by: Willie Crawford
Many years ago, there was a popular humorous say that went something like, "It's hard to soar with the eagles when you hang out with the turkeys." The message of course was that your accomplishments are limited by those that you spend most of your time with.
Experts on what it takes to achieve great things have long recognized this fact. Look at any person's 10 closest associates and you can estimate that person's earning potential within a few thousand dollars per year. It will be very close to the group's average. Part of the reason that's true is because the group defines what's expected of its members. Any member stepping out of line is somehow admonished for "rocking the boat."
To change your income, you DO have to change who you associate with. You don't have to drop your friends, but you do have to associate with those already doing what you want to do. You do have to associate with those already earning what you plan on earning. You need this "association" to elevate your thinking.
My friend Joel Christopher is the perfect example of this concept in action. Joel immigrated from the Philippines many year ago, and worked as a physical therapist for a while. However, he was attracted to the Internet marketing arena by several factors including the possibility of increased earning and the fact that an Internet business would allow him to spend more time with his family.
When I first met Joel in 2002, I noticed that he had surrounded himself with some of the best Internet marketers around. At a seminar he sponsored, I saw that he had Dr. Joe Vitale, Marlon Sanders, Terry Dean, and Paul Myers, and many other people I revered speaking. I later learned that Joe Vitale was part of his mastermind group. Marlon and Joel were such close friend that Marlon had moved to the same neighborhood that Joel was in, and they often went for long walks where they brainstormed.
As I saw what Joel was doing, I also decided that I would soar with the eagles. I had proof beyond dispute that associating with very successful people would eventually pull anyone closer to their level. Actually, I had watched this concept at work during my many years in the U.S. Air Force. Those who aspired to be generals knew that they had to spend time being mentored and groomed by generals. It was common knowledge that without a "sponsor" you would never make the higher ranks no matter how well you did your job.
Every Second Lieutenant is advised to volunteer for all kinds of projects just to get noticed by the "higher ups."
Getting back to my friend Joel and the art of associating with "the right people"... Joel is now a partner with Ted Nicholas, "the 4 Billion Dollar Man." Ted is called this because his copywriting and direct marketing skills have managed to sell that much merchandise over the years. Most of this was through mail order. Ted is a direct marketing genius that can hold an audience captivated for hours! My library is filled with recordings of his presentations.
Ted Nicholas is the best-selling author of 15 books including his latest masterpiece "How To Turn Words Into Money" He's considered the "King of Print", the "Copywriter's Copywriter", the "Entrepreneur's Entrepreneur" and the "GodFather of Direct Marketing." Ted is the guru that many other great copywriters learned from and someone I'm now learning from.
Joel is also now a partner with Carl Turner. Carl was "marketing legend" Jay Abraham's "right hand man" for years! When I last called Joel's office number, Carl returned the call. Call has also now moved to San Antonio to work closer with Joel.
What’s the point in all of this rambling. Simply that if you aspire to higher levels of accomplishment, you absolutely must associate with those who can help shape your thinking appropriately. You must "hitch your wagon to a star."
You must not only understand the art of pulling yourself up to the next level, you must also take action. As an example, I aspired to be at the level Joel and all of those speakers were at when I attended Joel's seminar in 2002. On March 18th -19th of this year, I will be on stage at Joel Christopher's and Ted Nicholas' Double Birthday Bash in San Antonio, Texas. Several years of associating with and allowing these marketing geniuses to teach me has pulled me closer to where I want to be.
I'd like to encourage you to join us in San Antonio this month. You'll get to associate with all of the major players at a giant birthday party. You'll get to learn from, form associations with, and identify those who can help make your Internet marketing dreams a reality. These dreams could be as simple as launching your next software or ebook project, or they could be 7-figure aspirations as mine are.
To sign up for the double birthday bash and hang out with the direct marketing and Internet marketing elite, visit: http://WillieCrawford.com/birthdaybash.html
Why do Joel and I spend so much time and energy getting to know and partner with people like Ted. We understand that you have to:
Those are the real reasons you want to allow the eagles to teach you to soar. And in case you're wondering, I have no intention of moving to San Antonio - I love the Florida beaches too much :-)
Copyright 2005 Willie Crawford