One of the most important ‘choices’ that I teach to people is the choice to do the work that counts. Most people follow the 80/20 rule and spend only 20% of their time doing things that directly produce results. The other 80% of the time is spent shuffling paper or trying to come up with new, more ‘comfortable’ ways of getting something accomplished. This reminds me of a story of a girl that I liked in the third grade.

In the third grade we had a new family move onto our street. I don’t remember the name of the family, but I remember the name of their daughter. Alyssa.  I thought Alyssa was quite the looker, but I was too afraid of asking her if she thought I was cute.  So rather than simply overcoming my fear and taking two seconds to ask her, I devised a plan. Alyssa and I went to the same neighborhood school, so I decided that I would casually introduce myself over a game of catch with my friend. The plan was to play catch with buddy and I standing on opposite sides of her, and then slowly throw the ball closer and closer to her head until it hit her. At that point I would rush over and provide any first aid that she would require thus painting myself as a hero. Then she would be forced to like me. Very simple logic. Well…it didn’t turn out that way. It turns out that my aim was off a bit and I couldn’t hit her. It didn’t take too long until she sensed what I was up to. With no success I went back to class empty handed. Later that day, as I was walking home from school, I found out that she didn’t like me when her older brother beat me up for trying to hit his sister with a football.

Our work life works the same way; when we spend time trying to make the universal laws of sales and growth conform to our standards of comfort, it never works out quite the way we want. It is much easier and less heart aching to change ourselves to get comfortable doing the work that really counts. After we have mastered the methods that work, then we can go back and try to invent new tactics….and not have to worry about getting beat up by an older brother.

Get comfortable with discomfort and growth will take place. Avoid discomfort and you will also avoid growth.

Have a great week!

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If you missed any of our interview last Friday with Hollis Chapman, here are the questions we were asked. We were asked to write out our responses and did so after the show,  so some will be a little different then what were stated, but the message is still the same.  If you have any questions about our book Fox and the Mountain: Creating Your Path to Abundance, please feel free to email us or go to our website!

1. Tell us a little about yourself, and your new book.

My name is Scott Simson and my wife is Camber. We wrote the book Fox and the Mountain: Creating Your Path to Abundance. Our book is a allegorical fiction that symbolizes the journey success and fulfillment. The story is an adaptation of our own personal journey to success, and illustrates the principles necessary to elevate from where one stands currently to where one desires to be. Camber and I found ourselves in a precarious situation a few years ago. We were down and out with $3 in our bank account and thousands of dollars in business debt. From that point we were able to raise ourselves to a six figure income in six months and all of our business debt paid off. This book shares the principles of success in an easy to read, easy to implement way.

2. How do we change the thought of, I’m meant for something more? How do we take action?

The first step that Camber and I teach is to make the choice to take personal responsibility. We have to stop blaming others for our problems, difficulties and troubles. We are responsible for our own lives, and until we realize that we are giving control to the negative situations that consume our thoughts. The only person who will bring us success is ourselves.

3. Creating Your path to Abundance! Their are a lot of how to books on the topic, what makes you and Camber different?

Well, our book is not necessarily a ‘how to’ book. Both Camber and I felt that teaching these principles and decisions would be best presented through a fictional story. We both are the type of people that like to learn through inspirational stories rather than direct, step by step lessons. We do offer step by step coaching, but as far as our books go, so far both are fictional inspirational stories. The other thing that sets us apart from others, is that this book was derived from our personal journey, not just something that we heard or and adaption of someone else’s material. We lived the story to the top of the Mountain.
4. Who is this book meant for?

The age demographic for this book is 16-50. Teens and adults who desire a life of abundance should read this book. Camber and I want to emphasize that this book is not only for those who seek financial abundance, it meant for those who desire abundance in every aspect of their lives.

5. What brought you and your wife together? Was it because you are like minded?

I think that subconsciously Camber and I knew that our minds would blend well together, but we did not figure that out for a few years. Now it is like magic, she fills in my weak areas and I fill in hers. I would love to say, ‘in perfect harmony,’ but that’s not the truth. We have our ups and downs like every other couple, but we love and cherish each other and love working together.

6. This is a people book, but you use animals for each chapter, share on why you guys did that.

I think that a lot of the reason that we wrote the book using animals was because our first book, Fox and the Mountain – A Parable, was what this story was adapted from. Our first book was an illustrated children’s book with the entire cast animals from our new book. We kept the setting the same in Creating Your Path to Abundance, we just added the detail to make it more applicable to the older demographic.

Then on another level, we both felt that if we could get people to step back and completely remove themselves from the equation at a conscious level, then maybe subconsciously they would find what they were seeking through inspiration. The animals were another way to help that process.
7. Talk about your life turnaround, not just the book, speaking, consulting; the great share with the listeners, how important it is to add to your business.

Camber and I have been very active in sharing what we learned through our turnaround. We coach, blog, and I travel around and speak and consult groups and organizations in the ‘Choices of Success.’ Our desire is to help people learn and grow from our message. We want everyone to know that if we can do it so can they.

8. What is normal work week for you and Camber? Some tips on how you guys market your book and business.

I once heard that the secret to success is to wake up early and go to bed late. I try to live by this philosophy. I wake up at 4 or 5am every morning and get started on my day. Camber wakes up around 6. Then we work all day and go to bed around 11pm. We have done this for a good portion of our marriage. We also understand that success comes from doing the work that we don’t want to do, so we try to do that. Our work life is not a complex formula, it is very simple, we do work that makes us successful and try to be efficient with everything else.

9. What is your favorite chapter? and why?

I really love the ‘Cat’ chapter because of the detail of her character. She always reminds me of a Tim Burton character with her grossness. I always want to skip over her part, but find myself being sucked in to this image of this sick patchy cat.

Camber loves the ‘Donkey’ chapter. She likes Donkey’s description and whiney attitude. We really had a fun time over emphasizing the attitudes of each of the characters. The goal was for the readers to associate each character with an attitude of someone that they know, to realize the impact to their own life. The real gem is when a reader will associate the attitude of a character to themselves and work to change that behavior.

10. Final comment: What travel experience changed your life?

Camber and I have had some great travel experiences this last year. We went to the Caribbean last spring and to Destin Florida over Thanksgiving. Though there were certain aspects of both trips that were amazing and relaxing, we both feel that just the ability to do these things as a family is what has been most exciting. The life change came from sharing these great experiences with those we love most. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter how successful you are in material things, if you are not successful in your relationships, you are not successful.

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The notion of taking comprehensive responsibility for our individual lives is a theme common to almost every topic that I speak on or that Camber and I write about. In order to progress we need to understand that we are personally responsible for everything that happens in our lives, and avoid falling for the deceptive lure of claiming victimization. There was a point in my life when I thought that it was to my advantage to pass off or try to alleviate myself of blame, but as you will learn from the following story, it rarely worked out the way that I wanted.

When I was eight years old after much begging and pleading (true story) my parents bought me a Nerf Bow and Arrow set for Christmas. I remember the excitement that I had opening the package and seeing my long sought after prize finally in my hands…oh the fun I would have…

Before I get too into the story, let me give you a piece of advice parents; any toy that’s primary purpose is to hurl projectiles at things and people WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. If you are a parent who is telling yourself that your little Johnny will only be shooting the foam balls or suction cups at the makeshift target you made with a Fruit Loops box and a Sharpie, understand that little Johnny is going to give that up after about 10 seconds and find something not lame to pick off…I am just saying. That is what boys do!

Anyway, you can probably tell where this tale is leading. I had given up on my jimmy rigged target in a record seven seconds on this particular occasion, and my friend and I were left unsupervised when my mom went to clean up a strategically placed mess that I left in another part of the house. And so the fun began. We initiated an all out assault on the the targets that I was specifically told not to aim at; the windows, the bird feeder, the motion activated flood lights, etc., but after a shot or two all of this became too lackluster. I needed to take it to the next level. Remember the bicycle path behind my house that I mentioned in one of my previous posts? It became the center of focus as we took our game up ten notches to ‘moving targets.’ I remember as clear as day what happened next. We established a sniper post behind my fence and took aim as the first cyclist rode by…a miss. Again, a miss on the second rider. Then the third rider…ready…aim…fire!

The next few seconds seemed to go in slow-mo. The yellow foam arrow (aka fearless yellow) traveled at a perfect trajectory, almost as if it’s destiny was to unite with this poor rider. Then…a connection…a perfect hit at 3 feet per hour. Right in the back. It hit no harder than a bee bouncing off the walls of a translucent box, but he felt it. I ducked down below the fence line and peered through a rotted out knot in the wood. The man stopped his bike and picked up the arrow, he looked around. I got nervous and did what any sniper would do, I got up and ran at a speed too fast for the human eyes straight up the stairs, across the deck and into my house. I laid down on the carpet inside and peaked out the window…the man was gone. The sweating stopped and my heart rate began to slow down. Then the doorbell rang. OH MY GOSH, I started to freak out. I went to the door and opened it. The man was standing there with his bike behind him on a kickstand. “Is this yours?” He held up my arrow. I decided to play it cool.”Hmmm…ummm…it looks like something that could be mine, but I am not sure….” Just then enter mom. I slowly dissipated into the background as the man described the event to my mother. As it turned out he was able to see me run from the fence to the house and he put two and two together. The punishment ensued very shortly thereafter, and as for the destiny of that arrow, it was in fact meant to be a pile of shredded yellow foam in the garbage can.

As much as I tried to rationalize at the time, as an adult now, I can plainly see where the fault lays. Unfortunately, most of the problems that we have in our adult life are not so clear cut as to who or what should bare the burden of being labeled ‘the one at fault.’ What Camber and I actively promote in our coaching and training is that in order to maintain control over our life, WE must be willing to bare this title regardless of whether or not it is truth, and never claim victimization. When we pass the title away from ourselves we give up control and we hold onto feelings of animosity, anger, resentment etc., all of which are detrimental to our personal advancement. When we take responsibility it allows us to release these feelings, release the binds of considering ourselves the ‘injured party,’ learn from our mistakes and move onward and upward.

Good luck on your own personal advancement. Please let us know if there is any way that we can assist you on your journey.

Scott and Camber

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We just wanted to take a quick minute and offer some motivation. Camber and I have been crazy busy over the last few months working hard to share our message with everyone. We have had some great success, but not before we had take some stumbles. I want you to know, right now, that stumbling, falling, failing and wanting to give up are all part of the path to success. If you have read our book Fox and the Mountain: Creating Your Path to Abundance, you probably saw the ‘Process of Accomplishment’ section. In this section we discuss that right before one can break through to success, one must experience intense hardships; Camber and I refer to this as ‘The Test.’ This phase is where we are tested on our knowledge, worthiness and dedication toward our goal. It is imperative that you stick this phase out, because no matter how difficult it may seem, we have to succeed through this phase to make it to our goals.

Ok, enough said. Have a fantastic day!! Here is a great quote to think about.

Falling down is how we grow. Staying down is how we die.
–Brian Vaszily

Scott and Camber

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I have had the great honor over the last few years to be able to work closely with and develop friendships among some great business and social leaders. I feel now after surrounding myself with these great people that I too have unconsciously gained some new character traits that have made me a better leader.

I have thought recently about what kind of leader I was when I was a boy, and I have to laugh at myself for thinking that I would gain respect and consideration as a leader with some of the attitudes that I held. One story that stands out more that than others is when my brother and I were trying to dig a fort under our deck.

We grew up in a house that had a walking trail directly behind the fence, and hoa covenants restrictions the fence height to about four feet along the path. So, as far as privacy went, there was none. This made things interesting when it came to fort and project building as a kid. Partially because we wanted to keep what were were doing secretive and clandestine, and partially because my parents did not want our neighbors to see a horrendous pile of garbage when they looked over our fence. So, we had to get creative… hidden trap doors, basement window well huts, etc.

One day after we had exhausted the regular ideas my brother and I wanted to try something new. We decided, with the blessing of my parents, that we were going to dig a hole underneath our deck and have an underground, covered fort, aka ‘the fort of all forts.’ We got to work. We shortly realized that the task at hand was going to be more complicated than we thought. From the ground to the underside of the deck was about two or three feet, so trying to work a shovel at full steam was just not going to happen. We couldn’t go on like this for much longer, so we had to think of a plan.

Around that time my brother and I would organize clubs that would teach kids how to do the work that we did not want to do in exchange for a cool title like Major or sometimes even Colonel. (Private was typically reserved for my brother haha, sorry Jeff.) These titles kept the kids busy vying for my approval and doing things for me that they normally would not do, and I kept them from realizing that they were being used by letting the Colonels boss around the Majors and so on. It was a perfect little operation. Well anyway, we had one of my brother’s friends come over under the premise that he would receive a promotion, and when he arrived we gave him a shovel and told him what he must do. My brother and I sat back and watched as he labored away for us for some time, occasionally asserting our authority if he was moving to slow. Eventually he realized that the cost far outweighed the benefit, and he gave up and went home.

We could not figure it out. Didn’t we make the benefit enticing enough? I wish I could say that there was more to this story; that we finished the hole and now it is used to train ninjas, but that would defeat the point of my message. The truth is we never finished that fort. After our friend gave up we gave up and moved on to something else. We had failed at being effective leaders.

The point of this story is to illustrate that leadership is more about character than it is about authority. I did not know this as a child because I was not a natural leader, I was a power hungry bully that did not understand how to be effective in a leadership position. There are so many things that I would do differently to achieve success in this situation if I could go back and relive it, but there is just one thought that I want to emphasize today; One becomes an effective leader by continually encouraging, commending and assisting with labor when needed; all the while illustrating that what the leader is doing is benefiting and growing the organization.

Keep this in mind as you fulfill your own leadership roles. Take a look at how you currently manage your subordinates and grade yourself on how well you make yourself an encouraging team player as well as the captain of the ship. You will gain more respect and value as a leader if you respect and show value to those you lead.

Have a great week!

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It has been a couple of decades since Jim Rohn told us that we are the average of our five closest friends, and it still seems to be a sociological event that eludes most people. I am going to make this crystal clear. Our friends influence us, so we need to make sure that we have friends that push us to better ourselves, rather than drag us down or keep us at the same level.

Studies have shown that we are likely to earn the mean income of our five closest friends; if our closest associates divorce their spouse, we are more likely to get divorced; if our friends are over weight, we are likely to become over weight; and many other examples. Our friends have an influence in our lives that is extremely powerful. If we want to be successful and grow in life, we need to create the correct relationships that will encourage and support that growth. Sometimes it may feel easier to associate with individuals we are attracted to based in similar dissatisfactions with life, but these relationships hinder growth. Rather than build relationships with those who empathize with our pain and where the only bit of commonality is a shared sense of pity, we need to find friends that reject our negative self. There is a very destructive illusion of friendship between individuals who support each others bad habits.

So with this I will drive the point of choosing associates who lift us to where we want to go. Camber and I have replaced destructive relationships with productive ones. We associate with individuals who earn a higher income because we want to earn a higher income. We associate with individuals who are healthy, because we want to be healthy. We associate with people who have a good marriage because we want to have a good marriage. We have come to understand the relationship between our associates and success in our life. The lesson has become clear in our mind; build relationships with those who rather than excuse you, challenge you. Make the choice to elevate.

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For the past week and a Camber’s dad, brother and I have been working diligently on building a tree house. As it started to take shape it was fun to watch the kids come outside and see their excitement grow each time they saw it. I read a study the other day about how the excitement from our experiences last longer and is spoken of more than our excitement from purchasing new things. We adapt to our new things in a matter of a couple of weeks, and the excitement wears off, but our experience are talked and thought about for years. I am excited to be able to provide years and years worth of fun experiences for our children and their cousins.

Here is a photo of our fort. It is not quite completed yet, but getting close. Have a very happy year and we’ll talk soon!

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