Peter Merry said:
Holding hands with you has always been a secret fantasy of mine...
I thought we covered this at MBSX06? Besides, Randy has nicer legs...lol
Dogman,
I came from the "ghetto" as did Peter and all the other FTs at one time or another. I don't visit that neighborhood because one of the rules of success is that you seek out those who have what it is that you are looking for. I am always seeking out mentors to guide me in the process of raising myself ever higher.
Just as some examples, I talk to Larry Williams on a regular basis, several times a week. Every time I make it to a convention and I know Cap will be there, I seek him out and spend quality time absorbing as much as I can. When I had the opportunity at MBSX06 to have breakfast with Peter and Randy, I asked to join them. When I had the opportunity to chat with Mark at Atlantic City, I seized it. Occasionally I get a chance to vent some frustrations or bounce some ideas off of Bobby C. (MainEvent). Heck, there is even the rare occasion that my phone rings at 2AM in the morning and it's JTV... I could go on and on!
Where you see me not having an open mind by not wanting to go back "down" to where I was, I am in reality putting into practice the concept that when you/I associate with people more successful than you/I are/am, it rubs off on you. When I say that I am not interested in visiting the "hood" it is because I am working on moving forward, not backwards. Although I am more than willing to help others attain their goals too, because in the process I become better at it myself and a better person.
For far too many folks, the "ghetto" is a comfort zone, it's what they know. Sure everyone gripes about it, complains about customers not wanting to pay more for their services, etc. however, talk is cheap. If someone deosn't like their lot in life or how much money they are making, it is up to them and them alone to do something about it. It takes one of those four-letter words that scares off many who are prone to lip-service, also known as work. In other words, if you are looking to improve your station, improve your business and make it generally a better world to live in, it first requires you stepping out of your comfort zone and coming to us. When you finally do that, you will be greeted with open arms and you will find more hands outstretched to help you up than you can possibly grab on to all at once.
No, my mind is not closed. My mind and my hand is open. While I reach higher with one hand, I am reaching back to help whomever with the other. It's the reason that I fought for three years to form a local ADJA Chapter here. It's the reason that I wrote a book myself. It's the reason that I travel the country several times a year (at my own personal expense) in order to speak at meetings and events. And I am sure that much of the same holds true for Peter, Cap, Larry, Mark, Randy, Bobby C., and oh so many others.
Ken makes an excellent point that I think most are missing here:
Ken Peterson said:
That list of accreditations took time to build.
Peter took the time and made the effort to better himself. I have taken the time to listen, learn and apply it myself. When you or anyone else is ready to step up, there are plenty of good folks just waiting to offer a helping hand, but the process requires you to take the first step...
