I’ve been trying to write this post for several days - but it’s difficult to put into words the impact of spending a full day with some of the “World’s Top Thinkers, Creators, and Innovators”.

February 7th I attended The Up Experience in Houston, Texas. So What’s Up? Think TED - only Hotter (I mean - come on…it is Houston).

Just take a look at the fabulous line up of speakers (taken from The Up Experience Website):

MALCOLM GLADWELL - Meet the renowned author of Blink and The Tipping Point. It’s been said that “Malcolm’s books are intellectual adventure stories.” Now, prepare to be entertained, challenged and dazzled as the best-selling author and writer for The New Yorker dishes up his latest insights, live and in-person.

STEVE WOZNIAK - He pioneered personal computing, changed the way we learn and imagines the technologies that shape our lives. But what’s he up to lately? The Silicon Valley pioneer, co-founder of Apple Computers, educator, author and entrepreneur shares his passions about Artificial Intelligence and Robotics.

LISA LING - She’s gone undercover and into war zones, shared tea with the Dalai Lama, ignited conversation on The View and has illuminated international issues involving women and children. And that’s just for starters. This seasoned world traveler, host of Explorer and global contributor on The Oprah Winfrey Show brings you the latest story from her world beat.

SIR KEN ROBINSON, Ph.D. - What’s the secret of living and functioning at your maximum level of creativity? Acclaimed by educators, world leaders, leading cultural organizations, international businesses and the Queen of England, Sir Ken shares the secrets of Unlocking Creativity in Business and Education.

ERIK MONGRAIN - When does one musical instrument seem like an orchestra? Some music cannot be described, only experienced. Elevating, inspiring and positively magical, the musical stylings of guitar virtuoso and YouTube phenomenon, Erik Mongrain will lift The UP Experience™ throughout the day,

RAY KURZWEIL - Called “the restless genius” by The Wall Street Journal, and “the ultimate thinking machine” by Forbes, his ideas on the future have been touted by many fans, from Bill Gates to Bill Clinton. Renowned inventor, entrepreneur, best-selling author, and widely-sought-after speaker Ray Kurzweil will expand your mind as he shares his vision of what’s next: The Singularity is Near: When Humans Transcend Biology.

JOHN MARIANI - What delicious additions to your table and wine cellar can you anticipate in the next few years? If anyone has the answer, it’s John Mariani. Called “the most influential food and wine critic in the popular press,” by the Philadelphia Inquirer, author, journalist, and radio/TV reporter John Mariani serves up the Future of Fine Dining, with plenty of wit and charm.

CRAIG KIELBURGER - Are you ever too young or too old to change the world? Now 24, children’s rights advocate Craig Kielburger began his work at the age of 12 years old, has touched the lives of more than one million young people with his organization, Free the Children, and is a New York Times-best selling author as well.

DR. CHRISTINE EHLIG-ECONOMIDES - Is it possible to move even faster on less fuel? And what will cars be like as we speed ahead to the Transportation Grids of the Future? Get tomorrow’s thinking today from this Texas A & M professor and founder of the Center for Energy, Environment, and Transportation Innovation.

SHAWN ACHOR - What’s the roadmap for happiness and the secret for being the best you can be? Shawn has illuminated thousands of Harvard University students, the corporate elite, heads of non-profits and think tank participants. Now this sought after author/lecturer shares the Science of Positive Psychology with you.

ALAN BEAULIEU - What’s Next for our Economy? Are we facing a big boom, a big bust or something in between? And does it matter if a Democrat or Republican is elected president? Find out from Alan Beaulieu, senior analyst, economist and principal with the Institute for Trend Research.

BETH BELOFF - Can economic development, environmental stewardship and social progress coexist? And does thinking green hold opportunities for keeping your business in the black? Consultant, thought leader and author Beth Beloff shares extensive expertise that spans a host of industries plus her powerful insights regarding Sustainable Development.

DR. HENRY LODGE, M.D. - How can you avoid 70% of your body’s decay and eliminate 50% of the injuries and illnesses associated with getting older? Prepare to be pleasantly surprised as Dr. Henry Lodge, M.D., a specialist on aging and best-selling author, shares the common sense secrets of How to Live Younger Next Year.

ROBYN MEREDITH - What does the rise of India and China mean to all of us? And what role will these economic powerhouses have on the U.S. economy? Hong Kong-based Forbes Magazine Senior Editor Robyn Meredith, is an expert on the global economy and author of The Elephant and the Dragon. Buckle up, as Robyn connects the dots in an unforgettable presentation.

RICHARD BARANIUK - Ready for the next internet revolution? Rice University Professor Richard Baraniuk, is leading the way with breakthrough technologies such as the “single pixel” digital camera. He’d also founder of Connexions, an innovative, award-winning nonprofit. Now, Richard makes you part of the action as he explains how Open Source Technology will break boundaries in the distributing knowledge.

DR. LEONARD BERRY, PH.D. - Everybody is talking about how to heal the healthcare crisis, but few have workable solutions - until now. Distinguished Texas A & M educator, author, lecturer and humanitarian Dr. Leonard Berry, Ph.D., is an expert in the areas of service, marketing and healthcare delivery. There’s no better expert to outline the steps in Confronting the Healthcare Crisis.

BOB SEABERG - Neither Fame nor Fortune Guarantee That One Can Live Well or Give Wisely. Learn about creating a living legacy and avoiding some of the planning mistakes of famous people with the Managing Director of Citi Global Wealth Planning. This is one presentation you cannot afford to miss.

DAN DEVIVO - Do we need a fence, new laws, open borders or an entirely new approach to immigration? Director/Producer/Harvard graduate, Dan DeVivo co-directed “Crossing Arizona”, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2006, and has experienced the crisis first hand. Now he’s here to explore How Immigration Affects All of Us.

DR. GARTH POWIS, D.PHIL. - Can cancer treatment become less invasive and more effective? And what new cures are getting closer? From the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center comes Dr. Garth Powis, Director of the Center for Targeted Therapy, to talk to us about the latest developments in Personalized Medicine and Cancer Treatments.

SHARA FRYER - She’s a well-known former news anchor, Emmy-Award-winning journalist, community leader, public speaker, and philanthropist who’s known for her quick wit and fun-loving spirit. So it’s only natural that Shara Fryer would be our Emcee for the first UP Experience.

PETE THOMPSON - If Pete Thompson isn’t a household word, the products he’s launched to the marketplace are. They include the Hot Spot wi-fi network for T-Mobile, Hewlett-Packard’s Officejet multifunction printers and Levi Strauss & Company’s Dockers. Now, as General Manager of Microsoft’s Surface Computing, Pete believes he has found his most innovative product yet, Microsoft’s Surface Computer. Though it looks like a table, it integrates hardware, software and more into one intuitive product that promises to change the nature of computing. And he’s chosen The UP Experience for one of his earliest hand’s-on demonstrations.

So What Did I Learn at Up?

All of the speakers were terrific - but the following three left me speechless.

On Happiness

First and foremost I learned about the incredible power of thought. Harvard (that’s The Rice of the Northeast for you Texas Folk) based psychologist Shawn Achor is known as the “Professor of Happiness”. He’s young. He’s single. And he teaches the most popular course on campus - with nearly 1000 students enrolled each semester.

Wondering what the key to Happiness is? It starts with Changing Your Baseline. Look for ways to minimize stress, improve your focus, and embrace the uncertianties of life. Here are 6 ways to Change Your Baseline.

1. Start and End With Gratitude. Begin and end each day by writing down 5 things that you are grateful for.
2. Journaling - Blogs are great - but putting pen to paper is even better.
3. Simplify vs. Multitask - This is a tough one. For most people multitasking is par for the course. But concentrating on one task at a time - will help you accomplish more in less time. So focus - do more - simplify - be happy.
4. Utilizing Strengths - One of my favorite books is Soar with Your Strengths. The premise - cultivate your strengths and manage your weaknesses. Sounds simple right? Only - that’s not how people typically do things. Most people spend a lot of time trying to get good at things that they suck at - while forgetting to hone their strengths.
5. Exercise - Did you know that when you exercise neurotransmitters are released in the brain? The same neurotransmitters that are found in drugs used to treat depression? In other words - Exercise is a NATURAL Anti-depressant. So what are you waiting for - get moving!
6. Meditation - No you don’t have to become a Buddhist Monk to find the path to enlightenment. In fact - your path to true happiness could be one deep thought away.

On Creativity

Now that we’ve tackled happiness - let’s move on to the next lesson I learned at The Up Experience.

Sir Ken Robinson has been an idol of mine for a long time. In fact - I’ve watched his TED Talk at least a half a dozen times. It’s one thing to be a fan of someone - and quite another to finally shake their hand and meet them in person.

Sir Ken talked about two of my favorite subjects - Creativity and Education. But he didn’t just talk about these things - he demonstrated them. With his quick wit and British Charm he engaged the audience on what can only be described as a hyperlocal level. His style is very hard to imitate - because he first goes to the audience - and then takes the audience on a journey showing them the world through his eyes.

Aristotle once said that great fiction is not writing about the world as it is - but as it should and ought to be. Sir Ken says it’s vital that we cultivate creativity because the world is changing so quickly and so unpredictably that we need to be open to change and able to respond to it with flexibility and creativity. Which is why Creativity is essential. He presents us with hope - and raises our spirits in much the same way as a great work of fiction.

On Making a Difference

“If they can’t close their eyes - they close their hearts” - Craig Kielburger

There is only one word to describe Craig - Dynamic. Think Tony Robbins meets John F. Kennedy.

Craig started an organization called Free the Children when he was just 12 years old. Visit MeToWe.org to find out more about what his organization does today.

Main take away - “People don’t want a paycheck - they want meaning”.

What an Elegant Truth.

Special Thanks to…

Ernie & Sheryl Rapp for bringing The Up Experience to Houston. We LOVE You Guys!!!

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