Matt Corker » Videos

“You Are Just Not Going To Stop Smiling, Are You?”

Matt Corker — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 22:16:27 +0000

This video reminds me of the influence we can have when we choose to act consistently in a way that serves the world. Others get pissed off. They want to bring us down with them. Their playing small wants to keep us from playing big.

School Portrait (2011) from Michael Berliner on Vimeo.

It’s easy to give in. It’s also just as easy not to. Keep smiling, yo.

Pick of the Post: Pink – Heartbreak Down

Lessons from Presenting via Skype for the UBC SLC

Matt Corker — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 18:09:22 +0000

On Saturday night, I took to the online airwaves to present two workshops on “Getting Out Of Your Own Way” for the UBC Student Leadership Conference with the best co-presenter I could have asked for, Krystal Gabriel. She was live and alive in Vancouver, while I was connecting in from Copenhagen via Skype. I loved it. It was different. It was challenging. It pushed me as a presenter. We won an award for it (#humbled). And, best of all, I learned a ton. Such as:

No matter how prepared I am, things can always go wrong.

30 minutes before the session, we are online, the sound works wonderfully, the video we are going to show is fully loaded, and we’re ready to begin. 5 minutes before the session, technology decides to stop working and I’m lost in cyberspace. Mini-”oh sh*t” moment, a few deep breathes, and we’re back online ready to make up the lost 5 minutes. “We got this,” I remind myself.

Seeing the audience is key.

Krystal faced the camera towards the live audience in Vancouver so I could actually see who we were presenting to. It made me feel less far away. Especially when I saw a familiar face or two in the crowd. (Thanks again familiar faces for being there by the way!)

There is no substitute for preparation.

Krystal and I spent enough time with the material itself and ran through the actual flow and dialogue of the presentation to ensure that, even if I couldn’t hear everything she was saying, I could know exactly where she was, what point she was driving home, and how to make a smooth transition into what I was supposed to say. The focus we put on this was much more intensive than either of us would do normally and the results were great.

It’s valuable to leave room to recover. And, whatever happens, it’s always recoverable.

While playing our video in session number 2, technology decided to play a game on us again and terminate my connection to Krystal. I looked at my blank screen and thought – “Well, the video is 2 minutes long. We have 2 minutes to get back online. Easy.” Switching presenters for different segments, playing videos, asking questions from the audience – all great things we added in just in case my connection went down and we needed to keep the flow of the presentation going. (Some may argue to include those in any presentation you give. I wouldn’t argue with them.) PS. Check out the video we used about what it looks like… and feels like… to get in our own way.

Do what makes a live presentation great.

Repeat the big points. Make them laugh to give their brain a break. Be vulnerable. Play fun music before and after the session. Have a dance party to said music. (Feedback said they liked that part ) Give them something they can use now. Leave space for silence (not hard to do when there is a slight delay in the conversation anyway due to it being online).

Follow and engage in the online conversation.

By following the hashtags of the conference, we were able to find out what people were tweeting about and incorporate that into our conversations (both on and offline). It made it feel more like I was actually a part of the conference and less like I was simply sitting in a room talking to a computer. It was also helpful to know where our audience was coming from so we could meet them with the right energy level.

Presenting with someone that loves it, rocks.

Krystal was a serious rock star. Not only does she love presenting (and can manage the bumps and hiccups along the way with complete ease), she loved the material as much as I did. We could have gone on for hours about the stuff we presented on. I know that if ever I come across a topic that I think “how will I EVER present this,” I know I am not the right person to be presenting on that topic. Listening to someone present what they are passionate about is friggin inspiring. Thanks Krystal for being the rock of the presentation and for inspiring me with your passion for living a really rad life!

(Digital high fives! Proof that we had a blast together!)

Thanks to all that made taking the plunge to online presenting great. Hope the rest of your day on Saturday was #awesome.

Pick of the Post: Karmin – Crash Your Party

The 2012 American Election – Vote Canada

Matt Corker — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 13:38:23 +0000

People who have been through a goal setting workshop or session with me know that I focus on really thinking with a mindset that “anything is possible” before starting to write down my 10 year vision. It helps me remove current restraints and really dream big. One of my favourite examples to explain this is to suggest that in 10 years I will be the President of the United States of America.

The things that currently deem this as “not possible” are current laws, my current level of experience (or rather inexperience) in the political system, and, probably most importantly, my current lack of any desire or drive to actually be the President of the United States. Since I was not born in America, the current laws say that I can’t be President. Consider, however, what would happen if in 5 years a law was passed that said ONLY Canadians can be the President of the United States. How would the current laws then stand in my way or help me in achieving my fictitious 10-year goal of being President? Would I still deem my goal “not possible?”

The video below was sent to me by one of my clients about the upcoming 2012 American election – and the fictitious Canada Party that is running. I had to laugh. Looks like more people are dreaming of what the States would be like if Canadians were running the show.

Things change. Plan for it.
Then do something to make that change happen.

Pick of the Post: Taio Cruz – Hangover (ft Flo Rida)

Commitments (& feeling) for 2012

Commitments (& feeling) for 2012

Matt Corker — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 00:27:29 +0000

I make commitments at the beginning of each new year. What I wrote for my commitments for 2011 still rings true for why I do it today.

Resolutions die. Goals get accomplished and edited. But what we are committed to endures.

After updating my goals at the beginning of the month – to start the new calendar year with a BANG – it got me thinking about what I am committed to for the year. What can I commit to to ensure I am adding value to the world?

I dedicate 2012 to the following commitments:

1) Be Here, Now.

In the challenges, in the best of times, in the detours, in the adventures, in completing a list of things to do, in my yoga practice, in studying for exams – I am committed to take each day moment by moment. Refocusing my energy to enjoy what each moment brings. Every moment is a chance for me to be true to myself, my word, and what you read on this site. Every moment is also a chance for me to change the world.
2012 is about being fully in that moment. Now.

2) Lead with Love.

In all that I will do, start by adding more love to the situation. Before diving deeper into a difficult conversation, an opinionated argument, or a stressed out team environment, I am committed to being the one that brings a breathe of fresh air to myself and to others around me. I will be in it with them (be here, now), yet come from a place of love, grace, and forgiveness.
EPIC, JUICY love may just be the answer to what 2012 has in store.

Feeling for 2012:

Danielle asked Steph and I over Christmas dinner: “How do you want to feel in 2012?” In every area of your life, what do you feel like … happy, epic, challenging, rewarding, joyous? The feeling I offered in response, that still resonates with me now, is:

SEXY!

I’m talkin’ law of attraction attractiveness, meets humble inner confidence, meets big bold adventures, meets sweaty workouts and healthy bodies, meets standing in awe of something breathtaking (an accomplished goal or a beautiful beach sunset perhaps), meets crazy passionate love, meets magnetic personalities that live the dream every day, meets handstands in the middle of the room! It feels very Bold Affinity to me – which is perfect. My commitments will be fired up by this feeling.

So – what are you committed to for 2012? How do you want to feel this year?

Pick of the Post: Enrique Iglesias – I Like How It Feels

What Will You Remember from 2011?

Matt Corker — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 21:15:25 +0000

The love. The laughs. The hardships. The changes. The really great internet memes. 2011 was a great year.

“Thumbs up everybody!”

Pick of the Post: Katy Perry – The One That Got Away

This Is What Our Love Looks Like – Jason Mraz

Matt Corker — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 22:12:36 +0000

I have come to be the one to stand beside you when the sun decides to bow its head. I’ve come to be your friend. I’ll share with you my secrets til there’s nothing left to hide. And if you’re feeling darkness, I’ll remind you of the Light you have inside.

Yah this is what our love looks like.

- Jason Mraz

Pick of the Post: Jason Mraz – I Won’t Give Up (another teaser of the new album)

What Is Your Revolution?

Matt Corker — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 18:12:48 +0000

What happens when I hear lyrics like this? Or watch a documentary about youth doing this? Or listen to a speech about this? I am moved to add my voice into the conversation, into the campaign, into the revolution.

The revolution I am adding my voice to is bigger than the (albeit important) determination of who has what rights and privileges. It’s about making love win, everywhere. Because when love wins, laws, privileges, and relationships shift (especially the ones we have with ourselves). When love wins, we celebrate and connect with people for who they are and what they’re up to in the world. When love wins, we are able to see what is possible in every area of our life and with everyone we meet. When love wins, we create relationships and practices that give back to ensure our global community can excel – naturally, socially, and spiritually.

Consider that we all didn’t wake up this morning by accident. That there is a purpose, a mission, a revolution that we are meant to be a part of. Some of us may be on the same revolution, others focusing their energy on a different one. The commonality is that the simple act of waking up is another reminder to us saying “Hey – you’ve got work to do here. The revolution you’re a part of still needs you.”

If this was true, what would you do today?

We will always have a choice. When you stand up to be counted, tell the world “This is my voice! There are many like it. But this one is mine.”

- Shane Koyczan

Pick of the Post: The Saturdays – My Heart Takes Over

A Could-have-been-love Story: A Lesson in Being Unreasonable

Human Rights are LGBT Rights

Matt Corker — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 09:53:20 +0000

On December 6th, Hilary Clinton gave this powerful speech at the United Nations in Geneva. Her main message: since all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights, human rights are LGBT rights. It is worth listening to – and then shared.

In a world where language creates my reality, I often ask myself: “Am I speaking words that give life or words that take life away?”

Thank you Secretary Clinton for breathing a ton of life into this world.

Pick of the Post: Nabila – Trouble

Christmas Tunes to Add to your Playlist (v. 2)

Matt Corker — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 15:42:59 +0000

Two years ago, I started sharing my favourite songs from my (continually growing) Christmas playlist. Seeing as tonight will be my first Danish Christmas party, I wanted to get in the spirit with some tunes and thought – what the heck – why not share these ones too. Sorted by mood, just for you.

Pump it for the Party:

Whether they be used for getting ready for a fun night out or for adding a little beat to your party playlist, these tunes will not disappoint.
Mariah Carey (ft. Justin Beiber) – All I Want For Christmas
Chris Brown – This Christmas
Adrienne Pierce – Making Angels
Michael Buble – Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)
Mariah Carey – Oh Santa!
Glee Cast – Let It Snow (thank you for releasing the album before the episode airs!)

Pour Me A Glass:

A glass of glogg? A pint of julebryg? A steamy mug of warm apple cider? Press play on these ones when you need to feel a little hygge as you curl up by a fire, snuggle with your lover, and drop another marshmallow in your hot chocolate.
Jason Mraz (ft Tristan Prettyman) – All I Want For Christmas, Is Us (*le sigh*)
David Ian (ft Acacia & Andre Miguel Mayo) – Christmas Time With You
Parachute – Winterlove
Todd Carey – Perfect Christmas Day
She & Him – Christmas Wish

Created for Commuters:

Time to add in a little Christmas cheer to the morning commute. Rockin out to these guys on two wheels through a bustling city is pretty darn rad. (Tested and approved!)
Joy Williams – More Than I Asked For
Michael Buble – Cold December Night
Justin Beiber – Christmas Love
The Ready Set – Wishlist
Nat Jay – Green Trees Red Hearts

Reason for the Season:

Always remember to give credit where credit is due.
Francesca Battistelli – You’re Here
David Crowder Band – The First Noel
Needtobreathe – Go Tell It On The Mountain
Taylor Swift – Christmas Must Be Something More
MercyMe – O Holy Night

My favourite holiday tune, that’ll have the honour of being today’s Pick of the Post, still has to be Straight No Chaser. (Obviously!) What’s yours?

Creating White Space: Mike Desjardins

Matt Corker — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 17:17:44 +0000

corker #2: Mike Desjardins!

Mike and I first connected as part of an all-male panel discussion for YWiB. With such intertwined circles, its amazing we went for so long without running into each other sooner. One rainy Vancouver day, after a yoga class at his favourite studio, we jammed on staff development and what we, as people, are truly up to in the world. His insight is impeccable and his curiosity is humbling. In the video below, Mike shares with us how he, amongst a “busy schedule,” reignites his creativity.

Learn more from Mike, Driver of ViRTUS Inc, over here.
Check out the insight from corker #1, Steph, here.

Pick of the Post: Dan Mangan – Post War Blues