2 Steps Forward, One Step Back

         Back in 2002 the Newsletter was formatted for eMail (plain text, not glorious HTML) and posted direct to the web. So it appeared online with introductory reminder, disclaimer and UNsubscribe info as leader.

         Looking back, it was horrible... but I thought it looked great. It's a pleasure to reproduce it here in much tidier form. Easier to read too.

         Here's how it was:- Hello, a warm welcome to new subscribers; Welcome back with a hearty 'Thank you' to the "old".

         Perhaps the title of this week's offering caused you to think it's going to be a moany load of old garbage. Wrong! Nothing could be further from the truth. Well, as far as moany is concerned at least. Leaving the load of old garbage for you to judge.~( :- o)

         First, I would like to apologise for the erratic text format on Topica message board for last week's copy. Don't quite know what happened there. It seems that certain text editors don't transfer too well onto Topica's system. The fact that I was using something new had absolutely nothing to do with it.

Well, it wouldn't.....would it? ~( ;- ))

When I first started with the NervousNewbies website I used the Free service of Topica.com for my Newsletter. You can see from this piece that there's a learning curve for anything new. Eventually I discovered a Free online service called J B McKee's (Re)Formatit where you input text from any source and it strips the format and reformats as required.

         So I'm giving the new application another twirl this week. Practice makes perfect I'm told (or, at least, an improvement). If this message transfers the way it looks on my desktop, I'll tell you what I'm using. After all's said and done, it didn't cost me anything.

         For those of you who get this epistle by email there should have been no problem with the text format. However, the comfortable reading of email is something I'll share with you.

READING EMAIL WITH OUTLOOK EXPRESS

         Some of you, naturally, will know this but, for those who don't, there are a few things you can do to make emails easier and more comfortable to read.

         For instance, I'm sure you get some which look bitty. The lines of text are too long for your OE (Outlook Express) window and single words drop off the end and down to the next line. This, I find, makes the reading of email less than comfortable. Even more so when you find you've opened a piece of junk.

         Remember previous tip here, "If you don't know who it's from, or you didn't request it, DON'T OPEN IT!! Saves a whole bunch of time.

         When you get untidy emails, double click it in the In Box. It will then open in its own window which you can resize. Put the mouse pointer on the window frame until a double headed arrow appears. Hold down left mouse button and drag until the window is the desired size.

         Another tip is to put the mouse pointer on the long horizontal bar separating the In Box from the reading window. Hold down left mouse button and drag upward until the reading window is the desired size. This will reduce the window for the In Box but you can resize it to and fro whenever you like.

         Finally, if you click in the bottom frame you will hilite the title bar and can then scroll down the text with the keyboard's Down Arrow instead of using the scroll bar.

         So, whether you choose to juggle with the window sizes or read emails in their own window, it's up to you. You may be happy with the way you're doing it now. At least you have a number of choices which you may or may not have been aware of. My preferred way is to open emails in their own window. Makes reading much easier.

         My version of OE is OE5 so I can only say the above is what I do. Other versions of OE and Netscape, etc probably work the same.
Try it.....you won't break anything.

TRIED, TESTED.....

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So, why 2 steps forward, etc........?

         Don't try to tell me you've never had one of those times. Get off.....
of course you have. I'm not going to bore you with the details. Suffice it to say, it's been an interesting week.

         Everything happens for a reason is the old adage. And, if you stop to really give it some thought, you will surely agree that every negative has a positive to cancel it out or balance it. That's nature's way.

         How many inspirational and/or motivational books and tapes have you read and listened to? How many speakers have you heard or authors read? Aren't they all telling the same truths? They all say the same thing. It's only the presentation that's different.

         I remember hearing and reading somewhere, that every adversity has within it the seed of an equivalent or greater benefit. For me that has been spot on.

         Whoever it was that originally made that observation and said those wise words has my gratitude and most certainly deserves recognition. Trouble is, I've taken so much on board, I honestly don't know who it was!! (Napoleon Hill - Think and Grow Rich)

         Nevertheless, I acknowledge the sage and give thanks. I'm sure it wasn't said out of some sort of vanity. Wasn't it put out there for all the world to share? How much better would be the lives of so many 'weary Willies' if they only understood that?

        What prompted me to share that gem with you today? It just came to me when I was walking my K9 pal. Lots of valuable thoughts go through my head when there's no keyboard in front of me. Strange that.

Or is it???

         No, there's nothing strange in the least. It's all about balance; positive/negative - good/bad - yin/yang - summer/winter - plus/minus - rain/shine and most importantly - work/play. Remember another adage - 'all sunshine makes a desert'.

         This isn't turning into a thesis on 'balance in your life'. Just a seed planted for you to cogitate. Reminded me that there's not much point in seeking insights from the masters if you understand their message and then fail to follow their advice.

         In future I'll take more breaks from the keyboard, walk my K9 pal more often and take a voice recorder with me so I retain these pearls for when we get home.

GRATITUDE

         There I was, Saturday evening, walking with my Shadow. That's the name of my K9 pal, by the way

         (For the dog lovers; She's a Rottweiller cross, about 15 months old and came from the local Rescue. Had been left abandoned, tied to some railings with a small dog for company. Don't ask me what happened to her little friend. Just hope she found a good home. I just question the birthright and heritage of the person(s) who were so cowardly as to abandon them rather than surrender them properly.)

         I digress, I know... but two points come from the digression. First, she's a beautiful, loving creature and I'm forever grateful for having her come to me. My previous pal went to the kennel in the sky in June '99 and was such a crazy character that I didn't think I could replace him.

         He was from a Rescue centre and impossible to replace. But they all have their own special characteristics and now my Shadow is even crazier than my Gemini. She came to me in August 2001. Two years two months after Gemini left me.

         Two years and two months too long but it was well worth the wait as it turned out. If I'd taken a dog sooner I wouldn't have got Shadow.

         Point number one: my gratitude for receiving a fine dog to compensate for the fine dog I had lost. Point number two: Shadow's now being cared for and loved after the trauma of being dumped. See what I mean. Universal laws maintain the balance. Over and over again.....if we only stop and think on it.

         Back to the story.

         There I was, walking my dog. It's a dark and windy night in the Northwest of England. No-one else is in sight. You could almost say it wasn't fit for a dog to be out. And there we were, just the two of us... crazy dog, crazy owner.

         Now, I'm not a nosey person (honest) but old habits die hard and previous training and life as a Police officer means I'm naturally observant. All right, then.....I'm nosey.  ~( :- ))

         Lights are on in the houses we pass; some upstairs and some at ground level. Movement in an upstairs window causes me to look up. There's a lady closing the bedroom curtains (drapes) and garments are hanging from the door of a wardrobe (closet).

         That's what I saw in a fraction of a second, and it caused a whole chain of thoughts to go through my head. And, just for a second, it took me back years. Back to when I was married, working in a JOB and doing what the vast majority of people do on a Saturday night.

         We walked on... past the terraced houses and on into the country. And there it was... in the distance. Ley Cottage... my dream home.

         Situated in unknown acres of open space, surrounded by pine trees with hills beyond.....and no near neighbours. Nirvana.....to me, anyways. And someday soon it (or some property very much like it) is going to be mine.

         Yes, balance in life is important. Determination to succeed and passion for what you do are absolutely essential. It all comes down to choices. Do I miss not getting spruced up on a Saturday night and going out with my wife?

         Of course I do!! I wouldn't be normal if I didn't. We used to enjoy ourselves. I was an entertainer (a DJ) People enjoyed what I did for my hobby. I loved doing the work. It earned more than my day job at times.

         My wife came with me. We were accepted as friends by the people and Clubs I worked for. New Years Eves, in particular, were brilliant. I loved what I did and the results of my work. Do I mind not doing those things now?

         Absolutely not. I did at first but times change. And people change. I've got a whole new bunch of priorities. A new passion. And it all comes down to choices made from waking up to how life really works... once you've decided what it is that you really want out of life.

         Be grateful for what you've got. Don't hold regrets for anything you no longer have. Decide what you really want. Develop a passion for what you do. Better still, do what you're already passionate about.

         Make a plan for how and when you're going to achieve whatever it is that you're after. Don't limit yourself or let the nay sayers put you off. Keep balance in your life and, guess what.....
nothing will stop you from getting there.

         Remember, if ever any thoughts of revenge come into your mind, the sweetest revenge is massive success.

Those who succeed have never quit; those who quit never succeed.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

         Two very much appreciated contacts this week. Inspiring emails from a regular contributor, Judy, and encouragement (once again) from Ade Martin. It seems that Ade and I have at least one habit in common.

         You will have noticed that my newsletters are not exactly weekly and I mentioned this to Ade. He reckons, like his, they are sporadic. Now, I wasn't sure if that was good or bad. Should I see a doctor?
So I looked it up on Atomica, the FREE tool I told you about last week (their link is at the end of this piece).

According to Atomica, sporadic means (amongst others)
occurring at irregular intervals..........agreed
having no pattern or order in time........working on it
infrequent................................too soon to tell
rarely occurring or appearing.............not so
occasional................................better than that
rare......................................in time, who knows?
unique, uncommon, unusual.................Yes, Yes, Yes!!!

Spasmodic was the word I had in mind. Happening intermittently. Given to sudden outbursts of energy or feeling; excitable.

There you have it. You choose. Sporadic or spasmodic.
I love doing the newsletter. Hope you enjoy reading it.

         Ade reckons the best way to overcome writers' block is to write when you have something to say. Makes pretty good sense to me. Seeing as how I've always got something to say. Just wish my fingers were as active as my mind... and my tongue?

ATOMICA (now known as Answers.com) The ultimate database of information at your fingertips. Absolutely fantastic... and it's FREE.
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GUEST ARTICLE.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Story of the Hypnotic Writing Monkey by Joe Vitale

A monkey could use this material to write a riveting sales letter, ad, or email message.

The only condition is the monkey needs to be able to read.

I'll prove it to you.

Right now I have no idea how to write this article for Larry on "How to Easily Use This Material to Get Gloriously Rich."

So, in this case, I'm the monkey.

Now follow my path....

I grab this material and flip through it -- which is what I'm doing right now -- and I spot a phrase...

"You don't realize it, but in the next few minutes you're going to learn..."

I add to that phrase something my monkey mind gives me, "...how to get people to do your bidding by using this amazing collection of hypnotic materials."

I now have this: "You don't realize it, but in the next few minutes you're going to learn how to get people to do your bidding by using this amazing collection of hypnotic materials."

There, I just wrote a good line. Any monkey could do it, as long as said monkey can type.

If you're like me, you'll probably want another example.

Stop! Did you notice that "If you're like me..." is one of Larry's hypnotic lines? It is. It's in this book. My monkey mind found it and used it.

And "Stop!" is from his book, too. I saw it and tossed it into the above paragraph. Made you look, didn't it?

Here's a fact for you: Any man, woman, child or monkey can flip through these pages and find words, phrases, and complete sentences to help them lead and control the minds of their readers.

Hey! Did you catch what I did? The phrase "Here's a fact for you..." is also from Larry's collection. It's a way to assume logic without having any. It works.

And did you notice that "Hey!" grabbed your mind?

It, too, is from this collection. It's a powerful yet simple tool for practically yelling out your reader's name in a crowded room. It GRABS attention.

Are you beginning to see how you can use this material?

Think about making use of this collection of hypnotic material and you'll begin to feel real power.

And did you notice that "Think about making use of..." is yet another golden nugget from Larry's book?

Yes, a monkey with typing and reading skills just might be able to write a good letter with this amazing collection of tried and true hypnotic words and phrases.

But more importantly, since YOU are smarter than any monkey, by the time you finish reading this material you will be able to take these words and phrases and weave them into hypnotic letters and ads that get people to act on your commands and suggestions.

Stop! Note "by the time you finish reading..." is ALSO from Larry's priceless bag of tricks!

Can you see why I'm so excited!

As you study every word of this book you will become amazed at how easy it will be for you to start writing your own hypnotic material.

(I can't resist. "As you study every word of this book you will become..." is also swiped from Larry's collection. This is becoming way too easy.)

But let me confess something:

(Yes. "Let me confess..." is a hypnotic phrase.)

When Larry wrote to me and said he compiled this material, I was angry.

("I was angry..." is from this collection, too.)

I wanted to be the author of these gems. I even offered to help add more gems to the package if Larry would let me be co-author. He agreed, but I could barely think of anything to add! Larry already did the work---and did it very well!

The further you read into this collection, the more you will realize why professional copywriters always have "swipe files." They use them for inspiration. In this case, Larry has done ALL the leg work for you.

("The further you read into this..." is from his swipe file.)

Remember when you were in high school, and you cheated to get a passing grade? Admit it. You did, at least once. Well, this collection is your cheat-cheat.

("Remember when you were in high school..." is swiped from this book, too. Do you see how easy it is to write with this collection at hand? It's so easy I feel silly accepting money for writing material like this for clients. But not THAT silly.)

Have you noticed yet that I began with no idea of how to write this article and now, with the help of Larry's collection, have written a very interesting and maybe even hypnotic piece?

("Have you noticed yet that..." is from this fantastic swipe file, too.)

So here you are. You're holding dynamite. Do you light it and throw it in a field to watch the dirt blow up, or do you light it and throw it where you know lay hidden gold?

FACT: The choice is yours. Use this material wisely.

("FACT" is swiped, too.)

Go forth and profit.

Joe Vitale is recognized by many to be one of the greatest living copywriters. His latest project, the Hypnotic Writer's Swipe File is a collection of over 1,550 copywriting gems that took him years to compile. This is his personal swipe file that he uses to create world famous sales letters responsible for generating millions and millions of dollars of revenue.
Click here to learn more.
Hypnotic Writers Swipe File
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

         Hey, have you noticed these things are getting longer? Do you think I could be getting a taste for this? Poor Judy has probably been waiting to read the piece I told her she had inspired in me.
And it's not here!

         It's just that something else fired me up and I felt compelled to go where my thoughts took me. Sorry, Jude. Next week, eh?

         That about wraps things up for another week, folks. Let's see what the text format turns out like. Looks good on my PC... prepared with loving care. Comments or suggestions are always welcomed.
Until next week(ish)
Take care... but don't take any wooden nickles.  ~( :- ))

Ken