Linda Larsen

Biography

Linda Larsen, CSP has been helping people worldwide upgrade their thinking, improve their communication and, simply stated, get much better quality results in life, both personally and professionally. And she does this in such extraordinarily fun, fast-paced and memorable ways that she is sought after around the globe by meeting planners looking to blow people`s socks off at their annual conferences. From her largest audience of 17,000 for the Future Farmers of America to her smallest group of 100 for Meals on Wheels, Linda`s goal is to make her meeting planner look like a rock star, give her audiences a phenomenal experience and be the easiest, most well-prepared speaker her clients ever work with.

Linda`s passion and spontaneous humor stem from over 20 years as a professional actress in film, television and on the legitimate stage. Her experience and training (she holds a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of south Florida and a Master of Fine Arts from Florida State University) give her the unique ability to combine the entertaining, dynamic aspects of live theater with practical, high-value content to produce lasting, positive changes.

What makes Linda so sought after is her "Funny Factor". Maybe it comes from performing in comedies along side Sid Caesar, Beau Bridges or Ed Harris (OK, maybe he`s not so funny...) Maybe it comes from just having a bit of a whimsical, skewed look at the world, but Linda can find humor, comedy and hilarity in almost any situation and is more than happy to share that perspective with her audiences. The result? People REMEMBER information that is set to a backdrop of laughter and fun.

Her critically acclaimed book, True Power, is the riveting and true story of how she was kidnapped and held at gunpoint by an escaped convict for over 5 hours. Her escape, and the positive, practical strategies she used to rise above one of life`s most potent challenges led Investor`s Business Daily to feature her in its Leaders & Success column. And yes, she can even tell THIS story with moments of strategically placed humor.

Linda is the author of 5 video programs, and 2 audio programs, including the popular 12 Secrets to High Self-Esteem, which has sold over 80,000 copies to date. She has also written or been featured in over 100 articles in such publications as The Chicago Tribune, Opportunity World, Women In Business, Woman`s Day and Personal Excellence.

She is a member of the National Speakers Association and is a Certified Speaking Professional, an earned designation awarded by the National Speakers Association and the International Federation for Professional Speakers to recognize demonstrated commitment to the speaking profession through proven speaking experience. Less than 200 women worldwide hold this designation.

She lives in beautiful Sarasota, Florida with her meteorologist husband, 4 dogs, 1 cat and Buster the Big Alligator.

Titles

Staying Right Side Up When Everything`s Upside Down: Achieving Excellence in Challenging Times
It is absolutely possible to achieve excellence when the world around you seems to be falling apart -- IF you know the secrets. In this fast paced, fun program, Linda will give participants practical ways to light their own fire of excellence and motivate themselves to take positive, consistent action when they just want to give up. Attendees will learn what the most successful, effective people throughout history have all known and consciously applied.

YOU! Super Hero! Super Star! Super Exhausted!: How to Effectively Help Others Without Frying Your Golden Goose
(This high energy, fun session is particularly well suited for people in the healthcare and service industries, and for all women`s groups)
With all of life`s fast-paced, high stress demands it becomes very easy to put ourselves rock-bottom last on our own "to-do" list. And the result? Compromised health, exhaustion, frustration, strained relationships, depression, guilt, and acute crankiness. In this incredibly funny, fast-paced and potentially life saving session, attendees will learn practical, doable strategies that they can immediately put to use to bring more focus, mental acuity, good health and happiness into their lives. They will recognize what they have been repeatedly doing (with the best of intentions) that adds to their stress levels, and how to proactively change those behaviors.

Dare to Soar!: 5 Keys to a Life of Power, Passion and Pizzazz!
Buckle your seatbelts -- you`re about to take off! During this flight you will listen and laugh as Linda shares stories and strategies designed to help you fly with your ideas and soar to new levels of joy, passion and fun. You will leave with a clear sense of how you can rise above anything that life throws in your path. Extremely inspiring, motivating and fun!

The Imperatively Important Pursuit of Happiness
Our forefathers had it right. They said we all have the right to "Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." Notice they didn`t say, "Life, liberty, and the pursuit of drudgery." Or "Life, liberty and who cares about happiness." And why include "happiness" in their list of demands? Because the benefits of living a life wherein you and the people around you are happy are tremendous.

Gripers, Complainers & Whiners, Oh My!: How to Deal with Chronically Cranky People
They`re everywhere! We work with them, live with them and do business with them. And the truth is that they can make our lives miserable AND negatively impact our bottom line if we don`t know the most effective ways to deal with them.

The Extreme Performance Makeover: Going from Satisfactory to Stupendous
(This has also been titled: The Extreme Attitude Makeover)
Linda kept hearing, "I have great people. They are fighting a really tough market, and they are feeling stressed, burned out and overwhelmed. And unfortunately those feelings are showing up in their attitude and their performance. I need something that will 1) let them know how much we appreciate and value them, 2) be motivating, entertaining and make them feel absolutely great, and 3) actually give them valuable, lasting tools for continued performance improvement." Flying into action, she created this extremely fun and content-rich presentation that has rapidly become one of her most requested.

The Art of Providing Positively Outstanding Customer Service: How to Create Unprecedented Buyer Loyalty
Every single person in your organization IS your organization. Does everyone understand the vital role they have in creating and keeping customers who want to do business with you for life -- AND refer all their friends to you? In this information-packed presentation people will learn very specific skills to help create the kind of environment that makes people LOVE you and your product or service, and sing your praises to anyone who will listen.

Innovate! Generate! Accelerate!: Inspiring Yourself and Others to New Heights of Innovation and Creative Problem Solving
In business today we cannot rely on past successes to keep us going. We must be continually thinking ahead, and in different and more creative ways. In this workshop attendees learn how to inspire individuals, teams (and themselves, if necessary!) to new heights of productivity by challenging old assumptions and shifting perspectives. This presentation gives people the 5 essential tools they need to break out of their comfortable little boxes and be exponentially more creative. Interactive, fun and revealing!

Never Mind Mars & Venus -- What Planet Are YOU From?: Understanding Generational Differences and Making Them Work For You
Each of the four generations possess unique characteristics, attitudes, expectations and communication styles, and the more you know about each one, the more successful you will be at accomplishing your professional and personal objectives and creating a mutually satisfying and rewarding working environment. In this action packed, funny and enlightening presentation participants will not only learn how to quickly recognize the people with whom they work (or live), but they will also walk away with a tool-box filled with techniques to help them get what they need and want from others. Be prepared to be surprised, fully engaged and have a rockin` good time! (Guess which generation I`m from!?!?)

Playing to Win: It`s Not Your Mother`s Playground Anymore
The rules in business today have changed. And yes, you can break the rules if you choose, but first you must know what they are. In this workshop participants will learn the different ways that men and women approach situations and how they can adapt to meet challenges and solve problems effectively. They will investigate how, as women, they can position themselves for success -- and actually strengthen relationships with others at the same time.

LAUGH IT UP! Harnessing Humor for Health & Happiness
If laughing lowers our blood pressure, burns calories, reduces stress and strengthens our immune systems, then why don`t we do it more often? Because real life gets in the way, you say? Not so, says funny lady, Linda Larsen! In this very fun and entertaining session, she will give you concrete and innovative ways to reduce heart-damaging stress, actually be MORE productive and resourceful and have WAY more fun at work and at home.