Motivation is key to success at session

The arena show features big-name entertainers as well as motivational speakers.
CLEVELAND -- In today's Dr. Phil world of motivational tapes and self-help books, how much is too much? That answer will have to wait until after motivational author and speaker Zig Ziglar joins another group of celebrities for the Get Motivated! seminar that takes place Tuesday at Gund Arena.
& quot;It's a one day event on motivation and success, & quot; said Get Motivated! CEO Peter Lowe calling from Florida. & quot;How to achieve success in your professional and personal life, and it's a day of inspiration. I've had millions of people attend these events over the years and I look forward to being in Cleveland. & quot;
This shot-in-the-arm motivational seminar features the likes of Jerry Lewis, Peyton Manning, Gen. Tommy Franks, Dyan Cannon, George Ross and Ziglar discussing how their road to personal and professional success can help you achieve your goals.
On some level, the celebrity list is almost comical. We're guessing Dyan Cannon won't be discussing how she parlayed Hollywood fame into courtside Los Angeles Lakers seats or Peyton Manning won't be educating audiences on the fine art of losing to Bill Belichick's New England defense year in and year out.
Still, actors and athletes have overcome many odds to sell their talents and achieve their greatness, which speaks to the heart of the Get Motivated! seminars.
& quot;If you think about it, everything that you and I hope to achieve in life depends to some extent on our ability to sell someone else or ourselves on doing something, & quot; Lowe said. & quot;So, that's really what a motivational seminar is about, it's about doing something with our lives. Let's take our lives to a higher level and that takes you selling yourself to someone else. & quot;
Size matters
Lowe said Get Motivated!, which he started 24 years ago, puts on the largest seminar in America, averaging 20 to 25 large arena events a year. Regarding how things have changed over the past few decades, Lowe believes today's business people are hoping to make a difference in the world, either loving their work or loving why they work (i.e. family, success, etc.).
Naturally, there exists a sense of cynicism among some people regarding motivational seminars but Lowe doesn't buy into it.
& quot;Surprisingly, it amazes me how few critics or cynics we have really, & quot; Lowe said. & quot;What I think tends to happen is some people have the mentality of the expectation of spending a day of your life, (then) your life is going to be totally perfect and your life will never be the same again. And I see a day like in Cleveland as like a wonderful buffet or feast of information and inspiration and transformation. But one feast, no matter how good, is not going to last a lifetime. You have to have a way to keep feeding yourself."
The notion of continuing education is what Get Motivated! organizers hope to sell to the upcoming seminar goers. Tickets are relatively cheap for the event ($19 for an entire office if you register in advance), with various programs offered on-site involving success in business, finances, personal lives and so on. Said Lowe, & quot;It puts the onus on us to make it such a wonderful day that people rave about what they do and hopefully over time people will invest in continuing education. & quot;
XGet Motivated! takes place at 4:45 p.m., Tuesday at Gund Arena. To purchase tickets or for more information, call (800) 246-5179.