The Success Chronicles Part 6

Freee Success Novel and Newsletter

The Unconventional Millionaire

The UnConventional Millionaire
By: Claude W. Diamond J.D.

Claude Introduction: I don’t know about you, but I am really sick and tired of hearing the same old garbage about “How to achieve Success and financial freedom”. If writing your goals down, repeating your positive affirmations, having a positive attitude when you had a lousy day is the Path to Wealth then why is Success so hard for so many? After wasting enormous resources on the conventional, I have compiled a few ideas for you to ponder that have worked for me and will work for you. You may agree or disagree, but I can tell you these ideas will get you to the bank and have the Success you deserve.

If Working Hard is the Path to Success why isn’t my nice Garbage Man a Millionaire?
(Believe it or not, he actually puts the lids back on!)
Millionaires realize that a good hard work ethic alone won’t get them to their bank. You have to think SMART. Millionaires always do a self analysis a diagnostic and ask themselves if what they are doing is getting them to their financial objectives (The Bank). We hate busy work that is unproductive and unprofitable.

Passion is more than making out at the drive-in! (I know, I know, what is a drive-in ?)
Answer: It’s the place you parents drove their car to watch a movie but all they really did is snog
(I know it’s a gross visualization)
Millionaires know that they can only be successful at something that is interesting, enjoyable, yes even fun. They have to believe in their product or service; that it creates a value to others, fulfills a want or need. They have to believe in what they are working for with an unbridled enthusiasm. When you ask a millionaire about what they do for a living they begin to glow. My first business success was in real estate. I still love it. If you can’t wake up in the morning and get excited about what you do, then do something different really fast! (See #5 Burn Some Bridges.)

Your !@#$%* doesn’t STINK rule!
OK-OK relax! This is just my way of telling you that self esteem is really important. You believe that you are a winner and your Success is not dependent on anyone or anything except yourself. You have a high value of yourself without giving an appearance of arrogance to others.

Seminars, Boot camps and Gimmicks Don’t Work!
Millionaires don’t believe that quickie weekend seminars, boot camps, spending money to walk on hot coals or bungie jumping off a bridge will make them money, create positive change or increase self esteem. Learning has to be practical, long term and continual to obtain the positive results desired. There are no quick fixes.

Burn Some Bridges-NO GUTS-NO GLORY-NO SUCCESS
Sometimes you have to burn some of your bridges in order to move forward. I can remember when I quit a cushy Corporate job in order to start a full-time new business venture. More than a few people told me I was nuts to leave the company. I discovered that I could make more money, have financial freedom and security and the freedom I desired. Millionaires are willing to take reasonable risks and have the guts to go against conventional thinking. They know that if their idea is original and creates value it will work. In many cases people will ridicule an original thinker but if the idea, product or service takes off, believe me they will copy it later.

Diplomas Make Great Wallpaper (but will not make you rich!)
When I was a kid growing up in NYC all I ever heard was how you had to get good grades to get into college in order to become successful. The truth be known, I am the kid who got C’s in high school. (I was bored to tears most of the time). I even had some teachers who said I would never get into college if I didn’t apply myself. (Fooled them!) When I graduated I was hired by a Fortune 500 Company to sell their hot dogs in the South Bronx war zone (not fun). When I was up for a salary review after doubling sales in my territory I received a ridiculous $10.00 a month pay raise to an already dismal salary. I then came to the realization that all the time, money and energy expended to get a business college degree would never get me to my financial goals. Traditional schooling and all the higher education degrees in the world will not guarantee that you get rich. The Mind of a Millionaire understands the value of education, but a greater value is placed on specialized contemporary knowledge and on the courage to utilize and implement that knowledge.

School is never o v e r for WInners!
You never graduate because you never stop learning. Knowledge today is increasing with every passing hour; new technology, new ideas and inventions. The Millionaire mind is that you learn everyday; millionaires feel that they must always strive to stay on top so they read books, listen to tapes and listen to others who they know are qualified to speak. They believe in higher education, but not always institutional learning. I attended a two year college, a four year university, earned a BA in Business and then received a Doctorate in Law. Big Deal I say. The best stuff I ever learned was from my Mentor Max. A common musing in my home is “why didn’ t they teach this in school”?

Get a MENTOR before it’s too late.
Millionaires value time, resources and the Success of others. They are always looking for shortcuts, better and smarter ways. Talk to any self made Millionaire and ask them if they had/have Mentors in their life who contributed to their success and they will always say YES! Common sense tells the smart person that they don’t have to reinvent the wheel, they can use another’s wagon instead.

Success takes so much DISCIPLINE that your friends might start calling you YODA.
The Millionaire is willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done and thrives on challenges. Success requires tons of discipline or control. These folks work hard consistently and they can forego immediate recreation, rewards and pleasure for future security. You’ve gotta pay a price for success and the cost is DISCIPLINE !

Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self control, Indomitable Spirit
Note: I borrowed the following tenets from the wall of my kids’ Tae Kwon Do dojang. (Korean self defense). Courtesy: Manners are becoming an extinct behavior. Show class and stand out. Integrity: A good character does matter regardless of what everyone else does. Do the right thing always. Perseverance: The ability to hang in there when all the losers and quitters have gone home.
Self control: It’s all about you making decisions bound with commitment. Indomitable Spirit: To walk with your head high with dignity, confidence, self awareness.

Work Really Smart! Ask yourself this every day
“What did I do today to get to my goals?”

Be Unconventional, Politically Incorrect and Judgmental
The Millionaire mind set is one which is opinionated, judgmental and often politically incorrect. They understand right from wrong. The Millionaire has the guts to take a stand on an issue, the character to apologize when wrong and the ability to persevere in the face of opposition. Millionaires are not timid or wishy washy. They have the courage to be rich, the outspokenness to say what’s on their mind and the creativity of a great artist.
Have Fun!

The guy who said “money isn’t everything”, never had any! Millionaires are happy because they’re having a ball doing what’s fun. You have to be broke at least once in your life in order to appreciate not worrying about bills, having security and just doing what I do. My desk is surrounded with Gary Larson humor, yo-yos,slinkys and juggle balls. Have fun,do what you love and the money will always follow. You don’t have to find the child within if the kid was always there!

Claude Diamond J.D.
www.ClaudeDiamond.com
(970) 281-5151 “I answer my own phone”

Sales Techniques Results vs Process

Are you in sales to make money and have fun or just bang your head against the wall in frustration ? http://www.GutsSales.comDon't let the Process get in the way of results. Never be ashamed of going to the big bank.

Claude Diamond J.D. is the author of several Business Success Novels and Mentors select individuals in his principles of wealth, sales and Success. Give him a Call, he answers his own phone; really ! (619) 421 4121 or Skype him at: ClaudeDiamond

How to Give Good Phone in Sales Training.mov

The Success Gauntlet (excerpt) by Claude Diamond J.D.

Coming soon ! The  Success Gauntlet©
A Business Mentoring Novel about having it all!
by Claude W. Diamond J.D.

Chapter 1-How I found Max the Mentor

Submitted by: Claude W. Diamond J.D. P. O. Box 960 Winter Park, Colorado 80482 (970) 726-7979

 Email: Mentor@mac.com All rights reserved

Excerpt from The Success Gauntlet

Oh no, not you again. How many times do I have to tell you Mr. Max will not see anyone without an appointment?

I don’t mind waiting. Maybe he will have some free time or a cancellation.

For the last time, NO! You will leave now or I will be forced to call security.

I had come to the office, yet again because I wanted to meet the man called ‘The Mentor’. I needed to talk with this man if my life was ever going to change. I was determined to meet the mystery man and I would not allow anyone to stand in my way. I had to try something else.

I returned to my beat up Ford Bronco which should have been retired 5 years ago. I thought about the events of the last few days which had made me become obsessed with success. It all started while I was driving down a country road in Northwest New Jersey. I was admiring the brilliant yellow and red fall foliage when my gut started rumbling. I hadn’t eaten since yesterday!

Money was always an issue, but when things were really tough, I checked the good old change box in my car in which I was pleased to discover a veritable fortune of $4.50. The best cure for hunger was Rae’s Tavern located in Netcong. It’s a classic pub where the old timers hang out all day throwing darts or playing cards. The decor is early Salvation Army chairs and tables with a pool table and a 50’s Jukebox. The postman drops off the mail every morning on the bar, has a quick shot of Bourbon and then continues merrily on his way. Atmosphere aside, it’s the food that everyone comes for. The place is always packed for lunch and today was no exception. A huge bowl of macaroni twists and two large meatballs, a couple slices of Italian bread, all for $3.00. It’s run by brothers, Sam and Junior. Better hosts you would never find in any expensive restaurant.

I saw a hefty patron leave his bar stool and I deftly slide into his spot. Sam came over to me and spoke in his perfect New Jersey drawl. Hey kid, ya want the special?

Sure Sam and a bag of beer nuts and a draft please.

You got it. Haven’t seen ya in a while, ya know. What have ya been up to?

His interest seemed genuine so I started telling him about my troubles in business. Isn’t that what bartenders are for? Aren’t they a working man’s therapist?

Ya know kid (he called anyone under 30 a kid), I was in the same pickle years ago before we bought the tavern. I couldn’t get ahead financially. Had a wife and kids to provide for and couldn’t sleep at night always worrying about bills. I was getting up 6 days a week, sitting in traffic and going to a job I couldn’t stand. A dinner bell interrupted, wait a second and let me get your lunch. Sam brought back an enormous bowl of steaming pasta and meatballs dripping in spaghetti sauce (otherwise known as gravy). Ya want some cheese wit dat?

Sure, I responded. I dove into the concoction while Sam attended to other customers. When he returned, I was cleaning the gravy with my last piece of bread. He picked up the conversation where he left off.

Hey kid, ya want to know what I finally did? I decided to do something about my predicament, something that I always wanted to do. I quit my job and raised as much money as I could and bought this old bar. My brother and a few friends helped me fix it up. I love to cook so I created the daily special. Entertaining, talking and feeding folks is what I do best! The word got around and we are always busy.

Sam, can I ask you a question?

Hold on fer a minute while I take care of a few folks. The hustle and bustle of the place was in- tensifying as the real lunch time crowd came in. He was back in 5 minutes. Go ahead kid, you had a question.

How did you get the nerve to make all the changes in your life, quitting the job and starting a new business?

He stared at me and said one word “Max”. He was my Success Mentor. Everything changed the day I met him. He is a genius in business, a self made Millionaire and one of the greatest people I have ever known. It was his advice and counseling that made it happen for me.

I was totally captivated and intrigued by Sam’s story of success. I had been to all of the motiva- tional seminars and had ‘get rich’ books and CDs, but I had never considered a true Mentor. Could I talk to him, would he give me a few minutes of his time?

I can’t make any promises, but why not go to his office and tell him I sent you. Thanks Sam, I’ll think about it. Hey kid, what have ya got to lose? One warning before you go. Warning, I inquired.

As Sam was walking away, he said, Max might put you through a little Gauntlet, a test. I gotta go kid, hungry people everywhere. Let me know what happens.

Thanks for the advice Sam.

Fergittaboutit kid! With that, Sam was gone. The day was still young and I decided to take Sam’s advice. I drove to Max’s office about 30 minutes away. When I arrived I was blocked from see- ing him by his faithful secretary, Brunhilda Miller.

Do you have an appointment, young man? No Ma’am, but I need to see Mr. Max ASAP. Mr. Max does not see anyone without an appointment. Can I make one now? No! Good day young man.

So now you know. I had been trying to see Max for 5 days and I’d been tossed out every time. I couldn’t even get through the phone system. I would not be denied! The more I was rejected, the more I wanted to see him. Sam had said something about a “Gauntlet”, maybe this was it? Maybe it was supposed to be hard to see Max. As I was leaving the receptionist area, I spotted the sleeping security guard. Excuse me, sir.

Huh, whadyawant? He responded sleepily. Does Max get here by 9 or 10 AM? 10 AM, he laughed. Mr. Max has never been here later than 6 AM in the last 20 years!

The next morning I was in the parking lot at 5 AM facing the entrance. It was cold and dark. 45 minutes later a long black limousine pulled into the parking lot and drove to the front office en- trance. The driver got out and opened the rear door. Now was the moment of truth. For a second I considered turning around and going back to my car. What if Max rejected or chastised me for being so abrupt? What if I was humiliated? What did I have to lose? I would have to be daring if I was going to change my life for the better. So I went for it. Sir, excuse me, you don’t know me, but I am a friend of Sam and he said I should speak to you.

The eloquently dressed man with silver hair turned around. Are you the guy who keeps trying to see me and who is driving my secretary crazy?

Yes, Sir, that would be me.

Well, good. You have been successful in your first Gauntlet.

What Gauntlet, Sir?

Finding a way to meet me no matter how difficult we made it for you. I LIKE POTENTIAL MENTEES TO HAVE TENACITY! He held out his hand and we shook. Now, go down the street and get me a toasted plain bagel and a black coffee. Then we will have a little talk about success.

Yes sir, Mr. Max.

Call me Max and make it snappy!

I smiled knowing that whatever was before me, my life had changed for the better at that precise moment.


Want More ? Then go to www.ClaudeDiamond.com or better yet call Claude,He answers his own phone 970-281-5151