I was reminded of the Winston Churchill quote “Never, never, never give up” last week as we seemed to be taking two steps forward and one step back in our quest to giveaway 1,000,000 copies of How To Be Rich and Happy.
Over the last week or so we have had the following setbacks occur:
1. After being invited to speak to a large group of some of central Florida’s most important movers and shakers, we then had the offer retraced the day before the event. Apparently the President got cold feet about the title of How To Be Rich and Happy, even though he hadn’t read it and he was assured by people who had it wasn’t a get rich quick scheme.
2. We had two offers to gift books to a major charity turned down.
3. We had numerous offers to gift copies of How To Be Rich and Happy to United Way ignored after they were initially very enthusiastic. Not even a thanks but no thanks and they’re no longer taking our calls or responding to e-mails.
4. Seen sales slow down, albeit expectedly after the initial rush, to the point where we are still a fraction short of having the money to buy the next batch of books.
5. Had various requests for help or to offer help either ignored or turned down.
So what should we make of a week like that?
Maybe we should feel a bit crestfallen, a bit down or even a bit angry? After all, we’re trying to help here, surely people should be flocking to join our cause? Or maybe we should just quit and sell the rights into the US as we have other countries and cut and run with the money?
The reality is, there are 1,000,001 good causes out there vying for peoples attention and this is very much a marathon and not a sprint.
No project of this magnitude is ever a straight line to success with each day moving a step nearer the final outcome. It’s more like wandering in a maze thinking that the next turn will get you where you want to be only to find it’s another dead end.
Or maybe I should reframe that and say it’ s another option ruled out?
Good stuff happens, bad stuff happens and sometimes nothing at all happens, that’s just how it is.
I don’t necessarily agree with Churchill as I think sometimes quitting can be the wisest thing to do under certain circumstances. History is littered with people who’s inability to see quitting as the most sensible option cost them their business’s, families and sometimes their lives.
Fortunately though, we’re not even remotely close to the point where it’s wise for us to give up, and all the last week has served to do is make us even more determined. And if you do suspect my commitment is waning even for a moment, do me a favor will you please? Drop me an e-mail with a gentle reminder to never, never, never give up.
Things are always, always unfolding perfectly. You know? When you have the benefit of hindsight and you can say to yourself, “If all that horrible crap hadn’t happened, we would never have been as determined to share our message. We could never have persisted enough to keep going, and because we kept going we met (insert awesome well-connected book idea spreader) who made it all possible in the end.”
I have no idea why the world throws us dips in the road. But I like to think of it as a stream, carving its way across the landscape slowly, meandering if necessary to eventually make its way to the sea. You never see it go in a straight line.
Keep going!
There is an organisation in the US called Beating Debt that may be interested in helping get your book out to people that need it. You could contact Eric Swanson via Twitter @beatingdebt. They also have a website beatingdebt.org
This book is excellent, and this cause is excellent. There is absolutely no reason you should ever give up. I believe that something good will happen, and you will both achieve your giant goal. Yes, it is wise to quit sometimes. When you’re doing something that you don’t love. But when you’re giving away this amazing book to 1,000,000 people, you are changing so many lives. Please keep on fighting, no matter what hand you are dealt. I’m sorry that you had a rough week
.
Thanks,
Josh Lipovetsky.
@ Natalie – You’re right! It’s funny but I was only saying to a client the other day when things were going tough for him. “Just imagine how boring your autobigraphy will be if you don’t almost bottom out?” We’ll keep going, I promise.
@ Meg – Thanks for that and I’ll sure check them out.
@ Josh – Thanks man and we will. We have total faith in what we’re doing here and setbacks are just a part of the process.
Tim, I’ll take a copy of your book to review–and then I’ll interview you on my blog if you’re interested. I blog about how to turn obstacles into opportunities. You have a few obstacles; here’s an opportunity. If you take the offer, you can add it to your numbers. Find me on Twitter @bikelady.
@ Jackie – Will do!
Tim,
Hang in there and keep moving forward! I am only part way through the book and I am really enjoying it! It has helped me already in a few different areas, and is really making me think more about things.
Thank you!
Phil
Thanks a lot for your support Phil!
Tim and John, just imagine the world “without” your book….then smile. We are much better because of your “gift” to us. Sometimes “we” don’t know when we’ve got golden nuggets and it takes some of us longer to figure it all out. Please be patient with us until we “get it” and embrace that which is good. When we do, look out! Deming moved to Japan to share his wisdom; the light bulb didn’t work on the first try; and Dr. Martin Luther King and Hellen Keller followed their passion against all odds to make a big difference. So I will continue to do my part to get the word out, but you’ve built it…now people will come and be changed. Be encouraged! Thanks for “investing” in our society. Virginia
We should try our best to control our anger even in the hardest of times! Setbacks do come quite often in life and we must be prepared to meet them whenever they come. As you say good stuff happens, bad stuff happens and sometimes nothing while this we actually call life! Its a really nice thing that you quoted Winston Churchill’s famous quote in this post!