Frequently Asked Questions
Over the course of several years, it seems that no matter where I go, I often get asked the same questions. So, with that in mind, I decided to compose a list of answers to my most Frequently Asked Questions to help you get a better understanding of who I am.
- How did you begin your speaking career?
- How did you begin writing?
- Was it difficult for you to write your first book?
- Why and how are you so "transparent" in your writings?
- Is it true that you wear all black in your speaking engagements?
- If you are always motivating others, who motivates you?
- Aren't you from Houston? What made you go to college in Iowa?
- How did you come up with the concept of Egami?
- Why do so many of your blog topics deal with relationships?
- How do you prepare for a speaking engagement?
- Do you plan on writing any more books?
- Where do you get the information that you speak and write about?
- How do you consider yourself to be different from other speakers?
- Would you consider what you do as a form of ministry?
- What does the "L" stand for in your name?
1. How did you begin your speaking career?
Ans: In 1996, while in my first year at Drake University, I was asked to speak at a university-wide Diversity Rally to ease racial tensions that were brewing on campus. Why they asked me? I don't know. But during my speech, I began to realize that I had an interesting way of connecting with the audience. From that day forth, I began taking my speaking ability more seriously.
Ans: Interestingly enough, my desire for writing came out my many struggles. For me, writing became a way for me to express my feelings when I had no one to talk to. While I have had the desire to write a book since college, it still was spawned from a way of dealing with the struggles and pains that I was currently going through. It became my therapy.
3. Was it difficult for you to write your first book?
Ans: I have been asked this question a lot lately. While some people may tell you differently; for me, it was very difficult. I consider my writing style to be very transparent and descriptive. In other words, I am completely open with my life and I try to make the reader feel what I feel. For this reason, it's sometimes difficult to relive the various events of my life that I may be writing about.
4. How and why are you so "transparent" in your writings?
Ans:
One thing that I have noticed is that most people aren't willing to expose their issues unless someone else is willing to speak up first. But, I have decided that if it can help others, I am willing to be the guy to say, "Hey, even though it may not be cool, here are my issues. Can anyone relate?" It's at that point when others often come aboard and acknowledge that they battle the same issues.
5. Is it true that you wear all black in your speaking engagements?
Ans: Initially, yes, I did this a lot. One, I think I look good in black. And two, it was always a lot easier to know what I was going to wear as I knew that whatever I would wear would be black. While I don't do this as much as before, I do still like to sport an all black ensemble when I speak to certain groups.
6. If you are always motivating others, who motivates you?
Ans: I was first asked this question by an older woman when I was travelling in the airport. It was such a good question, I thought I would post the answer publicly.
Yes, it's true. Even I need someone to lift my spirits every now and then. While I spend a lot of time in prayer, I do have a very small circle of family and friends that I often rely on. These relationships are truly priceless.
7. Aren't you from Houston? What made you go to college in Iowa?
Ans: If I had a dollar for every time I am asked this question, I would be extremely wealthy. But the truth is...I wanted to get as far away from home as possible. I had initially planned to attend Eastern Washington University, which is a lot further than Iowa. However, due to circumstances beyond my control, it didn't work out. Therefore, Iowa was the next choice.
8. How did you come up with the concept of Egami™?
Ans: The whole Egami™ concept came at a period when I was seriously seeking answers for my life. For months, I prayed for God to show me why I wasn't fulfilled and achieving the success that I desired. Then one night, at approximately 2:30 am, I awoke from my sleep and began reading a particular scripture--Genesis 1:26. This scripture begins to describe God's creation of mankind in His "...own image." At that moment, God began to reveal to me that I wasn't able to experience the happiness and true success for my life because I had a distorted (backward) image of myself. Hence the word Egami, which is the word image spelled backwards.
That night, I began writing the information that slowly began to be revealed to me. I wrote down principles, scripture references, and ways to apply them in my life. For several years later, I began implementing those principles in my life. After experiencing the success of these principles, I became committed in sharing them with others.
9. Why do so many of your blog topics deal with relationships?
Ans: When encountering frustrated individuals, their frustrations are often caused by one of the following things--financial or relationship issues. To be honest with you, I have met many people that are plagued by both. But I have come to realize that addressing your financial woes doesn't necessarily mean that the problems with your relationships will cease. However, if many of us begin to truly understand how to foster and build successful relationships, whether they are personal or professional, but most importantly--spiritual--it will help us to experience the peace and joy that we often lack. And not to mention that most of those topics have been personal requests from several blog readers. Besides, life is a series of relationships. So, it just makes sense for us to learn how to maintain them.
10. How do you prepare for a speaking engagement?
Ans: Before every speaking engagement, I do three things: First, while listening to music, I mentally go over what I am going to say. Second, I will drink a Rock Star energy drink. If any of the makers of Rock Star are reading this, feel free to contact me for an endorsement deal. Lastly, and most importantly, I walk around the room that I am to speak in and I pray. I pray for myself and I pray for every individual that is to attend the event. No matter what the engagement is, this is a practice that I try not to omit.
11. Do you plan on writing any more books?
Ans: Absolutely. There is so much more than I plan to do. However, at the time of this writing, I have nine more books that I am planning to write, which would make a total of ten. But, I am sure that this number will increase as time progresses.
12. Where do you get the information that you speak about?
Ans: While many of the events that I speak of are all from my own life experiences, all of my material is based upon spiritual principles. Now the way that I present such material may be obtained from my own style or from people that have advised me over the years. However, if I ever present something that I, myself, did not create, I always give credit to the source.
13. How do you consider yourself to be different from other speakers?
Ans: Surprisingly, I really don't like to be called a motivational speaker. When I think of motivational speakers, I think of individuals that spout a few clever clichés that ultimately lack substance. I consider this to be my ministry. I will not present anything that I have not truly lived through or have overcome.
14. Would you consider what you do as a form of ministry?
Ans: Absolutely. Everything that I speak and write about is rooted in faith-based principles. Therefore, my work has definitely become my ministry. Interestingly enough, it is because of this fact that ignited the birth of the CLK Empowerment Institute. While many people automatically assume that the letters "C.L.K." stand for "Christopher L. King", this is not true. The letters "C.L.K." actually stand for Christ's Living Kingdom.
15. What does the "L" stand for in your name?
Ans: Wouldn't everyone like to know the answer to this question. Well, there are only a few people on the face of this earth that know the answer to this question and I plan to keep it that way. And no, it's not Leroy.