Posts by Tommy Hilcken
Becoming a lifetime learner.
One of the most valuable lessons I learned from Zig Ziglar was to be a lifetime learner. That might surprise anyone who knew me in high school. School was tough for me. It took plenty of summer school to get through and graduate. But once I got out, I began to understand how important education…
Read MoreThe Show Must Go On!
In 37 years of performing, I’ve had wonderful shows, tough shows, and moments you simply couldn’t make up. One outdoor show still stands out. It was dark, and the client still wanted me to perform. There was just one problem: how was anyone going to see me? Then everyone pulled their cars over, aimed their…
Read MoreWhy Most Team-Building Activities Don’t Work
After 37 years of entertaining corporate audiences, I’ve learned something important about team building: You can’t force people to have fun. Too many team-building activities begin with forced participation. Everyone is told they need to get involved, mingle, participate in an awkward exercise, or do something completely outside their comfort zone. And what happens? People…
Read MoreI Learned to Speak on the Stoops of My Town
When people find out I’m a public speaking coach in New Jersey, they sometimes assume I learned how to communicate in a classroom. I didn’t. I learned it on the stoops of my hometown. I grew up in Guttenberg, New Jersey—a small town where people knew each other, talked to each other, teased each other,…
Read More37 Years of Bringing People Together
I’ve been entertaining audiences since 1989. Here’s what I’ve learned… After 37 years and thousands of live audiences, I’ve learned something important: People don’t want to attend an event. They want to experience it. I’ve performed for audiences that were excited before I ever walked into the room. I’ve also walked into rooms where people…
Read MoreDon’t Let Your Circumstances Define You
I’ve learned something over the years: Your circumstances are not your identity. Life can knock you down. It can disappoint you, challenge you, change your plans, and sometimes leave you wondering, “What now?” But that’s the moment when you have a choice. You can let your circumstances become your excuse—or you can decide they’re going…
Read MoreWhat if happiness isn’t something we find… but something we practice?
We spend a lot of time talking about productivity, performance, leadership, and success. But how often do we talk about happiness? My presentation, “A Course in Happiness,” is built around a simple idea: 👉 We may not be able to control everything that happens to us—but we can become better at choosing how we respond.…
Read MoreBe Happy Where You Are on the Way to Where You’re Going.
One of the greatest mistakes we make is putting our happiness on layaway. We tell ourselves, “I’ll be happy when…” When I get the new job. When I lose the weight. When I retire. When life gets easier. The problem is, there’s always another “when.” Years ago, someone shared a simple thought with me that…
Read MoreWe Were Never Meant to Be Miserable
One of the greatest gifts in life is finding people whose words stay with you long after the conversation is over.Throughout my journey, I’ve been fortunate to have mentors who challenged my thinking, encouraged my growth, and helped shape the way I see the world.In my book, A Course in Happiness, I share many of…
Read MoreFrom Goal Setter to Goal Achiever
Over the years, while working with small business owners and individuals on their goals, I’ve noticed something fascinating: Most people genuinely mean well.They have good intentions.Some even have great ideas and detailed plans. Yet many still never accomplish what they set out to achieve. So what separates a goal setter from a goal achiever? The…
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