Common Sense Ideas for Becoming the Career Star You Are Meant to Be

I am a big believer in the Power of 1.  I believe that one person can make a difference.  You’ll notice that I end every one of my bog posts with the words “I’ll see you around the web, and at Alex’s Lemonade Stand”.

Alex is Alexandra Scott.  Two days before her first birthday, Alex was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, an aggressive form of childhood cancer.  In 2000, when she was four, Alex, like many kids, wanted to set up a lemonade stand in her front yard.  Unlike most kids, she wanted to donate the money she made selling lemonade to the hospital where she was being treated for her cancer...

Alex passed away on August 1, 2004.  She was eight years old.  But, her spirit lives on.  Others have picked up where she left off, setting up and running Alex’s Lemonade Stands all around the US.  I bought a cup of lemonade for $20.00 as I was entering the Pepsi Center in Denver to see the Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars playoff game.  (The suggested donation for a cup of lemonade is $1.00, but the people running the stand told me that five, ten, twenty and even $100 dollar donations are not uncommon.)

To date, Alex’s Lemonade Stands have generated more than $5,000,000 – yes that’s five million dollars – for pediatric cancer research. 

The simple concept of “Fighting childhood cancer one cup at a time” has enables children to directly contribute to cancer research.  My mother who lives in Jacksonville, Fl sent me an email telling me that she saw an article in the local paper about a five year old girl who set up and runs her own Alex’s Lemonade Stand.  In 2005, there were over 1000 Alex’s Lemonade Stands held across the US. 

Gunther Toody’s restaurants  -- a family restaurant, with a retro fifties theme -- sponsored the Alex’s Lemonade Stand outside the Pepsi Center.  From May1 through June 11, each of the five Gunther Toody’s locations in Colorado had an Alex’s Lemonade Stand directly outside or inside the store.

Promotional material sent out by Gunther Toody’s says the lesson that children learn from holding their own lemonade stands is simple but powerful – every person can make a difference in the world.

Which brings us back to my original point.  I believe in the Power of 1.  One person can make a difference.  Alexandra Scott has inspired a movement that has generated $5,000,000 for pediatric cancer research.

If Alex’s story has touched you, I have set up a page where you can donate to the Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation.  Simply log on to http://www.FirstGiving.com/TheCommonSenseGuy.  The site is safe and secure, and your contributions will go directly to Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation.  This fundraising campaign is one way in which I am putting my Power of 1 to work.  So far, my readers and I have raised over $2,500 – surpassing my original goal.  I am hoping to raise even more – because what’s a goal if you don’t beat it?

I give an autographed copy of my book 4 Secrets of High Performing Organizations (a $14.95 value to anyone who donates at least $10.  Also, I give a complete, six volume, autographed Bud Bilanich business library to anyone who donates at least $50.

Everywhere I look ordinary people, by their belief in themselves, strength of will and persistence are putting their Power of 1 to work and making a difference every day – in their churches, synagogues, communities, and yes, even the large corporations where they work. 

My “Star Power” keynote speech and this blog are devoted to the idea that we can all become stars – in our lives and careers.  Becoming a star starts with self confidence.  Self confident people make a difference because they believe that they can make a difference.

Alex Scott believed she could make a difference – and she did.  If a very sick child can make a difference, you can too.  Believe in yourself, and then do what it takes to succeed.  Unleash your personal power of 1.

That’s it for today.  Thanks for reading.  For more common sense advice, log on to my website www.BudBilanich.com and my other blog www.CommonSenseGuy.com

I’ll see you around the web, and at Alex’s Lemonade Stand.

Bud