I woke to a few interesting communications today.



1. Um, I Guess that Means You're Not Going to Tell Me More about My eyes?
First, I routinely check my books' pages on Amazon to see what reviews people are posting,
and I came across this NEWLY posted review of my book on Amazon.com's Turn Your Passion Into Profit
page:

Why I'm Returning This Book, April 15, 2007
Reviewer:
Sally Atman

This book includes some excellent information. The first third gives the basics of going with your passion, and the rest of the book is about starting a business. Nothing new, but a nice little package.

But. The author lets us all know he's Jamaican-American (which we already know from the two photos on the cover). I refuse to call him an African-American because he is from Jamaica. His affirmations include "despite racism" and "because of racism," etc., which is completely and utterly unnecessary. The affirmations (and other advice) applies to everyone, but the author just can't drop the racism card.

I'm a native of a suburb of Los Angeles and I'm lily white. Here, we "European-Americans" can be accused of and called anything, with no repurcussions to the accuser or heckler. But heaven help any of us if we're socially and/or policially incorrect.

Another problem is the nasty habit the author has of putting stupid and childish little rhymes on every other page. He writes them, and seems to think they belong in a book on other people's passions. They don't. If this man's passion is poetry, let him write a book on poetry. Don't inflict nursey rhymes on us when we're trying to learn about business. It's annoying.

I hope the author reads this review. Yeah, we allllll know about slavery and understand the problem of racism. As a personal victim of physical racial abuse by African-Americans against myself, a "European-American," I'm offended by the references to racism in this book.

And, buddy, if you want to write nursery rhymes, stick them in a children's book and sell them to toddlers. As a former English professor, I find them unbelievably trite, sophormoric, and downright idiotic.


Ouch!
Now you may think this is a not-so-good thing, but I was excited!
First of all, she got my name and my nationality right! Seriously, though,
this sort of review, when balanced with the other positive reviews I receive,
doesn't seem to be affecting sales. Quite the contrary, I woke
to find a new order from Amazon, so it might even be stirring
up some controversy that is helping sales. But having said that,
I wondered if I should respond to it.

Given the nature of many of her other reviews on Amazon,
I might not have responded, were it
not for some factual errors in her review which seemed to reveal
a personal issue, and which, for the sake of new visitors to the
Amazon site, I felt I needed to set straight. So I wrote the following and
posted it as a comment to her review:


MY REPLY:
Hi Sally,
Walt Goodridge (the author) here. Thanks so much for the feedback!

The section you're referring to occurs between pages 46 and 49 in Turn Your Passion into Profit and is used to illustrate the types of thinking that people often engage in that limit their success. In doing workshops and in coaching clients of all nationalities, ethnicities and backgrounds for years, I've come across many reasons as to why people feel they are limited in their accomplishments. On page 49, I state:

[begin quote]
"Reacting to Racism(1)/Sexism/Classism
Think about it. "Isms" exist full force in our society. Racism(2) is at the basis of the United States' rise to world power. Sexism defined Voting rights in this country for decades. The very constitution of the country supports it. As a result there are people in this society who are routinely excluded from "the mainstream" for a variety of reasons. Rather than being a setback, however, this shameful reality may just as easily be viewed as an opportunity."
[end quote]

Each actual use of the word "racism" (as well as sexism, age-ism, etc; what I refer to "other people's issues") in those 4 pages is included simply to illustrate the thoughts people have about these various "isms" ranging from those who use them as excuses, to those who use them as motivation. For example, in defining what I call "The Creative Success Attitude" I state:

[begin quote]
"There is another group of successful entrepreneurs who have taken the attitude adjustment one step further. These rare individuals exist in a reality all their own. For them, the normal rules of life don't apply. They have turned things upside down and their thoughts may sound something like this:
BECAUSE of racism(3), BECAUSE of setbacks, and BECAUSE of other people's issues, I will succeed!"
[end quote]

note: there are only four instances of use of the word itself in the entire book (3 of them are numbered above), and all appear just within those 4 pages-- two used in the way described above (as illustrating suggested thoughts on how to use them as motivation), and the other two appearing exactly as quoted from page 49 (once in the heading, and in one sentence in the quote). (I'm sure it just seemed like an entire deck)

As you correctly mentioned, prejudice (racism/sexism/classism, etc) is not a blemish unique to any one group. People of practically every group engage in it in some form or other, and as a result, people of practically every group can be on the receiving end (as you yourself can attest to) and consequently feel victimized. The discussion of this phenomenon, and the affirmations in my book are not MY thoughts about MY situation. These are the thoughts of my clients, customers and potential passionpreneurs of all stripes that I routinely encounter which I feel are worthy of being addressed, as not everyone shrugs the barbs off easily.

You will note for the record (I even did a word search myself):-) , that absolutely nowhere else in the fully 334 (extra) pages in the book is that word or are those excuses addressed again (nor, for the record, does the word slavery or even any discussion of it appear in my book). For they are, after all, naught but excuses...and speaking of which....

Excuses, Excuses

It's not about credentials
regulations or degrees
It's not about some board
that validates your expertise

It's not about the cash flow
or that "money's kinda tight"
It's not about your rent
or getting finances just right

It's not about you needing proof
and knowing this scheme works
It's not about your pension plan
job benefits or perks

It's not about your debts
or paying back the student loan
It's not about your age
or waiting 'til the kids are grown

And NO, it's not a time thing
so just stop THAT idle chatter
We all know people find the time
for things that really matter

So what is it that stops you?
Well, the truth is that you're scared
But rather than admit it
you just say you're unprepared

When children want they're fearless
for there's nothing they want more
But as adults choose safety
the predictable and sure

And skill and time and money?
You know what I'll say is true:
You've known those who do more with less
who're not half as bright as you!

Yes, all you need's desire
forget all that other stuff
And simply ask one question:
"Do I want this bad enough?"

(Smile)
p.s. There are actually only 13 of these Life Rhymes throughout the book, with NONE appearing in Chapter 4 (Your Wow Factor), or Chapter 5 (Finding Your Purpose), or Chapter 9 (Starting a business), or Chapter 10 (Selling with Passion), or Chapter 11: (Accounting and Taxes), so that technically makes it 338/13= every 26 pages on average.

END.

As of this posting (Apr 25), 81%o f people who visit my book's page on Amazon.com purchase it. I'm eager to see how that number changes...

People are talking!



2. At same time, I also found in my morning email:
hey Walt,
I bought your Business plan (www.hiphopbusinessplan.com) when I realized I had an interested investor and it made me do something I'd never done before.FLESH OUT ALL THE DETAILS! I haven't even finished the plan and have gotten the a-ok on the finances! 6 figures! My plan is edgy so I had to alter a couple things but it was a great template. The stats you found fit our objectives exactly! They were up to date and cited with references. As I sit here chunking out the last few details and financial report (and Yes I used that calculator feature at least 20 times today), I'm here to say there is no equal for your business plan. Keep your fingers crossed, its time for me to save hip-hop.
-Sir (formerly Sir Reigns)






3. And this in response to today's article in the Saipan Tribune entitled "Selling Survival"

I was a recent visitor to the Northern Mariana Islands. I read your column in the Saipan Tribune while I was there. It's a nice read with some very good, common-sense suggestions for people taking charge of their lives.
Anyway, I really loved the Marianas. I think many people here in San Francisco and Northern California would love to visit there if they knew more about those lovely isles. I also think that you touched on something when you discussed your take on the future. In my opinion the Marianas have everything needed to transition to a sustainable and green economy. The Marianas have all the elements to create an alternate paradigm that will benefit all of its population. The people of the CNMI need to have a conversation about how they are going to sustain their culture and their islands--in fact, they have to, if they are to survive water and energy shortages, plus the potential loss of their number one income, tourism.
I appreciate your efforts on their behalf. I believe you are helping them prepare for that conversation.
Good Luck.

Dex




AHHHHHH! Ain't it great! And it's not even 9am yet!

Labels: Tell Me More About My Eyes, Walt's Articles

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