The Secret to Your Success
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Occasionally they stay overnight at our house, and when they are finally persuaded, bribed or bullied into going to bed, it's my job to tuck them in ... and it's story time. There's no getting out of it, no matter how late it is. They *demand* we resume our wonderful magical journey around the world.
You see, the three of us have shared the magic journeys of small boy Jack and his rabbit friend Thumper, for over a year now. I know they're a figment of my imagination, but Emma and Sophie know different. These two characters are no fantasy - they're real flesh and blood. The strange and exotic places they visit on the back of Albert the Albatross aren't make believe - because they can touch and see them in wondrous Technicolor.
They can *feel* the wind on their faces, the sun on their backs, and actually *taste* the Candy Mountain and Lemonade Stream.
But one day they will relegate Jack and Thumper to the realms of childish fantasy. As the poem goes... "When I was a child I spake as a child ...... but when I became a man I cast aside childish things".
But do we?
Yes, we become more cynical as we grow older, and yes it's true that we become more cautious - even afraid - of adventure and fresh challenges. Our craving for security dulls our imagination, and our childish ability to actually 'live and touch' our dreams gradually ebbs away just like our taste buds.
At least that's what I keep reading ...
Rubbish!
Just ask 94 year old Bill Meyers if his imagination is dimming (see the '94 year old Wizkid' article at http://newbieclub.com/seniors_lounge.php ). Bill is an inspiration to us all.
But what sometimes annoys me ...
... and others who have outgrown discos and 'high fives', is the astonishment often generated when someone with a few grey hairs manages to come to grips with a computer.
They seem to think that grey hair triggers the destruction of brain cells. That experience of life - and the knowledge acquired by 'surviving' it, suddenly diminishes once their bones begin to creak a little.
I remember thinking how wonderful it was when my dear departed mom began traveling far and wide around the world on her own, at the ripe 'old age' of 61!
Shame on me.
I also vividly remember asking my dad on his birthday, how it felt to be 65. He looked at me and said with a cheeky grin ...
"Exactly the same as I felt at 25. Except it takes me a bit longer to walk uphill".
I firmly believe that our chance of success in any task has got nothing to do with our physical condition, education, or social background. Lady Success doesn't check your medicine cabinet, or count the wrinkles on your brow. She doesn't ask to see your bank account, and is totally unimpressed by your academic qualifications. Nor does she ask if you can spell, write, prepare a spreadsheet, or write a business plan.
She asks just one thing ...
"How's your attitude?"
If your answer is "I'm too old for this sort of thing" or "I'm not educated enough", or " He did it because he's cleverer than me", then she simply walks right on by and calls out ...
"Next please."
Sophie and Emma never stop to think that the astonishing things Jack and Thumper achieve, couldn't be done by a small boy and a rabbit.
So why can't you believe that almost anything is possible if you have the right attitude?
My wonderful wife Rita has been a rock throughout all the years we've been together. She has been my inspiration, my mentor, and my spiritual guide through countless of highs and lows. And I've seen her achieve things that have astonished me.
She's walked on white hot coals at 2000 degrees. She went through a 72 hour personal development course on just 6 hours sleep. She overcame her fear of deep water by learning to swim. She once packed her bags and two young kids, and traveled to meet me at the other end of the country, to help me start yet another new business - at just 12 hours notice! And yet...
She can't spell to save her life, but she's an avid reader. When she comes to a word she doesn't understand she just skips it. She's absolutely lost when it comes to mathematics, so she uses a calculator. (Strangely enough, she's a wiz with her Credit Card.) Show her a business plan or a spread sheet and her eyes glaze over. But she'll insist on an 'English' translation and give her 2 cents worth.
Yet I know some who are highly educated and much younger, but who couldn't hold a candle to her. Because, regardless of their academic qualifications and self importance, they still believe that to succeed in certain fields outside of their immediate realm of experience and knowledge, requires a certain 'gift'.
But unknown to them, that gift is still inside all of us. It's been dented, weathered and knocked about over the years, until it bears little relation to its original shape. But it's still there - crying out to be rediscovered.
It's called a Positive Mental Attitude.
You missed out on your education? Pick up the courage to contact an adult learning group. You've always wanted to play the guitar? Then *do* it! Frightened to start building a Website? Don't just dream about it - do it! And don't you believe you'll have nothing to write about ...
If you're a gardener, millions of others would love to learn from your experience. How about all that time you spent working with the underprivileged? Wouldn't it be great to teach others how to do the same? You have DIY skills? Show the bruised thumb brigade how to put up a shelf that doesn't collapse after 2 hours.
You've traveled a lot? Millions of others would just love to share your experiences. Then maybe do the same themselves.
You see ... Success isn't about making money.
It's about achieving something which you previously thought too difficult. It's about growing a particular rose after years of failure. It's about bringing up a family you're proud of. It's about overcoming your fear of failure, swallowing hard, and taking action!
And Patty, whenever you think of giving up - and believe me you may - just bring to mind those words you first heard all those years ago ...
"Once upon a time ..."
And get to work on your attitude!
Keep smilin' Patty
Joe
PS Dianne Ruby once thought she could never build a Website. She had no experience, thought it would be too difficult, and far too expensive. But she went out and did it for free, and now has a great Website business, and a successful newsletter. Her positive attitude has since helped Newbies all over the world to achieve something they previously thought impossible. Because Dianne wrote everything down to create Book 1 of the 4 book library called First Website Builder at: http://newbieclub.com/builder?simple
Thanks for reading everybody. I appreciate you. Til next time!
Patty Baldwin
Publisher
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Joe Robson is co-author of 'Make Your Words SELL' with Ken
Evoy. Joe and Tom Glander own The Newbie Club which is
bulging with unique NET and PC Newbie tutorials and eBooks.
CLICK ON OVER to http://www.allbizwealth.com/ and look at their very professional Affiliate Program. It's BIG!
Joe's Copywriting site is at http://www.adcopywriting.com
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Patty Baldwin is co-author of two ebooks with Teresa King, the Award-Winning 'Autoresponder Secret Courses' and 'Wise Women Win' as well as author of 'About Niches, A 6 Step System - How To Sell Anything To Anyone,' which you can see at: http://findinganiche.com She is also a skilled copywriter whose work you have probably seen and just didn't know it!