Posts Tagged ‘Hustle’

Intense Comedy Hustle

Last week Ben Snitkoff caught my #Hustle face on camera.

I was working hard for the NC Comedy Arts Festival and, from the look on my face in that picture, some may think I started to hit a wall. What wall? I was just hyper-focused on the game, in the center of the action — in the eye of the storm. It was a crazy month. I got engaged on Jan 29th (SHE SAID YES!); I kicked off NCCAF on Feb 2nd, hosted Ignite Durham on the 9th, welcomed Eddie Brill and Emo Philips to Carrboro, pitched a major improv job and, while working around the clock, DSI may have booked another major comic with Carolina Theatre. But even when I seem to be holding everything together sometimes I still need to remind myself what I’m capable of. I like to watch The Matrix and Neo’s first fight with Morpheus:

“You’re faster than this. Don’t think you are. KNOW YOU ARE.”

I know I can handle anything that comes my way. I don’t think I can. I KNOW I CAN.

But is that a trick? What if I trick myself just long enough so the job gets done? Is that air I’m breathing?

What motivates you? What tricks do you have up your sleeves?

(even when you look like you may have reached #Hustle capacity)

Let’s Ignite Durham

In two short weeks Ignite (and maybe Zach Ward in a Red Tutu) descends on the Carolina Theatre in Durham, NC with IgniteDurham! Make plans now and reserve your seat.

Ignite Durham will feature presentations selected by members of the Triangle community. Presenters will talk about the North Carolina craft beer industry, honey bees, parenting challenges and volunteering in the Triangle. Special Guests Henry Kaestner, executive chairman of Bandwidth.com and co-founder of Durham Cares; Tom Webster, Vice President, Strategy and Marketing of Edison Research; and Mur Lafferty, writer, podcaster and blogger, will also speak and share their BIG ideas in the five-minute format.

I’m excited to take the stage at the Carolina with support from @CTDceo Bob Nocek. It’s a huge step up from the Lincoln and honestly a HUGE nod of recognition for what has become an AWESOME Triangle event. I’m incredibly proud to be on board officially starting with Ignite Durham, I mean, more officially than just the loud funny guy between Speakers. Thanks to Jeff Cohen, Ryan Boyles and THE Lisa Sullivan.

An event like this couldn’t happen without sponsors. Thanks to DPAC, Word Factory, Ignite Social Media and Carolina Theatre for supporting the community and our BIG CRAZY FANTASTIC IDEAS!

Now, I know what you’re saying, “That event sounds great! I’d pay $45 to see something like that. Maybe $25 for the upper balcony.” I know. Me too. But you don’t have to. It’s Free! YES! FREE! AND! AWESOME! So tweet your BFF, make plans for an early dinner out in Durham and get on Eventbrite now.

SEE YOU ON THE 9TH!

Reserve your seat here.

I’ve got a Corporate Stalker!

I hit the road today for a DSI COMMUNICATION job in Northern VA. It’s been on the books for a couple months but the powers that be just informed the sales team what the agenda would entail. What happened next was a complete surprise. One of the participants googled me. Ok, that’s not a surprise.

But that participant wrote me a note in advance of meeting me.

CORPORATE STALKER: We were finally given information today about our corporate training. So I did a little research. Sounds like you will provide us with some “positive insight and FUN”!

So, of course, I write back.

ZW: You may be the first workshop participant to ever “stalk” me in advance. That’s actually a fantastic sign for Tuesday… See you early on the 16th!

And the participant wrote me back.

CORPORATE STALKER: Zach! Too funny! Look forward to it!

Maybe this post shouldn’t be about Corporate Stalkers. I could have focused on Enthusiasm and Motivation — I LOVE what I do but I am even more motivated now to #Hustle and rock that improv workshop. Why? A participant who was not part of the program booking took a minute to share THEIR enthusiasm with me. That means a lot. I’ve facilitated TOO MANY corporate workshops with groups that could have used a hardcore “YES AND” primer just to embrace the idea of a workshop about positivity.

I could have focused on Enthusiasm and Motivation, but I prefer to think ZW has a Stalker.

What notes have you sent recently to motivate your clients? Other team members? Friends?

What three simple notes will you send today?