Long-term memory (3)

What is the earliest time you can remember when a whole room full of people were paying attention to you?

Year ending, year beginning (1)

Whether you're in the public eye or not, what are some "good reviews" that you got this year? What did you do this year that received a warm and positive reaction from your "fans"?

My idol

Who did something this week that earned your admiration?

Moment of fame

When were you in the newspaper, on the radio, visible on TV, or up on stage? What was your moment in the public eye?

This week's theme is the public realm.

This glass is too half-empty

When you speak about people in leadership positions, are you more likely to criticize them or compliment them? Which do you do more often: complain about their choices, or praise their contributions?

This week's theme is leadership.

Tell us a story: star of the hour

What was one time when you did something (whether it was planned or fortuitous) that immediately boosted your popularity, respectability, and social standing? Did it give you just a brief moment of fame, or did your new popularity persist?

The critics rave

Whether you're in the public eye or not, what are some "good reviews" that you got this year? What did you do this year that received a warm and positive reaction from your "fans"?

This week's theme is year's end.

Yes I am/have/can/do!

What are you trying to prove again and again?

In the spotlight

Have you ever been on TV? On the radio? In front of a large audience? What was the time in your life when you felt the most publicly visible or the most "on stage"?

Round of applause

What was one occasion when you personally got a round of applause from a group of people?

This week's theme is long-term memory.

Happy (blank) day!

If you decided you wanted to hold a big celebration — on something other than your birthday, or a recognized holiday — what are a few of the things that you could use as an excuse to celebrate?

MVP part two

What's your special skill? On someone else's team, for what skill would you be the most valued? What can you do effortlessly, and expertly, that brings you admiration and that could potentially support someone's game plan?

Are you the person who always finds a parking space right in front of the restaurant, even at the most busy times? Can you whip up professional looking party decorations from a few scraps of fabric and wire? Do you make household repairs a professional would envy, using only duct tape and spackle? Can you write a song for any occasion, on any subject, in half an hour?

Top Ten: problems you prevented

Heroes who sweep in to handle a crisis get plenty of attention and praise, but it's an often-noted irony that you rarely get credit for preventing a crisis. Nothing happens; it's a non-event; and often no one but you knows what you did to keep things from going off the rails.

What are ten problems (large or small) that you prevented, crises that you averted, or disasters that didn't happen because you were there to stop them?

You might have to dig through your memories to answer this question, but it's worth taking the time to give yourself another silent round of applause. Did your well-timed advice keep a friend from making an expensive mistake? Did you recognize someone's symptoms and help steer them towards getting appropriate medical care? Did you talk someone out of taking rash action in a moment of anger or desperation? Were you at the right place at the right time to hold things together when they otherwise would have fallen apart?

It should have been me

Do you sometimes feel jealous when you see other people win awards or receive recognition of their skills and accomplishments? Do you sometimes think, "I've done things that are just as worthy — how come no one's acknowledging me?"

Which situation is most likely to inspire twinges of envy in you: when a family member is praised, a friend, a casual acquaintance, or a public figure?

Morrissey drily sums up this phenomenon in his song We Hate It When Our Friends Become Successful (on YouTube).

Top Ten: leaders

Who are the top ten authority figures in your life? This can be a teacher who made a difference, a politician who actually changed the way your world worked, a coach or a parent who inspired, or anyone else who was a leader to you in some way.

"I'd like to thank the Academy..."

Think of all the different kinds of awards and honors that people receive for their accomplishments.
For the moment, set aside any realistic or pragmatic thoughts about which awards are in the realm of possibility for you. Of all the awards and honors that exist, which would be the ultimate honor for you? Which would you feel the most proud to receive? You can use a real, existing award for inspiration, or make up the ultimate award for yourself. Be clever -- give it a good name!