To be asked to perform as the corporate magician – in the Fairmont – in the Penthouse suite…in BERMUDA! (and pay me…WELL!) Tough gig to say NO to huh? While I definitely practice what I teach in the keynote speech about “Passion, and doing your best work while having the most fun” there is also a great deal of work that goes behind the scenes.

I certainly get the comments on the Facebook page and emails about the ‘life I lead’ with the exotic travels, the people and celebs I meet the non-stop fun I have, but did you realize about 80% of my time is still spent in an office, researching, testing, practicing and re-testing?

Look at this event from last night. I was with the top sales people worldwide in the “Specialty Insurance” group of this organization. These are truly the “Best of the Best” at what they do and have hours upon hours of time and effort into their results – so why shouldn’t I? The event planner has worked to create the optimal experience – so how could I create the greatest amount of impact on these folks and not just be a ‘good magic guy.’ How can I have them leaving and talking the whole next day and until I see them again next year about what they saw and experienced in their very own hands?

THIS is creating IMPACT and not merely meeting expectations and exactly what I talk about in the keynote speech I am presenting to the same group tomorrow. In this important time we all need to look for ways to cut costs but without comprising value. HOW? I suggest you create “SHOWTIME” moments. That is creating points of impact and creating an experience over simply getting the job done. That’s why I not only did some impressive sleight-of-hand tricks but also understood their customers, their challenges, their business and related the tricks to their environment in a fun, engaging and amazing way.

But what did that take? No magical secret there – it took work. For the 60 minutes I spent in the Penthouse suite last night (overlooking the incredible ocean view I might add) there were hours upon hours in the making. But that’s what it takes to be at your best.

I challenge you to look for opportunities to create those moments of IMPACT and not simply meet expectations. How can you engage them better, have it be of value to them and have them talking about you next time, next month or next year as you took the time to make a difference and because you understand ‘SHOWTIME!’