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Background

Symphonies are created one individual note at a time. They are composed with care and craft, the notes placed according to their qualities to soften the melody or strengthen the rising rush of music. A word, standing alone, is as full of potential as a single note.  Just as it is with notes in a symphony, where that single word is placed among other words lends it strength, clarity and purpose.

Each word deserves as much attention as the next. The art in articulation is characterized by the use of clear, expressive language, composed thoughtfully one word at a time. You are endowed with the power of speech. Think before you use it and your messages will be as moving as the world’s greatest symphonies.

What about Bob?

Since completing my Bachelors Degree in Psychology in 1972, and Masters in Counseling in 1974 I have focused my energies on studying the power of word choice: The Psycho-physiology of Words. I refined my skills working with leading personal growth and development leaders over the next 20 years while earning certifications in Rational Behavior Therapy and Neuro-Associative Conditioning Systems. In my lifetime I have been a counseling psychologist, business owner, consultant, motivational speaker, sales trainer, restaurant owner, financial planner and top sales manager. In each role I have consistently found opportunities to tap into my passion: Helping people get better results with BETTER Word Choices!

In 2005 I reflected on the lessons I had been teaching, learning and sharing, and decided it was time to gather them together and share them with the public. After leading seminars and workshops, and developing a program with a workbook and companion CD’s and DVD was released in October 2008 and is in the hands of readers in 40 countries.  It has become a global concept.

Sports have been a major part of my life. I grew up watching the Boston Marathon, and would run in it twice, (1969 and 1971) long before it became the large spectacle it is today. World-class athletes tend to be extremely talented self-motivators. They are hyper-aware of the language and attitudes promoting success and pushing them beyond their previous concepts of limitation.

Those strategies are available to every one of us, and the key to making them work for us lies in understanding the power of words and word choices. Although I entered college with an undeclared major, within weeks I realized that my fascination with sports motivation and an insatiable curiosity about what makes people tick was a perfect fit with the study of psychology.

While at Davis & Elkins College, I was a member of the NAIA National Soccer Championship Team of 1970, and runner-up in 1969 and 1971. We also won the National Championship in 1968. Bob Nicoll - Goalkeeper 1971 I embraced the power of sports motivation and began to focus on how different words and phrases worked on my teammates and me. 

At West Virginia University, the comprehensive curriculum in my Master’s program introduced me to many counseling theories. I was really drawn to the Cognitive approach of Rational Therapy developed by Dr. Albert Ellis. As a post-grad student I was introducHelp Yourself to Happinessed to Dr. Maxie C. Maultsby, Jr. He expanded on Dr. Ellis’ concepts and developed Rational Behavior Therapy (RBT). I gained my certification in RBT in 1975 and have been enamored with the Cognitive Behavior Therapy ever since; using the concepts from his ground breaking book Help Yourself to Happiness since it’s release in 1975.

unlimited powerAwaken the Giant WithinIn 1987 I was introduced to Unlimited Power, the national best-seller by Tony Robbins. By 1991 I was working and training with him, and had the pleasure of being in his Certification Class in ‘91 when he finished his 2nd best seller: Awaken the Giant Within. When I returned to Phoenix, AZ from the two-week program, I began to look for ways to apply my new knowledge. I was primed to focus on empowering word choice and how it can change lives and influence people.

In July of 1991 I began testing out my Remember the Ice theories — a simple yet comprehensive concept. Anyone can do it. Anyone. And yet, the results are so powerful, they continually amaze me. Watching people begin to grasp it is fun. When the light bulb goes on, the look on their face is priceless. It’s just so much fun to observe people’s lives open up to great possibilities they were previously unaware of — because of a simple shift in word choice. So many of us walk through life knowing somewhere in the back of our minds there is something missing, there has to be a better way. Well, here’s the better way. Self-empowerment begins with the words you choose when you speak. The cornerstone of Remember the Ice is this truism:

Clarity is Power.

In a nutshell, BETTER, or empowering, word choice, begat from a philosophy of Respectful Elegance, wrapped in Rapport and embraced by Congruence will lead you to attracting more of what you want. Empowering word choices impact your life; use them to attract the life you want. Fortunately, it’s fairly easy to grasp the concept, and this book will teach you how to use it to your benefit. I derive great pleasure from watching people learn to use these tools and apply them in their personal as well as their business lives.

Remember the Ice and Other Paradigm Shifts is becoming an international phenomenon with copies in 43 countries since its initial release in October 2008.Large Hi-Res Book Cover