguistic programming, who will speak on "Secrets of Powerful Presentations.'

• Daniel Hall, who will give us all the details on how to speak on cruise ships and sail for free.

• Pamela Harper, whose company, University of Masters, teaches powerful life skills through teleseminars with a panel of expert master teachers.

• Brad Montgomery, internationally known humorist who will teach us how to use humor in your speaking.

We've put together a special deal for Valentine's Day that starts in a few weeks. Look for our e-mail with all the details. This special is the lowest rate you will ever see for Speak Your Way to Wealth.

Complimentary Educational Teleseminar

You are all invited to a teleseminar Thursday night with Norma Hollis of Speakers Etc. I will be interviewed about how you use stories to sell yourself and your products. The call is at 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time. No need to register.

To participate in the call:
Dial in Number: 218-936-1600
Participant Code: 17372 #
Time: 5:00 PM (PST); 8:00 PM (EST); and 7:00 PM (CST)
Date: Thursday, January 24, 2008

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Where Is Lee Speaking?

Teleseminar, Thursday, January 24, 2008: Teleseminar with Norma Hollis Companies, "How to Use Stories to Sell Yourself and Your Products" Call details in article to left.

International Coach Federation Coach Day, Friday, February 8, 2008. "How to Write and Publish Your Book." Chapman University Irvine, 7545 Irvine Center Dr., #150, Irvine, CA

Story Magic Weekend, April 12-13, 2008. Location to be announced.

South Orange County Genealogical Society, Saturday, June 21, 2008. "Compiling and Publishing Family History"

Speak Your Way to Wealth, August 22, 23, 24, 2008, Newport Beach, CA.

New Books

Fifty-Seven Steps to Better Writing is my personal look at the writing and publishing business. You will learn how to choose a genre, how to select a publishing method and how to use the craft of writing to make your work sparkle.

Order this book now

Do you need help with your writing?

Lee Pound  helps writers and speakers strengthen their communication skills by teaching them to write clear, concise prose that all readers can understand.

Learn more about coaching here

Do you need a speaker?

Lee is an inspirational and motivational speaker who presents to organizations, conferences, businesses and clubs interested in learning more about skills used to communicate in writing and speaking and how to apply those skills in our daily lives.

Learn more about my presentations

Toastmasters

Learning to speak well requires practice. The best forum to practice is at a local Toastmasters Club. You can go to www.toastmasters.org for more information. You are invited to visit my clubs at any time. Call or e-mail for further information.

Possibilities Unlimited
Carrows Restaurant on Marguerite Parkway north of Avery Parkway in Mission Viejo, CA, Monday evening 7:15 p.m.

Performance Unlimited
Executive Career Services Conf. Room
2955 Main St., # 110, street level
Irvine, California, 92614, Thursday evening, 7:00 p.m.