December 16, 2004
In this wonderful season of family, presents and celebration, I am choosing to skip my usual discussion of auctions and Internet marketing and offer you some inspiration instead.
First, I want to introduce you to a remarkable man named Todd Taylor who is an astonishing success, and a really great guy, too. You will be especially moved by the story of his two children.
Secondly, I would like to discuss YOUR business success – or lack, thereof – and some thoughts about how you might change things.
Todd Taylor Knows How To Sell On eBay!
On December 3, 2004, I walked into a hotel in Orlando, Florida and was immediately approached by a tall, husky man with an outstretched hand. He said, "My name is Todd Taylor and I flew here from Pennsylvania just to meet you. Can I take you to dinner?"
Todd explained that he had used my eBay information to open a clothing business on eBay that was generating a SIX FIGURE PER MONTH income. Even more astonishing is that he began in May of 2004!
Todd also told me about a conversation with his daughter Sarah on her 11th birthday. It seems that Sarah had received some money as a present. He said, "Sarah, you can take all this money and spend it. Or you can take a part of it - $60 - an invest it in your own auction. I will sell you $60 worth of clothing at my cost and help you put it on eBay. You will double your money, minus eBay and PayPal fees".
Sarah wanted to think this proposition over and after two days told her dad that she wanted to invest her money.
Her auction was so successful that she now has a thriving business of her own. Sarah and Todd have done the numbers and are sure that by the summer of 2005, she will easily make $2,000 each month in her part time business. By the time she graduates from high school, she will have $180,000 in the bank!
Eight year old Josh is so impressed with what his sister is doing that he wants his own business, too.
What an incredible legacy Todd Taylor is giving his children! And in the meantime, Todd is negotiating a short term lease on a warehouse until he can buy the land to build his own warehouse and office complex. Investors are eagerly seeking to put money into Todd's eBay business.
Todd gives me the full credit for his success, but is this really true? Of course not. There are two components to success: correct information/knowledge and the willingness to take action. Each is impotent without the other. Many folks acquire the knowledge they need - but then never DO anything with what they've learned. Todd has a determination to make things happen and no one can "give" that to another person. Todd modestly assures everyone that he is just an "average" guy with no special qualifications. I doubt if his children would agree - I know I wouldn't!
Is Your Business As Successful As You'd Like It To Be?
I'm going to make an assumption here – if you read this ezine you either have your own business, or you're thinking about it. So ...
* Is your business as successful as you'd like it to be? Are you a Todd Taylor?
* If not, why not?
Business success is highly desired. Multi millions of people optimistically 'start their own business' - yet very few achieve anywhere near the level of success they want. Estimates are that about 3-5% really shine, while everyone else either just gets by or quits, often with bitterness and disappointment in their hearts.
Why is this so? And more importantly, how can we change these dismal numbers – or at least make sure we are among the favored few who really shine?
One thing is certain: it's easier to make money at a job than it is being your own boss. If you have a job that you hate, and yearn for independence, you might want to argue with this. But the proof is self evident – of all the people that you know, how many support themselves at a job, and how many are successful in their own business? It's also true that most folks I know don't find much joy in their jobs.
Author Lawrence Boldt sheds light on this dilemma when he says:
“Discipline is simply a matter of doing what we must, without wasting time or energy worrying about whether or not we feel like it. When we develop the habit of plunging in without whining, complaining or procrastinating, we are on our way to genuine freedom.”
“We may not want to face it in such stark terms, but the choice is self-discipline or dependency, boss yourself or be bossed. We require a boss because we lack the discipline to boss ourselves. We resent the boss because he or she reminds us of our dependency.”
“Freedom is not the ability to do what we feel like doing but the ability to choose what to do and follow through.”
I have been much impressed with his comment, “without wasting time or energy worrying about whether or not we feel like it”. I've been experimenting with this for a while now and find it works wonderfully well. I rarely waste my energy any more thinking about how much I 'hate/don't want to/detest' doing whatever needs doing. I'm learning to take my thoughts away from “I don't wanna ...” and put them on “What is the best way to accomplish this?” It's a very empowering attitude and one I can highly recommend.
We can all see that there is an epidemic of whining in our culture, of lack of responsibility and blaming others. For instance, in a shocking story here in my home town of Atlanta, a 12 year old girl took a “poisoned” cake to school and offered it to her classmates. As a result, 13 kids ended up in the hospital, although fortunately none died. The schools permanently suspended the girl – and her father is suing the country for this suspension. He said it is the fault of the school for not “providing the proper environment”. What an incredible lack of self responsibility. What about the child's environment at home?
If we have attitudes like this, the chances of our success are almost non-existent.
Self discipline is really mystifying to me. I have it in so many areas, yet in others I seem to have none at all. But I've been taking Boldt's advice to heart and realize that I always filter every single task through a personal filter: Do I want to do this or not? If the answer is no, I either don't do it, or often take much longer than necessary (and I cause myself emotional anguish) to get it done.
I've been experimenting with "This needs doing, so do it" - and forgetting all my emotional angst - and I must say that I'm having lots of success. Maybe it's a lot simpler than we think.
A joyous holiday season to you and yours. May your days be filled with joy and prosperity.
And stay tuned for my thoughts on New Year's Resolutions. :-)