Inspiration incarnate

Scott with #clarkclass

Scott Williams talking to #clarkclass

"@ScottWilliams spoke to #clarkclass today and it was just what my soul needed!!," tweeted Madison Sturgill, one of my students in my twitter for media class this week.
often interrupt speakers to #clarkclass, yelling at the students to "Get that quote."
That pretty well captures the spirit of why the class  at UCO has been a favorite, enough to bring me back out of retirement to teach it this fall--The students and the speakers from many different professions.
And having Scott Williams as first guest sets the tone--he is inspiration incarnate, and, as a UCO grad,  a terrific role model.
"This isn't about twitter, it's about life," he said, and held the class pretty well spell bound with stories and insights for an hour and a half.
For the record, he owns NxtLevel Solutions, a strategy company, http://www.nxtlevelsolutions.com/ and you can find him on Instagram as @ScottOKC and twitter @ScottWilliams He's been a warden, a pastor at LifeChurch and so much more, advising Fortune 500 companies and others across America. 
He began as a student entrepreneur at UCO  organizing parties and passing out flyers to attract crowds.  Students relate. He invigorates my teaching and outlook on life. 
I'm indebted to him for finding time to speak to my students, about the third time now, and proud that I was the first one to invite him back to UCO to speak to this unique in Oklahoma class. 
The new photo at the top of the blog is from his visit. 
After he left, we debriefed, and each student comments. What follows are those comments, with a few of mine mixed in. Dutifully recorded by @MadisonSturgill

• Look at what’s next, not just what’s currently happening
• Be a leader
• If you’re not failing you’re not trying
• Three trophies – MVP, Most improved, best sportsmanship
• We see the shine but we don’t see the grind
• Participation generation – we feel entitled to win and it has encouraged our generation not to try
• There’s no such thing as writers’ block
• Practicing things you enjoy doing, even if you’re not being paid for it.
• The effort and confidence of knowing what you’ve done and being able to tell people about what you have accomplished
• Consistent content wins and great content always wins
• If you’re not aware, you’re losing
• Don’t be afraid to believe in yourself and be the next big thing
• If you’re not trying here in OKC,  don’t think you can make it anywhere else
• There’s a market for everything
• There are no excuses, no matter your circumstances, to achieve your dream
• In order to get to something, you’ve got to get through something
• College levels the playing field for everyone – it’s about what you’re doing to set yourself apart in your field
• People are not moved by the stuff were selling; they’re moved by the stories we’re telling
• Write every day
• Our Motto: HOW--Helping Others Win
• Facebook could be the next Myspace. Remember the blackberry? From 50 percent of phone market  to less than 1 percent in a few years