The success formula

This may come as a surprise.
Our nation’s capital is the top U.S. literate city.
And this is for the second year in row.
That’s surprising in a city with third rate schools.
It must be because of all the government lawyers.

The researchers overlooked Congress.
None of them seem to read the laws they pass.
They pass too many laws - and exempt themselves.
Barry Goldwater had it right.
For each new law, they should have to rescind one.
Researchers said newspaper readers were a factor.
D.C. newspapers must have a lot of readers.

Reading is critical to success.
We become what we read and think about.
Our friend Don Roy says it is one of the top three.
The two others are:

• A commitment to pay the price for success.
That means studying what successful people do.
It means learning to act as they have.
Role models are all around us.

• The gumption to get off you butt and act.
You can think and study for years.
But without action, you will gain no ground.
Figure out where you want to go and take off.
There’s more to success than these three,
But they will get you going.
Read. Commit. Act.

As you lounge in front of the TV, Don is reading.
That’s why he’s in the Guinness World Records.
Don has a purpose in life. You do, too.

For more on finding your purpose, read my book.
Email me for a copy of “Your Life’s Great Purpose”.

Recipe for greatness

Don Roy and I drove to Atlanta, Ga., last week.
We went to hear Hal Becker and other great speakers.
They were speaking at the Atlanta Business Expo.
Don is in the Guinness Book of Records for sales.
I'm still working on such an achievement.
We heard Hal Becker talk about achieving greatness.
Hal sold more Xeroxs than any of his 11,000 colleagues.
Hal said you must find what you love and do it every day.
You must practice what you do every day.
Like Tiger Woods, do it over and over and over.
Make the following your mantra and your goals:
1. If you're married, be a great and loving spouse.
2. If you're a parent, be a great and loving parent.
3. If you want friends, be a great and loving friend.
4. Be curious about others. Ask questions and listen.
5. Put the customer's interests, not yours, first.
6. Work hard, not just smart. Don't outsmart yourself.
7. Be real, be genuine, be natural.
Practice Hal's seven rules every day over and over.
Got a rule you believe in and live by every day?
Got a comment? Please click on comment below.
My thanks to those who shared their ghost stories.