Tonight, just prior to taking the stage, for my final performance of 2016, I just happened to answer a phone call from an old friend. Watch this video to see the news I received:
It is rare for me to feel this sad. Carla is a most exemplary person, full of life, wit, so smart and wonderful. The news of her loss hits hard. Yet nothing would make her more proud than for me to go out there and lift others with a smile, but how tough is that in this moment?
What is my responsibility as a Performer, my Promise, just before a show, even when receiving news that a friend has passed away?
My Promise is to deliver what I came to give.
Regardless of how much I hurt, feel sad and heartbroken, I must now go out on that stage and make people that don’t know the back story still have a great laugh and be uplifted.
My job is to make these people laugh. I guarantee they will! Even when I don’t feel like laughing myself, I can still be amazing in my work.
Questions are these:
- Do you allow what happens in your personal life to affect your work and not do your job at the highest level?
- Can you separate personal tragedy and challenge from how you will treat others that don’t know the backstory of your struggles?
- What is your level of commitment in service to your customer upon learning terrible news just prior?
Our Promise:
We will give, serve, love, uplift, assist, care for, and bring a smile to those we stand before. Whether you are a performer under the bright lights or someone who’s performance is not on a traditional stage, you are paid to perform in your job no matter what is going on back home.
My heart hurts tonight as I take the stage. However, it also lends itself to a higher sense of empathy toward those who might be hurting in my Audience as well, which thus elevates my duty to give my all, to lift the downtrodden, and to give the best performance of my life.
That is how we turn tragedy into inspiration.
That is how we honor those that have gone before.
The Why is The Promise.
God Bless you Carla, Richard, the Bischoff and Berg Families. I love you & my thoughts are with you.
~ jason hewlett
Jason Hewlett, CSP (Certified Speaking Professional), CPAE Speaker Hall of Fame, is a Keynote Speaker for the largest corporate events in the world. His primary message, The Promise, is essential for Leadership, Management, Sales, Marketing, Direct-Sales Companies, and is a combination of engagement and entertainment meets inspiration. Jason has even received standing ovations from IT guys. He has been acknowledged as life-changing by Conference Attendees, C-Level Executives and Hollywood Elite. jasonhewlett.com
Please click here to learn about how Jason Hewlett, Speaker Hall of Fame, introduces the opportunity for you, or someone you love, to have the gift of learning how to create a Career From the Stage and begin moving toward fulfilling a lifelong dream as a full-time speaker, performer, or entertainer.
To hire Jason to speak at your next event, inspire and uplift, entertain and engage, please contact Karen Harris at jasonbookings@cmispeakers.com
6 Responses
Thanks,really needed this today.
Thank you my brother! Hope you are well.
Jason, As promised you did an amazing job last night! You brought much laughter to us in the midst of a hurting and broken heart! Prayers coming your way as you travel down this difficult path.
wow thank you so much Debby, it was wonderful to be there with you all and your laughs were like a warm blanket on a cold winter’s night.
Met your Dad (John B. Hewlett) at Freedom Force International 12/3-4/2016. He gave me your name in a phone call to him after I found out my son Todd had lost his voice, and I was told he had stage 4 cancer. I did look at your “you tube” and see your presentation to young people and I thought of a young man “No arms, no legs no problems”; ‘Les Varasick’ who speaks to young people, in elementary school who might be thinking of commiting suside because they have no HOPE. GOD is great, and does answer prayers, He is just an awesome God.
Bill, I appreciate you commenting here. I’m sorry to hear about Todd, I hope your family is at peace with all they have been through, cancer is so devastating. Yet God is great, you say it right, and we are so blessed and can be grateful for all challenges. Thank you for reading.