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Hi, I'm Kevin Coupe and this is FaceTime with the Content Guy.
Last weekend, I had the opportunity to do something that I've wanted to do for a few years - I saw William Shatner's one-man show, "Shatner's World...We're Just Living In It."
As I've said here before, I'm a big fan of everything Star Trek and have been since the original series started back in 1966. And I was looking forward to the show because I've always been impressed with Shatner's ability to reinvent himself. He started out doing Shakespeare ... moved to science fiction ... did a cheesy cop show ... a reality TV show ... spent time broke and doing summer stock ... then moved on the Star Trek movies ... playing Denny Crane on "Boston Legal" ... serving as the frontman for Priceline ... and has done all sorts of cable and internet series on a variety of subjects.
This is a terrific lesson for any business and any business person. I guess I kind of relate because, as I've often said, I've always tried to do the same thing, albeit on a much smaller scale. I started out as a newspaper reporter ... moved to magazines ... then video ... and now the internet. I'm guessing that I may be coming to you via hologram before I'm done.
Now, Shatner was terrific in the one-man show. He's 83, and did two hours of highly energized storytelling without an intermission. He talked a lot about his career, showed some clips, and kept the audience laughing throughout.
But what I thought was the best lesson from "Shatner's World" were four little words that he uttered a number of times throughout the show. Whenever presented with an opportunity or a challenge or a problem, he'd say to himself, "I can do that."
"I can do that."
When you think about it, those are four incredibly powerful words. They're tied into the whole notion of reinvention ... the importance of a strong work ethic ... and the willingness to change things up, to keep trying new things, and to enjoy the hell out of life while doing so.
As my brother Tim likes to say, Shatner is a guy who is getting his money's worth out of life. We should all be so lucky. We should all try to do the same.
I can do that.
That's what is on my mind this Thursday morning, and as always, I want to hear what is on your mind.
- KC's View:
