Great Post, Gordon!

Hello Gordon,

First, let me say... what a GREAT post!

You made a statement that I would like to comment on.

> I've spent THOUSANDS of dollars over the
> years learning and studying from the
> MASTERS.

> And I probably have every course ever
> written on the subject. AND I heartily
> advise people to BUY as much as they can
> about marketing...

Hmmm... it sounds as though we have duplicate libraries! :-)

> "... but I may have been wrong."

Well, maybe. Possibly, one's individual background has a huge influence on how much one must read and study from the Masters.

For example, I have, and continue to, purchase books and tapes and check out information from my local public library. I am always studying and striving to improve and increase my skills on sales and marketing.

My husband, Jim, and the other hand, continues to study information on his area of expertise... health and fitness.

The biggest difference between us... our childhood backgrounds.

I was an extremely shy child who grew up in the country. And, although I was a Tomboy, I wasn't involved in organized sports (there weren't any for girls at that time). Also, there were no neighborhood children to play games with.

Now, Jim, on the other hand, grew up in town. He was in organized boxing, baseball, football, track, cross-country, basketball, and swimming.

And, from the stories he has told me, he and his brothers and sisters had nearly every kid in town practically living with them after school.

And, in the summertime, sandlot ball, hopping on the bus to go to the city pool, and fishing and camping overnight “down at the river” was part of everyday living.

That was a time when almost all moms were homemakers and the child's parents were married... to each other. :-)

Jim attributes all of his successes in his life to his parents, family lifestyle, and all of the great coaches he had while growing up as a child... from grade school through his college days.

I think it’s important to note: almost all of his childhood coaches were men who had served in the military and fought during WWII for their country, for freedom, and for their families.

Therefore, these men instilled values of personal inner strength… determination, disciple, teamwork, tenacity, and knowing what you want and working towards it.

So, when Jim “ran across” a book titled, “The Lazy Man’s Way to Riches” by Joe Karbo, he “simply” followed what Joe had to say…. step by step.

>”... but here is where my advice has changed, and what I'm telling people NOW."

"Find ONE role model, absorb all you can and replicate her success. Instead of taking in
the conflicting messages of dozens of marketers, find one person who is actually DOING it in the real world, and learn as much as you can from >that person."

Jim did exactly what you are telling others to do. He didn’t question the instructions, didn’t read other books with different ideas, and didn’t ask anyone what they thought of the book.

Why? Because, due to his background, he knew the instructions were “on the mark.” He knew the principles would work because he had seen, and experienced, them over and over again (especially in sports).

The results… he wrote a book that became a bestseller, and he followed the first book up with a couple of other best sellers. Today, years later, his slightly revised first book is still selling... everyday.

So, maybe some will, as I do, continue to read and study the Masters so as to constantly reinforce in their minds the principles that were not laid as a foundation in their “early developmental years.” :-)

Thanks again, Gordon, for a great post.

P.S. Yes, I read Joe Karbo’s book. No, I haven’t written a best seller... yet. :-)




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