It was February 24, 1974.
That was the day I attended my first American Motivational Association event.
The speakers were Cavett Robert, J.
Douglas Edwards, Tom Hopkins, and Christopher Hegarty.
After four months of selling tickets I was excitedly looking forward to meeting and hearing these four speakers.
I knew them only from their pictures on the AMA brochure.
I picked up the first speaker at the airport.
As we drove, Tom Hopkins enthusiastically practiced his speech, pounding on the dashboard of my Chevy.
As the newest and youngest of the four speakers, Tom had the lead-off spot.
As Tom started his talk at one p.
m.
, I was backstage making sure the lighting and sound were working properly.
I nearly stumbled when I walked beside the piano.
There on the floor was a man with a piano blanket thrown over him.
I rushed to find Bernie Cowsert (the program coordinator).
Breathless, I asked "Bernie, who is the guy under the piano blanket?" Bernie smiled, reassuring me, "That's Cavett Robert.
" "What's he doing under the piano blanket?" I blurted out.
Bernie explained, "Cavett's sick with the flu.
He doesn't speak until this evening, and should be in bed recuperating.
But he promised Tom that he would be at his FIRST public speaking event.
Cavett's keeping that promise.
" That's the day I met Cavett Robert for the first time.
That's also the day I truly learned the meaning of the word COMMITMENT and I went on to keep my own commitments as a professional speaker.