Over the holidays I was in Hawaii with my wife and kids. After several incredible days of sight-seeing and adventure, they traveled back to Florida while I flew up to Vancouver a few days later.
Before taking them to the airport, I pulled my 9-year old out on the patio at the hotel, where we sat on chairs overlooking the ocean.
“Frank,” I said. “I’ve been thinking about what I would teach you right now if this was the last chance for me to speak to you. And two things come to mind.”
“Okay,” said Frank.
“The first is that you will always have goals, even if you don’t consciously set any. Your brain doesn’t really function if there aren’t any goals. So you either choose your own – or you live by those that others choose for you. ”
“And because this is the case, right now is an opportunity for you to choose who you want to be this year? What do you want to accomplish?”
I held two yellow pads before him with a pen.
“This one is for you and the other is for me. Now what we’re going to do is make a list of what you’d like to knock out of the park this year.”
We listed six goals. One of Frank’s was to read 100 books this year.
“I’m going to keep a copy of your goals and I’d like you to keep a copy,” I said. “And as a team we’re going to make them happen. One thing I’ve always noticed about you is that once you put something in writing, you make it happen.”
Frank listened intently as I said this, picturing his previous successes.
On the way to the airport I told him, “When you get home I want you to re-read The Unbeatable Man – written by a guy who knows what it’s like to overcome adversity, failure, mistakes and heartache. It’s a book you’ll want to read time and again to remind you of what it takes to succeed in any thing.”
Frank nodded.
“There’s a secret in the second reading you’re going to find,” I said. “And you missed it the first time. Let me know what it is once you find it as it will be a great moment in time when you do.”
Frank found the secret in the second reading and he’s been living it day after day. The results have been truly awesome to behold.
I’d like to see you get the same type of results with your children – or for yourself. Read and listen to the story of The Unbeatable Man – and your life will never be the same.
Best,
Matt Furey
P.S. In addition to my book, make sure you re-read the classic Psycho-Cybernetics once a year as well. Each and every time you read it you will find gems you overlooked before. Guaranteed.
