Saturday, April 28, 2012

FREE, FREE, FREE

(reprinted with permission from Marc Calderwood of the Idalia Road Marketplace newsletter)


I've failed over and over and over again in my life and that is why I succeed.
- Michael Jordan 
 
 
Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.

- Winston Churchill 

The Key
 
That's right, I put up two quotes this month. Those of you who have noticed this will receive a FREE Vendors Notes next month. Why all the fuss? Well for the one thing I'm the editor, and I can give away FREE things if I want. Secondly, I've learned that the more I write the word FREE in caps the more you'll be attracted to this article. FREE, FREE, FREE ... see.

But, back to our monthly quotes. I like everything there is about success. I like the thought that such diverse people as Winston Churchill, an unwavering champion of the Twentieth Century, to Michael Jordan, a champion who turned sport into art have nearly the same thing to say about success. With one difference. Churchill's point is that the key to success is the element of enthusiasm.  I can only think of one reason Jordan didn't mention this key ... he lives it.

How do we live our lives with enthusiasm and carry that as a key to our success when there seems to be so many out-of-our-control factors? Well, the first rule is to understand we are only in control of ourselves. There will always be a swirling maelstrom of circumstances, that's just life. But, here are some ways to anchor and to maintain your enthusiasm within the storm.

1. Be Passionate - No matter what your job, if it's not your passion, then find something to do in the off-hours that you're passionate about.
2. Be Grateful - Whenever you feel like your having a real bad time, it's time to go serve dinner down at the homeless shelter.
3. Be Positive - Nothing kills enthusiasm faster than negative thoughts. Kill them before they stop you from being successful.
4. Be Proud - Talk to everyone about what it is you do. Their feedback will generate enthusiasm in you.
6. Be Creative - Who cares if your new hobby looks once again like a fifth-grade stick man. Create!  

Originally, an enthusiast was a person possessed by a god. Over the eons it has changed to mean a person  who is an "enthusiasts" one who is adventurous, constantly busy with many activities with all the energy and enthusiasm of the Puer Aeternus (Peter Pan Complex). To my mind it's one and the same. To become successful we must become possessed with enthusiasm ... and we should ... after all, God could have just as easily and enthusiastically created another seven billion rocks.

 
Marc, FREE

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