Thank you Bike Book Reviews for a wonderful write up on my book Tim on Broadway. In two separate posts, BBR raved about my novel.
First off, is an interview with author Debbie McGowan, in which she listed Tim on Broadway as a favorite read. A few days later BBR posted their own review, agreeing with Deb, giving it their highest rating. If you’ve read Tim on Broadway, you’ll get a chuckle from their use of grade-school scissors in lieu of stars. Remember the manscaping scene?
Your copy of The Handyman Can, the full-length novel to Handy Men Do It Better shall be released on March 17th.
Jake and Cory get their full release on March 17, 2015.
Be the first to get your hands on this 300-plus-page followup to the bestseller Handy Men Do It Better.
“You don’t create what you want, but what you are.”- Wayne Dyer
Most of my life I’ve been obsessed with the psychology of transformation: how people can go from destitute to millionaire…or from three-hundred pounds to being a health coach.
The quote at the top of this email inspired me to share something with you.
I’ve been fortunate enough to have experienced a wonderful life. But, it wasn’t so easy.
I used to believe that if you wanted something bad enough, you could get it by working hard and being focused.
I was wrong.
There’s more to it.
Much more.
The secret is in Wayne Dyer’s wisdom above, and can be gleaned from the phrase “money goes to money.” The reason this saying is bandied about so often is that it’s true! But, you can profit too.
![[Photo credit: Lendingmemo]](https://rickbettencourt.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/11442343423_8133acbd33_c.jpg)
The hundred-thousand dollar question is, how does one stop attracting the junk they don’t want and start bringing in the good?
Answer: Be what you want.
It’s more than thinking yourself rich, for instance. You can think yourself a millionaire till the end of time. Real change starts with a thought, grows into a feeling…a knowing…and ultimately action.
How do you “be” something when you think—or even know—that you are not?
In my book Marketing Beef, Evan McCormick is stymied by an unsightly birthmark that covers his chest. It’s held him back from experiencing love: he’s fearful of being shirtless. How can he experience intimacy? Without giving away the ending, Evan learns to move past this by changing how who he is.
It starts with a thought and moves to a feeling.
Tim Benton is overweight and down on his luck. Yet he’s motivated to change. And he does so dramatically.
His intentions for a grander life build, compounding interest like Warren Buffet’s bank account.
If you want to experience something other than what you are, be your goal. You attract into your life what you think about and feel deep inside. You receive what you are.
If you know you’re in debt or nearing bankruptcy and you want prosperity, focus and live from the wealth—however meager it may seem—that you do have. There’s much to be grateful for.
Change your perspective, and your perspective will change.
I send you love, happiness, and everlasting wealth…
Sonnet to Winter
By Emily Chubbuck Judson
Thy brow is girt, thy robe with gems inwove;
And palaces of frost-work, on the eye,
Flash out, and gleam in every gorgeous dye,
The pencil, dipped in glorious things above,
Can bring to earth. Oh, thou art passing fair!
But cold and cheerless as the heart of death,
Without one warm, free pulse, one softening breath,
One soothing whisper for the ear of Care.
Fortune too has her Winter. In the Spring,
We watch the bud of promise; and the flower
Looks out upon us at the Summer hour;
And Autumn days the blessed harvest bring;
Then comes the reign of jewels rare, and gold,
When brows flash light, but hearts grow strangely cold.
About This Poem
Emily Chubbuck Judson was born in Eaton, New York, in 1817. Her books include An Olio of Domestic Verses (1852) and Charles Linn, or, How…
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Many of us struggle to find work that supports our creative nature.
I’ve discovered that the best job search engine is your intuition. And this article (at FindaJob411.com) is really good at distilling this process into 5-easy steps.
An odd process to locate that dream job, huh? But, it all stems from the belief that at our deepest level we know what’s right for us. Why choose to ignore it?
Most of you probably remember Steve Martin as that “wild and crazy guy” from SNL, the father from Parenthood, or the writer of such hits as Shopgirl and An Object of Beauty. Recently, I learned he wrote a memoir describing how he rose to success. His story, while unique, shares a likeliness to many other star actors, famous writers, celebrity artists, and successful entrepreneurs.
“Be so good they can’t ignore you.”
-Steve Martin, actor, writer, and comic.
These words from the performer are profound. Focus on one thing, and be as good as you can at it.
This advice sounds remarkably similar to the Tyler Perry article I shared last week.
Martin and Perry, huge successes in their fields, remind us to be diligent about purpose. Whether you want to be a writer, musician, chef, or stockbroker, be it. Do it. Live it. Breathe it.
Some of us have so many logs in the fire it takes a connection to the Alaskan pipeline to keep it stoked. Some of us feel we have to keep many balls in the air to pay our mortgages, send our kids to college, and meet the deadlines of a demanding world. Some want the right job; others need a job right now.
It all starts with conviction.
Theodore Roosevelt told us, “believe you can and you’re halfway there.” Perry told us the same thing.
If you’re looking to breakout, the advice from these successful people speaks volumes.
I’m passing this message along in the hopes that it will influence a struggling actor, aspiring writer, burnt out office worker, or someone just looking to make it. That person could be you.
I’ll give you the answers first.
You may know Tyler Perry as the creator of The Haves and the Have Nots or Madea. The reason he became so successful is summarized in this post. It’s simple. If you plant too many seeds, not only will you have to spend all your time nurturing them, you won’t have enough water for them all.
“Anything you want is possible.”
-Tyler Perry, actor/writer/producer
Plant one seed. Focus on it. Believe in it, and your connection to it. And water it.
That’s it.
Simple.
On my Facebook page, you’ll find Tyler’s inspirational video message. (For some reason I couldn’t embed it here.)
Focusing on one thing is incredibly powerful. But, what if you don’t know what that seed is that you should plant. Well…
Ask.
You already have the answers. Tap into them. Ask questions of yourself: why am I not where I think I should be? what am I doing wrong? Answer them honestly, and you’ll get to your answers.
Trust and believe you have the solution.
Wishing You Much Success,
Rick Bettencourt
I recently read Simon Sinek’s Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action. One of many gems from this book is to…
Try to be better than you were six months ago.
It’s simple enough to get, but let me add to that.
Quite honestly, people don’t care about the widget you’re trying to sell them or the service you want to provide.
Not to be negative, but people are too busy worrying about themselves to care about you.
But, here’s how to get them to do what you want.
1. IT’S MORE THAN WIIFM
From a marketing perspective, it’s more than leveraging the overused “what’s in it for me” term. While this hackneyed phrase smacks of truth, it only speaks to part of what I’m getting at.
Bear with me…this may take awhile but is worth it. I promise.
People seek justification for what they believe about themselves…how they see the world…or understand their state of affairs.
In you, they can find validation. And, your widget may help them do so.
Examples always help.
For instance, consumers love Harley-Davidson products.
Why?
Not because they make great motorcycles, which they do, but rather from what the company stands for.
Harley-Davidson means freedom. It’s about capturing the American spirit. That’s why some people have tattooed the logo on their body. They find themselves in the brand.
Here’s another example.
Apple.
Steve Jobs believed in empowering the individual spirit and challenging the status quo. He also happened to found a company that made computers.
When people stand in line for hours on end for the release of new iPod or iPhone, it’s not just about getting a good quality device. It’s about them.
People not only want a great phone or MP3 player, these consumers are making a statement about being early adopters of technology. A new iPhone symbolizes who they are.
2. YOU ARE WHAT YOU THINK ARE.
For me, I believe in the power of thought.
I know, from experience, that people can make profound changes in their lives and do things that seem impossible.
I used to be a fat, dumb kid. My grades were awful. I didn’t apply myself. In my early teens, I sat around and watched TV all day. I grew into an overweight, debt-ridden young adult.
Then, I changed.
How?
By thinking differently. You are what you think about. That statement is so much more than just something you hear from self-help gurus.
For me, I chose to think about being handsome, thin, wealthy, healthy and smart. (All right, I’ve still got a ways to go but…I’ve made SOME progress.)
I have also embedded this belief in my writing. My hope is that people read my books and identify with Tim or Doug or Jon.
I want my readers to find inspiration in the struggles of an overweight theater lover.
When Dan writes about a redneck from Florida, who’s recently come out of the closet, he too wants to see his fans to have a wow moment along the way.
Anyway, I’ve digressed a bit from the original intention of this post. Let’s get back on track…
3. COMPETE AGAINST YOURSELF
By being better than you were the day before, you minimize the competition. You’re your biggest enemy.
I don’t try to write better than the Stephen Kings and James Pattersons of the world. I want to be a better writer today than I was last month. (And if you read this post before I edited it, you may think I have a ways to go.)
I find inspiration in Ben Comen. Do you know who he is?
Ben’s a young kid, a runner whose biggest competitor is himself. He’s greatest challenge is to beat his own forty-minute time. He doesn’t try to be better than his teammates who can do the same race in twenty minutes.
Forty minutes versus twenty? You might think that’s awful.
Well…
Ben suffers from cerebral palsy, yet he loves running.
When he races he’s always last out of the gate. He even falls several times along the way but he always gets back up.
But one of the most beautiful things about Ben’s story is his teammates—what some might consider his competitors.
You see…people can’t help but cheer for Ben. Once they finish, they end up helping him and racing alongside him. When Ben falls—all sweaty, dirty and bleeding—they help him back up.
Check out Ben’s story above. If it doesn’t move you, I don’t know what will. If you enjoyed, share this post or write a comment below.
May you experience bounties of joy, prosperity and health.
