by Jim Cathcart

If you want to get the “original” messages in the field of human development, you really have to go back a long way.

I’ve been in the “Motivation” business for over 32 years now. But, lest you think I was a pioneer, take a look at Peter Legge’s article below. The field of Self-Improvement has been around a very long time and it has some impressive credentials. After you read Peter’s article read my epilogue about the folks I’ve been privileged to know and work with in this business.

Insight by Peter Legge Volume 21, Issue 35

September 7, 2009

The Birth of Self Help – Is 150 Years Old!

Have you ever thought about who started the “self help” “inspiration” “motivation” “leadership” phenomena?

Where did the literary greats and positive success authors come from and who influenced the Dale Carnegie’s, the Orison Swett Marden’s, the Writings of Og Mandino and W. Clement Stone, Norman Vincent Peale, Earl Nightingale, Napoleon Hill and others?*

At the Speakers Roundtable 2009 Conference in Westlake Village California, member Danny Cox put on a “Links to the Past – strength for the future” presentation seminar.

*The answer to this question was Samuel Smiles (1812-1904). He wrote the first book “Self Help” which was published in 1859, some 150 years ago.

Samuel Smiles, the eldest of eleven children, was born on 23^rd December, 1812. Samuel’s parents ran a small general store in Haddington in Scotland. After attending the local school he left at fourteen and joined Dr. Robert Lewins as an apprentice.

After making good progress with Dr. Lewins, Smiles went to Edinburgh University in 1829 to study medicine. While in Edinburgh, Smiles became involved in the campaign for parliamentary reform. During this period he had several articles on the subject published by the progressive Edinburgh Weekly Chronicle.

Smiles graduated in 1832 and found work as a doctor in Haddington.

In 1837 Samuel Smiles began contributing articles on parliamentary reform for the Leeds Times. The following year he was invited to become the newspaper’s editor. Smiles decided to abandon his career as a doctor and to become a full-time worker for the cause of political change.

In the 1850s Samuel Smiles completely abandoned his interest in parliamentary reform. Smiles now argued that self-help provided the best route to success. His book Self-Help, which preached industry, thrift and self-improvement, was published in 1859. Samuel Smiles died on 16^th April, 1904.

Here are 20 Samuel Smiles quotes. I am sure you can see his influence in modern day “self help” books.

1. A place for everything, and everything in its place.
2. An intense anticipation itself transforms possibility into reality; our desires being often but precursors of the things which we are capable of performing.
3. Enthusiasm… the sustaining power of all great action.
4. He who never made a mistake, never made a discovery.
5. Hope is like the sun, which, as we journey toward it, casts the shadow of our burden behind us.
6. Hope… is the companion of power, and the mother of success; for who so hopes has within him the gift of miracles.
7. I’m as happy a man as any in the world, for the whole world seems to smile upon me!
8. It is a mistake to suppose that men succeed through success; they much oftener succeed through failures. Precept, study, advice, and example could never have taught them so well as failure had done.
9. It is energy – the central element of which is will – that produces the miracle that is enthusiasm in all ages. Everywhere it is what is called force of character and the sustaining power of all great action.
10. Knowledge conquered by labor becomes a possession – a property entirely our own.
11. Labor is still, and ever will be, the inevitable price set upon everything which is valuable.
12. Life will always be to a large extent what we ourselves make it.
13. Lost wealth may be replaced by industry, lost knowledge by study, lost health by temperance or medicine, but lost time is gone forever.
14. Man cannot aspire if he looked down; if he rise, he must look up.
15. Men must necessarily be the active agents of their own well-being and well-doing they themselves must in the very nature of things be their own best helpers.
16. Men who are resolved to find a way for themselves will always find opportunities enough; and if they do not find them, they will make them.
17. Practical wisdom is only to be learned in the school of experience. Precepts and instruction are useful so far as they go, but, without the discipline of real life, they remain of the nature of theory only.
18. Progress however, of the best kind, is comparatively slow. Great results cannot be achieved at once; and we must be satisfied to advance in life as we walk, step by step.
19. The apprenticeship of difficulty is one which the greatest of men have had to serve.
20. The reason why so little is done, is generally because so little is attempted.

Quote of the Week:

The spirit of self-help is the root of all genuine growth in the individual.

-        Samuel Smiles

Book of the Month:

“Self-Help” by Samuel Smiles

Available from Amazon Books – soft cover

Hi, it’s Jim Cathcart again, there is much wisdom in those quotes and though many sound archaic, they are still in popular use today, but perhaps with more current wording. Here are some of the giants whom I’ve had the privilege of working with directly: Og Mandino, Earl Nightingale, W. Clement Stone, Kenneth McFarland, Cavett Robert, Bill Gove, Mort Utley, Dr. Charles Jarvis, Zig Ziglar, Art Linkletter, Jim Rohn, Charlie “Tremendous” Jones, and many more.

It has been thrilling to know and collaborate with these inspiring people, truly a privilege and an honor. What I’ve learned from them is that each was a good person in addition to being a successful one. These are people who, despite their own struggles, chose to make the world a better place, and then did it. Now the task is yours and mine. Will we keep the chain unbroken? Join me.

by Jim Cathcart

Tony Alessandra, PhD was the first speaker in the seminar series of The 101 Leaders Institute in Thousand Oaks, California at the beautiful Sherwood Country Club on Sept. 24, 2009. His compelling seminar covered: The Psychology of Persuasion: Practicing The Platinum Rule® in Business.

Here is a clip from that seminar.

The attendees at this inaugural event in The Breakthrough to Prosperity seminar series included: Bankers, Attorneys, Accountants, a Publisher, Hotel Managers & Executives, a Marketing Consultant, an Auto Industry Consultant, Philanthropists, Real Estate Developers and Managers, Psychologists, a Navy Captain, an Endodontist, a Boat Manufacturer, a Retail Drug Store executive, a Singer/Songwriter, owner of a Spa Services company, a Training Company manager, Lifestyle Consultants, Restauranteurs, a MatchMaker business owner, a Retail Clothing Store owner, Uniform Company executives, and four top selling Authors.

The purpose of 101 Leaders Institute’s “Breakthrough to Prosperity” seminar series is: To transform the thinking and actions of people in “the highway 101 corridor” from fear and defensiveness into courage and optimism, resulting in proactive business strategies that will advance commerce and increase cooperation among all residents of this region.

Our strategy is: To bring world-class Hall of Fame Professional Speakers and BestSelling Authors to LA/Ventura counties at easily affordable prices with Seminars focused on proven practices and strategies for advancing business and personal success in a challenging economy. Every one of our seminar leaders has delivered thousands of presentations around the world, sold tens of thousands of books and recorded programs, and earns a speaking fee in excess of $20,000 per seminar. (Our annual subscription enrollment to all seven seminars is just $795.) To enroll now, click here.

These are the people you’ve been traveling to hear at your national and international conventions, now accessible here in your home area. (Note: a similar seminar series is currently being offered in Memphis, TN and Dallas, TX with more cities coming on line soon.) People who enroll in the other cities will be given reciprocal privileges here to attend our series.

If you would like to be a sponsor for this series or enroll your team as a group please drop us a line. info@101leaders.com.

The next presenter for this series is Scott McKain, author of All Business is Show Business, What Customers Really Want, and The Collapse of Distinction. His seminar will be at Sherwood Country Club on November 5, 2009 from 6:30pm to 9pm. To enroll now, click here.

by Jim Cathcart

On Coach Ron Tunick’s radio show this past Thursday I spoke about the need for a concerted effort to “Revitalize Our Businesses.” He then asked me, “how do we do that?” My reply was, “Revitalize Yourself First!”

A business is simply a group of people involved in a common endeavor with the goal of serving others at a profit, so that it can be sustained over time. The business is not the things that it uses: locations, products, tools, systems. The business is the dealings between people.

So every business is the reflection of the attitudes, intellect, skills and actions of its people. If the leaders and sales people and those who deliver the services do not approach business optimistically and enthusiasticly then the business is guaranteed to suffer. Customers will feel it and go elsewhere, suppliers and supporters will lose their zeal to stay on your team and business will decline.

How do you revitalize yourself when the circumstances seem to only discourage and threaten you?

1. Control what you think about and talk about.

2. Choose who you spend your time with.

3. Limit your exposure to the negatives.

4. Commit to positive daily actions on things that matter.

Here are some vital premises that all of us need to keep in mind as we grow our organizations.

• What you talk about is what you will think about. (Don’t dwell on the threats, Dwell on the solutions.)
• Some people will only drag you down. (Limit your time with pessimists, Increase your time with optimists.)
• Doing something constructive is the key to dissolving depression. (Psychiatrists will tell you that ANY positive action no matter how small is better than inaction or distraction.)
• Certain skills and ways of thinking will pay off more than others. (Cultivate the vital skills in yourself and others. During challenging times INCREASE the amount of training you do.)

I’m doing my part to help the business community here in Los Angeles & Ventura Counties by bringing the top thought leaders, bestselling authors and hall of fame professional speakers to Thousand Oaks/Westlake Village. Every eight weeks I’ll be hosting a seminar by one of these speakers in a location adjacent to Highway 1o1. The first event is at Sherwood Country Club on Sept. 24th from 6:30pm to 9pm, featuring Dr. Tony Alessandra on “The Psychology of Persuasion”.

Here is the link to information on the full series. The Breakthrough to Prosperity Seminars.

Think of what you can do to expose yourself and your team to more positive uplifting input: web-casts, CDs, DVDs, podcasts, books, discussions, daily briefings, memos, posters, notes, theme-of-the-week, etc. How can you praise the good work of others today? What can you focus on that might inspire others to do likewise? What radio stations can you listen to that will lift you instead of scaring you? What newsletters, articles, or quotes could you share to inspire or inform people of the solutions instead of just the problems?

Join with me, Don Hutson, the members of Speakers Roundtable and others who have created The Breakthrough to Prosperity Seminar Series in various locations around the country. Let’s get ourselves Re-Vitalized and work together to spread the optimism, commitment and learning to everyone.

Thinking has to change before circumstances change.

Everyone is influenced from what they see, hear and talk about. So let’s look at, listen to and talk about the Solutions not the problems!

Call me at 805 777 3477 to enroll in this exciting series or email me at: info@101Leaders.com. You can also sign up online by simply clicking through from the seminar page on my website.

by Jim Cathcart

Ground Zero in New York City

In the afternoon of 9-11-2001, while still reeling from the shocking tragedies of that morning, I wrote the message posted below. Today, 9-11-2009, we have a different set of challenges and fears but once again, I assert that we must come together in a spirit of unison to address, remove and solve the problems plaguing us.

Today’s challenges include a large number of our own political leaders who appear to be driving our country off a cliff. They are rapidly passing legislation and implementing policies and systems far beyond their elected authority to do so. And when they leave office with a comfy pension we and our children will be required to pay their debts.

We need leaders whom we will hold accountable for real solutions, not just symbolic strategies with no proven ability to produce good results. We need to elect new leaders, demand more responsibility and integrity from those who serve us, and revive the spirit of self-reliance and Americanism. We need people whose personal and professional track records are worthy of admiration. People about whom we can say to our children, “Be like them.”

We must forget race, color, religion, gender, age or political party as we look at each other. We must also consider all of our hyphenated self descriptions (“xyz-american”) to be obsolete, permanently. Those that keep race alive as an issue must be ignored and discouraged. When the audience walks away the speakers stop ranting.

We are either American or we are not. E Pluribus Unum, Out of Many…ONE. When we become Americans the other identities are no longer important. It is our Americanism we must honor, grow and protect.

On this day when so many died at the hands of the enemies of Freedom, I urge you to honor their sacrifices and distinguish their legacies by returning the dignity and pride of being an American. Do this by behaving responsibly, speaking up against corruption and injustice and keeping this country free from government oppression and foreign agression.

by Jim Cathcart

Prosperity is the result of a Mindset and a Skillset. (one without the other cannot be sustained.)

Here are the essential skills:

• Disciplined Efforts
• Outcome Oriented
• Innovative Marketing
• Creative Problem Solving
• Customer Focused
• Optimistic Mindset
• Encouraging to Others
• Self-Reliant (solve your own problems)
• Self-Motivated
• Lifelong Learning
• Interested in Others
• Persuasive Communication
• Critical Thinking
• Strategic Decision-Making
• Loyal to Your Organization & Team
• Open to & Enthusiastic About Change
• Eager to Grow
• Willing to Take Responsibility for Keeping Yourself Motivated & Trained

The Breakthrough to Prosperity Seminar Series is designed to teach the above skills by bringing the top authorities and bestselling authors on each of these topics to Ventura County. Through Jim Cathcart’s personal relationships with all of these top experts you are able to gain direct access to some of the best business thinkers in the world, right here!

Click here to see the brochure and to enroll now! One seminar every eight weeks or so continuing at the rate of seven seminars per year.

The FIRST seminar is Thursday evening, September 24, 2009 from 6:30 to 9PM at Sherwood Country Club. You can enroll in just this seminar for only $199 or the entire series of 7 seminars for $795.

Advance enrollment is required due to the security gate procedures at Sherwood. Call now to assure that you are there for Dr. Tony Alessandra’s seminar on “The Psychology of Persuasion: Practicing The Platinum Rule® in Business.” Call 805 777 3477 or send your payment information to info@101leaders.com.

Every participant will receive Dr. Alessandra’s special handbook and reminder cards for The Platinum Rule®.

by Jim Cathcart

My regular readers now know of the Masters Series of  ”Breakthrough to Prosperity” Seminars I’m bringing to Ventura County, CA starting now. What you may not know is that there is a way for us to work toward your goals too.

I’m bringing 7 seminars a year here to where I live (LA & Ventura Counties) and my colleagues are doing the same in Tennessee, Texas and Florida with more cities to come online soon. My first one here is Sept. 24, 2009 at Sherwood Country Club. The featured speaker is Dr. Tony Alessandra.

What all of these Seminar Series have in common is more than the theme, it is also the Faculty! We are all members of the prestigious Speakers Roundtable, a group of 20 professional speakers & authors who are at the top of their profession.

Every one of the faculty members is:

• A Hall of Fame Professional Speaker
• A Best Selling Author
• A National Expert in their Specialty
• A really entertaining presenter
• and a good friend of the other faculty members.

We have put together these Seminar Series so that we are able to bring essential business solutions and inspiring, practical ideas to you in a very affordable way.

The topics we’ll be addressing and our faculty are listed below.

See the brochure for my “101 Leaders Institute” Series at this link. Click here.

The way that you can partner with me/us is through Sponsorship. If you have a product, service or message that the attendees at our sessions ought to see then let’s work together to reach them.

Here is how that can work for you. We are bringing business owners, managers, civic leaders, sales people, business students and entrepreneurs to seven or more seminars per year in each of our base communities. There will be workbooks for them to take home filled with their notes, signage opportunities at the events, tickets with sponsor logos, special discounts & offers for enrollees, brochure and website advertising opportunities and more. You can provide samples and special offers to them to initiate their dealings with you.

In fact, I’m planning to host a number of Thought Leaders Forums with select members of my faculty who are here to do the seminars. These can be co-hosted or sponsored in ways that also involve your key executives in the dialogue or even on the platform. There will also be a set of Parlor Discussions with the speaker experts.

Please let me know of your interest and how you’d like to participate. Email me first with links to your website and contact info.  805-777-3477 or jim@101leaders.com

Once again, here are the topics and faculty members in the Series.

Intelligent Optimism: finding the opportunities where others don’t

Critical Thinking Skills: learning to think toward outcomes not just feelings

Innovative Business Strategies: new ways and creative ideas

Sales Techniques for this economy

Building Customer Loyalty: retain and grow your customer base

Creative Problem Solving & Innovation

The Psychology of Persuasion: learn why people say Yes!

Leadership & Motivation that works

Relationship Intelligence®: turn your connections into Assets

Presentation Skills & Public Speaking: influencing skills we all need

Leading Effective Meetings: no more wasted communication

Brand Positioning & Differentiation: how to stand out

Getting Full Price in a down market

Entrepreneurial Strategies & Systems: streamline and add power

Becoming a Person of Substance & Reputation-Building Strategies

Competitive Strategies & Tactical Decision Making

Financial Strategies – Personal & Business

How to be seen as a Trusted Advisor

Relationship Selling Strategies: get your customers to want to stay with you

Overcoming Crises & Challenges: It’s how you respond that counts most of all

Building Resilience & Courage: turning fear into confidence and commitment

Some of the leading experts I’ll be introducing to you are:

Mark Sanborn, author of The Fred Factor & The Encore Effect

Patricia Fripp, executive speech coach, author of Get What You Want

Thom Winninger, author of Full Price and Price Wars

Jim Cathcart, author of Relationship Selling & The Acorn Principle

Don Hutson, author of The Sale & The One Minute Entrepreneur

Scott McKain, author of The Collapse of Distinction & What Your Customers Really Want

Giovanni Livera, master innovator, author of Live A Thousand Years

Tony Alessandra PhD, author of The Platinum Rule and 15 other books

Peter Legge, CEO of Canada Wide Media, author of Make Your Life A Masterpiece

Bill Bachrach, CEO of BAI & creator of The Trusted Advisor Coach program

Jim Tunney, Dean of NFL Referees, author of Impartial Judgment

Terry Paulson PhD, Optimism Expert & Psychologist, author of The Optimism Advantage

Charlie Plumb, Navy Captain retired, former POW in Vietnam for 6 years, author of I’m No Hero

by Jim Cathcart

One of the great benefits of being a professional speaker and author is the people you get to know and become friends with. Two of my friends (technically 3) have released exciting new books that I want you to know about.

David Booth & Deborah Shames have written Own The Room! and Lisa Nirell has written Energize Growth Now! In fact, Lisa is conducting a special retreat that you’ll want to know about. Information on both of these great resources is below.

David Booth & Deborah Shames, Presentation and Communication Training, 4723 Barcelona Court, Calabasas, CA 91302, 818-225-7992, 818-225-7993 (fax) www.eloqui.biz,

Today, no one can afford the luxury of losing a pitch, blowing a presentation or making a mediocre speech by relying on traditional speaking and communicating methods. Field trained as TV/Film director and actor/company spokesman, the founders of Eloqui (a business communication training company based in Calabasas) have created a cutting edge system based on performance techniques, balanced with current research in cognitive science and impression management.

Eloqui has a new book published by McGraw-Hill called “Own the Room” (www.owntheroombook.com).  The techniques presented in the book are immediately applicable and focus on business generation. Unique ideas that break the rules include: 1. Intention: boil down your presentation into one actionable sentence that drives the entire talk, and reflects what you want. 2. Client Anecdotes: a unique template that allows you to tell a story that demonstrates what sets you apart and keeps your listeners engaged, and 3. Openings and closings: How to create compelling openings, segue into a memorable theme, and close with the impact that drives business. www.eloqui.biz

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For LISA NIRELL’s Road to Recovery Retreat: Here is an invitation to an event that may significantly improve your 2010 growth prospects.

For many B2B executives and business owners, the economy has created alot of confusion, chaos and paralysis.  I want to help you avoid some of the chaos by inviting you to “The Road to Recovery Retreat” October 9-10 in San Diego CA. You can either stay paralyzed and hope things improve on their own accord, or you can gather ideas, inspiration and feedback to get you on track and keep you there. I really believe that you have the ability to define your future and build a plan that is empowering, practical, and simple. The Road to Recovery™ Retreat is the first step to help you choose powerfully. It will provide you with confidence, structure, support and accountability. You can learn more here: www.energizegrowth.com/roadtorecovery.shtml

I can personally vouch for Lisa Nirell, the founder of EnergizeGrowth®.  I have worked with Lisa in the past and can attest to the quality of her work.  She is not only energetic and direct; she has worked with hundreds of senior executives, and has helped growth companies and startups for 26 years.  And she has quite a few prominent sponsors, including Wells Fargo Financial Advisors and The San Diego Business Journal.

I encourage you to visit the Road To Recovery Retreat web page and complete the application.  This session isn’t for everyone—and Lisa promises to tell you if it’s not for you.  She will respond to your questions within 48 hours and help you make the right choice. Here is the link again: www.energizegrowth.com/roadtorecovery.shtml

Lisa Nirell “The Business Energizer“ www.energizegrowth.com 541-593-8787 Author of “EnergizeGrowth NOW:  The Marketing Guide to a Wealthy Company”