Lesson from a life time of learning-081208

"Five years from now, you'll be the same person you are today except for the people you meet and the books you read." Charlie "Tremendous" Jones

Even if you've never heard Charlie T. Jones speak, it's likely this bit of wisdom has touched your life. For more than 50 years, the internationally acclaimed personal development mentor was on a mission to help people improve their lives through reading.
LESSONS FROM A LIFETIME OF LEARNING* by Charlie "Tremendous" Jones

• READ TO IMPROVE YOUR LIFE.
For Charlie Jones, reading isn't a hobby; it is a necessity for learning. He said, "People who don't read are no better off than those who can't read. Jones says all achievers should read biographies, devotional books and books about their profession. "Don't read to be smart; read to be real. Don't read to be big; read to be down to earth. Don't read to memorize, read to realize. Don't read to learn, read to unlearn a lot of things you should have never learned in the first place. And never read a lot - read just enough to get your mind stimulated and thinking and get you curious and hungry; to keep you learning all your life."

• SEEK COUNSEL.
When someone comes to Jones for advice, he asks, "Would you like my good advice or would you like my priceless advice?" Of course, they want to know the difference. He says his good advice will indeed be good. But when people ask for advice, they're asking someone to tell them what to do - and no one else can know what you should do.
"What you should do is never take or ask for advice, but get counsel. Counsel is when you gather information from different sources and then make your decision. But always - when you make your decision - you make it your decision and let no one else influence it."

• BE FLEXIBLE.
It's great to have a plan, but how often do things go as planned? Being flexible allows you to work through whatever happens without getting bent out of shape.

• LAUGH AT YOURSELF.
Learning is the key; and laughing at or not taking oneself too seriously speeds the learning process. He's often asked how he's become so successful: "'Good judgment,' I say. And then they'll ask, 'Well, how do you get that?' 'Experience.' And again they'll ask, 'How do you get that?' 'Poor judgment!'"

• LIVE WITH GRATITUDE.
Learning to be thankful is the greatest secret of success. A thankful spirit keeps you looking up when you're down. When doctors told Jones he would likely never speak again, rather than complain that his speaking career was finished, he chose to keep life in perspective. "I've had a good voice for 80 years . . . Now that I'm 80, cancer has finally taken its toll; my sight, hearing, strength and voice are going. I'm more thankful and excited than ever, and I'm looking forward to celebrating our 60th wedding anniversary with an around-the-world tour. Life is truly tremendous."

*Excerpt from an article in the August/September 2008 issue of Success Magazine distributed at a memorial service for Charlie Tremendous Jones.

Finish strong!
Make 2008 great in every way!
Good luck and good selling,
Jack and Garry KinderThe KBI Group

POCKET REMINDER #8
(For those of you following the Franklin 13-Week Plan.)
POCKET REMINDER #8 Know your Busines
• Great sales reps are those whose clients have confidence in them and their abilities.
• Keep growing.
• Keep learning and studying.
• Keep records of my performance.
• Know my business -- keep knowing my business.
• Keep getting better and better.
Knowing my business is an investment of time and money that will result in the confidence of my prospects and clients.

Richaard Wong Best Practices, Training & Development AIA
20/F, AIA Building, 1 Stubbs Road Hong Kong Tel: +852 2832 6762 Fax: + 852 2572 1792 Richaard-kl.wong@aig.com

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