The Relationship Difference by Rommel Anacan
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Training & Speaking
    • Consulting
    • Your Training Department
    • Multi-Family Housing
    • Video Production Services
  • Meet Rommel
  • Speaking Samples
  • Fan Feedback
  • Contact Us

It's Our Blog!

Grab a cup of coffee, relax for a minute or two, find your happy place, read the posts and join in the conversation!

First Time Visitor?

Someone to Believe In Me

6/1/2012

0 Comments

 
Picture
Over the weekend, I received a Facebook message from my high school band director. I had recently friended Mr. Schroeder and sent him a short message, thanking him for the role he played in my life.

I still remember the first time I met Mr. Schroeder. My family had just moved from Hawaii to California after my freshman year and the idea of starting over in a new school, in a new state scared the heck out of me. I went into the bandroom and Schroeder (we often dropped the "Mr.") looked at me and said, "Who are you?"

He did not look like any other band director I had previously. He did not have a short sleeve dress shirt. Wasn't wearing any glasses. No white socks with his dark slacks. (Okay, that was a joke.) In fact, he was probably wearing sweatpants and some type of outdoor-themed t-shirt. This couldn't be the band, right?

Well it was, and so started a journey that has impacted me to this day. At the end of my sophomore year, I decided to try out to become the drum major. I didn't think I'd get it, since there were some great people trying out, who were far more talented than me; but I thought it would be a good experience and prepare me for trying out again the following year. Against all the odds, Mr. Schroeder must have seen something in me as he chose me to become the drum major of the band.

There was one moment that I'll always remember. It was at band camp (no jokes, please) and I had just finished giving the first of many, many speeches to the whole group. I don't remember what I said now; all I remember is that the room was lit by the glow of over a hundred candles and by the time I finished speaking, I was moved to tears by the moment-by what was happening in that lodge room in the mountains. It looked like some of the group was moved by the moment too.

After my speech, Schroeder pulled me to another room, away from the main group. He looked at me and said, "You helped create a moment that they'll remember." His words always stuck with me. Up to that point, I was really excited about being the drum major because I would get to wear the coolest uniform, march in front of the band and conduct the band. In short, I was excited because of what I would get to do.

While I was still excited about that stuff (there is something about conducting a band that is immensely satisfying), how I viewed my role shifted, with his words. It wasn't just going to be about me...it was going to be about everyone. I believed in the band with everything I had and I was so excited to be a part of it. I knew, just knew that if we just did our best that we could accomplish great things. So during my two years as drum major, I made it my mission to try and get everyone else to believe in each other and in themselves as well.

Today, not much has changed. While I no longer play the clarinet and can't fit in my old band uniform, I still look for opportunities to speak to people. I still look for opportunities to create moments. I still long to help people believe in themselves and in their dreams.

And it all started because someone first believed in me. Thanks Mr. Schroeder!

I ask you, is there someone that needs to know that you believe in him/her? Now is a great time to let him/her know.

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    Rommel Anacan

    I am a national speaker, trainer, and strategic consultant to companies and organizations. I'm also
    the president and founder of The Relationship Difference a professional and personal development company in Orange County, California.

    My passion is helping people succeed by helping them connect, communicate and engage with the people around them more effectively. 

    More about me and this blog here!

    FIRST TIME HERE?

    Most Read Posts

    • How to Lose a Customer in 10 Seconds
    • Break-Up! When Change is a Great Thing
    • The Second Button-Lessons From the Famous Seinfeld Episode
    • Why People Love Southwest Airlines
    • When Do You Take a Chance on Your Dreams?
    • Communicating in Social Media
    • It's a Wonderful Movie
    • Someone to Believe in Me
    • Can I Order Some Food First? Improving the Work Environment
    • Renew, Refresh and Restore!
    • Developing a Leadership Culture



    Archives

    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    March 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011

Site Menu

Home
About Us

Meet Rommel 

Speaking Samples

Fan Feedback!
Blog

Contact Us

Why Us?

"...The audience was captivated by his presentation and they all left there raving about Rommel.  If you ever want to hire someone with a relatable presentation style, that can also back it up with years of experience ... Rommel is the man to do it!  No question about it….

-Marie Simpson, Director of Membership & Educational Programs – PAA Central
Copyright 2011 | The Relationship Difference | All Rights Reserved  
Photos used under Creative Commons from Jessa B.C., roland, Joits, Veronique Debord, a4gpa, Neon Tommy, Keith Allison, phoenixshade, ThinkGeoEnergy, psigrist, Tony Fischer Photography, Jeffrey Beall, permanently scatterbrained, tastybit, Chris Winters, jurvetson, DWallis, North Devon Council, gnuckx, fabbio, NicoleElocin, marragem, Andy M¢, Gage Skidmore, JohnSeb, zzpza, Luigi Rosa, Erin Costa, justinbaeder, Jeffrey Beall, Keith Allison, neil conway, devinStein, losol, wanderingone, Bludgeoner86, vasilemadalin, wjarrettc, paulhami, Shaun Greiner, DonkeyHotey