MESSAGE #89 - YOUR PROBLEMS CAN BECOME YOUR POSSIBILITIES!

Though necessity may be the mother of invention, perhaps it is frustration that fuels the fire; or so it seemed for Lewis Waterman.

In 1883, Lewis Waterman was an insurance broker in New York City, getting ready to sign one of his hottest contracts.

In honor of the occasion, Lewis Waterman bought a new fountain pen that he considered far more stylish than a cumbersome dip pen and ink well.

With the contract on the table and the pen in the client’s hand, the pen refused to write, and actually leaked onto the precious document.

Horrified, Lewis Waterman raced back to his office for another contract, but a competing broker had closed the deal.

Determined to never again suffer such humiliation, Waterman began to make fountain pens in his brother’s workshop.

Lewis Waterman used the capillarity principle which allowed air to induce a steady and even flow of ink. He christened his pen "the Regular," decorated it with wood accents, and obtained a patent for it in 1884.

In his first year of operation, Waterman sold his hand-made pens out of the back of a cigar shop. He guaranteed the pens for five years and advertised in a trendy magazine, The Review of Review. The orders filtered in.

By 1899, Lewis Waterman opened a factory in Montreal and was offering a variety of designs. In 1901, upon Waterman’s death, his nephew, Frank D. Waterman took the business overseas and increased sales to 350,000 pens per year.

The Treaty of Versailles was signed using a solid gold Waterman pen, a far cry from the day Lewis Waterman lost his important contract due to a leaky fountain pen.

-- from About.com written by Mary Bellis

* * * * * * *

PROBLEMS can become POSSIBILITIES.

WEAKNESSES can become STRENGTHS.

BREAKDOWNS can become BREAKTHROUGHS.

Call Success Hotline at (973) 743-4690,

Rob Gilbert

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MESSAGE #88 - WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER

One of Mickey’s fondest wishes was that he be remembered as a great teammate.
-- from Bob Costas’s Eulogy for Mickey Mantle on August 15, 1995

Don Mattingly, who also played for the Yankees, wrote the following:

Team sports are really difficult things. Sometimes your team wins because of you, sometimes in spite of you, and sometimes it’s like you’re not even there!

That’s the reality of a team game. Then at one point in my career, something wonderful happened . . .

I don’t know how or why, but I came to understand what “team” meant. It meant that although I didn’t get a hit or make a great play, I could impact the team in an incredible and consistent way. I learned that I could impact my team by caring first and foremost about the team’s success and not my own. I don’t mean by rooting like a fan. Fans are fickle. I mean CARE, really CARE, about the team -- about “US.”

I became less selfish, less lazy, less sensitive to negative comments. When I gave up on me, I became more. I became a captain, a leader, a better person, and I came to understand that life is a team game. And you know what? I’ve found most people are not team players. They do not realize that life is the only game in town. Someone should tell them.

It has made all the difference in the world to me!

* * * * * * *

We had better realize that we are all in this together . . . before it’s too late.

You have a big decision to make: what’s it going to be . . .

ME or WE???

Rob Gilbert

MESSAGE #87 - THIS WORKS (PART 3)

Let’s review.

Who keeps you from getting anything you want? YOU DO. You stand in your own way. That’s the bad news. The good news is that you can also get out of your own way.

What specifically stops you? YOUR FEELINGS.

If the problem is feelings, what is the solution? ACTION.

You can act yourself into a different way of feeling.

Bored? Act interested.

Tired? Act energized.

Unmotivated? Act motivated.

Timid and shy? Act outgoing.

The problem is your feelings.

The solution is your actions.

Sometimes you know exactly what to do but you don’t do it.

The great motivational speaker Ed Agresta (call his Power Thoughts Hotline at 609-660-8156 and press 2) said it best:

“Sometimes you have to force yourself to behave differently than you feel.”

Force yourself to do what you have to do even though you don’t feel like doing it.

Is this easy to do?

No.

Is it possible to do?

Yes.

Force yourself to behave differently than you feel.

Just because you’re hungry doesn’t mean you have to eat.

Just because you’re tired doesn’t mean you have to quit.

Just because you’re discouraged doesn’t mean you have to act discouraged.

Force yourself to do it until you feel like doing it.

Just remember: A.C.E. -- Action Changes Everything.

One last thing . . . what if nothing you have read so far seems to work?

What if you still have these negative feelings and action doesn’t make those feelings go away or become more positive?

Let me tell you a story . . .

Harvard University professor John Kenneth Galbreath was one of the most famous economists of all time. He also published an incredible numbers of books and articles. Shortly before Professor Galbreath died, a journalist asked him what he had learned from a lifetime of writing. The professor responded, “The one most important thing I learned was that the quality of writing I did on the days I didn’t feel like it was just as good as the quality of the writing I did on the days I did feel like it!”

Just because you feel terrible doesn’t necessarily mean you’re going to perform terribly.

Michael Jordan played one of the greatest games of his career when he had a severe case of the flu. In a crucial playoff game against Utah, Jordan scored 38 points in a winning effort. Here’s what Jordan said after the game, “I almost played myself into passing out. I came in and I was almost dehydrated and it was just to win a basketball game. I couldn’t breathe. My energy level was really low. My mouth was really dry. They started giving me Gatorade and I thought about I.V.”

That night in 1997, Michael Jordan felt worse than terrible, but he played better than great.

The next time you can’t act yourself into a better way of feeling, just remember the economics professor and the basketball superstar!

THE END

MESSAGE #86 - THIS WORKS (PART 2)

How do you get out of bed in the morning? Do you wait until you feel like getting out of bed and then you get out of bed? OR . . . do you get out of bed and then you feel like it?

If you’re like most people, first you get out of bed and then you feel like it. The ACTION precedes the feeling. THE ACTION COMES FIRST.

When I was in school and I had to write that big paper, or start that big project, or do that big reading assignment -- I used to wait until I felt like starting.

MAJOR MISTAKE!

Why was this a BIG mistake? Because I NEVER EVER FELT LIKE IT! I kept waiting to feel motivated and that feeling never came.

Here’s what I learned: You have to do it and then you’ll feel like it. In other words, you can create the feelings through action.

Tom Fleming was once one of the top marathon runners in the world. In fact, he won the New York City Marathon twice. Years ago, he spoke to one of my classes and he said that he used to train by running 125 – 150 miles per week. One of my students asked Tom if he always felt like running. Tom said,

“Most days I didn’t feel like running until I started running!”

This is a key strategy: Put your body in motion and the emotions will follow.

As members of Alcoholics Anonymous say about going to meeting: “Bring your body and your mind will follow.”

This is not just true for superstar long-distance runners and members of A.A. -- this is true for you too! This is a sure-fire method for overcoming the “I-don’t-want-to” feelings that are keeping you from getting whatever you want.

If you know what you have to do, don’t listen to your feelings. Feelings aren’t always facts. Don’t listen to your thoughts. Instead, start doing it, start acting it, start pretending it.

Put your body in motion and your emotions will follow. Maybe not immediately, but eventually. Once you start running -- you’ll soon feel like running. Once you start studying -- you’ll soon feel like studying.

This works! It will work for anyone. It will work for anything!

A great example of “actions changing feelings” can be found in one of the most famous sales books of all time — How I Raised Myself from Failure to Success in Selling by Frank Bettger. The first chapter of this book isn’t about selling -- it’s about baseball!

Here’s the story . . .

Way back in 1907, Bettger was cut from a minor league baseball team because the manager said he was "lazy.” The only job Bettger could get was with a team in New Haven in the lowest levels of the minor leagues.

Bettger promised himself that no one would accuse him of being “lazy’ ever again.

He couldn’t hit, run, or throw any better, but he began to play better as soon as he acted more energetically and enthusiastically.

This turned his career around and he eventually made it to the major leagues where he played for the St. Louis Cardinals.

After an injury forced his retirement, he took a job in sales.

Once again he was doing terribly until he realized what the problem was -- he was lazy.

He decided that no one would ever accuse him of being “lazy” ever again.

He didn’t know any more about the product or the customers, but he began to sell more as soon as he acted more energetically and enthusiastically.

He turned his career around and he became a superstar salesman, sales trainer, motivational speaker, and author.

Here’s what Frank Bettger learned: You have to do it and then you’ll feel like doing it. In other words, you can create your feeling through actions.

Tomorrow: PART 3

MESSAGE #85 - THIS WORKS (PART #1 OF A THREE-PART SERIES)

QUESTION: What keeps you from getting what you really want?

What prevents you from:

getting in better shape?
losing weight?
getting better grades?
earning more money?
winning more?

What stops you? What stands in your way?

ANSWER: You! You’re getting in your own way. But what specifically is keeping you from getting what you really want?

ANSWER: YOUR FEELINGS!

Your feelings get in your way and stop you. Your feelings keep you from getting what you really want. I’ll bet you say things to yourself like:

“I don’t feel like working out.”

“I don’t feel like dieting.”

“I don’t feel like studying.”

“I don’t feel like going to practice.”

Imagine how successful you would be if you could only overcome these temporary negative feelings!

Here’s the crucial question . . .

How do you change your feelings?

I’m not talking about feelings like a deep-seated resentment you may have. I’m talking about feelings you have in the moment; the feelings that you have right here and right now.

Suppose that right now, you’re saying something to yourself like:

“I don’t want to go to the gym.”

or

“I don’t want to go to school.”

or

“I don’t want to go to work.”

Here’s the secret:

YOU CAN CHANGE A FEELING THROUGH AN ACTION.

Feelings don’t change feelings right here and right now. Thoughts don’t change feelings right here and right now. ACTIONS CHANGE FEELINGS right here and right now.

Actions change attitudes.
Motions change emotions.
Movements change moods.

More to come tomorrow in Part II.

Rob Gilbert

MESSAGE #84 - KEEP ON KEEPING ON!

In 1960, [the great singer] Ella Fitzgerald was singing Mack the Knife to a crowd in Berlin. It was the first time she had sung the song and she started to forget the lyrics.

About to hit a dead end, her choice was clear: Do I stop and apologize, admit that I have no idea where I’m headed, or do I keep on going and try to make the best of things?

Ella kept going, making up new words as she went along. They rhymed and fit the music, and her performance was a tour de force.

Fortunately, the show was being recorded and a record was released later that year . . .

Ella’s recording of Mack the Knife won her a Grammy Award for Best Female Vocal Performance.

-- from If You Can Talk, You Can Write by Joel Saltzman

MESSAGE #83 - SELF-DISCIPLINE

Habits start out as thin threads and turn into thick cables.

From the book The Success Principles by Jack Canfield:

My mentor Sid Simon is a successful speaker, trainer, best-selling author, and poet who splits

his time between Hadley, Massachusetts, in the summer and Sanibel, Florida, in the winter. When I was a graduate student at the University of Massachusetts, Sid was the most popular professor in the Department of Education.

One of Sid’s highest priorities is his health and fitness. At 77 years old, he still bikes on a regular basis, takes supplements, and – oh yes – he allows himself a bowl of ice cream on the one day a month when there’s a full moon.

When I attended Sid’s seventy-fifth birthday celebration, over 100 of his family members, closest friends, and adoring former students came from all over the country to celebrate with him.

Dessert was the standard birthday cake and ice cream. Only one problem, though – there wasn’t a full moon.

To cajole him into giving himself permission on this once-in-a-lifetime special occasion, four people who knew of Sid’s commitment dressed as moon goddesses and entered the room carrying a huge full moon made out of cardboard and aluminum foil, so there would be a virtual full moon for Sid.

But even with all that loving persuasion, Sid stood firm with his commitment this one time and declined the ice cream.

He knew if he broke his commitment this one time, it would be that much easier to break it the next time he was offered ice cream. It would be easier to rationalize, justify, and explain away his commitment.

Sid knew that a 100% commitment is actually easier to keep, and he was unwilling to undermine years of success for other people’s approval.

We all learned a lot about true self-discipline that night.

* * * * * * *

Are you willing to put off what you want now for what you want most?

Rob Gilbert

MESSAGE #82 - HEAVEN AND HELL

A big, tough Samurai once went to see a little monk.

“Monk,” he said in a voice accustomed to instant obedience, “teach me about heaven and hell!”

The monk looked up at this mighty warrior and replied with utter disdain, “Teach you about heaven and hell? I couldn’t teach you about anything. You’re dirty. You smell. Your blade is rusty. You’re a disgrace, an embarrassment to the samurai class. Get out of my sight. I can’t stand you.”

The samurai was furious. He shook, got all red in the face, was speechless with rage.

He pulled out his sword and raised it above him, preparing to slay the monk.

“That’s hell,” said the monk softly.

The samurai was overwhelmed. The compassion and surrender of this little man who had offered his life to give this teaching to show him hell!

He slowly put down his sword, filled with gratitude and suddenly peaceful.

“And that’s heaven,” said the monk softly.

-- from Soul Food edited by Jack Kornfield and Christina Feldman

MESSAGE #81 - THE ONE QUESTION THAT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE

The basic difference between an ordinary person and a warrior is that a warrior takes everything as a challenge, while an ordinary person takes everything as a blessing or a curse. -- Carlos Castaneda

Every day you’re asked hundreds of questions. Most of these questions will never change your life. They’re questions like . . .

Paper or plastic?
Cash or charge?
Debit or credit?
For here or to go?
Do you want fries with that?

These are “maintenance” questions; they just help you get through the day.

However, there’s one question that will change your life and make all the difference in the world:

“ARE YOU GOING TO GO ALL OUT

OR

ARE YOU GOING TO HOLD BACK?”

Are you really going to go for it or are you just going to go through the motions? Are you going to take risks or are you going to play it safe? Are you going to break out of your comfort zone or stay trapped in it?

If you are a student, I’ll bet you’re holding back in class. Are there some important questions you could ask, but don’t? Are there some questions you could answer, but don’t? Are there some important observations you could contribute, but don’t? If you answered “yes” to any of these — you’re holding back.

Every school in the country has too many people who are just enrolled and too few who are actually involved. There are too many people who are “in” school and too few who are “into” school. There’s a big difference between going to school and being a student. GO ALL OUT. After all, why are you in school??? To be comfortable or to grow?

Many years ago, the University of Michigan’s men’s basketball team met heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali in an airport. After the excited players got Ali’s autograph and had their pictures taken with him, their coach said, “Champ, what advice do you have for my team?”

Ali said only three words, “Shock the world!” Ali knew that you don’t become the heavyweight champion of the world or the NCAA basketball champions by holding back.

If you hold back and play it safe, the best you can hope for is mediocre results. If you put your heart into it and go all out — the sky’s the limit.

Rob Gilbert

Do you need to be motivated right now? Call Success Hotline at (973) 743-4690. Recorded messages are available 24/7/365. New messages every morning at 7:30.

MESSAGE #80 - Are you an ACTOR or a REACTOR? Are you a THERMOSTAT or a THERMOMETER?

Just in case you’ve been planning to get me a present – let me make it easy for you!

The one greatest present you can give me is A STORY.

If you really want to make me really happy – make it a really GREAT STORY.

I won’t make it difficult for you . . . you can e-mail me the story to sendmeastory@aol.com.

I’ll make it even easier. Just click here and leave me the story.

My good friend Professor Tete Tetens gave me a present the other day – A GREAT PRESENT.

This is A GREAT STORY . . .

The fully human person is an Actor, not a Reactor.

The syndicated columnist Sydney Harris tells the story of accompanying his friend to a newsstand.

The friend greeted the newsman very courteously, but in return received gruff and discourteous service.

Accepting the newspaper which was rudely shoved in his direction, the friend of Harris politely smiled and wished the newsman a nice weekend.

As the two friends walked down the street, the columnist asked:

“Does he always treat you so rudely?”

“Yes, unfortunately he does.”

“And you are always so polite and friendly to him?”

“Yes, I am.”

“Why are you so nice to him when he is so unfriendly to you?”

“Because I don’t want him to decide how I’m going to act.”

-- from Why Am I Afraid to Tell You Who I Am by John Powell

Thanks, Tete!

Rob Gilbert

MESSAGE #79 - PAUL'S BACK!!!

I hope you’ve seen the video on last Friday’s blog (Message #74).

NEWS FLASH:

TOMORROW (THURSDAY) MORNING –

PAUL WILL APPEAR ON NBC’S TODAY SHOW.

I just wish he’d sing “The Impossible Dream” because he’s living the impossible dream.

Here’s the latest update on Paul . . .

MESSAGE #78 - WHAT'S YOUR EXCUSE NOW? YOU HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE!

When you got nothing, you got nothing to lose.
Bob Dylan, “Like a Rolling Stone”

Arthur Priebe, one of the great insurance salesmen, counsels his colleagues suffering from the common affliction of “doorknob phobia” to hold a debate with themselves:

“Where am I?”

“In the hall.”

“Where do I want to be?”

“In that man’s office.”

“What will happen if I go inside?”

“The worst thing that could happen is I’d be thrown back into the hall.”

“Well, that’s where I am now, so what have I got to lose?”

-- from Even More of the Best of Bits & Pieces

* * * * * * *

Whether you want to sell insurance or sell yourself, WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO LOSE?

Go to that audition, try out for that team, apply for that job . . .

DON’T REJECT YOURSELF!

DON’T REJECT YOURSELF!

DON’T REJECT YOURSELF!

EXAMPLE #1: If you really want to go to Harvard and you don’t apply to Harvard . . . Harvard doesn’t reject you – YOU REJECT YOURSELF.

At least get rejected by a qualified person. You’re not qualified to reject yourself. Let the admissions office at Harvard reject you.

EXAMPLE #2: If you really want to go out with Chris and you don’t ask Chris out . . . Chris doesn’t reject you –YOU REJECT YOURSELF.

Go for it,

Rob Gilbert

MESSAGE #77 - THE ULTIMATE FINAL EXAM

[Once upon a time there was a world-class climber who] gave classes and lessons to a small number of students.

For several weeks, they studied the technical and safety aspects of the sport and conducted several climbs.

As the class came to an end, the instructor informed his students that there were more advanced classes, but that to get into the class they would have to do one last climb in which their performance would be evaluated.

On the day set for the climb, the students arrived at the appointed place. They were met by people who said the instructor was delayed and that they should begin the climb without him.

The route was a long and difficult one, and required all the skills they had learned during the class.

After several hours of exhausting climbing, each student reached what appeared from below to be the last face at the end of the climb.

As each one pulled himself up over the top of this face, they saw that the mountain continued to rise up before them.

The instructor, who was hidden from the students, watched the face of each student carefully as they realized that the climb was not over.

Many of them sighed with disappointment that they had yet more to do.

However, a few looked up with eagerness and anticipation that there were new heights to reach, and these were the ones the instructor accepted into the advanced class.

He wanted to climb with people who were attracted to higher and higher peaks in the world – and in themselves.

-- from NLP: The New Technology of Achievement edited by Steve Andreas and Charles Faulkner

* * * * * * *

PREDICTION: You are going to have peaks to scale today -- you’re going to have problems to solve today.

YOUR CHALLENGE: When confronted with these problems, are you going to get

FRUSTRATED or FASCINATED?

* * * * * * *

Frustrated versus Fascinated

In versus Into

Hold back versus Go All Out

For two great role models of peak performance under pressure, check out the videos of Paul in Friday’s blog and Chris in yesterday’s (Sunday’s) blog.

Want to be more enthusiastic? Call Success Hotline at (973) 743-4690 and we’ll talk about it . . .

Rob Gilbert

MESSAGE #76 - FASTEN YOUR SEATBELT -- PREPARE TO GET ENERGIZED!

It was just before Christmas in 1976. It was late at night . . . really late.

My phone rang.

It was my good friend Doug Cooney.

He was out of breath. Gasping.

I was instantly jolted awake.

Something was wrong.

Doug told me that he went to the mall and saw a movie about a boxer. Doug got so inspired that he left the theater, had his girlfriend Joan drive his car to his house, and he ran all the way back home. Four miles.

That was my introduction to Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky.

That movie . . . that music . . . the sequels. They still inspire me like they inspired my friend Doug.

Paul (from Friday’s blog) gives me that “Rocky-like” inspiration.

By “inspires” and “inspiration” -- I mean that after I watch it I have more energy.

I get energized!

Some other videos that energize me . . .

the last 20 minutes of the movie Tin Cup,
a live concert version of Paul Simon singing The Boxer,
Michael Flatley in the original video of Riverdance,
Robin Williams in Dead Poets Society,
Judy Garland in . . . you know . . .
Muhammad Ali boxing (even if he lost),
and of course . . . sob . . . The Crocodile Hunter – Steve Irwin.

Ed Agresta (who inspires me every time I hear from him, see him, and watch his motivational talks) told me about the following . . .

This is a video of an incredibly "into it" performer named Chris Bliss.

I hope this does for you what it does for me!

Rob Gilbert

MESSAGE #75 - YOUR SEEDS OF GREATNESS

“Your greatest weakness is that
you don’t realize your true strength!”

QUESTION #1: Suppose I give you an apple and a knife. Can you cut up the apple and count the number of seeds in the apple?

Of course you can -- that’s just a persistence task.

QUESTION #2: Now suppose I give you just one of the seeds. Can you count the number of apples in a seed?

“Anyone can count the seeds in an apple.
No one can count the apples in a seed.”

Today’s blog is not about fruit -- it’s about your potential.

Anyone can tell you the number of “seeds in your apple.” They can tell you your class rank, your grade point average, your win/loss record, your salary, etc. That’s your past.

No one can tell you the number of “apples in one of your seeds,” because that’s your potential.

The truth of the matter is...

YOUR POTENTIAL IS LIMITLESS!

You have an unlimited number of apples...

But you can interfere with the process.

One way you limit your unlimited potential is to focus on counting seeds. For example, don’t believe those seed counters who tell you things like, “You’ll never make it,” “You won’t be able to compete at the next level,” “You don’t have what it takes.” Their harsh evaluations are solely based on what was — not on what could be. DON’T BELIEVE THEM! If you do, you’ll put a ceiling on your unlimited potential.

And, of course, don’t become a seed counter yourself. The most common seed-counting mistake is to confuse your past with your future -- for example, “Well, I didn’t do well on the SATs so I won’t do well on the GREs.”

Don’t limit yourself like that.

Your past is NOT your future.

What would happen if you drove your car by looking only in the rear-view mirror? Looking only at where you have been creates accidents.

YOUR PAST IS NOT YOUR POTENTIAL.

REPEAT: YOUR PAST IS NOT YOUR POTENTIAL.

But...your focus is your future. Don’t focus on your past -- focus on your potential. When you change from focusing on counting seeds to focusing on counting apples -- your perspective will change from limited to limitless. Once you do this, here’s a guarantee...

“Your future will be so bright -- you’ll need sunglasses!”

Give Success Hotline a call today at (973) 743-4690.

Have you seen the video of Paul from yesterday’s blog?

DON’T MISS IT!!!

Rob Gilbert

MESSAGE #74 - I WANT TO BE LIKE PAUL!!

Every once in a while you see a person who REALLY goes for it.

Paul, a mobile phone salesperson from South Wales, got his shot and he took it.

He doesn’t hold back.

He goes all out.

This video inspires me more every time I watch it and I’ve watched it seven times so far.

Paul #31829 is my hero!!!

Here’s Paul . . .

Please click here to view this video in a new window.

Or you may type (or cut and paste) this URL into your browser:
http://video.yahoo.com/video/play?vid=646496&cache=1

MESSAGE #73 - BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU ASK FOR!

Yesterday’s blog listed General Colin Powell’s 13 rules.

Rule #5 was “Be careful what you choose. You may get it.”

Let me tell you a story . . .

Once upon a time, there was a blind man who lived with his wife in a very small town. The couple had no children and were very poor.

Even though the man had a very difficult life, he remained totally devoted to God.

One day one of God’s angels appeared at the man’s front door.

The angel said, “Even though you have very little, you have remained very faithful to God. Because of your total devotion, God will grant you one wish and only one wish. I will return tomorrow at this time to receive your wish.”

The man was stunned.

When he told his wife what happened, she said, “Ask for sight, then you will be able to see me for the very first time.”

Of course the man wanted sight, but he also knew that he wouldn’t be satisfied just with sight because HE WANTED IT ALL.

When he told his relatives what happened, they said, “Ask for children, they will be a source of joy forever.”

Of course the man wanted children, but he also knew that he wouldn’t be satisfied just with children because HE WANTED IT ALL.

When he told his friends what happened, they said, “Ask for money. Money will buy you happiness.”

Of course the man wanted money, but he also knew that he wouldn’t be satisfied just with money because HE WANTED IT ALL.

When the angel reappeared at the man’s front door, he asked the man for his one wish.

The man said, “I wish to see my children eating off golden plates.”

The wish was granted.

The man was satisfied.

The man and his wife and their family lived happily ever after.

The end.

You too can have it all.

Be careful what you choose. You may get it!

Rob Gilbert

MESSAGE #72 - GENERAL POWELL'S 13 RULES

General Colin Powell was a former Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. For many years, General Powell was always rated as one of the most highly admired Americans.

Here are his rules . . .

1. It ain’t as bad as you think. It will look better in the morning.

2. Get mad, then get over it.

3. Avoid having your ego so close to your position that when your position falls – your ego goes with it.

4. It can be done!

5. Be careful what you choose. You may get it.

6. Don’t let adverse facts stand in the way of a good decision.

7. You can’t make someone else’s choices. You shouldn’t let someone else make yours.

8. Check small things.

9. Share credit.

10. Remain calm. Be kind.

11. Have a vision. Be demanding.

12. Don’t take counsel of your fears or naysayers.

13. Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier.

Why don’t you tell all of us YOUR RULES. Just click here.

I’d love to read them . . .

Rob Gilbert

MESSAGE #71 - WHY DO YOU WEAR MICHAEL JORDAN'S JERSEY?

Did you ever see Michael Jordan play basketball?
Did you ever see Tiger Woods play golf?
Did you ever see Roger Clemens pitch?

One thing they all have in common is TOTAL INTENSITY.

Suppose you’re a high school basketball player.
Do you have the skill of a Michael Jordan?
Of course not.
But could you have Jordan-like intensity?
ABSOLUTELY!

It’s a choice...a simple choice.

Right now you can’t instantly have Jordan’s size or speed or skill...

But you can instantly have his intensity.

Notice how many people nowadays dress like their sports idols.
They wear the basketball or football jerseys.
They wear the baseball caps.

We want to have that ASSOCIATION WITH THE SUPERSTARS.

That’s a total waste of time...

Why look like a superstar...ACT LIKE A SUPERSTAR!

IMITATE your idols.

Imitate the intensity of a Michael Jordan.
Imitate the passion of a Tiger Woods.
Imitate the competitive zeal of a Roger Clemens.

For example, if you’re a sales person can you focus on what your client says with the same total focus that Tiger focuses on his next shot?

Of course you can. It’s a simple choice.

Leave me a message on Success Hotline and let me know what you think of this message.

Success Hotline = 973.743.4690

Rob Gilbert

MESSAGE #70 - IF YOU WANT YOUR KID TO WIN A NOBEL PRIZE, READ THIS!!!

Isidor Rabi, a Nobel Prize winner in physics, was once asked what made him so successful in the world of science.

Rabi said that every day when he came home from school, his mother always asked him the same question.

She never asked him what he learned in school that day.

She always asked him, if he asked a good question that day.

Asking good questions turned Rabi into a great scientist.

MESSAGE #69 - BEING CREATIVE

Being creative is not a once-in-a-while sort of thing. Being creative is an everyday thing, a job with its own routines. That's why writers, for example, like to establish a routine for themselves. The most productive ones get started early in the morning when the phones aren't ringing and their minds are rested and not yet polluted by other people's words. They might set a goal - 1,500 words or stay at their desk until noon - but the real secret is that they do this every day. They do not waver. After a while it becomes a habit.

This is no different for any creative individual whether it's a painter finding his way to the easel or a medical researcher returning to the laboratory. The routine is as much a part of the creative process as the lightning bolt of inspiration (perhaps more). And it is available to everyone. If creativity is a habit, then the best creativity is a habit, then the best creativity is a result of good work habits. They are the nuts and bolts of dreaming.
-- from The Creative Habit: Learn It and Use It for Life by Twyla Tharp with Mark Reiter

MESSAGE #68 - IT'S YOU AND ME AGAINST THE WORLD!

Last week, Ed Agresta gave a guest lecture in my graduate applied sport psychology class at Montclair State University. Right after Ed started speaking, I left the classroom to go back to my office to pick up some markers for the board.

Outside the classroom where I was teaching are several sofas and lounge chairs. Sprawled on one of them was a young man, probably a high school student. I assumed he was waiting for his mom or dad who was taking a graduate class.

I approached the young man and tried to “recruit” him to come hear Ed.

I enthusiastically gushed, “Inside this classroom is one of the very best motivational speakers in the whole country. Why don’t you come and listen to him?”

He looked up at me and politely said, “Oh thanks, but I don’t need that kind of thing.”

* * * * * * * * *

This type of thing happens to me all the time.

I get rejected.

Fortunately, I’m used to it.

“Why don’t you call my Success Hotline?”

“Why don’t you read my blog?”

“This book will really help you.”

Usually the responses aren’t quite as polite as the one I got from this young man.

People look at me like I am nuts!

I know people have a lot to do. They have families and jobs and houses. They have the usual “places to go, things to do, people to see” routine. Everyone is just sooooooo busy . . . everyone has a full plate.

But there’s always room left for motivation and inspiration.

Would Ed’s presentation have changed that young man’s life?

Probably not.

But I know that Ed would have said some things that that young man would probably never forget.

Right now I know I’m preaching to the choir -- you already get it! You know what I’m talking about.

You also probably “recruit” people too for classes and courses and seminars, etc. . . .

You probably try to give away books too.

But, like me, you’ve been rejected too.

There’s one thing I know for sure: ALL OF US NEED “THAT KIND OF THING.”

All of us need to be motivated and inspired. No one is ever accused of being too motivated or inspired.

All of us can use more.

And if you’ve never heard the great Ed Agresta speak, call his Power Thoughts Hotline right now at (609) 660-8156 and then press 2.

Thanks, Ed.

Rob Gilbert

MESSAGE #67 - MY FAVORITE BASEBALL STORY

During the winter of 1993, workers at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, made a remarkable, heartwarming discovery.

While renovating a section of the museum, they found a photograph that had been hidden in a crevice underneath a display case.

The man in the picture has a bat resting on his shoulders; he’s wearing a uniform with the words “Sinclair Oil” printed across the chest; his demeanor is gentle and friendly.

Stapled to the picture is a note, scribbled in pen by an adoring fan.

The note reads:

You were never too tired to play ball.

On your days off, you helped build the Little League field.

You always came to watch me play.

You were a Hall of Fame Dad.

I wish I could share this moment with you.

Your son,

Peter

A son named Peter found a creative way to put his dad in the Hall of Fame.

-- written by Robert Lewis and cited in Real Family Values

P.S. For a great baseball movie about fathers and sons – Field of Dreams.

MESSAGE #66 - THE EASIEST POSSIBLE WAY TO LEARN A FOREIGH LANGUAGE!

Doug Thornton, a longtime Success Hotline caller, sells Rosetta Stone – the world’s BEST language learning system.

I’ve heard that if you invest just 30 minutes-a-day for six months – you’ll have command of a foreign language.

Here’s part of a recent interview I conducted with Doug . . .

RG: How long have you been selling Rosetta Stone?

DT: Just about one year.

RG: Where are you located?

DT: Terminal C, Gate 104 at Newark International Airport. I’m usually there Sunday through Thursday. My hours on those days vary. But there’s always someone at the kiosk from 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM.

RG: What’s so special about Rosetta Stone?

DT: Rosetta Stone uses “the immersion method.” The idea is that you learn a new language the exact same way you learned your first language. With Rosetta Stone, you use your computer and you just look at images and associate them with words and phrases. It’s easy and effortless. As a matter of fact, it’s recommended from ages six on up.

RG: What about speaking the language?

DT: You hear native speakers and you repeat the phrases or sentences they say and you get immediate feedback that will tell you how well you are doing.

RG: Being at such a highly-trafficked terminal, you must meet a lot a lot of people who’ve bought a Rosetta Stone program. What’s been the feedback?

DT: One thing that’s interesting is that there are many pilots and flight attendants who want to learn foreign languages. Many have told me that they have tried other systems and Rosetta Stone works the best.

RG: How can our readers contact you if they need additional information or if they want to buy a program?

DT: Anyone interested can call me at work at (973) 648-0236.

RG: How many different languages are offered?

DT: Thirty. Even languages like Farsi, Tagalog, and Pashto.

RG: Is the program guaranteed?

DT: ABSOLUTELY! Six months – no questions asked.

RG: Thanks, Doug.

Hope this helps someone out there . . .

Rob Gilbert

MESSAGE #65 - THE #1 SECRET TO SUCCESS

People do not buy with their heads - they buy with their hearts.

A rich Dutch merchant was seeking to buy a diamond of a certain kind to add to his collection. Word got around and Harry Winston, the famous New York diamond salesman, called the man to tell him that he thought he had found exactly the stone he wanted.

The collector flew to New York and was met by the salesman that Winston had assigned to greet him and to handle the transaction. The salesman exhibited the beautiful stone, describing it expertly. The customer listened and praised it, but eventually turned away, saying: "It's a wonderful stone, but it's not exactly what I want."

Winston, who had been watching the interview from a distance, stopped him on the way out. "Do you mind of I show you that diamond once more?" he asked.

The customer agreed. Winston took the stone in his hand. He did not repeat anything the salesman had said. He talked about it as though he were just releasing into words his own genuine admiration of it as a thing of beauty.

Abruptly the customer changed his mind. He bought the diamond. While he was waiting for it to be brought to him, he turned to Winston. "Well," he said, "you sold it to me, but tell me this. Why did I buy it willingly from you when I had no difficulty saying no to your salesman?"

Winston answered: "That salesman is one of the best men in the business. I have no hesitation in saying that he knows more about diamonds than I do. I pay him a good salary for what he knows. But I would gladly pay him twice as much if I could put into him something that I have and that he lacks. He knows diamonds, but I love them."

MESSAGE #64 - IDEAS FROM THE GREAT ED AGRESTA

Ed Agresta is one of the top motivational speakers in the world. Want proof??? Call his Power Thoughts Hotline at (609) 660-8156 and when you hear Ed’s voice, press 2.

When I spoke to Ed earlier today, he was on fire!

Here’s what he had to say . . .

SUCCESS LOVES SPEED.

IDEA + IMMEDIATE ACTION = SUCCESS

IDEA . . . (procrastination) . . . + DELAYED ACTION = SOME SUCCESS

IDEA + NO ACTION = NO SUCCESS

Once you get an idea – IMMEDIATELY IMPLEMENT IT!

The longer you wait . . . and wait . . . and wait – you’ll be lucky to have ANY success.

If you have A GREAT IDEA and take no action -- NO success whatsoever.

There is no failure only feedback.

Thanks, Ed!

Rob Gilbert

MESSAGE #63 - THE WORLD'S GREATEST LAST-PLACE FINISHER

Traditionally, the last competitive event of the summer Olympics is the men’s marathon. At the Mexico City Olympics in 1968, the marathon had been over for more than two hours. The journalists were finishing their stories and the TV people were breaking down their equipment.

All of a sudden someone yelled out, “Look, look, look!”

Into the stadium hobbled a lone runner.

He ran around the track, crossed the finished line, and got down on his hands and knees and kissed the ground.

The journalists, sensing a great story, surrounded him.

“Who are you?”

“My name is John Stephen Akhwari.”

“Where are you from?”

“I am from the country of Tanzania.”

“The race has been over for more than two hours. Why are you still running?”

“My country sent me 10,000 miles to run in the Olympic marathon. They did not send me 10,000 miles to start the race - they sent me 10,000 miles TO FINISH THE RACE.”

MESSAGE #62 - DON'T THINK BIG, THINK BIGGER!

"As long you're going to think anyway, you might as well THINK BIG!" ~ Donald Trump

Surely you've heard of the great P.T. Barnum. One day his circus was to merge with another circus owned by a fellow named Bailey, becoming what is still known today as the Barnum & Bailey Circus.

When the contracts were signed, Bailey turned to Barnum and as they shook hands said, "Mr. Barnum, now we have the biggest circus in America."

"No, Mr. Bailey," said his new partner, "now we have the greatest show on earth."

And to this day, the Barnum & Bailey Circus is known as "The Greatest Show on Earth."

.......................................................................................................

Stories convey secrets. Sometimes these secrets are tightly guarded secrets to success. When we hear the story of someone else's success, it might be just what we need to create our own success.

MESSAGE #61- HOPE TO SEE YOU TOMORROW

Sunday, June 3, I’ll be conducting a FREE 90-minute College Success workshop at Divine Inspirations Bookstore. The time is 1:30 PM until 3:00 PM.

Divine Inspirations Bookstore
217 Franklin Avenue
Nutley, NJ
(973) 562-5844

One of the things I’ll start with is a memory demonstration.

I’ll ask participants to memorize something that seems impossible and three minutes later, everyone will have it perfectly memorized.

The point? If you have the right STRATEGY you can memorize anything.

Every day in school, students are asked to memorize/remember information...but they are never taught HOW TO do it.

As I mentioned yesterday, YOU ARE A GENIUS! You have an incredible memory - it just hasn’t been trained yet.

Tomorrow we will talk about how to start training your mind...not just to get A’s, but so you can make a major impact on the world!

Why go to school just to get a degree? Why don’t you go to school to try to discover the cure for cancer!

Why just read “Harry Potter”? If you train yourself correctly - YOU CAN WRITE THE NEXT “HARRY POTTER!”

You are not lacking ABILITY. All you are lacking is training.

You are not lacking INTELLIGENCE. All you are lacking is DILIGENCE.

Hope to see you tomorrow...

Rob Gilbert

P.S. Extra-added attraction: MY EDITOR-EXTRAORDINAIRE SUE BROOKS will be co-presenting. Sue is a genius when it comes to writing, editing, and researching.

MESSAGE #60 - ADVICE FROM A GENIUS

Albert Einstein was one of the greatest minds of all time. But, believe it or not, he did not do well in college.

Here’s some of his advice for you ...

“Imagination is more important than knowledge.”

“I have no particular talent; I am merely extremely inquisitive.”

“I think and think for months and years. Ninety-nine times the conclusion is false. The hundredth time I am right.”

EINSTEIN’S FORMULA FOR SUCCESS: A = X + Y + Z

A = success
X = work
Y = play
Z = keeping your mouth shut

From the book: How To Have Fun Without Failing Out: 430 Tips from a College Professor by Dr. Rob Gilbert

Einstein was a genius.

BUT -- you’re a genius too!!!

Tragically, most of us never learn this in school.

We all are born geniuses.

Unfortunately, geniuses are born and then unmade.

You don’t believe me? You don’t believe that you’re a genius???

Do me a favor – if you don’t believe me at least give me A CHANCE TO PROVE IT TO YOU. Give me a chance to prove that you’re a genius. I won’t just tell you – I’ll show you.

Here’s what will happen:

You’ll effortlessly memorize a 32-digit number in less than three minutes.

You’ll learn a formula that will make you more creative instantly.

You’ll learn how to juggle in less than 12 minutes. GUARANTEED!

AND IT’S FREE!!!

I’LL BE CONDUCTING A free WORKSHOP ON COLLEGE SUCCESS:

DATE: THIS SUNDAY – JUNE 3, 2007

TIME: 1:30 TO 3:00 pm

PLACE: DIVINE INSPIRATIONS BOOKSTORE, 217 Franklin Avenue, Nutley, NJ

COST: $0.00 (FREE)

QUESTIONS: (973) 562-5844

GUARANTEE: You’ll discover that you’re a genius.

Hope to see you there.

If you have any questions for me: email me at sendmeastory@aol.com