Re: How do you cope with stress?
 

There's a gentleman named Bob Willan, he's a marathon runner. And I think in life he shows us that in life there's no such thing as an unrealistic goal, just limits to imagination. As far as you can dream is as far as you can go.

He finished last in the New York marathon, he finished last in the Los Angeles marathon. And I must tell you, I think Bob Willan is a superstar. Because Bob completed two twenty-six mile marathons and he doesn't have any legs.

Bob picks himself up and he swings his torso forward, picks his body up and swings his torso forward. Twenty-six miles on his hands, incredible accomplishment.

As he was coming toward the finish line in New York, his father was waiting for him with a few photographers. All the banners were torn down, it was misty outside and there was Bob, pick himself up, swing his torso forward, pick himself up and swing his torso forward.

They showed his father and there were tears running down his face. He must have been so proud. I'm sure he talked to Bob about attitude, have a dream in your life. And he kept yelling to Bob "come on Bob, one more step, one more step." When you have a dream you gotta take it one day at a time.

And on Bob's last step he picked his body up looked to his left, he looked to his right and went across the finish line. His father and a few photographers clapped for him. But I'm sure many more people were clapping for Bob Willan in their homes.

This reporter walked up to him and said "Bob Willan, you are an incredible athlete. Tell us your secret."

He said "Well, gotta have a dream. Gotta have a positive attitude and a great support group." And then Bob took his gloves off and his hands were red and they were blistered. And the reporter got down on one knee and he said "Bob, how did you ever stand the pain during those twenty-six miles?!?"

And he said "My hands only hurt when I took my eye off the finish line."

> I find that first, if you make sure you're
> using good time managment skills you dont
> get stressed as easy because you know
> exactly what you are do and how long each
> task will take. Try it, it works for me.

> Work smarter not harder....

> Clayton

The two principles a computer scientist from Ohio used to make a ton of money through direct response....
 

Hi Chris,

That's a great story! Very inspiring!

> And the reporter got down on
> one knee and he said "Bob, how did you
> ever stand the pain during those twenty-six
> miles?!?"

> And he said "My hands only hurt when I
> took my eye off the finish line."

Wow, these are very true words....

I have the impression that a "mistake" a lot of people make is quitting too soon.... I mean quitting in general. I strongly believe that there are two fundamental rules of success. I believe if you know these two rules, and apply them, you will always EVENTUALLY succeed. Success may not come immediately, but eventually, you WILL succeed.

Those two rules are:

"Perserverance" and "Experimentation."

"Perserverance" is important, since you have to keep at it to succeed. Everything has a "learning curve," sometimes it's short, sometimes its long, but the longer you stick with something, the more you are learning how to make it work.

The other thing is "experimentation" -- keep trying new things. That's how you can keep improving.... Like Edison and his light bulb (I assume everyone knows the story, of how Edison tried hundreds or maybe even thousands of filaments for his light bulb before he found one with the characteristics that worked)....

I was reading through "7 Steps to Freedom II" by Benjamin Suarez the other day.... (For those who may not know, this is one of the best books on direct response marketing around.... It's certainly one of the most detailed....) Benjamin Suarez started out as an employee, working as a computer scientist in the late 1960s, back when mainframes and computer-punched cards were the hottest thing in computers.... But he eventually quit his job.

Benjamin Suarez now runs SCI, a $100 million+ per year direct response business based in Canton, Ohio. (They have several "business names" they operate under, for their various types of products....) As you may know, last year when I visited Gordon I got a quick tour of SCI, and a month or two ago some lucky people got an even better tour of SCI than I did.... Gordon Alexander was personally hand-picked by Benjamin Suarez to learn the ins and outs of exactly how SCI operates....

Anyhow, at the very beginning of "7 Steps To Freedom II" is a section called "About The Author".... Here's a quick quote from that....

"With his brother and sister as partners, [Benjamin] Suarez launched his first entrepreneurial effort -- a direct-mail project -- in 1970 on a part-time basis.

Four years later, after trying many projects, they achieved minor success via direct mail. Suarez took a gamble and quit his full-time job."

When you read the full story, you find out it took a few years in addition to that for him to achieve real success....

The POINT is that this illustrates the two principles, I believe....

"Perserverance" -- "Four years later.... they achieved minor success" That means he kept trying for four years without success, but he didn't give up!

"Experimentation" -- "after trying many projects".... He didn't just do the same thing repetitively. If one thing didn't work, he kept trying something different.

Many people give up too soon! Don't lose heart.... Keep perservering and experimenting, and I believe success will eventually be yours.

It might take a short time or it might take a while, but success will eventually be in your grasp....

At least, that's the principle which I live my life by!

By the way, trying new things keeps life interesting too. It's like an added bonus! :)

- Dien Rice

Re: The two principles a computer scientist from Ohio used to make a ton of money through direct res
 

Always have a dream
Keep your eye on that dream
Don't let obstacles stop you
Don't let criticisms dismay you
Don't you EVER quit
Work hard for what you want
And I reiterate again
Don't you EVER quit

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill
When the funds are low and the debts are high
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh
If care is pushing you down a bit
Rest if ye may, but DON'T YOU QUIT

G'day Dien :) Long time no see :)
Good to see things are still going strong with SOWPUB. I've been keeping in the background for some time, observing different posts.

I was considering taking the time to create several posts about self development, how to remember what it's like to dream, and the importance of attitude. Do you think there's sufficient interest in this group for this material, or would my time be better spent with the people I'm coaching right now?

Christopher Lau

Re: The two principles a computer scientist from Ohio used to make a ton of money through direct res
 

Hi Chris,

Thanks, that's a very nice inspirational poem.... :)

> G'day Dien :) Long time no see :)
> Good to see things are still going strong
> with SOWPUB. I've been keeping in the
> background for some time, observing
> different posts.
>
> I was considering taking the time to create
> several posts about self development, how to
> remember what it's like to dream, and the
> importance of attitude. Do you think there's
> sufficient interest in this group for this
> material, or would my time be better spent
> with the people I'm coaching right now?

I'm sure many would appreciate it, but as to what's the best use of your time I can't really advise you on that.... However, it would be great to see more of your contributions. :)

Cheers,

Dien