"...there were many challenges, mostly financial. For the first twenty-two years, it was truly difficult. We published books we believed in, yet they never found mainstream appeal."
Greg heard that and asked "What kept you going during the tough times?"
"The knowing," he responded. (Page 61)
I believe this is a true statement as long as it is based in reality. For example, I "know" I will win the lottery tomorrow....okay, well maybe not, but this illustrates my point as least. It is certainly more powerful and positive to think in the sense of "the know" though.
"...what would be more powerful, believing you may find true love one day? Or knowing that someone is waiting for you and all you need to do is move toward that person until you meet?" (Page 61)
Greg meets Truett Cathy, founded of Chick-fil-A and asks, "What's the secret to your success?"
"Stop planning so much," was his answer.
"Whatever you do, you have to have a goal, a destination, in mind. But once you set your sights on where you are going, just move toward that direction, have faith that you will get there, and the 'how' will work itself out." (Page 67)
Cathy goes on to give the story of two people who may exit their home and have a goal to get to the end of the street. One can plan out each step and when they get out of the door, they march right along and accomplish exactly what they thought. The other person, may exit his home and see opportunity in the form of a bike or skateboard, and get to his destination more quickly.
This ties into Tony Jeary's idea of clarity (in Strategic Acceleration). Jeary suggests that once you have clarity - that is you know what you want and WHY you really want it - opportunities will appear (the bike or skateboard in the above example). Additionally, Jeary pushes production before perfection (PBP) and by over planning, you are missing opportunities by not allowing yourself to see what is out there.
When Greg returns home he decides that he needs to make moves in his own life and start improving himself. He turns control of his marketing company over to his employees. His goal is to help them achieve their goals, and besides, Buckland made Greg promise that he would pass on his knowledge to other people in order to receive the free education he was getting.
Through a meeting with the Executive Director of the Napoleon Hill Foundation, Greg receives a reference letter. This is given to him by Don M Green and while he is at it, Don extends an invite for Greg to attend an upcoming event on behalf of The Napoleon Hill Foundation. Greg is very happy - he feels accomplished at this moment and is excited for the event.
Evander Holyfield is sitting next to Greg at the event (several weeks have passed since the meeting the Don M Green) and Greg blurts out his usual question "What makes you successful". Holyfield's answer details the fact that he has been able to focus on the punches he was throwing rather than those he was taking. If he were to only focus on the punches he was receiving, he would have ended up on his back.
Additionally, Holyfield talks about the defeated boxer "feeling" the punches after the match much more than the winning boxer.
"Stay on your toes, focus on the task at hand"
Towards the end of this 50 pages, Buckland takes Greg with him to introduce him to his mastermind group. While there are 4 other success people there, one comment in particular was useful to me as my career has typically been in sales.
"'No' is the second best answer you can get; at least it lets you know where you stand. It's those pesky 'maybe's' that really get in the way." (Page 96)
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