Within each of us lies the ability to achieve greatness. In you lies the same opportunity as Albert Einstein or Bill Gates. Greatness is a quality that some people develop more than others. The fact that a lot of us are shunned by temporary setbacks doesn't change the fact that the seed for greatness lies inside nonetheless. In order to accomplish what we want and become more successful, the key thing is the understanding of our potential for greatness.

Many people that we now consider great were at one time shunned for being geeks. I'm sure Einstein wasn't the hit at the local bar scene. The idea of not allowing the setbacks to influence your life will give you power. Those who are concerned with what they are trying to accomplish pay little attention to common opinion.

In order to empower yourself, you need to look at yourself. Where are you now? Each little bit of progress is an accomplishment. The first step a baby makes is as big of an accomplishment as the runner who runs a four-minute mile. If it is your goal to better yourself, you need to look at where you are starting from.

For a man to achieve all that is demanded of him
he must first regard himself as greater than he is.
--Johan Wolfgang von Goethe

Greatness vs. Goodness

It has always been my opinion that it is better to be good than to be great

This is an interesting correlation because the two are really not even related. Many people relate greatness as the next step above goodness, not so. What good is greatness if it is not based on the essence of goodness? Goodness is inherently more important than greatness. I would much rather focus on becoming good than successful. Unfortunately, today's society places demands on us to be successful, famous, wealthy and powerful as opposed to good. I have much more respect for the person who supports his family, loves his wife and cares for animals than the great sports hero that may be cheating on his wife and looking out only for himself.

If we can work on being good, we can be truly successful. If we are doing the right things, we are on the track to self-empowerment. You will feel much better about yourself by helping your fellow man and moving along the ladder of virtue rather than clawing your way to the top of a mountain of liars and deceivers.

To accomplish great things we must first explore our individual ability for greatness. Understanding the idea that our greatness must be based on goodness in order to prosper, let us get on with exploring what lies deep inside of us.

Your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
--Genesis 3:22

Whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord.
--Ephesians 6:8

Lesson 10:
Self Maintenance

The body is the house of the soul.

Have you ever met a person who is in an incredibly powerful position but looks like a slob? Have you wondered how they attained this position? Of course you have. Whether we like it or not we are tainted by a person's outwardly appearance. If the person is out of shape and not groomed, our opinion of him or her is swayed.

The temple of G-d is holy,
Which temple ye are.
--1 Corinthians 3:17

Everything that we want others to know about us will first be judged by what they see. A program of self-maintenance is important. Do not let this house get run down. An ounce of prevention is worth …(you know the rest). Keep fit and keep toxins out. Everything that you eat is passed through the body before being passed out. Traces of whatever you take in stay in the body for a long time. The negative toxins affect the way you think, feel and respond. Imagine eating a heavy meal and then going for a long run. You probably wouldn't make it much past the end of the block. If you drink, your vision and coordination are impaired. Who in their right mind finds joy in impairing their own senses?

A good program of exercise will maintain the body. You will feel stronger about yourself and will be healthier. It is a fact that exercising will keep the body, mind and face youthful. You will live longer as a result. Spending an hour, three to four times a week exercising will keep your body and mind sharp. I can't stress enough the importance of tuning the body. Keep it looking good so that people will wish to look deeper to find out more about what is inside.

Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.
--Benjamin Franklin

It is only when the rich are sick that they feel the impotence of wealth.
--Charles Caleb Colton

Lesson 25:
My First Sales Job

When I was 15 years old I wanted to get a job in sales. I had already been training in the martial arts for a few years now and needed some extra income. I drove my moped down to the local electronics store and asked for a job. I stood in the doorway and looked at the location and felt comfortable knowing that I would enjoy working there. I asked to see the manager and Jerry came out. He shook my hand and asked if he could help me. I said, “No, but I think I can help you. I’m looking for a job as a salesperson.” He told me that he had enough sales people and I was too young. Using my newly gained warrior skills I persisted. I didn’t believe that any place could have enough sales people as long as there was product on the floor to sell. I told him that I was eager to work and that I love electronic equipment. The answer was still no. I asked him what he had to lose. “I will work for you for one week, no questions asked. After that week you’ll see if you can use my abilities.” He was breaking down. I said, “To top it off, don’t pay me, only give me a percentage of what I can sell for you.” How could he say no at this point? He said ok.

I started that day. I asked him to show me all of the equipment and let me read the literature on it. I studied the equipment and took home flyers on the various products. The next day I showed up 15 minutes early and asked a few questions that had arisen out of my perusing the literature the night before. Astonished at my questions, Jerry asked if I had read all those flyers overnight, which of course I did. I was a warrior. Anything that I undertook I would do with 100% of my heart and soul. This is one of the first lessons that I learned through my martial arts training. If you intend on being really good at something, you must do it 100%.

Finally, my first chance. A very sweet middle aged lady walked in and handed me a needle for her phonograph. She was upset and told me this broke just before a party she had planned. All through her party she couldn’t listen to her favorite records. I asked her how old the stereo system was and she told me she had received it as a gift 8 years ago. I continued to ask more and more questions to find out as much information as I could about her needs and current equipment. We had a wonderful conversation and built quite a rapport. I showed her how far stereo equipment had come in the last few years. I told her how amazing I found all the facts that I had read just the previous night and showed her the equipment of which I spoke. She was truly impressed. I told her that these new systems come with a warranty that is covered in the home, and that a problem like she had would have been solved before her important party. She played with all the dials and knobs. I put her favorite music on and told her to make herself comfortable while I researched how much this needle will cost her to replace. I went in the back and watched her from the office window. She was having a blast. I came back out a few minutes later with the information, actually two pieces of information. “Ma’am, the replacement needle for your system is $15.95, and you want to know something funny? For $30.00 down you could take home that great new system you have been enjoying.” Well no sooner said than done the stereo was in the delivery truck on its way to her house. She called the manager to thank him for hiring a person who cared enough to look out for her best interest. I was immediately called into Jerry’s office. “Do you know who I just got off the phone with Robert?” I did not. “Ms. Smith called and said she came in for a needle for her stereo system and left with a new stereo system.” Now I remembered. “I see.” Jerry pushed further. “I guess it is time to take you off of commission and hire you on full time.” I asked if we could discuss this after my shift because I did not want to miss any potential sales. He agreed. Afterwards, we talked for about an hour. I did not want to give up on my ability to make commissions, so I asked to stay on the current salary structure I had. I stayed and worked with Jerry for the entire summer and worked part time after that for another 4 months.

Just an additional note, it is Jerry I have to thank for introducing me to the motivational power of Zig Ziglar. Jerry gave me several of Zig’s tapes as bonuses for great sales. I have used much of the knowledge I have gained from the great Zig Ziglar my life. I would often compare his philosophy to that of the warrior strategists and they were very similar. Zig says, “You can get anything in life that you want if you just help enough other people get what they want.” I carry this lesson in my mind and in my heart everyday and through every interaction.

Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence.
Talent will not: nothing is more common than unsuccessful individuals with talent.
Genius will not; un-rewarded genius is almost a proverb.
Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts.
Persistence and determination alone are omni-important.
--Calvin Coolidge