Category Archives: Personal Improvement

I’m neither a big golf fan nor a big Tiger Woods fan, but yesterday the TV was on in the background and this time of year there’s very little of interest on a late Sunday afternoon before cable series kick in. I do find interesting how golfers perform under pressure, since it seems that they are particularly vulnerable to “head games” as the final round is played and final holes draw near, despite thousands of hours of practice.

Sergio Garcia was tied for the lead with Tiger Woods until he put two balls into the water on the next to last hole, and one in the water on the final hole, dropping six shots back in just two holes. (Earlier in the tournament, he had complained that Woods, as his playing partner, deliberately distracted him on a shot. Why golfers need crypt-like silence to swing a stick at a ball I’ll never know.) Garcia has never won a major, and has never lived up to the potential most people believed he possesses.

Woods played extremely well, won by two strokes in a tight field, and seemed to relish the pressure. I believe he’s won four tournaments faster this year than any other, and he’s only a handful behind Snead’s record (I think that’s what Warner Wolf said this morning on Imus.) He a fearsome competitor, and is what they call in sports a “money player.” (And even he was clearly distracted during his famous marital problems and infidelity.)

Some of us cave under pressure, some of use find it nutritional. It’s a shame to get in front of a buyer and then fall apart, or to walk out on a stage and draw a blank. No one is shooting at us. Golfers walk on manicured lawns in the sun trying to win millions. We all have to put things in perspective.

Some people have legitimate, dramatic issues of health, family, and relationships. Most of us are trying to convey value, help people, and be paid for it. That’s our walk in the park.

© Alan Weiss 2013

Dear Alan,

I purchased all your books. I can produce receipts if required!!!!

I didn’t skim them. I ate them. If you were English you would be a Yorkshire man – straight talking – no nonsense.

I practiced saying my higher fees – thank you.

I responded with ease when my one man band was questioned – thank you.

I wrote proposals with value – thank you.

I sold value not time – thank you.

I dealt with decision makers – thank you.

I didn’t give concessions for free – thank you.

You didn’t offer me an education. You saved years off my learning curve. As life is so short, this empowering education helped me spend more precious time with my family – thank you.

I have written a book called HELLO PROFIT! Sell the Truth to Win in Business & Life.

Would you take a quick glance at it if I send it to you? I would like to acknowledge you in the book.

I want someone to write to me in a few years and say my work transformed their life the way you transformed mine.

Darren Kelly

I wanted to remind you, as May 15 approaches, of this wonderful learning and growth opportunity from Alex Goldfayn:

http://www.contrarianconsulting.com/new-marketing-program/

I’ve written 49 books which appear in 11 languages. I’ve worked with major publishers’ editors for 25 years, 90 percent of whom have been helpful and improved my work, and their recommendations have been subtle, nuanced, and never involve major rewrites.

Why is it we spend so much time editing ourselves? I find too many people who immediately question every thought in their head (although apparently that doesn’t occur to people positing on Facebook), stop, waver, stop again, and then change their comment, sentence, or direction. They fear being imperfect, rejected, mocked, or challenged.

Who cares?

Write what you believe in, speak with passion, and stop worrying about what others will think or do. Take a position. Your self-editor is far worse than any editor with whom I’ve ever dealt. Fire your self-editor and stop rewriting your life.

© Alan Weiss 2013