MESSAGE #28 - THIS IS NOT GRADE 13!

Do you remember Jared Fogle? He was the Indiana University student who went from weighing over 400 pounds to under 200 pounds in less than a year by eating Subway sandwiches. In order to lose this tremendous amount of weight, Jared not only had to make dramatic changes in his diet, but he also had to make dramatic changes in his mind!

When he weighed 400 pounds he had to start thinking like a 200-pounder.

What’s this have to do with you??? Here’s the point: Who’s making the decisions in your life — the person you are or the person you want to be???

This past summer when Montclair State University President Susan Cole spoke at the New Student Orientation sessions, she advised, “This is not Grade 13. College is not different from high school — college is completely different from high school.”

To be successful in college, you can’t let the person you were in high school make your decisions — remember, this is NOT Grade 13! But be careful. You also can’t let the person you are right now make your decisions. To be successful in college, you have to let your decisions be made by the person you want to become. For example, if you want to be a doctor, you need to have that “doctor within you” decide if you should go to class and how much you should study. You need to start thinking and acting like that future doctor.

If you want to become a pro football player, you need to have that NFL player who’s inside you make the decision about how intensely and how frequently you should work out. You need to start thinking and acting like that future pro.

If you want to become a multi-millionaire salesperson, you need to have that “inner sales superstar” make the decisions about your daily activities. You need to start thinking and acting like that future unstoppable pro.

PROBLEM: Hanging around with people who still have that “Grade 13” mentality is going to make it even more difficult for you to think and act like that person you want to be.

WHAT CAN YOU DO STARTING RIGHT NOW? Former Montclair State basketball coach Ollie Gelston had only one rule for his players: “Be at the right place, at the right time, and do the right thing.”

It’s the same for you. If you follow Coach Gelston’s rule, you’ll experience tremendous success. Whenever you’re confused about the “right place,” or the “right time” or the “right thing” — make sure to have your choices made by the person you want to be — not by the person you are.

Remember: “This is not Grade 13.”

ANNOUNCEMENT: If you’re currently in grade 12 and you’re going to college next year — DON’T MISS THIS! I’ll be presenting a FREE College Success Seminar this Thursday (May 3) at 7:00 pm at Watchung Booksellers (54 Fairfield Street, Montclair, NJ). For information call Watchung Booksellers at (973) 744-7177.

SPECIAL HAPPY BIRTHDAY GREETINGS TO DARREN VENTRE!

Hope to see you on Thursday,

Rob Gilbert

MESSAGE #27 - THE BEST THING FOR BEING SAD

***Today’s message is especially dedicated to the GREAT ED FERRARO***.

The following passage is taken from The Once and Future King by T.H. White.

Merlyn gives this advice to the young Arthur . . . .

The best thing for being sad . . . is to learn something.

That is the only thing that never fails.

You may grow old and trembling in your anatomies, you may lie awake at night listening to the disorder of your veins, you may miss your only love, you may see the world about you devastated by evil lunatics, or know your honour trampled in the sewers of baser minds.

There is only one thing for it then — to learn.

If you want to hear how Ed Ferraro learned something a year ago today that changed his life, call Success Hotline at (973) 743-4690 . . .

Rob Gilbert

MESSAGE #26 - ONE LITTLE POEM

There are only three types of people:

#1. Those who are in the parade.
#2. Those who are watching the parade.
#3. Those who are wondering, “What parade?”

Which one are you???

Are you a spectator or a participant?
Are you a thermometer or a thermostat?
“Thermometers” read the temperature. “Thermometers” react.
“Thermostats” set the temperature. “Thermostats” act!

The great Paul Hartunian once told me this anecdote . . .

D.W. Griffith, the legendary film director, once received a letter from a fan requesting an autograph. Griffith responded: “Stop collecting autographs and start doing something that will make your autograph worth collecting.

In the end, there are only two types of people:

#1. Those who do.
#2. Those who don’t.

The difference? Those who do — DO and those who don’t — DON’T!

So what does “ONE LITTLE POEM” have to do with anything???

“IT’S BETTER TO WRITE ONE LITTLE POEM THAN TO MEMORIZE ALL OF SHAKESPEARE!”

I’ll have a new message for you on Success Hotline today.

Give me call at (973) 743-4690 . . .

Rob Gilbert

MESSAGE #25 - TWO SIMPLE WORDS THAT CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE

RIDDLE: Nothing in the world can stop a person with it. Nothing in the world can help a person without it. What is “it”? Answer at end.

I’ve never seen anyone who looks quite like him. He’s 5’11” and weighs 346 pounds. That’s not a misprint. He weighs three hundred and forty-six pounds. His name is Bud Jeffries (www.strongerman.com) from Lakeland, Florida and he’s reported to be “the world’s strongest drug-free man.”

In June 2005, Bud was a guest speaker in my “Social Problems in Sports” course. To get the attention of the class, he started with a few strength feats. He bent a railroad spike, lifted a student over his head with just one finger, and bent a ¾" thick piece of steel into a “U” shape as easily as you or I would bend a plastic straw. Before anyone could think he was “muscle bound,” he also did a full split.

Then the questions started. “What type of diet are you on?” “Do you use machines or free weights?” “What kind of supplements do you take?” “How much do you work out?” “Were your parents strong?”

Bud short-circuited all these questions by saying that everyone always wants to know “THE SECRET.” He said that the secret is not nutrition, equipment or even genetics.

Bud then revealed the secret in just two words. They are: “DESIRE WINS!” Bud said that desire beats diet; desire beats equipment; desire beats supplements; desire even beats genetics. Desire beats everything.

Desire wins in sports. Desire also wins in school. In the long run, attitude beats aptitude. As motivational speaker and author Zig Ziglar says, “Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude.”

I remember an old cartoon . . . a group of penguins are looking up at another penguin who’s flying. The flying penguin looks down and nonchalantly says something like, “You guys just never flapped your wings hard enough!”

If you really want to fly — you’ll flap you’re wings harder. If you really want to do well in school or in sports — you’ll work harder. If you really want to do extraordinarily well in anything — you’ll kick it up a few notches and work even harder!

EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE!

How much do you want it?

Are you willing to pay the price?

DESIRE WINS!

RIDDLE: Nothing in the world can stop a person with it. Nothing in the world can help a person without it. What is “it”? By now I’m sure you know the answer—Desire.

Thanks, Bud Jeffries!

Call Success Hotline (973.743.4690),

Rob Gilbert

MESSAGE #24 - DON'T LET THIS TRAGEDY HAPPEN TO YOU!

Professor: “Where do you want to go to graduate school?”

Student: “I’m applying to Rutgers.”

Professor: “No, I asked you where do you want to go to grad school?”

Student: “Well, to tell you the truth, I really want to go to Teachers College, Columbia University.”

Professor: “So why don’t you apply there?”

* * * * *

QUESTION: How do you get what you really want?

ANSWER: You have to ask for it.

Now suppose you really want to go to Teachers College, but you don’t apply. The good news is that Teacher College will never reject you. The bad news is that something much worse will happen –

YOU WILL BE REJECTING YOURSELF!

How often do you reject yourself? You were going to audition for that play, but you knew you wouldn’t get cast. You were going to try out for that team, but you knew that you wouldn’t make it. You were going to submit your poems, but you knew you wouldn’t get published.

If you’re going to get rejected, at least get rejected by a qualified person. Get rejected by the admissions office. Get rejected by the director. Get rejected by the coach. Get rejected by the editor.

DON’T REJECT YOURSELF!

You’ve been planning on asking that person out, but you never did because you were afraid of getting rejected. So you never asked that person out. What a tragedy!

It is upsetting when you get rejected. It is tragic when you reject yourself.

So you want to go to medical school . . . so you want to work for the F.B.I. . . . so you might even want to get on the TV show “The Apprentice” . . . how do you do it?

ASK. APPLY. AND DON’T REJECT YOURSELF.

How do you get what you really want? YOU HAVE TO ASK FOR IT!

Call Success Hotline today (973-743-4690),

Rob Gilbert

MESSAGE #23 - NOW IT'S YOUR TURN!

I’ve been recording daily messages for Success Hotline (973.743.4690) since 1992.

I’ve been writing this blog since April 3.

My Success Hotline callers have been giving me 15 years of feedback.

I DON’T KNOW WHAT I AM DOING WITH THIS BLOG!

I need your feedback!

Is the length of the daily messages too short or too long?
What topics do you want to read about?
Is this blog-site easy to access?
What can I do to make it better?

Most importantly, what do I need to know about that I don’t even realize that I don’t know about.

I see it this way . . .

If I have a dollar and you have a dollar and we exchange dollars — you still have a dollar and I still have a dollar.

BUT . . . if I have an idea and you have an idea and we exchange ideas — you now have TWO IDEAS and I have TWO IDEAS!

In the world of ideas, everyone can win all the time!

I need your ideas!!!

You can leave your ideas by clicking right here. Leaving a message on Success Hotline (you have 60 seconds after the beep), or emailing me at sendmeastory@aol.com.

Thanks,

Rob Gilbert

P.S. Special thanks to the great LISA SARGESE. Without Lisa’s caring help this blog would not exist.

MESSAGE #22 - HOW TO HAVE A PRODUCTIVE DAY

Perhaps the most valuable result of all education is the ability to make yourself do the thing you have to do, when it ought to be done,
whether you like it or not.
—Walter Bagehot

Once upon a time, there was there was a college professor who wanted to write a biography—not of a productive person—but of a productive day. The professor began his research by interviewing hundreds of highly productive people. After listening to how these people spent their days, he compiled this information and came up with the following list:

#1. First thing in the morning, highly productive people plan their work for the day. They know exactly which projects they want to begin, which ones they need to make progress on, and which ones they have to complete on that day.

#2. They make a firm commitment to stick to their plan for that day—no matter what.

#3. They get down to work. They’ve already planned their work. Now they’re working their plan.

#4. As they work on their projects and make progress—they feel energized. It feels good to be productive.

#5. They continue working. However, these good feelings do not last forever. These highly productive people are confronted by frustration, upset, and even lack of motivation. Sometimes they want to quit, BUT they keep working on their projects because they are committed to staying committed to their commitments.

#6. As the rest of the day passes, the good feelings come back . . . but so do the bad. Nevertheless, these people press on. They know the secret is to rise above their feeling and to keep their commitments. They know that professionals do their best when they feel like it least.

#7. They complete some projects and make progress on others. Maybe not perfectly. These highly productive people believe in progress not perfection. Maybe not without unforeseen snags. But they were productive. They got the job done.

#8. When the day is done and they’re just about to put their heads on their pillows, they get their real reward. They are able to say to them, “I’m glad I did.” while less productive people can only say, “I wish I had.”

#9. They wake up the next morning and go back to step #1.

#10. They keep doing Steps #1-#9 until they’ve become a habit. They’ve learned that habits start out as thin threads and end up as strong cables.

Call Success Hotline today (973.743.4690),

Rob Gilbert

MESSAGE #21 - LISTS THAT CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE!

Sometimes an article or a book can be like a meal and a list is like an hors d’oeuvre. Yes, there may be delectable morsels in each, but these morsels of wisdom are easier to find in a list. Are any of these lists any good? Here’s the test: If you print one of these lists and put it on your bulletin board — that’s a great list!

Here are some from my bulletin board . . .

TEN SECRETS TO SUCCESS
from “INVESTOR BUSINESS DAILY”

1. How you think is everything.
2. Decide upon your true dreams and goals.
3. Take action.
4. Never stop learning.
5. Be persistent and work hard.
6. Learn to analyze details.
7. Focus your time and money.
8. Don’t be afraid to innovate; be different.
9. Deal and communicate with people effectively.
10. Be honest and dependable; take responsibility.

THE SIX “A” WORDS TO GET MORE “A” GRADES
Ramona Kopacz
Learning Disabilities Specialist, Ramapo College

1. Attendance
2. Attention
3. Ask questions.
4. Ask for help.
5. Assignments
6. Affirmation

TOP TEN RULES FOR LONGHORN ACADEMIC SUCCESS
The University of Texas

1. Go to class — every day.
2. Study. Do the work!
3. Choose your professors carefully and talk with them often.
4. Organize your time, study smart, play hard.
5. Get involved.
6. Develop a support system of friends — don’t go it alone.
7. Seek help early and often.
8. Stay focused. Classes come first.
9. Ask questions.
10. Enjoy the ride.

12 WEALTH SECRETS
(author unknown)

1. Work positive. There are no money problems — only attitude problems. A go-getter with the proper attitude cannot be denied.
2. Face your fear. You’ll always find the best fishing holes in the places where the average fisherman is afraid to go.
3. Watch the crowd, then go in the opposite direction.
4. Know value. Until you know value, everything is worthless. As soon as you know value, everything is valuable.
5. All opportunities are disguised as problems.
6. People who live the Golden Rule get the gold.
7. Money is attracted to great ideas.
8. You are your wealth. The money that flows to you is just a by-product of your non-financial resources.
9. There is never any failure — only feedback.
10. A network saves legwork.
11. Routine brings results. A disorganized genius is no match for the average person with a daily routine.
12. There are NO wealth secrets.
COMMON SENSE + ACTION = POWER.

THE 14 SUPERFOODS
from “SuperFoods Rx” by Steven Pratt, M.D. & Kathy Matthews

1. Beans
2. Blueberries
3. Broccoli
4. Oats
5. Oranges
6. Pumpkin
7. Salmon
8. Soy
9. Spinach
10. Tea (green or black)
11. Tomatoes
12. Turkey
13. Walnuts
14. Yogurt

A SHORT COURSE IN HUMAN RELATIONS
(author unknown)

The six most important words: “I admit I made a mistake.”
The five most important words: “You did a good job.”
The four most important words: “What do you think?”
The three most important words: “I love you.”
The two most important words: “Thank you.”
The one most important word: “We.”
The one least important word. “I.”

THE 10 MOST IMPORTANT WORDS
IN ANY LOVING RELATIONSHIP
from “Love” by Gregory J.P. Godek

1. Trust
2. Intimacy
3. Communication
4. Commitment
5. Love
6. Friendship
7. Patience
8. Humor
9. Flexibility
10. Forgiveness

ROB GILBERT’S FOUR MOST RECOMMENDED BOOKS

1. “How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie
2. “The Memory Book” by Harry Lorayne and Jerry Lucas
3. “How to Survive the Loss of a Love” by Colgrove, McWilliams and Bloomfield
4. “The Relaxation Response” by Herbert Benson, Ph.D.

FIVE WAYS TO CONFUSE SPELLCHECKER
Professor Linda Maxwell
Eastern Kentucky University

1. It’s, its
2. Two, too, to
3. They’re, there, their
4. Weather, whether
5. You’re, your

THE “JUST DO IT” LIST
Frank Somma
Author and Motivational Speaker

1. Make a commitment.
2. Make it public.
3. Make it happen!

* * * * * * * * * * *

I know you have some GREAT lists. They might be on your bulletin board . . . in your files or saved on your computer. Share them with all of us. Just click on comments or

e-mail them to me at sendmeastory@aol.com.

Thanks.

Call me at Success Hotline (973.743.4690),

Rob Gilbert

MESSAGE #20 - HOW TO GET ANYONE TO FALL IN LOVE WITH YOU!

Once upon a time, there was a young woman who had two boyfriends, Bill and Charlie. Both of them were madly in love with her. Every Friday night she would go out with Bill and every Saturday night she had a date with Charlie.

This young woman knew that one day she would marry either Bill or Charlie, but she was in no rush to take the next step. One weekend, everything abruptly changed.

It started on Friday when she was having dinner with Bill. Right before dessert, Bill proposed to her. The woman was so startled that all she could say was, “Let me think about it.” Bill was so disappointed that he took her home immediately.

Saturday night, she had her usual date with Charlie. Right after dessert, Charlie proposed. She was so startled that all she could say was “Let me think about it.” Charlie was so disappointed that he took her home immediately.

Later that night, the woman realized that she had to make the biggest decision of her life. Suddenly, the only person who could help her magically appeared—her Fairy Godmother.

The young woman explained her dilemma and asked the Fairy Godmother if she could help. “Of course I can help,” the Fairy Godmother said. “Here’s what you have to do. Get a sheet of paper and a pen. Next, figure out the one thing you love most about being with Bill and write it down. Then, figure out the one thing you love most about being with Charlie and write it down. Then read what you wrote about Bill, and read what you wrote about Charlie, close your eyes, and the name of your future husband will magically pop into your mind.”

The woman did exactly what her Fairy Godmother said. When she closed her eyes, the name “Charlie” popped into her mind. The woman was ecstatic! She realized that Charlie was the right choice.

Just then her Fairy Godmother reappeared and asked, “Did my magic work?”

“Oh, it worked like a charm and I discovered that I’m going to marry Charlie.”

The Fairy Godmother wanted to know what she had written about Bill.

“When I’m with Bill, he makes me feel like he is the most wonderful person in the whole world.” The Fairy Godmother was confused. “I don’t understand,” she said. “You wrote that when you’re with Bill, you feel like he’s the most wonderful person in the whole world. So why are you going to marry Charlie?”

“Oh, that’s easy,” the woman replied, “When I’m with Charlie, he makes me feel like I AM the most wonderful person in the whole world.”

Give me a call at Success Hotline (973.743.4690),

Rob Gilbert

MESSAGE #19 - THE BEST ADVICE YOU WILL EVER RECEIVE!

The thing about going the extra mile is that

there is so little traffic.

—Jim Larranaga,
men’s basketball coach at George Mason University

Even though I probably don’t know you, I’ll bet that I do know one thing about you. If you’re reading this blog, the one thing I know about you is that you want to get to the next level. I’m positive that you want to get better grades, or you want to do better in sports, or you want to make more money in sales, etc. . . .

You’re not satisfied with the way things are right now and you want to get to the next level. Deep down you have this burning desire to improve yourself. This is a great personality trait that very few people possess.

Ollie Gelston, the legendary men’s basketball coach at Montclair State University from 1967 to 1992, gave his players the best advice I’ve ever heard on how to get to the next level. If you can follow Coach Gelston’s three simple rules, you’ll get to the next level.

Here are the rules:

#1. Be at the right place.

#2. Be there at the right time.

#3. Do the right thing.

Simple, huh? Simple to say, but not so easy to do.

Be at the right place. Award-winning director and actor Woody Allen said it this way, “Eighty percent of life is just showing up.”

Be there at the right time. You’ve heard the old saying, “Better 15 minutes early than one minute late.”

Do the right thing. Here are eight “right things” students can start doing right away:

1. Pay attention.
2. Ask questions.
3. Ask for help.
4. Help others.
5. Take great notes.
6. Do the work.
7. Don’t cheat.
8. Don’t quit.

Can you do this? Of course you can! You have the ability to be at the right place, at the right time, and do the right thing.

Will you do this? That is the BIG question. There’s a huge gap between “can you” and “will you.” Most failures reside in this gap. Commit yourself to following these three simple rules on a consistent basis and you’ll never fall into this gap.

Will this make you successful? Let’s go back to the quote from the beginning of this article, “The thing about going the extra mile is that there is so little traffic.” If you’ll do what other people are not willing to do, you’ll get what other people will never get. Absolutely, positively, guaranteed!

Call Success Hotline today at 973.743.4690,

Rob Gilbert

MESSAGE #18 - AN OUNCE OF ACTION IS BETTER THAN A POUND OF THEORY

There are only two types of people:

#1. Those who do.

#2. Those who don’t.

THE DIFFERENCE: Those who do — DO and those who don’t — DON’T.

Many years ago, the great writer Upton Sinclair was scheduled to give a seminar on writing to students at Harvard University.

Just at 9:00 a.m., Sinclair walked into the classroom, opened his briefcase and looked around at 40 eager students.

He began by asking this question, “How many of you really want to make a career of writing?”

Every single person put a hand in the air.

Sinclair looked around the room, closed his briefcase, and said, “My advice to you is to go home and write.”

And with that he left!

* * * * * * * * * * *

You can think about writing; you can plan to write; you can want to write — but only writing is writing.

The words in this blog are worthless unless they motivate you to take action.

K – A = 0

Knowledge without Action equals Zero

As the great motivational speaker Darren Ventre says:

I – I = 0

Information without Inspiration equals Nothing

And of course, the inspiration means nothing unless it inspires ACTION!

* * * * * * * * * * *

Desire is a treasure map.

Knowledge is the treasure chest.

Wisdom is the jewel.

Yet, without action, they all stay buried.

Author Unknown

Give me a call at 973.743.4690,

Rob Gilbert

MESSAGE #17 - HOW YOU CAN BECOME UNSTOPPABLE!

Imagine how successful you could become if you were unstoppable. If you become unstoppable in sports, you’ll be unbeatable. If you become unstoppable in business, you’ll be rich. If you become unstoppable in school, you’ll graduate summa cum laude.

Being “unstoppable” means that no matter what bad things happen to you—you bounce back. You persist. You never give up.

Did you ever tell someone your hopes and dreams and they laughed at you? Maybe when you told them about a future success, they said, “You’ll never do that.” They might have said, “You’ll never graduate” or “You’ll never make the team” or “You’re not good enough.”

When you heard their words you felt humiliated. But deep inside you, there was a little voice that responded. When they said, “You can’t do it” this little voice said, “Watch me!”

The five words that will motivate you to become unstoppable are: “I’m going to show you.”

Story #1. She was a senior in high school and her dream was to become an actor. She auditioned for the senior play hoping to get the lead. She didn’t get any role at all. Then she said, “I’m going to show you.” They’re all watching her now because her name is Sissy Spacek.

Story #2. He was so unpopular in high school that most of the other students didn’t even know who he was. He said, “I’m going to show you.” They’re all listening to him now because his name is Bruce Springsteen.

Story #3. At the graduation ceremony of a small high school in Tennessee, right after the students got their diplomas, they went to the microphone and told the audience their plans for the future. A boy said he was going to work on his dad’s farm. Applause. A girl said that she was going to attend the local community college. Applause. Another girl said that she was going to Nashville to become a country music star. Her parents applauded, but most of the others laughed. Every time she felt like quitting, she remembered that taunting laughter and said, “I’m going to show you.” They’re all applauding her now because her name is Dolly Parton.

THE CHAMPION’S CREED

I am not judged by the number of times I fail, but by the number

of times I succeed. And the number of times I succeed is in

direct proportion to the number of times I can fail and keep trying.

—Tom Hopkins, Sales Trainer and Author

Call Success Hotline today (973) 743-4690,


Rob Gilbert

MESSAGE #16 - A SETBACK IS A SETUP FOR A COMEBACK

DEDICATION: Today’s message is especially dedicated to all the great salespeople who read this blog.

If you’re going to be a world-class salesperson, you’re going to need to develop powerful resilience muscles.

Every day you’re going to deal with rejection, but you’re going to bounce back. No matter what, you’re going to bounce back.

Here’s how the SUPERSTAR SALESPEOPLE deal with rejection . . .

SW-5

SW-1 (S = Some W = Will): You can be the world’s WORST salesperson and SOMEONE WILL buy from you. As the saying goes, “A blind squirrel will find an acorn every once in a while.”

SW-2 (Some Won’t): You can be the world’s BEST salesperson and someone won’t buy from you. As a matter of fact, a lot of someones won’t buy from you. The better the salesperson you are, the more rejection you’ll get. The more no’s you hear — the more $$$ you’ll make.

SW-3 (So What): What do the great salespeople say to themselves when they get rejected? If you get rejected — don’t get dejected. The great salespeople say, “SO WHAT.” No big deal. How can these salespeople do this? They realize that . . .

SW-4 (Someone’s Waiting): There’s always another possibility. There’s always another chance. The superstars realize that the more you tell — the more you’ll sell. So you have to . . .

SW-5 (Stick With it): Don’t give up. Don’t give in. Fight through it. Stick with it.

For many years I was the editor of Bits & Pieces magazine. This was the most popular piece we ever printed . . .

See if you can figure out who this is:

He failed in business — age 22.
He ran for the legislature and lost — age 23.
He failed in business again — age 24.
He was elected to the legislature — age 25.
His sweetheart died — age 26.
He had a nervous breakdown — age 27.
He was defeated for Speaker — age 29.
He was defeated for Elector — age 31.
He was defeated for Congress — age 34.
He was elected to Congress — age 37.
He was defeated for Congress — age 39.
He was defeated for Senate — age 46.
He was defeated for Vice President — age 47.
He was defeated for Senate — age 49.
He was elected PRESIDENT — age 51.

Who was he???

That’s the record of Abraham Lincoln.

A setback is a setup for a comeback.
A setback was a setup for a comeback for Abraham Lincoln.
A setback will be a setup for a comeback for you too!

Fight through it.

Give me a call at Success Hotline (973.743.4690),

Rob Gilbert

MESSAGE #15 - HOW I MOTIVATE MYSELF... MY "SECRET" WEAPONS!

Did you wake up TOO MOTIVATED today?

Nobody ever said, “Turn off that Tony Robbins CD, I’m too motivated!”

I’ve never met anyone who was too motivated.
I’ve never been too motivated myself.

Motivational speakers like to say that motivation is like taking a shower. It feels good and it refreshes you, but you’re going to have to take a new one every single day!

You have to brush your teeth every single day.
You have to eat every single day.
You have to sleep every single day.

YOU HAVE TO MAKE A CONSCIOUS EFFORT TO MOTIVATE

YOURSELF EVERY SINGLE DAY.

I don’t know about you, but I need help motivating myself.
Personally, I use phone hotlines.

I call . . . I listen to a recorded message . . . I feel better.

It’s that simple.

Now I’m going to share with you my “secret weapons.”

Here are the PHONE HOTLINES that I call.

They all are recorded messages (usually two to three minutes long). They all are available 24/7/365. They all have messages that change every single day. They all are FREE. And they are all GREAT!

Here’s the HALL OF FAME OF MOTIVATIONAL HOTLINES:

SUCCESS HOTLINE: (973) 743-4690
COACH ED AGRESTA’S POWER THOUGHTS: (609) 660-8156
COACH MIKE TULLY’S PEPTALK: (973) 696-6743
DAVID DeNOTARIS’ DO YOU HAVE A MINUTE: (973) 571-0999
RAY MILLER’S STRESS RELIEF HOTLINE: (973) 777-4127

That’s how I get my “jump-start.” How about you?

What do you do to motivate yourself???

I want you to share your BEST motivational resources on this BLOG.

If you look at the end of today’s message, it will say,

“Posted by Rob Gilbert at 7:30AM. Comments.”

Oh, there’ll be a number before “Comments.”

If you click on “Comments,” you’ll be able to leave a message.

Here’s what I want YOU to do . . .

What motivates you??? What other blogs do you read? What websites do you visit?

What are the great books, articles, videos, & CDs (cassettes) that you’ve used to help you motivate yourself over the years?

What motivational quotes do you keep posted on your desk?

If you’ve found something helpful, we’ll probably find it helpful.

Only share with us YOUR BEST RESOURCES.

Now it’s your turn, click on “COMMENTS” and let us have your “secret weapons.”

Rob Gilbert

MESSAGE #14 - TODAY'S MESSAGE CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE!

Read this sentence:

FINISHED FILES ARE THE RESULT OF YEARS
OF SCIENTIFIC STUDY COMBINED WITH THE
EXPERIENCE OF MANY YEARS.

Now count the number of F’s in the sentence.

There is no trick — just count the F’s!

How many did you get???

* * * * * * * * * * *

Last January 12, there was a street performer at a subway station in Washington, D.C. He started playing his violin just before 8:00 A.M. and played for 43 minutes — the height of rush-hour. He had his violin case open . . . just in case anyone wanted to make a “donation.”

During the 45 minute “concert” 1,097 people passed by. Only seven people stopped and listened for a minute or more. Twenty-seven dropped money into the street performer’s violin case. He made $32.17.

This was done as an “experiment” for an article that was published Sunday, April 8, 2007 in the Washington Post. There was a hidden video camera that recorded the whole event.

(If you want to read the article and hear the performance,
Google: “Pearls before Breakfast.”)

So what’s the big deal???

The violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest classical musicians in the world. He was playing one of the most valuable violins in the world — his $3.5 million dollar Stradivarius. And he played six of the greatest masterpieces of all time.

AND NO ONE REALIZED IT!

Many people were hurrying on their way to work and rushed within three feet of the performer. People couldn’t get that close to Mr. Bell at his sold-out concert at Symphony Hall in Boston three days before. The average ticket was $100.00.

PEOPLE DIDN’T EVEN REALIZE WHAT THEY WERE PASSING BY.

What are you passing by?

You might have a great talent and you don’t even realize it!

You might have an idea — a great idea — and you don’t even realize it!

If you’re a student, you might have a course and the professor or the information might be life-changing — and you don’t even realize it!

You might work with a person who can literally mentor or coach you to stardom — and you don’t even realize it!

I could go on, but you get the idea!

Oh, by the way, how many F’s did you get?

I bet you didn’t even realize that there were SIX F’s.

Give Success Hotline a call today at 973.743.4690,

Rob Gilbert

P.S. Today’s message can change your life — and you might not even realize it!

MESSAGE #13 - YOU ARE A MARVEL!

The stories of Jason McElwain (Message # 12) and Gordon Thomas (Message #11) prove that we might be more gifted than we ever thought possible. What am I saying??? We are way more gifted than we ever believed to be true.

You are incredibly gifted. You have a mammoth amount of potential.

After all, you have the world’s greatest computer sitting right on top of your shoulders and you have the world’s greatest machine as a body.

Let’s focus on your mental potential . . . from The Owner’s Manual for the Brain by Pierce J. Howard, Ph.D. . . .

Our average brain capacity is 2.8 x 10²⁰, or approximately 10 million volumes [books] of 1,000 pages each. This outrageous capacity mandates humility. I’ve heard people lament that they couldn’t learn any more, that their ‘brain is full.’ Yeah, right! There is no way that their brain is full. They have simply reached a point of fatigue and need a break for things to settle. Then, just as the body yearns for more once the last meal has been digested, we are always ready to learn more. I’ve never met a person who has reached the limits of his or her capacity to learn. I have, however, met plenty of folks who have quit learning.

As we’ll be talking about in future editions of this BLOG, you have all the ability you need already inside you. All you are lacking is the correct strategy.

A + ST = SKILL

Once you start training your innate Ability with the correct Strategy — you are going to become skilled.

Don’t believe me. Be cynical. Keep reading because I’m not going to just tell you this is true . . . you’re going to be proving it to yourself!

After all, you’re not going to believe what I say . . . you’re only going to believe what you do! And that’s the way it should be.

Most people get stuck at the very start — as the saying goes, “It’s the start that stops most people.”

The start: BELIEVE IN YOUR OWN ABILITY. Start believing and keep believing in your ability.

And what do we teach our children in school? We teach them that two and two make four and that Paris is the capital of France. When will we also teach them what they are? You should say to each of them: You are unique. In all the world there is no other child exactly like you. In the millions of years that have passed there has never been a child like you. And look at your body — what a wonder it is! Your legs, your arms, your cunning fingers, the way you move! You may be a Shakespeare, a Michelangelo, a Beethoven. You have the capacity for anything. Yes, you are a marvel.
— Pablo Casals (1876-1973), Spanish cellist and conductor

Call Success Hotline at (973)743-4690.

Keep on keeping on,

Rob Gilbert

MESSAGE #12 – STOP LYING TO YOURSELF!

THE ABSOLUTE TRUTH:
THERE IS A SUPERMAN/SUPERWOMAN ALREADY INSIDE YOU!

The first step to success: Realize that there is a Superman or Superman already inside you.

You have all the ability — all the raw talent — you need already inside you.

When you tell yourself you don’t have what it takes — you’re not telling the truth...

you’re lying to yourself!

Over the 17 days of last year’s Winter Olympics, the most inspiring story in the world of sports did not happen in Italy — it happened in Greece. It did not happen in the country of Greece, but in the city of Greece — Greece, New York, a suburb of Rochester.

February 15, 2006 was senior night for the boys’ basketball team at Greece Athena High School. Coach Jim Johnson rewarded Jason McElwain, his hard-working student team manager for the last three seasons, by letting him put on a varsity uniform for the team’s final home game. But Jason knew he shouldn’t get his hopes up because he’d only get into the game if his team had a big lead.

With four minutes left, the Trojans were way ahead and Jason got his chance!

His teammates fed him the ball and he threw up an air ball. Seconds later he missed his second shot. What should you expect from a kid who’s only 5’6” tall and spent the whole season picking up towels, filling water bottles, and wiping up sweat? After all, that’s what team managers do.

Then something amazing happened.

Jason caught fire and hit six three-point shots in a row and just as the final buzzer sounded, he sank another shot. Twenty points in less than four minutes! Greece Athena’s opponent that night, Spencerport High School, only scored 43 points for the entire game.

Some have criticized the Winter Olympics at Turin, Italy as having no magical moments. That night in Greece, New York something truly magical happened.

Is this just another “Rudy” or Rocky” story where the classic underdog finally gets his chance and excels? No, this story is much more than that. It is probably one of the most inspirational sports stories of all time. What Jason did would be a great accomplishment even for an NBA star. It’s an especially great accomplishment for a 5’6” student manager who never played even one second of high school basketball.

It’s even more of an accomplishment for a special education student who is autistic. That’s right, Jason is autistic.

Despite his challenges, Jason was able to tap into that basketball superstar who already resides inside him.

You know what that means for you? If he did it, you can do it too! There’s a great student, a great athlete, a great musician, a great actor, a great scientist, a great writer, a great whatever inside you too!

The Jason McElwain story reminds me of one more thing . . .

If you’re a parent or you’re going to be a parent — never give up on any child.

If you’re a teacher or you’re going to be a teacher — never give up on any student.

If you’re a coach or you’re going to be a coach — never give up on any athlete.

Never give up on anyone and most of all — never ever give up on yourself!

Call Success Hotline today at (973) 743-4690.

Go all out/never hold back,

Rob Gilbert

MESSAGE #11 – THERE IS A SUPERMAN! THERE IS A SUPERWOMAN!

If you listened to Success hotline yesterday (973.743.4690), you heard the story of a 102 year-old Superwoman golfer who had a hole-in-one!

Many times, when we get out of our own way, we can do miraculous things.

MIRACLES DO HAPPEN!

Miracles happen because we already have everything we need inside of us.

Here’s the story of a Superman . . .

Many years ago, Gordon Thomas was a senior at a small college in Pennsylvania. He was on the school’s football team, but he never ever played — not even one down. But the coach liked having him on the team because Gordon was so enthusiastic and spirited. He was a lot like the character Rudy from the movie Rudy.

Gordon was always the first one to practice and the last one to leave. Gordon was always “up,” always enthusiastic, and always encouraging his teammates. As his coach said, “Gordon is the glue that holds this team together.”

It was the Monday before the last game of the season, Gordon’s last game as a senior . . . Gordon’s last game of his college career . . . Gordon’s last chance ever to play. His coach always promised Gordon that he’d get him into a game before he graduated, but it never happened.

When Gordon got back to his dorm room after practice that Monday, there was a priest waiting for him. He had tragic news for Gordon. Gordon’s dad died of a massive heart attack earlier in the day. Gordon immediately got on a bus for the sad trip home.

The next day, Coach came to Gordon’s home to pay a condolence call. Gordon rose above his tears to thank the coach.

“Gordon, is there anything I can do for you?”

After a long pause, Gordon said, “Coach, I probably won’t be able to be at the game on Saturday because I need to stay home with my family, but do you think the team could say a prayer for my dad before the game?”

Coach promised him that they would.

Now it’s the morning of the big game.

Coach was in his office and there was a knock on the door. It was Gordon.

"Gordon, why aren’t you home with your Mom and your sisters?”

“Coach, I need a big favor.”

“Sure, son, anything.”

“Coach, could you please start me today?”

“Start? You’ve never played a play in four years,” Coach blurted out. Then he thoughtfully paused.

Then Coach said, “Sure, Gordon, I’ll start you.”

Gordon rushed out of the office before Coach could change his mind.

Coach planned to put Gordon in just for one play and then take him out. But on the first play from scrimmage, the quarterback made a mistake and handed the ball off to Gordon. Believe it or not, Gordon ran for eight yards. Coach left him in the game and the next time he was given the ball, he ran for 12 yards.

Gordon played so well that Coach never took him out of the game. He had the type of game that football players dream about. He rushed for almost 200 yards and scored three touchdowns. He single-handedly won the game for his team.

When the game was over, Gordon was carried off the field on his teammates’ shoulders.

What a story! Gordon’s last game was his first game and it was one of the best games any of his college’s running backs ever had.

Gordon was being interviewed by the local sportswriters when one of the assistant coaches told Gordon that Coach wanted to see him in his office.

“Coach, thanks for putting me in today!” Gordon said, elated.

“Gordon, I never dreamed that you’d play like that. What happened to you out there?”

After a long pause, Gordon now in tears asked, “Coach, did you ever meet my dad?”

“No, son, I never had the pleasure.”

“Coach, the reason you never met my dad and the reason I played so well today are really the same reason. Coach, my dad was blind and today was the first day he could ever see me play. Coach, I wanted to show Dad what I could do.”

THE ABSOLUTE TRUTH: There is a real-life superman or superwoman and, guess what, IT’S YOU!!! You have Superman/Superwoman potential already inside you.

MESSAGE #10 - THE ONE TEST YOU MUST PASS

Every night you take a test. You take it right before you fall asleep. It’s called THE PILLOW TEST. When you review your day and look back on all that transpired, what do you say to yourself?

If you say things like, “I’M GLAD I DID.”
You pass the test.

But, if you say things to yourself like, “I WISH I HAD.”
You fail the test.

You take this test every day whether you know it or not. Some days you take it consciously, other days you take it unconsciously.

There are no make-ups and you take the test by yourself so it’s impossible to cheat.

The more “I’M GLAD I DID”s you have — the more you achieve and the more you succeed.

If you have more of the “I WISH I HAD”s, you’re in trouble. Reading this blog will help you turn that around.

When Roger Bannister trained to break the four-minute mile he passed the pillow test each and every night. (See message #8)

Ed Ferraro, during his 37-day trek across America, passed the pillow test every single night. (See Message #9)

How about you?

Did you pass The Pillow Test last night?

Do you pass The Pillow Test most nights???

High-achievers and peak performers consistently pass this test.

There’s no compromising here —

YOU MUST PASS THIS TEST EVERY NIGHT!

HERE’S HOW TO PASS THE PILLOW TEST . . .

Several times today (and every day), you’ll have moments of truth.

In order to get what you want, you’ll have to do something courageous. You will have to

ACT DIFFERENTLY THAN YOU FEEL.

If you’re an athlete, you’re going to be training and you’ll be so exhausted that every cell in your body will want you to quit. You’ll feel like quitting. At that moment, you’ll have to be a warrior. You’ll have to act differently than you feel — you’ll have to fight through the pain and keep running, lifting, playing, etc. . . .

If you’re a student, you’re going to be studying and you’ll be so mentally confused or bored that every neuron in your brain will want you to give up. You’ll feel like giving up. At that moment, you’ll have to be a warrior. You’ll have to act differently than you feel — you’ll have to fight through the boredom and confusion and keep studying.

If you’re in sales, you’re going to be making your calls and you’ll be so dejected and rejected and every part of you will want you to “throw in the towel.” You’ll feel like stopping. You’ll have to be a warrior. You’ll have to act differently than you feel — you’ll have to fight through the dejection and rejection and keep on keeping on keeping on.

The more you can act differently than you feel → the more you’ll accomplish.

The more you accomplish → the more you’ll succeed.

That’s how you pass The Pillow Test.

Write this quote on an index card and tape it to your desk:

“THE THING I HATE TO DO

THE MOST

IS THE THING I NEED TO DO

THE MOST.”

Fight through it!

Give me a call at 973.743.4690,

Rob Gilbert

DEDICATION: Today’s message is specially dedicated to the great
Ed Agresta, who coined the concept, “Act differently than you feel.” Thanks, Ed!

MESSAGE #9 – WHAT’S SO GREAT ABOUT BEING HAPPY???

"This is the true joy in life, the being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; the being a force of nature instead of a feverish, selfish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy. I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community and as long as I live it is my privilege to do for it what I can. I want to be thoroughly used up when I die. For the harder I work, the more I live. I rejoice in life for its own sake. Life is no brief candle to me. It is a sort of splendid torch I’ve got to hold up for the moment and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it to future generations."

—GEORGE BERNARD SHAW (1856-1950)
Irish playwright

It’s so easy to be happy — just have a drink, a great meal, go to a movie. What’s the big deal about being happy?

Just about every ad we see is trying to sell us happiness. Get a new car, a new house, a new hair color, and you’ll be happy. Have a Coke and go on vacation and you’ll be real happy . . . or so the media would like us to think.

IT’S A LIE!

THE TRUTH: There’s something that’ll make you much happier than being happy. It’s called FULFILLMENT.

Ed Ferraro was a guest speaker yesterday in my classes at Montclair State. Last summer between July 17 and August 23, Ed was not happy. During those 37 days, Ed and his friend Glen rode their Trek bikes 3,222 miles from Portland, Oregon to Kasser Theatre at Montclair State University. (for pictures from Ed's cross-country trek, click here)

Ed and Glen biked 100-150 miles per day. They were chased by wolves, ran over snakes, dealt with physical pain and mental boredom. Ed made it clear that he wasn’t happy. Oh, he was motivated; he was focused; he was productive BUT IT WAS DIFFICULT.

At the Amherst College wrestling room, there used to be a sign that read:

“The hard times you go through
will be the good times you’ll have.”

Listening to Ed speak, you know that he biked right down the highways and byways of difficulties and ended up at an extraordinary place: FULFILLMENT.

You don’t have to do much of anything just to be happy.

You don’t have to do anything difficult to be happy.

But . . . fighting through difficulty is part of the price you pay for fulfillment.

In A League of Their Own, a movie about a women’s professional baseball team during World War II, the star catcher Dottie Henson (played by Geena Davis) told her manager Jimmy Dugan (Tom Hanks) that she was quitting the team because, “It got too hard.”

The manager said, “It’s supposed to be hard. If it were so easy everyone would do it. The hard is what makes it great.”

“The hard is what makes it great.”

“For the harder I work, the more I live.”

Why aim for happiness? It’ll just get you temporary pleasure. It won’t take you anywhere.

Follow Ed to the town of FULFILLMENT.

Do something difficult today.

Don’t forget to call Success Hotline at 973.743.4690,

Rob Gilbert

MESSAGE #8 - LESS IS MORE: A CASE STUDY

What he said was not only unforgettable, but for me, it was also life changing!

Just before the 1980 Winter Olympics at Lake Placid, NY, I attended an Olympic Symposium at Skidmore College. The keynote speaker was Sir Roger Bannister. He has been knighted twice — once as a runner and the second time as a neurologist.

Roger Bannister is best known as the first person ever to run a mile in under four minutes. This legendary record was set on May 6, 1954.

After his prepared remarks, he took questions. Dr. George Horn, my colleague from Montclair State, asked Bannister how he trained to break the four-minute barrier.

What Bannister said changed everything I thought I knew about training and human potential.

Bannister said that he was a medical student at the time. Medical schools don’t have track teams. Medical students go to school all day and study all night. In other words, medical students don’t have time to train for world records.

Bannister said that he cut a different class every day and went to the track where he met his college track coach.

Then he said it . . .

“I only trained 40-45 minutes a day.”

HE ONLY TRAINED 40-45 MINUTES A DAY!

Many athletes spend that much time just warming up. Bannister invested that time and it turned into a world record — the four-minute mile. No one ever did it before. No one ever thought that it was possible.

Bannister proved to all of us that . . .

IT’S NOT HOW MUCH TIME YOU PUT IN,

IT’S WHAT YOU PUT INTO THE TIME.

Most people think that if “some is good, more will be better.” Why train just two hours when four or six hours is possible?” They’re thinking quantity not quality.

Start thinking quality first and quantity second.

Forty-five minutes of quality beats four hours of quantity.

Bannister proved it.

PRACTICE DOES NOT MAKE PERFECT.
PRACTICE MAKES PERMANENT.
PERFECT PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT.

Perfect practice = being totally into it physically, mentally, and emotionally.

For Bannister, LESS was MORE.

For his 40-45 minute training sessions, Bannister was totally INTO IT physically, mentally, and emotionally.

For his 40-45 minute training sessions, Bannister did not hold back, HE WENT ALL OUT.

Call Success Hotline at 973.743.4690 and leave your thoughts about this message.

GAO,

Rob Gilbert

P.S. Ever notice how much you get accomplished the day before you go on vacation?

MESSAGE #7 - I'M SORRY!

I know. I know. I know. You don’t have to tell me . . . I know I’m overwhelming you. I’m sorry!

All this stuff about being “INTO IT” and “GOING ALL OUT” . . . not only that . . . now I’m suggesting you GO ALL OUT – ALL THE TIME!

Let me explain . . .

First of all, you’re not the average, mean, median, mode person — you’re special.

There’s something special inside you. Not everyone has it . . . let’s call it a spark that wants to grow into a flame and then burst into a full-fledge raging fire. You have a need to achieve. You don’t want to be like the rest . . . you want to be the best.

Secondly, the ultimate goal of “GOING ALL OUT — ALL THE TIME” is not unreasonable.
I don’t mean 24 hours-a-day.

For example, if you’re a serious singer, you had better “go all out” each and every second you’re practicing, performing, recording, and taking a lesson. The rest is downtime.

When you’re in the recording studio — you had better be “going all out.”

When you’re going for a walk — release . . . relax . . . let go!

When you’re hanging out — just hang out.

Karl Wallenda, the legendary high-wire artist, said, “Being on a tightrope is living; everything else is waiting!” A little obsessive . . . but you don’t get to be the greatest high-wire performer in the world without an obsession. You don’t get to be the greatest anything without an obsession.

Recently, the word “obsession” has had some negative press. I believe in obsession.

Reminds me of another quote from a comedian named Ron Shaw . . .

“The most important thing I learned from opening for [singer] Dean Martin was that successful professionals stay at the peaks of their fields not due to luck, but simply because they are more obsessed than anyone else with growing and personally improving what they do. If I was such a great comedian, I wouldn’t have been selling pens for the last 35 years.”

(Oh, by the way, don’t feel sorry for Ron Shaw. He might not have made it on stage, but he found his passion. As president and CEO, Ron has taken Pilot Pens from a $1 million to a $200 million dollar company!)

This blog is not about self-improvement — it’s about radical self-improvement. We’re going to explore greatness and mastery. And most importantly, we’re going to apply it to your life.

After all, why should you settle for good when great is possible? Why settle for “getting better when “being the best” is possible?

“Good, better, best
Never let it rest
Until your good gets better
And your better gets best.”

What do you want to be best at?

No matter what it is, this blog will help you.

Absolutely, positively, guaranteed!

Oh, one last thing . . .

Please don’t tell me that this blog is “thought provoking.”

My goal is to make it “change provoking!”

Don’t forget to call Success Hotline at (973) 743-4690 . . .

Rob Gilbert

P.S. Please . . . please . . . please . . . leave me your questions, comments, ideas, opinions, and cynical remarks!

MESSAGE #6 - THE THREE LITTLE WORDS THAT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE!

QUESTION: Are you going to HOLD BACK or are you going to GO ALL OUT?

QUESTION: Are you IN it or are you INTO it?

Suppose you’re a student, and you’re not GOING ALL OUT in your classes. You’re not really INTO it. Don’t give up – start acting as if you’re GOING ALL OUT. Start acting as if you’re INTO it. You can do that. You can “fake it until you make it.”

You don’t have to feel like doing it, but the funny thing is that once you start doing
it . . . eventually you’ll start feeling like it.

Do not focus on your feelings — focus on your actions. When you start acting a certain way, your feelings will change.

ACTION changes ATTITUDES
MOTION changes EMOTIONS
MOVEMENT changes MOODS

Just remember this acronym: ACE

ACE = Action Changes Everything.

If you don’t feel energized — don’t focus on your feeling. Don’t wallow in your lack of energy – start acting energized.

This is not some “pop-psych” idea — it’s the way we’re neurologically wired.

But you already do this . . .

Let’s see what happens every morning . . . Do you wait until you feel like getting out of bed to get out of bed? If you’re like most people, if you waited until you felt like getting out of bed, you’d still be in bed! What actually happens? You physically make yourself get out of bed and then eventually you feel like getting up. The ACTION not only precedes the feeling but actually produces the FEELING.

If you’re not feeling happy and you want to start feeling happier . . .

START SMILING!!! People become happier once they start smiling.

The ACTION of smiling changes the way you feel. The ACTION not only precedes but actually produces the FEELING.

If feeling happier isn’t enough and you want a shot of joy — start skipping. It’s almost impossible to feel sad when you’re skipping. Don’t deny it until you try it!!!

DON’T DENY IT UNTIL YOU TRY IT!!!

Don’t forget to call Success Hotline today – 973.743.4690,

Rob Gilbert

MESSAGE #5 - GETTING TO THE NEXT LEVEL

GUARANTEE:
READING THIS BLOG ON A DAILY BASIS
WILL HELP YOU GET TO THE NEXT LEVEL!

It doesn't matter what you do; it doesn’t matter what level you’re on -- these daily messages will help you to get to the next level. These messages will lead you to down the road to constant and continuous improvement. Absolutely, positively guaranteed!

Let's review where we've been so far . . .

Rule #1. K - A = 0 (Knowledge without Action equals Nothing). It's worthless if you know what to do, but you don't do what you know.

Rule #2. Winners go all out. Losers hold back.

Rule #3. It’s much better to go all out and lose than to hold back and win.

Rule #4. The Dennis Rogers Rule: Get turned on by difficulties. Don't get frustrated -- get fascinated!

Rule #5. Going all out can’t be a some-of-the-time thing — it must become an all-the-time thing.

Here’s another way of looking at “going all out” versus “holding back.”

For the last ten years, I’ve been the faculty speaker at Montclair State University’s New Student Orientation. I always ask the students, “How many of you are going to be IN school this fall?”

Every hand goes up.

And then I ask, “How many of you are going to be INTO school this fall?”

They look at me like I don’t speak the language. They think I’m being redundant.

Only a few hands go up.

Then I hammer home the point that the difference between being IN and INTO is the difference between not graduating and graduating with honors. Being IN school means you’re passively enrolled. Being INTO school means you’re actively involved.

Are you IN a job or INTO your job?
Are you IN a relationship or INTO your relationship?
Are you IN a religion or INTO your religion?

There’s a huge gap between IN and INTO.

If you’re IN it — you’re holding back.
If you’re INTO it — you’re going all out.

INTOs beat INs all the time.
INTOs get higher grades than INs.
INTOs get paid more than INs.
INs work for INTOs.

Why would anyone ever choose to be an IN?

How do you start thinking, feeling, and acting like an INTO?

Well, don’t worry about the “thinking and feeling” part just yet.

Let’s concentrate on the “acting” part.

Starting today you can start “acting" INTO it. Or at least you can "act as if" you're INTO it.

Let me tell you a story about one of the world's most INTO it student . . .

Years ago, there was a fourth grader who had all the confidence in the world. She wasn't the best student or the best athlete or the most musical, but she acted as if she could do anything.

One day the art teacher said to the class, "Today you can paint or draw anything you want."

Upon hearing this, the world's most INTO it fourth grader shot her hand into the air and asked, "Can I draw a picture of God?'

The teacher, trying to hide a grin replied, "Well nobody's quite sure what God looks like."

With all the confidence in the world, the young girl said, "Oh, they will when I'm done."

THE THREE MOST POWERFUL WORDS IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE = ACT AS IF

ACT AS IF = MAKE BELIEVE

ACT AS IF = PRETEND

ACT AS IF = FAKE IT UNTIL YOU MAKE IT

Call me later today at 973.743.4690,

Rob Gilbert

P.S. Today's message is specially dedicated to the SETON HALL UNIVERSITY SOFTBALL TEAM!