DERRICKNYMS FROM A-Z Motivational Speaker Derrick Hayes motivates and
inspires! August 2003
"DERRICKNYMS
FROM A TO Z" Motivational Speaker Uses Acronyms To Motivate And Inspire
By Michael Ireland
Chief Correspondent, ASSIST News Service
MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA (ANS) -- You may have heard of antonyms,
homonyms and
synonyms. But have you ever heard of "Derricknyms"?
"Derricknyms" are the creation of Derrick Hayes, who
was born and raised in Rantoul, Illinois, and received a B.A. in
Business Administration from Tennessee State University in
Nashville, Tennessee.
Derricknyms are "acronyms with a touch of Derrick" where words are
motivational messages. God gave him a gift to take a word and to
turn it into a positive message.
Hayes has been speaking to youth since 1992 and in doing so found
out that acronyms were a good way to motivate others. So he decided
to include them in his speeches -- and Derricknyms were born. He is
now the author of "Derricknyms From A to Z: Acronyms with a touch of
Derrick where words are motivational messages," self-published by
Hayes himself. Hayes says,
"Everyone has a
God-given talent or an ability that can be used to inspire and
motivate others. My gift enables me to entertain and educate people
at the same time with creative motivational material. Whatever you
do well, let others experience the greatness of what you have to
offer."
In his book, Hayes uses acronyms in a way that they have never been
used before. They are the result of years of motivating youth and
organizations to reach their potential. The book is in alphabetical
order and has an easy to use index in the back to let you know what
words have been taken to another level with the "Derricknym
Experience."
"I started speaking to youth in 1992 and in my presentations I
would use acronyms. A good friend of mine suggested that I should
write a book, and since I had a collection of acronyms, I started to
put them in alphabetical order. I then looked for a name to call
them and 'Derricknyms' was the one that sounded good," Hayes
told ASSIST News Service (ANS).
"I didn't realize I had a special gift until after I started writing
the book. I now offer a 'Derricknym Challenge' where if someone
gives me their name and I can't turn it into a message, then they
get a copy of my book free. "The reaction I get from audiences
when I share my gift of Derricknyms inspires me to write and speak
more. I want to be successful by doing something positive. I started
writing in high school and into college. I would write commercials
and songs hoping one day to be in big advertising. I love the
challenge of breaking a word down into a positive message," said
Hayes.
Hayes even created a Derricknym for Dan Wooding, founder of the
ASSIST News Service. He chose the words "Wisdom Opens Our Dreams
Into New Greatness."
Hayes said his goal is "to inspire others to use their God-given
talents and abilities to start businesses, build careers and change
lives. I hope to achieve a platform so I can share my gift with
people all around the world. There are never enough positive stories
that people can learn from."
What can readers of his book and participants in his courses learn
about God and themselves?
"People will learn that God gave us all a gift, talent or an
ability to achieve success and to give back to the community. God
wants you to truly put it in his hands. If you step out in faith,
God will walk with you. Realize that you are special and that no one
else is like you," Hayes said.
Hayes believes that motivational messages are important because, "If
someone hears a message that motivates and inspires them, then it
can make a difference in their life. You never know what a person
read or heard that made them want to better themselves. My messages
come from God, so I give people another avenue to God's kingdom."
If Hayes could say one thing to young people around the world, he
said:
"Use your
skills, or someone else will."
Derrick Hayes
Motivational Speaker and Author of "Derricknyms From A to Z"
P.O. Box 1482 Marietta, GA 30061
678-851-8787
