I wanted to gain a better pole position so I could take the checkered flag but a Porsche was blocking me from seeing the road ahead and essentially keeping me from my goal. With that in mind, I studied his breaking and accelerating patterns as intensely as I could in the little time allowed. Going into a 45 degree curve, I saw where he was leaving just enough space between his car and the edge of the track to maybe, just maybe, squeeze by. With two laps left, I slowed only enough to keep from drifting so hitting the apex of the curve, I paddle shifted up one gear and with brute force tried to jam the pedal to the asphalt. With that, all of the Lamborghini's 550 raging bulls roared and that was the last time I saw him. Instantaneously, my path was cleared and the view of the winner's circle was as clear as standing on a mountaintop gazing over the Pacific Ocean's setting sun.
Anthony Von Mickle - Driver: Slide 68 Race Team
The Real True Hollywood Story
While in Beverly Hills, I stopped in Stefano Ricci to provide an autographed copy of my new book Slide 68: 86 Your Current Life and Pursue the Lifestyle You've Been Dreaming Of. I knew the 90210 zip code was for the wealthy but I never gave much thought to it beyond that. It wasn't until the advanced copy of the book I sent to a V.I.P. was lost and a fire storm was set off that I realized who I was dealing with. I didn't know that the guy pumped iron with Arnold Schwarzenegger and knew Sylvester Stallone, the Yahoo Founders, Steven Spielberg, Sydney Poitier, Richard Gere or pretty much every Hollywood A-lister that you've ever dreamed of. I didn't know he married a real Playboy Bunny or that he knew every major R&B superstar, some before such all-star status including the Jackson 5 and Prince. I was impressed enough with the store's $2500 belts, $8,000 shoes and $2,000,000 cufflinks. I didn't even realize his socialites were designers of the luxury edition Bugatti Veyron and Rolls Royce Phantom. I found that out after being offered one of his estates during my West Coast visits. I suppose I could mention that this store doesn't even market to millionaires as the majority of its clients come from the billionaire boy's club. I mean how else would you classify someone who sends their private jet to escort you back to a mega yacht so you can be fitted for your new $3,000,000 wardrobe? I can give you jaw dropping stories for days but that's not really the point of this article.
On the road to success, I came to understand that if you want to live big you have to dream big. Mediocre dreams keep you in the company of the same people you knew last year. You have to be bold and draw up lists of things that when you cross them off, it amazes you much like the face of the Stefano Ricci security guards when the Chinese and Russians enter the store with grocery bags or brief cases filled with cash because they don't care for credit when shopping on Rodeo Dr. You simply have to be around people who already are where you want to be. That means you'll have to leave your comfort zone. As a trailer park alumni, I never had any idea I'd be accepted in these circles any more than I knew I'd write a book but more importantly, I never felt I'd be denied either. I learned what my grandparents used to say about friends. They let me know sometimes you go even if you have to go by yourself. I can't say that this was a very hard concept for me to grasp but for others, it seems to be a major hurdle.
Man Will Have or Become What He Thinks About
As it is, the road to prominence comes with very little documentation so don't complicate it further by letting people who block your path stand in your way. When you have goals, expect obstacles. They maybe disguised as mean creditors, unsupportive spouses, jealous managers, etc, but you have to keep plowing through until you get, not a break through, but an opening to have a break through. I've listened to people who are waiting for a breakthrough meaning complete fruition of their dreams. The bad news is you might have to wait an awfully long time and when that time does come, it may not be what you've been waiting for. That means you have to keep the pedal to the metal and relentlessly pursue what you want taking advantage and being grateful for every measurable piece of success along the way.
Tread Lightly on Social Media
Recently, I was conducting some fundamental analysis on Facebook stock while observing the few posts that I rarely make. Three years ago, every picture I posted was a hit but post too much of what people perceive to be the good life and it can cause depression in others as they think you're always
accelerating and they're not keeping pace. I did a test using some pictures of great places I've been to and events I've attended. Today, hardly anyone hits the like button anymore. I'm ok with the low response simply because as an investor, I could care less about how many likes I get but much more interested in the gradual rise in the stock price.
Until you're the lead dog, the view never changes. Surround yourself with people who can help you and not just a bunch of people for people's sake. How many times have we heard of men who rose to some level of prominence but couldn't keep it moving? They just had to bring their boys who contributed nothing but consumed everything. When the party ended, the boys went home but the success story became an unsuccessful headline. Congratulations women, I rarely hear these stories from you. A new year is well under way and while I'm not telling anyone to throw away friends or associates, I am saying carefully manage the time you spend around people who aren't helping you move down the road. You don't have to get "brand new" and leave people totally alone because you may need them one day but if you keep hanging around people who aren't going anywhere, that's exactly where you're going.
If you're interested in reading more stories of success or feel that there is another level of success that you aspire to, be sure to read or listen to the free Introductory chapter at www.slide68.com or purchase an audio copy read by the author for $9.99. It can help you prepare for a life of success regardless of where you are. It will require you to look deep inside and figure out what you truly want. This isn't some $199, twelve-step plan that makes outlandish promises of having you retired on the beach in two years. It's real aggressive talk for real aggressive people. It was deliberately designed for those who seek to live out their wildest dreams. If your definition of success is that vague statement, "I just want to be comfortable", don't even waste your time. There are lots of other "comfortable" books on the shelves. For the rest of you who hear the beat of a different drum and are tired of looking over the shoulder of mediocrity, welcome to the winner's circle. Here, we settle on not settling. Let's work!
