Testimonials

Keep it sharp!

You've probably heard the story of the woodchopper who stops work periodically to sharpen his ax. He produces a lot more usable wood than the fellow who frantically chops and chops without a break, dulling his ax, his body and his spirit.

There's a lesson here for today's corporate executive: Continual motion to get ahead in business exacts a high price, leading to stress, guilt, and discontent that actually diminish productivity and performance in all parts of our lives. Learn to keep the ax sharp with John Chappelear, one of the most provocative and inspiring speakers on the circuit today.

Testimonials
    John Chappelear is a very accomplished speaker, as evidenced by the positive feedback by my clients. He is also great to work with off the platform. Plus, he takes great care of his clients directly. You will hit a home run by hiring John!
    Andrea H. Gold,
    President Gold Stars Speakers Bureau

    Thanks for the time and energy you put into both your presentation and the high-quality address you gave.  Thank you for allowing out members to light their candles through your expertise and wisdom.  Your knowledge will help them enhance their business and educate their staff and grow our association.
    Sue Mackie - President
    United States Swim School Association

    John Chappelear did a remarkable job at connecting with our attendees at our Annual Convention through his keynote and interactive workshop. One of his greatest strengths was using personal examples to illustrate his points and deliver a message that is critical for us to hear in this busy world that we all live in.   We enjoyed the fact that there were both personal and business applications in the information presented - that was the key for our group. We are already looking at using him for other clients that are requesting keynote speakers and workshops for their meetings and conventions. Thank you John for a job "Well Done!!"
    Karen Farrington, CMP
    President, Suncoast Meetings & Events

    "Thanks to John, our managers have been given opportunities to learn different and unique ways to be responsive to guests' concerns. He has assisted with instilling confidence and knowledge in our first-time supervisors, and shown employees different ways to resolve conflicts productively.  We've thoroughly enjoyed John's seminars, which are always a exceptionally informative, attention grabbing and a great value,!"
    Jennifer J. Casselli, Director of Human Resources
    Charleston Place Hotel

    John did an excellent job of meeting our meeting's agenda.  His task was to give our stewards coping skills for stress not only on the job but also in other walks of life.  A number of stewards were greatly touched by his presentation.
    Paul Smithberger
    Project Coordinator - United Food and Commercial Workers Union

    John was everything we had hoped for! Excellent presentation… had the audience captivated.
    Jill Kidder
    Louisiana Travel and Planning Association

    You were a smashing success!!   Thank you for pointing us all in the right direction!!!    Thanks again
    Heidi Hanes
    Vice President, Kelly Services

    It is important for professional conferences to include a personal development session and John Chappelear does that exceptionally well.  It is important to understand that when we are living more fulfilled, balanced lives - we are more productive in our jobs.  John’s presentation, “The Daily Six” was rated at the highest level by the conference delegates.  We received a lot of positive feedback on the program being included.  John’s message was inspirational as well as practical. 
    Darienne Wilson Mobley
    Louisiana Travel Promotion Association

    After hearing John Chappelear present to the members of the US Swim School Association, our group was excited to have him come back for a two-day workshop on Maximizing the Value of your Business.  The material presented was of great value to our members.  I would recommend John to any association looking for a great speaker or workshop leader.
    Sue Mackie, Executive Director
    United States Swim School Association

    Chappelear is the ultimate life coach. He teaches us all to focus on what’s really important – our health and values, our families and friends. Step off the train just for a moment and listen to one of the best.
    Bob Rosen, PhD
    Author of Leading People and Global Literacies

    Thank you so much for the presentation you gave to our business managers last week. From the surveys we conducted with the managers, at the end of their conference, your presentation stood out among all the others. The managers were truly impressed and inspired, and they have all taken a lot of the things you said and have already begun implementing them into their hectic work schedule with both themselves and their teams. I have been privileged to hear John speak on 2 occasions with our company now, and his ability to inspire and guide is evident. He is willing to use his own personal fortunes and misfortunes to demonstrate and validate his work, and he is never afraid to make fun of himself to get the point across. I look forward to working with John for many years to come, as I cannot think of any other speaker I would want to present to our managers and support staff.
    Andie Turner
    Manager, Training & Development, The Image Group

    Your workshop content was very relevant and just what the attendees needed -- and your presentation style was relaxed and authentic.  A too short time frame to cover the excellent points you had in the handout.  Thanks for being with us and I hope to see you work with us again.
    Susan Sarfati CAE
    Vice President, American Society of Association Executives

    Your presentation to LabCorp was right on!  My client loved the way you customized it for their group and made it relevant for what their sales force faces on a day-to-day basis.  Your use of humor also helped make it fun and closed out our meeting well – Thank you again!
    Karen Farrington, CMP
    Meeting Planner, LabCorp of Florida

    The Daily Six is a fabulous formula for true success and happiness. It teaches us to change our focus to the vital few rather than the trivial many!
    Dr. Tony Alessandra
    Author of:  The Platinum Rule and Charisma

    Your presentation to the North Florida Chapter of Meeting Professionals International was one of the best we have had in years!  Your sincere style and ability to embrace change was an inspiration to all.  I have personally read your book twice now and used your Daily Six steps to make some personal changes in my life! I would definitely feel comfortable telling any meeting planner that you are a first class speaker and educator. 
    Anne Urban - President
    Destination Planning Corporation

    Thank you for your provocative book, The Daily Six.  As a professional in HR for 24 years, I have seen many situations that could benefit from your heartfelt words throughout the book.  I hope out paths will cross again. 
    Marlene O’Connor - Director of Human Resources
    World Golf Foundation – St Augustine Florida

    I also want to take this opportunity to reiterate how much I enjoyed your seminar in July.  It helped me obtain a better understanding of the overall process as well as the manager’s perspective.
    Dana M. Hagge, PHR - Employee Relations Manager, Human Resources
    Pinnacle Financial Corporation

    I had the distinct pleasure of asking John Chappelear to address Leadership Washington’s Renewal Weekend.  His remarks had a distinct impact on me and others who listened.  I have been blessed with the opportunity to hear him speak twice since that first exposure.  Like many who have learned from John’s experience, I agree that I cannot spend time “waiting for your life to get perfect to be happy” and I keep his six simple daily reminders on my desk at the office and dressing table at home. It shouldn’t surprise me that John’s story of professional and personal struggle to find balance moves me.  But it does.  I have known John for more than a twenty years and in each and every encounter – business meetings, volunteer activities we share and in informal settings – I have always come away with a smile, always enjoyed his insights into his own life and times, always been impressed with his willingness to focus on today and have been happy to count him as a friend.  I knew the outlines of his business successes and struggles and admired his perseverance. What I missed through these years and what I have learned from his remarkable presentation is the transformation underway that has helped John (and now me) redefine success, work on strategies to find balance and emerge as successful business leaders who actually have a life outside of the 9 to 5 (8 to whatever) world of our office.  John’s story, laced with his wit and willingness to laugh at himself, is moving and motivating.  John’s efforts to identify ways for others to follow in his transformation make it a story that really can make a difference. I’d be happy to talk more about John and the difference his story has made in my life. 
    GARRY R. CURTIS - Senior Vice President
    Hager Sharp Inc.

    John I really enjoyed your seminar this week.  As you mentioned,  I feel it is very important to report back to the person that sent you to the seminar on what you learned.  I require it from my subordinates and force myself to do it for my directors.  I want them to know what I'm learning and how I plan to use it. It makes them feel better about sending me to more training.  Attached are my notes from this week that I will present to my directors and the ones that report to me in separate meetings.
     Please put me on a list to receive notice when your book is out.
    Much success in your future
    Darryl K. Long - Manager/CEO
    Baton Rouge Telco FCU
    I attended "conducting employee performance appraisals" yesterday in Herndon yesterday just to see if the content was what we needed as we roll out a new performance appraisal program and accompanying training. John Chappelear was FANTASTIC! He handled ALL of the questions superbly and people's concerns were addressed, addressed clearly and thoroughly. I know that we'll be bringing the seminar, WOW! I was impressed and pleased.  You all sure put on events packed with learning opportunities.  Thank you!  I just devoured your book "The Daily Six" and am writing to thank you for producing a simple but powerful process for balancing prosperity and purpose. Thanks John Chappelear for writing The Daily Six! We all need strategies for refilling our spiritual, mental and emotional tanks. Your book provides six simple, yet powerful, principles and practices that serve as daily mission fuel for our personal journeys.
    Shawn Dove - Vice President, New York
    MENTOR/National Mentoring Partnership
    I enjoy your positive thought of the week.  I just wanted you to be aware of the positive influence you have had on my life. Your book is inspirational and a great format for keeping our lives centered on what is truly important. Just 2 weeks ago, I passed along my copy of your book to a friend who is struggling with some big changes in his professional life. I have also passed along the newsletters to friends of mine as your topics touch everyone in some way. I appreciate the positive attitude of people so much more than I did before The Daily Six.  You have helped me to keep me on that path with your newsletters and past advice. I appreciate the help you are giving to others and know that someday you will be rewarded for it in far more powerful ways than you have ever dreamed. Far beyond the personal reward you obtain from your work currently. So, keep up the great work and know that it impacts others daily, whether you are aware of it or not.
    Tami Van de Weerd
    GoBrands Inc.

    Thanks John your training session today far exceeded my expectations.  You are extremely knowledgeable and were very helpful with making the concepts easily understandable. Thanks again
    Pam Neff – Neff Accounting

    John you were wonderful. You engaged everyone with your humor. I learned some great new lesson to use as tools for my “tool belt”.
    Julie Bullard – Career Development Specialist                                                                                          
    Tazewell County - Illinois
                                                                                                
    In my job I hear a lot of speakers.  I just had the pleasure of hearing a great speaker and I wanted to spread the word to my fellow Association Professionals. John gives a unique perspective on handling the curveballs thrown at us every day as executives, moreover, as individuals.  He uses just enough humor and personal illustrations to "bring it home", and to point out what to do to keep our professional and personal lives in balance, in spite of the many challenges. John's six point suggestion list, can, if used, provide a quick checklist on keeping what should be important, important and, in full view, everyday. I know the kind of pressure work can put on our lives.  So it’s even more important to know that John’s message has helped me and many others, I spoke to, in the audience, feel more positive about ourselves, our families and our organizations.
    R. Brinkley Seward
    World Food Logistics Organization

    John showed us excellent examples of how to manage ourselves during the challenging process of change.  He did so with clear, concise and applicable information coupled with a wonderful touch of humor. This was a great presentation.  I highly recommend John as a speaker and agent of change. 
    Ronald P. Culberson, MSW, CSP
    National Speakers Association - Washington, DC Area Chapter

    My name is Sipin. I live in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. I was in the bookshop yesterday and chanced upon your book - The Daily Six had a quick look at it and thought about it for a few minutes and decided to purchase it.
    Went home and read it in a sitting.  Thanks for writing the book. I enjoyed it and shall read it again, today.
    Hope your life will continue to be of service to others and yourself.
    Sipin Lim
    Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
    Exciting, funny, get him to your people now!!  Wonderful warmth, wisdom, and stories. I am aking step 4 right now, and “Changing my Focus” This is a beautiful presentation, it flows and connects on so many levels. 
    Ian Templar Roberts
    President, TemplaR LTD
    I have to tell you – I picked up your book “by accident” when my 5 year old daughter and I were at Barnes and Noble.  She was with me in the business section as I searched for new books.  As she picked out books to look at she handed one to me saying “this one looks like a good book mommy” (she doesn’t read, by the way!).  I looked at the cover and immediately was taken by the title - so I bought the book.  And, I am so glad I did!  What great wisdom and insight you have shared and I am grateful that I chose your book that day!  I will not only apply the Daily 6 to my life but I will share it with clients, family and friends!
    Erin Mecseji
    Encompass Consulting

    Thank you so very much for joining us last Friday for our staff retreat.  It was a pleasure to meet you and everyone truly enjoyed your talk -which was so very appropriate - and your sense of humor was most delightful! On behalf of the entire staff at The Roundtable, thanks again and all the very best to you!
    Carrie Neckorcuk - Director, Human Resources and Admin. Affairs
    The Financial Services Roundtable/BITS

    John you were brilliant - all the way - and MUCH more to it all than before. As I said it flowed, it sang messages, it was joyful - you can quote me sorry not to bring a troop with me.  Keep in touch and use this material in your web pages
    Ian Roberts
    Temerlain, LLC

    John  Chappelear’s message will help make your daily life more manageable at work, at home, in your community and at play.  Recently I attended a Leadership Washington renewal weekend, hoping to gain some clarity and new perspective at a difficult time in my life.  John was a featured speaker, and, in addition to thoroughly enjoying his talk, I took his six-step plan back and looked at it every day.  Some days I laughed out loud, remembering John's own stories and presentation.  Other times I focused on my own growth by picking a step I felt would help me practice a new way of thinking or being. John’s messages seem to be applied uniquely by each person who hears them.  But the truths contained in his presentation also seem to be universal and valuable to all of us living demanding, over committed lives.  The six steps are simple, practical suggestions that are easily integrated into real life situations.  I encourage companies, organizations and leadership teams to invite him to speak to your teams.   It will pay off, just as it has in my life.
    Myra Peabody Gossens
    President, Circle Consulting

    I have personally learned much from John, but so, too, have those who benefited from hearing his presentation.  Any business or organization that values it bottom line, but not at the sacrifice of the quality of its work environment or the core values of its employees, should set aside an hour and invite him to share his thought and insights.  It will be time well-spent. I am pleased to be contacted to discuss my recommendation for John Chappelear and Changing the Focus.
    David G. Speck - Managing Director
    Wachovia Securities

    I thought your presentation was very good and very positive.  We need that in the Judiciary.  I would like to get some more of your "Six Step" cards.  They are very positive and readily accepted, and I've handed the ones out I had.  
    Richard Fuller
    Salem County Probation