Life IQ

Fun day speaking for the Dubuque Chamber of Commerce!

Annual Dubuque chamber meeting focuses on connections, joy As Neil Ihde began his speech at the Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce annual meeting on Wednesday, he worked to counteract a long-held societal conviction about success.

50 By/While 50!!!

In 2017, on my 45th birthday, I made a five-year goal to speak in all 50 states by the time I was 50. 50 by 50!!! At that point, I had been to 12 states (Wisconsin, Illinois, New Hampshire, Nevada, New York, Texas, Washington, Florida, Minnesota, Iowa, South Dakota, California)…38 to go!

For the rest of 2017, I picked up eight states…Indiana, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Alaska, Mississippi, Nebraska, Oregon, South Carolina. I added nine states in 2018…Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, Virginia, Georgia, Vermont, Maine, Rhode Island, and Oklahoma. Up to 29 states with three years to go. I’m on pace!

2019…added only six! Idaho, Massachusetts, Missouri, Tennessee, Hawaii and Utah. But no worries, I had several needed states already on the schedule for 2020…

March 2020 - COVID
2020 - New states: 0.

2021 - 3 states - West Virginia, Connecticut, Kansas.

Late 2021, I held an emergency board meeting. I was the first one at the meeting, and upon my arrival 100% attendance was achieved. I passed an emergency motion to change the campaign to “50 while 50” and to hire a Marketing Director extraordinaire, Sarah Tachon, who is equal parts charming and tenacious.

The new deadline…March 5, 2023. 12 states to go.

Sarah provided immediate results. New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Maryland, Arizona, and Louisiana by July. 6 to go.

I crossed the country in September and October - Arkansas, Wyoming, Alabama, Montana, and Delaware.

One more to go…

Colorado.

Colorado!?!

Colorado, Feb 16, 2023. 17 days to spare.

Thank you so much for inviting me to speak at the Upper Midwest Alliance of YMCAs event. What a great setting and vibe! I thoroughly enjoyed my time and all of the people I got to meet. Plus, it was so great to be back in the La Crosse area!

It took a couple years to make this happen, but it was worth the wait to keynote the Partners of Wisconsin Health Association annual conference. Lovely time, lovely people doing wonderful work!

STATE #49!!! Where? WHERE? DELAWARE!!!

Loved my time in the Blue Hen state (and my Blue Hen tie)! Thank you to Matthew Lafferty for the invitation to keynote the 2022 Delaware Association of REALTORS Annual Convention and Lindsay Conway for the pictures. Amazing time, amazing people.

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State #47 - Al-a-bama! Thank you Assisted Living Association of Alabama and Amy Findley for inviting me to keynote your 2022 Annual Conference in Montgomery. Leaders, you are doing amazing work and I hope I was able to provide some encouragement and a few leadership pearls of wisdom. The comment of "You're not a loser. You did a really great job!" from a sweet young woman after the presentation (referring to a funny slide I had) elicited a huge smile! Let’s do this again soon!

State #46 - Wyoming! Why WY? Because it is a fantastic state! Proud to wear the brown and gold. Shout out to Kylie Kassman and the rest of the Wyoming Realtors Association for inviting me to speak at your annual conference. Met some wonderful people including Guyla Greenly, DSL and J.P. Fluellen.

Sarah Tachon …I wouldn’t be able to reach 50 states without your cheerful assistance!

State #45 - Arkansas! Fun, excitable bunch of Arkansas Realtors in Jonesboro, AR! Big thanks to BJ Matthews for not only the invitation and coordination, but also for the great pics!

NORTH CAROLINA! My first speaking event in the Tar Heel state. Thank you to Dawn Ferguson Roth and Robert Rolfe for inviting me to keynote the School Nutrition Association of North Carolina 2022 Industry Seminar at Pinehurst. I had a slight "hitch in my giddy-up" during my visit, but still managed to pace about the stage. : )

Illinois Park and Rec - IAPD-IPRA - Soaring to New Heights Conference in downtown Chicago! Thank you to Leesa Kuo Johnson, CMP for my first invitation to speak at your massive, impressive event. Thank you to "Rocker" Larry who was one of the best moderators I've ever had! : ) And shout out to Jed Buck and Roz Buck! How fun to have our paths cross again! Lastly, big thanks to Harry the Parking Attendant who found a way to get me my keys instead of simply leaving them in my unlocked vehicle.

I was back at one of my favorite organizations this past week providing Leadership Training to new and emerging leaders at Big Stone Therapies, Inc. PLUS, I had the opportunity to have co-facilitators, which is a rare treat for me. Kristi Ehrenberg and Lynn Simon...I thoroughly enjoyed training with you. Thank you to Wade VanDover for the invitation and bopping by to cast vision, answer questions, and instill wisdom. It is impressive to see the resources and mentorship available for the next generation of leaders at BST.