Extended Reading
Three Ways To Get Your A** Kicked In One Book
Just a couple of weeks ago, one of my most-cherished mentors, Michael Masterson, released his third book, “Seven Years to Seven Figures: The Fast-Track Plan To Becoming A Millionaire” – and guess what?
My story is in Chapter Eight. As well as that of other copywriters who run rings around my success such as Bob Bly, Don Mahoney, Paul Hollingshead, Clayton Makepeace and the rest of the master copywriters we revere.
I’ve never been a chapter in someone’s book before – and I’ll confess, it felt a bit strange. Of course, I knew it was coming. Michael asked if I was willing to be included, and I couldn’t help but be flattered and accept. He was even considerate enough to ask if I wanted my identity to be masked in case I felt a little too exposed by having my story memorialized in this way.
It’s so easy to be bold and brave when you work by yourself in an office and only correspond with living, breathing people via email. But when faced with several hundred people who now know more about me than I know about them, I couldn’t help but have a flicker of doubt about my decision.
After indulging a rare shy and self-conscious moment, though, I am grateful to Michael – once again – for the inclusion. Here’s what I’ve learned from the experience…and what I hope you’ll discover in your own budding career:
1) Remind Yourself of Your Successes: Everyone has setbacks and slow downs. It’s easy to get down on yourself when doubts come to call. Forget about licking your wounds, though (self-pity is for the weak!). Instead, recount your successes – everyone has some – to someone else. You’ll remember that you have a thing or two going for you and kick back into gear.
2) Go Public With Your Goals: When you go public – and this is certainly the most public I’ve ever gone! – with your successes and goals, you’re faced with a whole new level of accountability. It’s called peer pressure (aka public embarrassment). You should try it sometime! You can’t imagine how hard I’m working since I’ve gotten home to rectify the places where I’m slipping now that my goal to achieve seven figures in seven years is being witnessed by the thousands of people reading Michael’s new book as I write this.
3) Get Inspired By The Accomplishments of Others: This is ultimately why I’m going to urge you to pick it up if you haven’t already. You can have one of two responses when you read about the successes of others. You can get jealous and tell yourself that you could never do what they’ve done (not recommended). Or you can attach yourself to their coattails and ride on the same wave of success they have. Let the success of others inspire, and you’ll be right behind them.
I’m always telling you – if I can become a six-figure copywriter, so can you. One of these days, I hope you’ll be saying the same thing to the people who follow in your footsteps. Success is more about focus and hard work than it is about some magic pill that delivers you wealth overnight. “Seven Years to Seven Figures” proves many times over.
If you haven’t picked up a copy of the book already, please do. Read Chapter Eight first, of course…and then the rest at your leisure. (kidding, kinda…)
Here’s your link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/explorer/0471786756/2/ref=pd_lpo_ase/104-8541518-1103102?