Hi John,

Very inspiring message -- thanks for sharing! I'm sure that with your evolving online auction empire, you've got your own 'seed-planting' incidents to point back to, which make the harvest that much sweeter.

For me, the seed planting is hands-down the most rewarding part of any business venture. In today's age of hyper-technology and instant gratification, the spawning of ideas in their most primitive form seems to have become a lost art.

For example, in the past few months, we've created extraordinary growth for one of our clients, to the tune of a $1.6 Million annual revenue stream -- all created from scratch.

But it was not the escalating sales reports that were the most rewarding part for me (though those were pretty sweet :). Nor was it the completion of the web site...nor the implementation of automated sales systems.

The times I will always remember were taking pen to paper and mapping out the initial model while sitting at the end of the Santa Monica pier overlooking the ocean. And writing the copy over more Mocha Frappucinos at Starbucks than I care to admit :) And perhaps most of all, furiously typing away on my laptop at 3am in my hotel room in Spokane, Washington, because I had a breakthrough idea and wanted to run with it.

It's remembering those times, when there was nothing but a seed, that makes the current harvest that much more fulfilling.

I did promise a quick tip, so let's go from theory to application for a moment.

One of the most challenging concepts when 'planting a seed' is having the vision and persistence to see your idea through. Sometimes that harvest can seem a million miles away, and it becomes very tempting to divert your attention or focus.

Should this ever occur, I've found that the following thought-process can be VERY helpful:

First, set goals for your project, and be extremely specific. I know this is very basic...but stick with me. For example, let's say you're aiming to net $100,000 per year when your seed comes to fruition. And let's further assume it'll take you a full 100 hours to go from concept to implementation. Finally, let's say that once the project is up and running, and mostly automated, you'll work 2 hours per day to monitor and tweak as necessary.

So we've got a total of approximately 600 hours that you'll work on this project throughout the year.

$100,000/600 = $167 per hour! (You'll actually earn much *more* than $167 for the lifetime of the project, but you get the idea...)

So the key is to have the conviction from the beginning that you're being paid $167 per hour even in the idea stage. I'll tell you...earning $167 per hour while sitting on the beach can be quite a rush!

Anyway, I hope this illustration has helped some of you crystallize and focus your thoughts in the beginning stages of your empire creations!

Thanks for reading, and for being part of such a positive board full of enlightening discussions.

Best regards,

Jesse

> A few weeks ago I planted a seed...a
> sunflower seed to be specific. Below is a
> picture of the newly sprouted sunflower.

> In this picture the plant is about ONE INCH
> tall. If it survives the elements of nature
> and nature takes its course, this small
> plant will grow to be TWELVE FEET tall.
> Quite amazing, don't you think?

> Months ago, Gordon planted a
> "seed" in my "garden".

> I sort of let it grow a little, watered it
> now and then, pulled up a few weeds that
> were choking it out, tangled with a giant
> who kicked me in the teeth...

> Gordon would stop by now and then...pull a
> few weeds, add a little fertilizer, and
> water once in awhile.

> But, you see, it was MY garden, not his. I
> was responsible for tending to the plant,
> not Gordon.

> Well, somehow that seed survived and
> sprouted and has grown. The harvest is yet
> to come...

> Thank you, Gordon--the gifted gardener.

> Have a blessed day!

> JDB