Richard Branson, The Dalai Lama or some of the other globally recognized icons that presented as their favorite talks of the event. But that’s not what happened. In fact, the top rated speakers were people that you’ve likely never heard of .. and this just goes to show the power of great story telling, and of being truly authentic. What it reminded me is that to be the Trusted Authority, you don’t need to be the household brand, or be known by millions of people. You have to connect on a deep, emotional level with your audience. You need to show them you care. And you need to give them something to believe in. You need to add value. I don’t think there was a better example of this than the talk that Sean Stephenson gave. Sean is known as the “3 Foot Giant“, because he’s literally 3 feel tall. Confined to a wheelchair and having endured more physical pain in his life than anyone can even imagine, you wouldn’t expect Sean to emerge as one of the top presenters at the event. But he did, and you’re about to see why. I hope that you truly enjoy this incredible 10 minute video showing Sean’s ability to tell a story, to show he cares, and to inspire you to take action and make a difference. Please post a comment and let me know what you think of this presentation!]]>
118 Responses
Greg –
This talk was absolutely the best one at Engage Today that year – and that is saying something given the incredible array of amazing people that took the stage. Thanks for sharing it again.
Julie
Totally unbelievable, inspiring, motivational, and yet so simplistic. Thank you for sharing this awesome video. As a man thinketh…
Kevin Cutting
Wow – thank you. Much needed. Greg – keep on spreading the messages.
Beliefs are based on evidence. To change your beliefs, you need new evidence. Such as this video.
kudos
Mike
Thank you SO much for posting this! Truly inspirational – & just what I needed to hear/see as I start to develop a new business. :))))
Thank you SO much for sharing this – it’s truly inspirational! & a message I sorely needed to hear now that I’m starting to develop a new business and at times overwhelmed with doubt/fear. Amazing!
Hi Greg, I saw and heard Sean at one of your seminars and he is VERY impressive and enlightening. Thanks for sharing.
This is the first I’ve seen Sean. What an awesome speaker and what an awesome message! I particularly like his line about what is the dent you are going to make in the world? Not a new thought, but a new way to say it, new perspective. Thanks for sharing the video, I look forward to seeing more from you and this site.
would have been nice if i could have listened to more than a few words at a time. the video donesn’t load proprerly. Poor quality player I guess.
Sorry couldn’t be botherd watching a choppy product.
My computer is relatively new I just got all the new bells and whistles less than a month ago. so, I’m assuming it works just fine (it does for other downloads and video players)
Too bad.
No, it’s not the player – sounds like your connection. I’m sure it’s easier to think it’s not your system, but since thousands of people are watching the video successfully, it’s not the video. I would suggest that you push play, then pause again and let it buffer some of the video before starting.
Sent this to all my friends on FB. The “get off your but” concept has new meaning for me. I’ll never hear it the same way ever again. Thank you for sharing this.
Greg-
Thank you for this unbelievably profound and beautiful message! There is no doubt in my mind that Sean is a person who is in a position of power and throught his message we can all learn to take that stand! Thank you for sharing.
Anna
Hi link on vid not working only says welcome to the stage then switches off and back to 00:00 ???
Truly inspiring – and his message is so, so true.
Wonderful Presentation. What a moving and dynamic speaker. I enjoyed every second of this. Action required = )
Thanks
Billie
This was an awesome inspirational video – applicable to every person in any situation. I immediately started seeking out more information on Sean.
Thanks for sharing.
–Chris
I will no longer whine!
Beyond words !!!… Thank you, Greg, for sharing this inspiring talk. I just started your Trusted Authority Program …and I guess I will watch this many times more.
Many Blessings to you to keep up your work !
Gabriele
Kinda brings things into perspective. Why is it that we have to be reminded constantly that we have to ability to move forward regardless of what challenges we think we have?
Thanks for sharing
Thank you!
Sean’s message is absolutely clear, and he has influenced me and every ordinary person to be clear about the powerful vision for oneself and the planet. Sean’s powerful message aligns perfectly with your message for entrepreneurs to be clear about oneself and be committed totally to the task of being a trusted authority in one’s industry.
A simple truth that the little voice we hear telling us we can’t accomplish or do what we dream of needs to be fought off and replaced with the positive affirmations as Sean discussed. Very inspiring!
Thanks.
Hi Greg,
I have watched this before and still get goose bumps watching it again.
Thanks for sharing…I can’t wait for Engage 2011.
Ken
Sean;
Right Messenger at The right time for me.
Thank You.
Sylvan
Yeah, hey Greg
Sean is amazing – when I saw the video compilation of this event you posted recently, the segment with Sean Stephenson was the piece that stood out most for me. Of course there were loads of other great soundbites and quotes of wisdom but the clip with Sean (that’s a “but” in a good way!) is what lodged in my mind. In fact I mentioned it in my last blog post.
And it’s yet another reminder for me – coming at me from all sides at the moment – to get off my butt and my but – and be prepared to get uncomfortable, endure some inconvenience or whatever … in order to “do whatever it takes”.
For so long I’ve resisted and said no to the question “are you prepared to do whatever it takes” … because I don’t want to be uncomfortable, I hate to be inconvenienced … I don’t want to endure the bumps in the road – I want it to all be “easy peasy”. An easy ride. And guess what? More often than not I’m stuck running on the spot getting nowhere 😉
I’m not suggesting I suddenly choose the most challenging route. Like he said, suffering is optional (and suffering and struggle are horribly overrated). But, or And … it’s time to find my real vision and get off my but. Thanks Greg for bringing Sean to us again
I’ve watched this before and loved it. Today though, I really needed to hear this message again.
Greg
Sean was truly inspirational. Our excuses of not doing something are like belly buttons; we all have them and they are the biggest inhibitor to a call to action. This was just what I needed, when I was having a downer with myself.
Wow Steven and Greg Thank you “pain is inevitable but suffering is optional” is so so true be the change you want to see in every moment in every conversation including with yourself.
Namaste
Lila
Inspiring Greg! The beauty of his presentation is that the power and authenticity of his voice transcends any physical limitations, which makes his theme loud and clear. If he can overcome his excuses, any of us can. Get off your but! Thanks for sharing.
That short little video was so powerful, so life changing, I need to watch it again and again so the message sinks so deep it cannot be removed from my psyche. Wow. Thank you so much for sharing it.
“Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional.” Find the purpose, discover the blessing of the pain and push through it.
Awesome,
Joyce Penner
I am so moved by this speaker! How can anyone look at themselves with sorrow or pity after that?
Thank you Greg and Sean!
I would have loved to hear what this wonderful speaker had to say but the video shorted out every other word and I finally gave up. Most disappointing. He seems to be a powerful and motivating speaker. Just wish I’d been able to hear it.
Karen, try loading the page, hit play, then pause it so that the video buffers a bit. Sounds like your connection is too slow – you can see from all the other comments, lots of people are watching the video successfully so it’s not the video itself, it’s your connection.
Wow! I’ve heard Sean speak on television before, but today his message of ‘if you can’t say something nice…..’ really hit me hard. I tend to down-talk myself quite a lot. Things will be changing!!
Thanks so much for sharing Sean’s inspiring presentation, Greg! Sean is living proof that we can overcome any limitations~~it’s OUR choice to do that!
Amazing!! I am so very proud of Sean. I first met Sean over a decade ago in a Tony Robins seminar, when he was a participant and shared his history. Than we were in leadership together… and he autographed his first book for us. I still have it. Then I knew he was doing well, but had not seen him since. I am so glad he is living his dreams. He was one of my biggest inspirations in life.
Thank you Greg for sharing Sean with the world.
I love you Sean. Keep standing tall my little giant.
Lucia Camara
Hi greg, this was the most incredible speech that I’ve every listen too. I am so excited about this video that I had to share it with my friends and family. He has confirm what i knew along, but was always looking for reason why not me. Thanks Sean for showing us that it can be done by all of us. If we just stand up
Ok, ok not only am I ready to get off my butt, but I’m ready to make a dent!! (In the world that is!)
Thanks Greg for sharing! Thanks Sean for being!
Simply awesome!! Gives me inspiration as I go thru my own pain, find the purpose of the pain and get the drive to get to the otherside of it. Suffering is optional and I chose not to participate in suffering.
Thanks for sharing “It’s Time to Get Off My Butt”!!
WOW! Very Powerful! Great Motivational Speaker! ALL HEART in his voice! Connecting through dreams and emotions. Powerful! Great Job and Thank You for Sharing! AC
Sean is so right we need to get off our Buts! Thank you for sharing this with me. I am working on gettting off my but. My new business is called Exquisite You – Open Your Gift – Give It To The World – Let Your Music sing. My website is not yet ready. I am a speaker. I inspire others to find their Gift that inside them that has been dormant and open it with others to make our world better and watch the music sing, happiness, propserity, abundance. What can I do to help support you in your business?
Everything Sean said is so true. We forget to ‘live large’.
An inspiring presentation!
Greg, Thanks for this shot-in-the-arm/kick-in-the-but! Sean rocked the stage and his video has challenged me today.
James
Amazing. Thanks for sharing.
In one word:
AMAZING!
Greg thank you for sharing with us this amazing little guy with the biggest heart & wealth of knowledge.
So many of us always look at our imperfections & we so often limit ourselves to the things the we can really achieve. Gosh when you see what Sean has gone thru in life & where he is today coz he followed his dreams in spite of his handicap then each & every one of us can do the same….as he said have a vision have a dream & go for it…..you can bet I am going to get focused now & learn to love myself & go for my dreams.
Wow, Greg, I’m so impressed by the work you do, I feel blessed that I got acquainted with it for the last couple of weeks through your videos. Getting Sean on stage and showing this to us is the topping. What’s next?
Thank you
Susanne
Thank you to let me know this incredible man. Very helpful. Mi amor desde Madrid.
Great inspiration and accountability!-Thank you
Thank you Greg! That was an awesome video. This is the kind of stuff one should watch every morning before starting the day to get you all pumped.
Greg,
Sean is certainly an inspiration, and although I have heard this message many times in my thirty-three years of business, coming from him, the message resonates that much more, and the motivation received is immeasurable. None of us has an excuse for not realizing our dreams. Thank you for sharing! Christine
There is so much wealth in Sean’s words that I got more “aha’s” from his 10 minutes video than sitting on my but for two days listening to some enlightened speaker. He is awesome
Thanks Greg, what a phenomenal message delivered in such a way that one cannot, “but” their way out of it. Sean’s message hits at the core…I’m not sure if it’s because I just woke up and this is the first thing I read but this message is really resonating with in me. Thank you again for providing quality information.
Thanks Greg. I have seen Sean before and he is truly inspirational. I needed this reminder that I can do more.
sean i realy love your speach..its touched my heart.you are an insperation to me to get of my BUT..this but that….thankyou for pointing out suffering is optional,iam going to remind myself that and stand back from the pain.i hope to make a difference stand up and achieve some thing in my life.. i noticed some one made a comment about the video quality, greg responded.i want to say it made me listen and pay more attention to realy hear you sean because the video was not so perfect,well on my old computer anyway.TY GREAT SPEACH,WATCH OUT WHITE HOUSE HERE I COME
Very moving! I love the idea of having a vision and acting on it. Thank you!
WOW. That was a great break from the day. Very inspirational!
Thanks for sharing this video with us Greg.
Here is an individual who on most counts would have accepted the society’s view of him as being incapable of self – expression : speaks openly. Each and everyone one of us live on that knife edge where fear and doubt is on one side ” I AM ” NOT. and total confidence ” I AM ” on the opposite side. It just takes that hair breath of a thought with the same amount of energy to choose. It does come down to what we accept from around us ( the appearance world ) more so than accepting from within our hearts the DivINE VOICE as the energy of choice. There is a knowledge out there which answers the paradigm succinctly.
By saying “I AM” exclaiming the first person ourselves with full voice shall bring forth up-
most confidence whilst speaking under our breadths would deliver fear and doubt. Then speaking a voice of the middle register will bring the balance of thought. ” I AM ” That “I AM ” and there is nothing to fear !
Wonderful message from an inspirational speaker. So grateful to have seen it. Thanks so much, Greg. Keep ’em coming!!
Thank you, Sean. Thank you, Greg.
About 32 years ago I asked for a life at the heighest levels of love and beauty. This video, as part of TA, is an expression of that world.
thanks greg for sharing and thanks Sean for your inspiration – both from your powerful message of ‘get of your but'(fantastic!) and from your example of overcoming huge adversity. Bless you both. The world IS changing!
Wham!!! I got off my but!!!! Big time! Sean was nothing short of inspiring..My life will never be the same..Thanks a mill.yun Greg
It is a blessing that you share this video.
Sean is a Giant! Sean knows and implemented the phrase from the poem:
I AM THE MASTER OF MY FATE-I AM THE CAPTAIN OF MY SOUL.
(“Invictus,” by William Earnest Henley 23 August 1849 – 11 July 1903)
Thank You,
Paul.
The suffering of not achieving is not inevitable-how encouraging!!
Very inspiring!!! Thank you for sharing this!!!! Sean is amazing!!!
Watching and listening to truth from someone who has overcome much, and didn’t point to his physical limitations for pity was quite humbling. Knowing I am able bodied but limit my success due to self imposed limitations caused me to be introspective. The good news for me is that I can hit the reset button again! Thanks for the video.
this is great, as i was reading I realize I hardly permit myself to dream big and the times when I made something of my life it was by my clear vision and a
your presentation is very very inspiring
Sean is an amazing human being. He is always inspiring, funny, and entertaining and his message is so powerful. Love ya, Sean! Thanks for sharing!
Very inspirational! Thank you Greg for sharing this with us.
Thanks Greg, needed that reminder about Sean, and the message he brings. It should be universally translated. No great thing ever is acheived without some pain and sacrifice, but suffering because of it should not be an option.
We all need to push ourselves towards building a better world, but at the same time we do not need to punish ourselves when we at first fall short! We all need to remember that failure only occurs when we let a temporary setback become permanent!
Wow what a powerful message, shouln’t be so hard on myself next time….Thanks Sean and Greg
God showered his blessings not only to the chosen few. He gave Sean the power to inspire people despite his condition. More power. God bless you.
Hi Greg,
Rob Thumm here.I purchsed your book ,”Think and grow rich”,and thoroughly enjoyed reading your principles laid down so succinctly. Over the years particularly during those engaged under the autocratic rule of a very suppressive Boss(Father) that had however built an empire here in Australia from nothing, I bought and read many a book on how to survive the suppression, but I cannot recall one that has presented so well as yours. I left the family and started again and established my own company some ten years ago, finally developing one of the most powerful and potent super fruit antioxidant capsules on the world market. Still on a daily basis, through creating a precis of your book I read it (to help auto suggestion)to remain focused on the now mamouth task of marketing to the world. I have listened to Sean and his words are also so vitally true and important for all of us that need to constantly solidify our pillars to success. I humbly thank you again Greg for your support and mental fortification
Best regards, Robert
Hi Robert, welcome to the community and I’m glad you enjoyed the book as well as Sean’s presentation!
Very profound. The message was clear and precise. Sean had me engaged
Sean is amazing. Thank you for letting me hear him and that his vision was fulfilled. He truly is a giant in his manifestations.
It is amazing that in such a short video this man could expose human weaknesses and strengths with such clarity !
straigth forward ,witty ,with a sense of priority !I like this man!
thank you Greg for this inspirational video .
He is impressive, said the absolute truth. An example of positivism, value and enthusiasm.
Thank Him and Thank You Pilar, from Mexico, D.F.
A very powerful message. Thank you for sharing.
Greg thanks for making this happen. Thanks!
I got teary eyed because Sean was speaking the truth. I will be 60 years young on the 29th of April and for some reason I am still struggling with my vision–I have not found that purpose to my pain that Sean spoke about. Did I need this short presentation?? YES I did! I am not a loser–I want to make a difference and I am. Thank you for the reminder and my “but” is going on a diet TODAY! Bless you.
A further thought – I still do find him truly inspirational. I hear his message to take a stand over simply feel “pity”
I get the notion of having a clear vision finding the purpose to your pain and having that help you get through to the other side …
And I still have one “but” and it’s that I believe some people need more support, more emotional and spiritual foundation-building than others. Some can get off their buts of their own accord – or with just a little help – and some need rather more help.
Is that pity? I don’t think so. I hope it’s compassion. He is right that it’s important to take care of yourself – and that if you’re taking care of everybody and not yourself you’re not really helping anyone.
I like to use the example of the airline safety routine – that in event of emergency it’s imperative to put on your own oxygen mask BEFORE you put the one on your child.
And, and yet, “but” – I recognise that some people have such a “love deficit” an empty “love well” that they feel unable to fill all on their own. I wonder what it takes to get them to the point where they can and do become self-sufficient, self-sustaining, able and willing to take care of themselves and thus be a wonderful and powerful force for good and helping others? I say “they” I guess I also mean “me” …
Thanks Greg for sharing this video.All the videos you have been sending last week are excellent……. I am offical trying to start my business in a new country and your videos and blog are giving me the strength and inspiration to not give up. Once again thanks for all your help…..
Greg, Thanks for sharing such a moving clip and Sean is an inspirational and amazing,
Absolutely, one of the most (if not the most) inspirational speeches I have ever experienced!
I’ve not heard it said better.
Thanks Sean – from the bottom of my heart!
Is he with a major party or running as an independent? He is my MAN I would vote for HIM to be president of the WORLD God BLESS HIM. and YOU He is the GREATEST!
Beautiful! Thanks for sharing the inspiration.
Simple, Authentic, Humanistic, Inspiring, Worth taking the Effort of achieving a true Life by leaving your dreams!
PLEASE tell me why every one wants to make money claim wants to help others ,and use the same person on a wheel chair over and over again.
You want to realy help .i am one of those who lost every thing because of my health .now am broke ….show me how without paying money i dont have .
oh one more thing am willing to put it writting paying u back when i get back on my feet PLZ Answer this.
Very inspiring. I am amazed at Sean´s good self esteem. With so many physical dissadvantadges. I believe anything and everything you set your mind to do, and to the best of your ability, is possible. We need to dream more and take action.
Thank you for Sean´s example.
Such power in 6 words, “Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional.”
Awesome! This is Consciousness 101 in a nutshell. My favorite quote of Sean’s: If you are helping everybody else but not helping yourself then you are not really helping everybody. I still catch myself saying mean things to myself. It is a hard habit to break. Sean’s pep talk is incredibly inspiring. Thank you so much for sharing.
Love,
Deb
Wow… that was wonderful! Thanks so much for sharing. I like the idea of having a larger vision and making a difference in this world. Sean, you’re a true inspiration!
Magnificent! Especially the phrase so easy to remember…..Pain is inevitable…..suffering is optional. Words to live by.
This couldn’t have come at a better time in my life. I have been filling so sorry for my self as my father is in the mid-stages of dementia and I am losing him slowly every day.
However, he lived a wonderful, fund and very giving life. He was a very humerous man and made people laugh. Instead of feeling sorry for myself for losing him I should be so grateful and blessed that I have had him for 95 yearss
thank you Sean for giving me the opportunity to get over my “but”
Bless you
Jean
Sean was very powerful and confident. I was very amazed by his ability to empower me.
While I was watching and listening Sean’s video presentation today, I wanted to give him a big hug. HE IS MAKING A DIFFERENCE!!! I am so thankful that God has given me special assignments and I am enjoying the journey. THANK YOU, SEAN…someday we will meet>>>I just KNOW IT!!!
“Lack of Vision can destroy Your Best Dreams”. This is the title of my next blog article. When I opened your email with Sean Stephenson, I was impressed with the timeliness and content of his message. The primary theme of my blog centers around discovering your mission and purpose for being on the planet.
Thank you for sharing…
Thank you, Greg, for posting this and thank you to EVERYONE who wrote such nice words about me and my message.
If you enjoyed my message check out http://SeanTimes.com
Be well,
Sean 🙂
Beautiful!!!!!!!!!!
That was the first time I’ve ever seen Sean speak. What a great speaker, really enjoy that. Makes you want to say “let me get off my butt”, if you can do it, so can I.
That was some speech and I am glad I perservered with the video because it kept stopping for a bit. What I got from the video is about the voice in my mind and emotions. Both things are and have been a prominent feature in both my school life also my working life. Since what we call over here in Australia first class, I always had a voice telling me that I wouldn’t do well at school. Back then I found that I couldn’t keep up writing while the teacher was dictating. From then on I found one excuse after another and started placing limitations on myself. When I was young I was shy and didn’t make friends easy. Still now I have problems making friends. Sean is a great example of what you can do when you have a vision. Sadly I am struggling to create a vision also I am finding alot of negativity that I still have and that is after reading the free gift you gave me called “I am Money”.
WoW! What an inspirational speaker! Makes my problems seem so small and insignificant in comparison and shows me I can do anything if I have the right mindset.
Thank You Sean for your brilliant insight and Thank You Greg for bringing it to us.
Awesome, realised how cripple I had become mentally. Hats off Sean – To your strength, your purpose and your blessed life.
I like the presentation very much , its inspiring I want to be able to do something to get
rid of this angry feeling I am having and turn it into positive and be able to learn how to
help and inspire others like Sean.
But how can I do it?
Emily
Having trouble uploading clip -have tried several times over several days. Took over 2 hours to upload 6 minutes and then cut out all toghether. Would love to see this whole clip in the 10 minutes it is suppose to take. Can you forward it to me as an attachment. I don’t have any trouble or this kind of delay in uploading any other clips off the internet… I have my computer checked and have no problem with my internet connection.
Hi Sharon – well thousands of people have watched the video, so we know that the video clip itself isn’t an issue. It must be your connection, because you’re the only person that has had this problem, and as you can see we’ve received well over 100 comments from people that have successfully watched the video. I know it’s frustrating to be told “it’s you”, but there’s not much we can do when we have confirmed the video works fine. I would suggest clearing your cache and history, and possibly trying a different browser than what you are using.
God bless you Sean Stephenson, you just gave me a big mental shake.
Sean brought tears to my eyes. He has a profound gift to speak with clarity to the head and emotion to the heart. His vision seemed to extend from his own life to the life of each of us in the room or even watching later by this video. From a man who cannot get off his butt physically, he motives me to get off my but(s). Tonight and tomorrow will be different days for me as I remember this presentation. I will take a stand on some of these life issues that have held me back and kept me stagnant. I cannot control the pain, the people or the practices of those around me. But, I can control my actions. Taking that stand starting now will make me a better person who will impact my world. Interestingly enough just today, a client can to unload frustrations about her job. I was able to listen to her concerns, share my life experience and ask her to commit to making a difference in our shared world. Sean’s insights have providentially moved me again to those same tears I shed earlier today with my friend. Though I shared my desire to make a difference, I hypocritically have been unable to act to make a difference. Starting now….I re-commit myself to taking that stand, growing through the pains and changing the world as it touches me. Thanks Greg for sharing this with us. I appreciate it!
Sean is FABULOUS!!!! How inspiring!
Blessings to Sean for showing up. I was very touch and the timing was perfect. I am inspired to get out of my head and be in committed action, to make a difference one day at a time……
“outstanding…fabulous…incredibly inspiring”. Sean Stephenson is the perfect person to tell us to”get off our ‘but'”. Thank you for this inspiring video.
Thought provoking and inspirational. I definitely don’t treat myself as I should always, and it is interesting to put it in the perspective of treating myself as I would others.
Greg, I am really looking forward to what you have in store for us at this years event in Denver in a little over a week.
loved it SEAN STEVENSON You are awesome. Mate!!!
Hi Greg,
I was there at the event. It was beyond words. Thanks again for putting it on. It’s so amazing to see what you’ve been able to do since then. Congratulations!
Is there anywhere to watch the full video of this one like the one you posted with Eben?
Sean was one of my favorite speakers there and we actually connected when we were on the same flight back to Chicago together. Would love to see this again.
Kevin
It’s part of our Engaged Authority Series, but we don’t have the full videos available online outside of that program.