Watching the Super Bowl this year was a somewhat unique for me. In the past, I’ve usually spent that special day at home in front of the fireplace, sharing the annual experience with friends and/or family. Of course, that day wouldn’t be complete without lots of good food and drinks, a roaring fire, cold weather, and great conversationalists.

Those who enjoy this annual classic tend to fall into one or more of several categories:

• Those who love the game of football.
• Those who are avid fans of one of the two teams.
• Those who enjoy spectacles of any kind.
• Those who wait breathlessly for the half time phenomenon in hopes of who knows what.
• Those who appreciate any reason to party.
• Those who look forward to the creativity of the astronomically priced commercials … this year costing $3.8 million dollars for a 30-second spot, a little over $7.5 million per minute!

This year, I found myself watching the game alone in a comfortable suite high above Times Square in the heart of New York City. I had to fly into the Big Apple on Super Bowl Sunday to prepare for the kick-off of a seminar series the following day for 300+ staff members.

While the environment was very strange for me this year, I found it strangely satisfying. Being along, I found it quite easy to focus more on the intricacies of the entire production. As a result, I must admit that I found myself a bit disappointed in the quality of the commercials this year. They’re usually very competitive and very little is spared in the production of what is hoped to be a fan favorite. Social media feedback revealed that several of this year’s entries were soundly criticized, the majority were mediocre, and a few were outstanding.

Budweiser may have had one of the worst ads of the big game, but they certainly redeemed themselves with an instant classic involving a beautiful Clydesdale. Unlike most commercials, not a single word was spoken in this spot. They simply focused on the images of a horse and the man who raised him, coupled with a perfectly matched Stevie Nicks song. Result? Instant bonding with the viewing audience and immediate acceptance by most!

Personally, I was most impressed by the “Farmer” commercial. It consisted of a simple slide show of photographs accompanied by a stirring tribute to America’s farmers by one of the greatest voices ever to cross our airways … Paul Harvey! The scratchy sounding audio actually came from a speech Paul gave at the 1978 National Future Farmers of America Convention.

The Ram commercial begins with a bleak photograph of a single cow in front of a snowy field, and Harvey’s voice says, “And on the eighth day, God looked down on his planned paradise and said, ‘I need a caretaker.’ So God made a farmer.”

Paul Harvey was a broadcaster for ABC Radio for 51 years … perhaps best known for his segment “The Rest of the Story,” in which he would tell an unknown story about a famous person, leaving out who the story was about until the very end. Paul was often referred to as “the voice of middle America.” He died in 2009 to the dismay of millions of fans who listened to him regularly.

The content of this particular commercial touched the hearts, minds, and memories of many viewers as Paul reminded us of a time long ago when farmers were the backbone of this country. They demonstrated a strong work ethic coupled with formidable beliefs and values which led to our country commanding respect worldwide!

Times have certainly changed. Long gone are the iconic scenes of American landscapes dotted with family farms and red barns. Most of these have been replaced by industrialized facilities controlled by large corporations.

In the U.S., where the vast majority of people were farmers at the time of the American Revolution, less than 1% of the population can say they farm full-time today. As a result, we, as a society, have suffered dearly in a number of ways.

This is certainly difficult for many to comprehend as they have never come into contact with the many benefits of farm life. This holds true especially for our younger generation who would find life on a farm to be very alien to what they currently experience.

Are you open to a true challenge? Watch the following Super Bowl video once again in the company of a child or grandchild and try to explain how things used to be. Encourage them to ask questions about what they see and let them share their views on the content. I think you might be pleasantly surprised with the outcome of such a conversation and may even shed a tear as you focus on the content of the commercial.

For those of you who might be interested in learning more about the charismatic voice on the video, check out our previous article on the iconic Paul Harvey.

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

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I woke up this morning to the shocking news that I had lost a good friend. This was someone I’ve known for more than 40 years. His name is Zig Ziglar, and he died at age 86 in a Dallas Hospital from complications of pneumonia.

Zig wouldn’t know me from the man in the moon but, like so many others, I felt he was a good friend of mine for a number of reasons. I had the great pleasure of spending a little time with Zig on three different occasions over the years.

• I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve attended his seminars.
• I have every book he’s published and most of his videos, tapes and CDs.
• He inspired me to pursue the career I currently enjoy. In short, the man changed my life.

Over the years, Zig has rubbed elbows with Presidents, Prime Ministers, sports elite, Hollywood stars and more importantly, millions of “everyday people.” Zig Ziglar was born in Alabama and was given his famous nickname “Zig” in elementary school. His real name is Hilary Hinton Ziglar.

To today’s audiences, Ziglar’s words might seem kitschy and a little bit corny, or involved wordplay. Among them: “Failure is a detour, not a dead-end street” and “You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.”

There is so much more to learn about this incredibly unique man. In 2009, I wrote an article about Zig to be included in our series highlighting renowned authors. That article will reveal why Zig Ziglar is going to be so missed by his fans all over the world and why there will never be another “Zig.” R.I.P. my friend!

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

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I don’t know, maybe it’s an age thing. In fact, it might be seasonal or even political. Regardless, this time of the year I often find myself somewhat melancholy …. even more so as I grow older.

Could it be the way time flies from Halloween to New Year’s Eve? It seems to be one continuous blur of stress, food, decorations, people, and demands.

Due to the nature of the work I do, maybe it’s the constant chaos of airports, hotels, town cars, travel and constantly meeting new people. This year that chaos was magnified a hundred fold by the never-ending chaos of a presidential election and a major storm that crippled much of the East coast.

Regardless, it’s a lot to deal with and can lead to emotional challenges for many. In fact, it was recently leading me in that direction. However, when we least expect it, and often most need it, life, fate, karma, destiny, or God (your choice) seems to provide the “kick-in-the-pants” we need to rebound and face the fact that melancholy we feel is a choice we make.

Talk about coincidence. I was recently reading a captivating newspaper article while waiting for my plane connection at O’Hare. I glanced up at the large TV in the lounge to see a newsman sharing the same story with his viewing audience. As the story unfolded, I sat there mesmerized at this superb example of basic human kindness, empathy and healing.

Slidell, Louisiana, is a city of about 30,000 people located 34 miles northeast of New Orleans. As the images of Hurricane Sandy’s devastating blow to New Jersey dominated the media, two Slidell community leaders chatted on Facebook, brainstorming about how they might help the countless victims. Kim Bergeron, the Director of Cultural and Public Affairs, and Donna O’Daniels, St. Tammany Tourist and Convention Commission President and CEO, were reminded of the devastation and trauma they shared with family and friends after the life-altering impact of Katrina in August of 2005.

From that idea sprouted the Train of Hope, an effort to gather flashlights and batteries, cold weather clothes and other supplies and ship them on an Amtrak train, directly to the New Jersey communities in need.

The group quickly established a website, a Facebook page and several drop-off points around St. Tammany Parish.

Amtrak has a train which runs from New Orleans to Newark’s Penn Station. They volunteered their assistance in transporting five tons of food, supplies, diapers, baby wipes, formula, baby food, canned goods, cleaning products, blankets, cold weather clothing, batteries, flashlights and everything else volunteers in Slidell, many of them victims of Hurricane Katrina, could think of. Amtrak normally called this train “The Crescent” but for this special trip they dubbed it “The Train of Hope”!

A massive group of volunteers showed up to sort and load the train for its long journey north. Upon arrival in Newark, a team of more than 70 volunteers were waiting to load the goods onto trucks and ship them off to Bayonne and Hoboken, where Hurricane Sandy flooded out whole neighborhoods and where many are still without power.

Hoboken City Councilman Tim Occhipinti said, “It touches you in a way that it’s very difficult to not choke up on. The outpouring from people you’ve never met, who don’t even live in your area of the country, who have first-hand witnessed the situation that you’re going through, and that they’re willing to give so much back to other people. It’s awe-inspiring, and it makes you glad that you live in a country where a complete stranger is willing to donate their time, money and effort to others.”

When you see situations like this — which get little or no publicity — it makes you appreciate the privilege we all share to live in such a wonderful country. Residents of Slidell and St. Tammany Parish shared a bittersweet camaraderie with their northern counterparts. In fact, Slidell was one of the hardest hit cities when Hurricane Katrina devastated Louisiana. In addition, they just got hit again by Isaac. I think it’s also a touch of healing for victims of Katrina to be able to give back to victims elsewhere.

Knowing what the many victims of this disaster had to deal with certainly overshadows any melancholy I may have been dealing with. Witnessing the warm response from a group of compassionate strangers 1,300 miles away from the coastal chaos certainly renews one’s faith in this country and the good people who make it what it is. What better time of the year to give thanks for being an American! Every once in a while, I need that special “tap on the shoulder” to remind me to count my blessings!

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

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I grew up hearing a number of phrases that today’s generation might find strange … probably based on the fact that they haven’t heard them at all. Some of those phrases might be “corny” by today’s standards and some are certainly outdated in our current chaotic environment.

However, there are a few classic phrases that I think we should resurrect, use regularly, and encourage today’s generation to do the same. One that comes to mind a great deal these days is: “Respect Your Elders.”

I was introduced to those words of wisdom at a very young age and practiced them all my life. Let me define the word “elders” as it was explained to me. An “elder” was anyone older than myself … be it a year older or decades older. There are a number of reasons for respecting elders.

1. They are full of hard-earned wisdom. Listen to them and learn. They may not be computer-literate or very interested in technical gadgets, but they certainly did not make it to old age without picking up a little wisdom along the way.
2. In most cases, life has given the elderly a broad scope of knowledge that they are more than willing to share. They have already experienced most things that the middle and younger generations are going through right now and could give valuable advice if only they were asked.
3. Talk to the elderly; tap into that wisdom. Talk about love, life, human nature, children, finances, politics, dreams and family. They will be glad to impart some of their wisdom they worked so hard to obtain.

Many young people today scornfully tell the elderly that they don’t know anything or that their time has passed. People are heard talking down to the elderly as if their age has taken away their intelligence. Others are seen yelling out their car windows at older drivers who choose to drive at the speed limit rather than over the speed limit. Some folks even take advantage of older people financially by scamming them out of their life savings … a far cry from showing respect.

It is so sad that this is a world where a simple thing like respect is fading away.

Starting within, families should learn to say again “Respect your elders” and demand compliance until it becomes a part of who they are, and until showing respect is as natural as blinking or breathing. Respect or honor for elders is a value that should be passed on from generation to generation. It should be taught to all children beginning at an early age, and those children should be told to teach their children.

If given the time and opportunity, I could produce volumes sharing the wisdom my elders have provided to me over the years. I’m sure most everyone could do the same. While what we have learned may differ, the value certainly does not.

If YOU are an elder, please continue to share. We need your experience and wisdom more today than at any other time in our history. If YOU have exposure to elders, do yourself a favor — dedicate time, listen and learn, and benefit far beyond your wildest expectations.

View this short video for one of many examples of the wisdom we can garner from our elders.

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

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We hear a lot today about “Thinking out of the Box,” “Re-framing,” and “Creative Innovation” and yet, when we seem to need it the most, we see very few examples of it. Our nation’s Capital seems to be a perfect example of a barren wasteland when it comes to creative thinking that can solve our current problems and deal with our growing challenges.

That’s interesting when they seem to be so well-versed in creating new ways to spend our money, increase our debt, and tax our citizens.

We’re fast approaching a point that will require RADICAL THINKING to achieve the necessary turn-around that can return this great nation to the success, respect, and peace of mind we once enjoyed.

Those who are there now, on both sides of the aisle, obviously need some practice in this new way of thinking. They actually need to consider reversing their current thinking patterns. Maybe the following exercise may be of assistance to them.

Reverse Thinking

Let’s start with an exercise that examines the way we currently live our lives!

Life is tough. It takes up a lot of your time, all your weekends, and what do you get at the end of it? … Death … a great reward!

I think the life cycle is all backwards. You should die first, get that out of the way, then you live 20 years in an old-age home.

You get kicked out when you’re too young, you retire, and then go to work. You work 40 years until you’re too young to enjoy your retirement.

Then you go to college, you do drugs, you do alcohol and you party every night until you’re ready for high school.

You go to high school, you go to grade school, you become a child, you play, you have no responsibilities, you become a baby, you return to your mother’s womb, you spend your last 9 months floating around in the comfort of darkness and silence and you finish off as a gleam in someone’s eye!

Sounds better, doesn’t it?

Now maybe they can begin to consider how they’re currently governing and the necessary changes which need to occur, Let’s hope so — before it’s too late!

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

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I remember, with great fondness, so many life lessons learned at the knee of my cherished grandfather. It seems like only yesterday … and yet, today I find myself sharing that valuable wisdom with my own grandchildren. In addition, I’ve been able to add some personal insight of my own.

It recently dawned on me that this challenge is actually a great responsibility. I happen to possess a number of pieces which can be used to complete the “legacy puzzle” for my 9 grandchildren.

And yet I wonder if my words might fall on deaf ears. After all, I am a “Senior Citizen” these days … even though I can’t remember much of the rapid journey which brought me to this stage of my life.

Senior Citizens are constantly being criticized for every conceivable deficiency of the modern world, real or imaginary. I know we take responsibility for all we have done and do not blame others. However, upon reflection, I would like to point out that it was NOT Senior Citizens who took:

• The melody out of music,
• The pride out of appearance,
• The courtesy out of driving,
• The romance out of love,
• The commitment out of marriage,
• The responsibility out of parenthood,
• The togetherness out of the family,
• The learning out of education,
• The service out of patriotism,
• The Golden Rule from rulers,
• The nativity scene out of cities,
• The civility out of behavior,
• The refinement out of language,
• The dedication out of employment,
• The prudence out of spending,
• The ambition out of achievement or
• God out of government and school.

And we certainly are NOT the ones who eliminated patience and tolerance from personal relationships and interactions with others!

In addition, we do understand the meaning of patriotism and remember those who have fought and died for our country. Does anyone under the age of 50 know the lyrics to the “Star Spangled Banner”? Just look at the Seniors with tears in their eyes and pride in their hearts as they stand at attention with their hand over their hearts!

Remember… Inside every older person is a younger person wondering what in the world happened.

YES, I’M A SENIOR CITIZEN!

I’m the life of the party … even if it lasts until 8 p.m.

I’m very good at opening childproof caps … with a hammer.

I’m awake many hours before my body allows me to get up.

I’m smiling all the time because I can’t hear a thing you’re saying.

I’m sure everything I can’t find is in a safe secure place, somewhere.

I’m wrinkled, saggy, lumpy, and that’s just my left leg.

I’m beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.

I’m very much aware that other people’s grandchildren aren’t as cute or smart as mine.

I’m not really grouchy … I just don’t like traffic, waiting, crowds, lawyers, loud music, unruly kids, stupid commercials, barking dogs, politicians and a few other things I can’t seem to remember right now.

I’m having trouble remembering simple words like …

I’m beginning to realize that aging is NOT for wimps.

I’m sure they are making adults much younger these days, and when did they let kids become policemen and doctors?

I often wonder, if you’re only as old as you feel, how could I be alive at 150?

I’m a walking storeroom of facts … I’ve just lost the key to the storeroom door.

Yes, I’m a SENIOR CITIZEN, and I’m having the time of my life.

I simply pray that I can impart a fraction of the wisdom to my grandchildren that my grandfather shared with me. That challenge tops my Bucket List.

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

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What if you discovered something that could possibly affect most every aspect of your life in a very positive way? Would you act on it? Apparently NOT!

There is something that meets that description, and you’re probably already aware of it. You simply don’t believe it! And that’s your choice.

As a professional speaker, I’ve been exposed to videos, audio tapes, books, magazines, and some of the greatest speakers in the business singing the praises of a “Positive Attitude.” I’ve spoken to tens of thousands of people on the subject myself over the years.

I’ve lost count of the stories of actual accounts where “attitude,” good or bad, made a decisive difference in the lives of people from all walks of life.

And most of us have heard the many platitudes which have been passed down from generation to generation:

“Two men looked out through prison bars; one saw mud, the other, stars.”
~ James Allen

“Life is 10% what you make it, and 90% how you take it.”
~ Irving Berlin

“Any fact facing us is not as important as our attitude toward it, for that determines our success or failure.”
~ Norman Vincent Peale

“Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude.”
~ Zig Ziglar

And the list goes on and on. Millions of dollars have been generated spreading this message, and numerous studies have proven that your attitude can and does affect your:

• Behavior
• Relationships
• Communication
• Will to Live
• Mental Health
• Aging Process
• Physical Health
• Career Advancement
• Emotional Health
• Academic Advancement

If that’s true, why do we see so many people demonstrating negative attitudes today? Think about it. Visualize a typical day in your life. As you experience that day, from the time you get up until the time you go to bed, do you witness more people with positive attitudes or negative attitudes?

Attitude is defined as a way of looking at life; a way of thinking, feeling, or behaving.

Of course, there are numerous situations in today’s chaotic environment that can easily lead to a negative attitude. However, it’s also obvious that possessing a positive attitude creates much better outcomes in those situations.

Then why don’t more of us try that approach?

Did you hear about the importance of maintaining a positive attitude while in grade school? … middle school? … high school? … or college? Most of us didn’t, and why not if it affects every aspect of your life? Did you learn about it in Sunday School or from your parents or grandparents? Or did you learn it on your own through trial and error?

Here’s a better question. How are your children and/or grandchildren learning this very valuable lesson? That’s a powerful responsibility for each of us. If you haven’t started as yet, here’s a short, inspiring video that provides you with 7 Simple Rules for Staying Positive.

Try them yourself for a week or two and then pass them on to a member of today’s younger generation. Let’s see if we can make an impact!

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

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How many times have we heard that bit of wisdom about slowing down to smell the roses? It’s been around a very long time. Many songs and articles have been written on the subject. Books have been based on the fundamental message, and the advice has been passed on from generation to generation.

Most everyone has heard it, but how many have truly heeded the advice to avoid procrastination before it’s too late? How many people, in the last days of their lives, have looked back and said, “I wish I would have spent more time at work and less time involved with my children, parents, loved ones and friends?”

This is another perfect example of the failure to close the knowing-doing gap! We know exactly what we should be doing but actually fail to do it — time and time again.

Some of us don’t learn until very late in our lives and some never learn this valuable lesson at all. Read the following true story and give some serious thought to the moral of the story. Hopefully it will cause you to re-evaluate your philosophy of what’s really important in your life.

Discuss the story with a friend and/or family member and then pass it on to others. It’s certainly a message worth sharing.

What are YOU Missing?

A man sat at a metro station … in Washington DC and started to play the violin; it was a cold January morning. He played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, since it was rush hour, it was calculated that 1,100 people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.

Three minutes went by, and a middle aged man noticed there was musician playing. He slowed his pace, and stopped for a few seconds, and then hurried up to meet his schedule.

A minute later, the violinist received his first dollar tip: a woman threw the money in the till and without stopping, and continued to walk.

A few minutes later, someone leaned against the wall to listen to him, but the man looked at his watch and started to walk again. Clearly he was late for work.

The one who paid the most attention was a 3 year old boy. His mother tagged him along, hurried, but the kid stopped to look at the violinist. Finally, the mother pushed hard, and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. All the parents, without exception, forced them to move on.

In the 45 minutes the musician played, only 6 people stopped and stayed for a while. About 20 gave him money, but continued to walk their normal pace. He collected $32. When he finished playing and silence took over, no one noticed it. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.

No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the most talented musicians in the world. He had just played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, on a violin worth $3.5 million dollars.

Two days before his playing in the subway, Joshua Bell sold out at a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100.

This is a real story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste, and priorities of people. The outlines were: in a commonplace environment at an inappropriate hour: Do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize the talent in an unexpected context?

One of the possible conclusions from this experience could be:

If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world playing the best music ever written, how many other things are we missing?

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

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As we approach another election year, we’re hearing from the current administration and all of the current candidates that they can and will engineer a recovery. I’m not certain the average American is buying this recovery rhetoric … and I certainly can’t blame them. We’ve all been there and heard those promises far too often.

Stocks and corporate profits may be rising and the economy may be expanding a bit. However, far too many Americans feel left behind. The problems remain frustrating … joblessness, home foreclosures, and the growing ranks of the long-term unemployed.

8.7 million people lost their jobs during the recession … think about that number! Sadly, more than 7.3 million are still without work. There are still nearly five job seekers for every job opening.

Washington politicians tell us that it will be years before the economy puts all those folks back to work. That’s probably true if we depend on them to make it happen.

Many, however, have decided to avoid reliance upon empty promises and instead have chosen to engineer their own comeback.

The rules are somewhat simple … the execution a bit more challenging. However, chances for successful outcomes are greater than waiting for others to do the job for you. Take a look …

Comeback Rule #1:

Refuse to die. Those with the character to triumph in the end tend not to allow the indignity of failure to force them down. Those who come back accept disaster, laugh in its face, and crawl to their feet again.

Comeback Rule #2:

Decide to fight. Those who come back have an inner sense of justice that refuses to be violated. They manage their emotions, reminding themselves of where they’ve been and why they’re here, and resolve that nothing will stop them.

Comeback Rule #3:

Get clever. Savvy fighters won’t make the same mistake twice. They accept the hard rules of the real world, analyze how they wound up on their back, and chart a course around the problem. Often as not, they turn trouble to their advantage.

Comeback Rule #4:

Focus, focus, focus! Once you’re on your way, don’t look up and don’t look back. A hundred distractions, doubts, and setbacks will haunt someone recovering from disaster. The true champion rolls with the punches and keeps coming back for more.

Comeback Rule #5:

Enjoy the ride. The reward for those making a comeback is to see their vision come to life in the real world. And they enjoy the deep confidence of one who had fought his way through hell and emerged to see the stars.

Begin your journey today!

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

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There is an old story about a man who sold hot dogs by the roadside. Life was simple and very good for the elder gentlemen.

• He was illiterate, so he never read newspapers.
• He was hard of hearing, so he never listened to the radio.
• His eyes were weak, so he never watched television.

However, enthusiastically, he sold lots of hot dogs. His sales and profit went up. He ordered more meat and got himself a bigger and a better grill. Things were certainly going well.

As his business continued to grow, his son, who had recently graduated from college, joined his father. Then something strange happened.

The son asked, “Dad, aren’t you aware of the great recession that is coming our way?” The father replied, “No, but tell me about it.” The son said, “The international situation is terrible. The domestic is even worse. We should be prepared for the coming bad time.”

The man thought that since his son had been to college, read the papers, and listened to the radio, he ought to know and his advice should not be taken lightly.

So the next day, the father cut down his order for the meat and buns, took down the sign and was no longer enthusiastic. Very soon, fewer and fewer people bothered to stop at his hot dog stand. And his sales started coming down rapidly. The father said to his son, “Son, you were right. We are in the middle of a recession. I am glad you warned me ahead of time.”

This same process is happening to US today. The national media (radio, TV, newspapers, magazines, Internet) reports only the negative for the simple reason that they make more money by doing so. If we allow them to control our dominant thought we downsize, lay off, reduce advertising and training, become less creative, fail to offer service as we should, etc.

This is an interesting concept at a time when we see very successful organizations grow, hire more people, become more creative, increase advertising, marketing and training, enhance customer service, and offer new products and services.

As a result, they prosper at time when we’re told that can’t and won’t happen! You can see examples in most every industry today. The moral of this story SHOULDN’T have to be explained. It’s as plain as the nose on your face! However, it’s quite obvious that far too many CANNOT learn from these positive examples. For those we offer the following:

1. Many times we confuse intelligence with good judgment.
2. A person may have high intelligence but poor judgment.
3. Choose your advisers carefully and use your judgment.
4. The tragedy is that there are many walking encyclopedias who are living failures.
5. YOU control your most DOMINANT THOUGHT and you will ALWAYS move in that direction! What is YOUR most DOMINANT THOUGHT at the moment?

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

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