Over the coming months, I’m introducing a new series about Influential People. This won’t be about people of influence around the world, but rather about people that have influenced my life. In other words, it will be a topic of “People I’d Like To Meet‘ and people I admire. People that have had an impact on my life, the way I think and have helped influence the way I am today. Many, if not most, of these people you will know.
People I’d Like To Meet
How do I define influential people? In my opinion, it has nothing to do with their importance and everything to do with how they have left their mark on people of this world. If for any reason, I do not have positive respect for them, then they won’t get a mention. There are certainly many influential people that may deserve a mention but won’t get a ‘look in’ based on my impression of them. I’m hoping that you will be able to give me feedback about these very people and tell me what you think about them and how, if at all, they have influenced you in a positive way.
The people I’d like to meet are of the ilk of musicians, world leaders, actors, philantropists, etc. There are even a few historical figures in there as well. I guess I won’t get to meet them…
If I do not admire something in the person in question, then they will not get a mention. Basically, they would had to have made a positive impression on me to feel like: “I want to sit down and have a normal conversation with this person”.
This is about people that have had such an impact on me that I have felt a connection, like it was a sibling, a family member or a very close friend – despite the fact that I may never have met the person face to face.
Having said that, you might question some of the characters I will include in this series. It could be time for a good laugh, I’d say!
People Of Influence, I Don’t Want To Meet!
So, by sharing my stories of the people that have shaped part of my world, I hope to give you an insight to my way of thinking. Hopefully that will open up the doors of imagination and creativity for all of us to move forward and inspire people ourselves.
Another cheeky topic could be “People I admire, but don’t want to meet”. Have you ever feared meeting someone you admire but know that meeting them could possibly be a very humbling experience? I can think of many celebrities like that. Imagine having Gordon Ramsay over for dinner! Know what I mean? An entertaining guy in my opinion but I wouldn’t want to upset him…
Expect some pretty cool names, and some very uncool names, entering this blog as influential people very soon 
Sean Rasmussen
Success Communicator
Aussie Internet Marketer © 2004 – 2009
{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
This looks promising. An insight into someone that a lot of people feel influence them, including myself. It is always interesting to find out who people admire and why and then you start to get to know them better. Twitter does this too, although there are stray shots in there too.
Looking forward to reading more Sean.
Matt Struthers´s last blog ..Day 17
Thanks Matt
This could be an interesting topic indeed. I think I’ll get a few: “Who is that?” from the crowd
Hi ther!,
Well one of the most influential and beneficial people I have met is Wal Heindrich; I would like to give him a mention. http://www.eftsa.com/index.html
He is warm, calming and funny.
If you meet, or have met him I’m sure you’ll agree!
Sean you have certainly sparked my interest and I look forward to what lies ahead.
Isa´s last blog ..Perfect Your Golf Putting Perfomance
Sean you have an interesting topic here and I look forward to reading your posts on the subject of Influential People.
Hi Sean,
It sounds like it will be a very interesting series. I think it is important to acknowledge those who had a positive influence and also acknowledge those who have taught us valuable life lessons (even if it wasn’t a pleasant experience at the time).
These people help shape and mold us into better individuals. People who learn from these experiences and move forward positively will have more to offer and make a greater contribution generally.
Thanks for thinking of this, it has made me think about those that have influenced and taught me!
Bev Langford´s last blog ..Ethically promoting your website ~ Part 3 ~ Paid Advertising
Hello Sean, This sounds quite interesting but also quite daunting to ensure that you capture that essence that makes them stand out. Will you be examining the traits that the people exhibit or how they affect you? How would you consider Napoleon Hill’s contribution– his dedication to searching out traits? his insight? his communication ability? his allegiances (eg Clement Stone)? So Happy New Year and goodluck with your new pursuit.
Given half a chance I would like to meet Al Gore, he is my personal inspiration. Second up, I would like to meet Tiger Woods….not because I am a bar maid or a golf fanatic, just because I would like to ask him …”what where you thinking dude?”
Lisa´s last blog ..Sign Language for Babies
Looking forward to it Sean. It would be great to see who you would have on your influential people list
Lina Nguyen´s last blog ..How to make comments online and build your online persona
Hi Sean,
This sounds like an excellent series. I’d really love to meet Lance Armstrong. He’s not only a cancer survivor but he’s won the Tour de France more times than anyone else in history.
I love watching the Tour and he rides up those huge mountains like they’re flat road. He’s such an incredible athlete. He must have such a strong mind to never give up. I’d really like to talk to him for a while and maybe go for a bike ride.
Hi Sean,
interesting topic indeed. I am really curious whom you would like to meet and why. Will be interesting if we have any “matches”
Renee´s last blog ..Overcoming Procrastination
This would be an interesting series, but Gordon Ramsay? Good example of ‘ruling’ and not so much ‘reigning’, perhaps. (and I already know how to swear)
Jo Carey-Bradshaw´s last blog ..Empowering Mindset – Mindfulness
I would love to meet Gordon Ramsey, although you’re right, I wouldn’t want to upset him. I think such tv shows as Hell’s Kitchen make him out to be worse than he is. I would love to meet Jewel as she’s so real and inspirational.
Sarah Butland´s last blog ..My Book Review of The Pact by Jodi Picoult
Hmm! I would have to think hard on this, but yea, Gordon Ramsey would be a good start he is to the point and gets results, watching Sean upset him! yea that would be a laugh.
Richard Colum´s last blog ..Property: An Excellent Financial Investment
Hi Sean
I think this is a great topic to write about and maybe we could all think of the most influential people we have in our lives.
Most of mine are not mainstream and most people would have never heard of them however they are so powerful they called to me from lands far away and I took courage and travelled to seek them out. It was a life changing experience in the presence of each person.
A couple of them are extraordinary people right here in Australia.
Each one gave me something to keep and I carry those items with me every day as a reminder of their strength, wisdom and courage. In fact, it would make a great blog post. What a good idea!
“How do I define influential people? In my opinion, it has nothing to do with their importance and everything to do with how they have left their mark on people of this world. If for any reason, I do not have positive respect for them, then they won’t get a mention.”
This is a fantastic way to view anyone who is an apparent “leader” in their field – rather than the automatic-importance that is thrown onto various kinds of celebrity by the media. To sit down & take stock of what positive contributions these influential people have actually made to the lives of others & NOT awarding any notoriety to those who have made little contribution, save to their own tabloid headlines!
“If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all!”
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