Tony Michalski's Master Key Coaching

In The Master Key System, Haanel tells us to dream and act on big, worthy dreams.

One of Donald Trump’s rules from his book The Art of the Deal is to “Think big!”

My new friend “Fireball” Tim Lawrence on his blog has as his mantra to THINK BIG.

And so should you.

Should you ever forget to think big, should you ever feel that you are thinking too big, it will do you well to remember this poem from 1918 by Jessie B. Rittenhouse.

You will get that for which you ask. So why are you only asking for “a penny”?

“My Wage”

I bargained with Life for a penny,
And Life would pay no more,
However I begged at evening
When I counted my scanty store;

For Life is a just employer,
He gives you what you ask,
But once you have set the wages,
Why, you must bear the task.

I worked for a menial’s hire,
Only to learn, dismayed,
That any wage I had asked of Life,
Life would have paid.

—Jessie B. Rittenhouse (1918)

Always remember to get for yourself the best of everything!

Have fun … Tony.

PS – The best way to “ask for a raise”—to get the best of everything—is to tune in, unlock, and attain.

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Walt Disney

Walt Disney said this in 1966:

A person should set his goals as early as he can and devote all his energy and talent to getting there. With enough effort, he may achieve it. Or he may find something that is even more rewarding. But in the end, no matter what the outcome, he will know he has been alive.

In other words: Tune in. Unlock. Attain…

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On this date forty years ago, the most significant triumph of mankind–a triumph of thought, will, determination, and execution–occurred. On this day forty years ago, Neil Armstrong and Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin alit on the Moon. That object that illuminated our nights and our myths for millennia was finally being touched and explored by man.

Just nine years prior to this most monumental event, President John F. Kennedy challenged America’s best and brightest to “go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win, and the others, too.”

On July 16, 1969, Kennedy’s vision was about to become reality as the mighty Saturn V rocket thundered toward space carrying Neil Armstrong, Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin, and Lt Col Michael Collins on their journey to the Moon.

We know the rest of the story. Neil Armstrong descended from the Eagle Lander and uttered the words that would be heard ’round the world: “That’s one small step for [a] man, and one giant leap for mankind.” (Please watch the YouTube video to see this.)

History was made. Man had accomplished the “impossible.”

Celebrate this day. Celebrate the achievement of thought, of rigor, of audacity. Celebrate so that you too can define your own goals and proudly march toward them–and bravely grasp them.

Like the men and women who made this climactic event happen–the astronauts, scientists, engineers, and many others–you too can “tune in, unlock, and attain.”

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Here is a short video taken by a fellow from the Italian Car Show in Philadelphia, PA not too long ago. I find the video particularly enjoyable because I own a 1992 Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce.

Italian Car Show from Robert Wynn on Vimeo.

It’s nice to watch videos like this. Why? Because it’s nice to dream and to see things that may serve as an inspiration to you. Then, you just may find that those dreams of yours will become your goals.

And that, my friends, is when the “magic” starts to happen.

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As you may know, I recently began a Master Key Coaching Program with my head coach, James Spooner. Things have been going very well–people are experiencing great results and good things are happening in their lives.

One person in particular, who we will call Mike (not his real name), had a very interesting experience.

Mike is a young fellow in his mid-twenties. He does somewhat OK in life, but he wasn’t hitting any high notes. He’s a fitness trainer, but what he really wants to do is get into TV production.

James had been speaking to him for a couple of weeks when that last part came into the open.

You see, with Master Key Coaching, a big part of it is getting into what you really want. Sure, we all want more money, more stuff, more this and more that; but one of the keys of success is to whittle that list down to what a person really wants to do.

As the old saying goes, do what you love and the money will follow.

I’ve found that to be true many times.

So James is talking with this fellow and since the Master Key Coaching Program is unlimited coaching, they are speaking twice, sometimes three times, per week.

It is during one of these sessions that Mike reveals to James that he really sees himself in TV production. The problem is that he doesn’t know where to start. He has no experience with production, nor does he have any training. He told James that he frankly didn’t even know if he would like it. But he wanted to give it a shot. If for any other reason, he just wanted to see what it was like and if he could make a living from it.

James took this information and it sat with him for a few hours. Then he thought about a friend he has who lives in the same area Mike does.

Can you guess what James’ friend does?

Exactly! He’s a guy who makes TV commercials for businesses in the area. He’s a guy in the TV production business.

James calls his friend and tells him about Mike. He tells it like it is: that Mike has no experience, no training, but that he wants to get a feel for it.

“Send him over. I’ll give him a shot,” replies James’ friend.

Actually, James gave to Mike his friend’s phone number so that he could contact him. They set up a meeting and the guy is on his way.

To somewhere, at least.

I’d like to write that Mike is now the head of a major television studio, but it is far too early for that. It’s enough for now that Mike has his foot in the door. Where he takes the opportunity is up to him.

My question to you is this:

What do you think was at work here?

Would you say it was the Law of Attraction? Coincidence? Or something else?

Let me know what you think. Leave a comment. In a few days I will let you know what I think was at work. For now, though, let’s hear your thoughts!

Remember, it’s by talking and sharing that we learn, grow, and, hopefully, succeed.

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I read a very good article written by Kimberly Palmer on Yahoo! Finance entitled “10 Secrets of Millionaires’ Money Management.” Here is the link to the article, which I strongly encourage you to read -

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/10-Secrets-of-Millionaires-usnews-14921158.html

A couple of the “secrets” that stand out are

1. Believe that you can do it.
2. Articulate your vision for success.
3. Work hard–and you’ll get lucky.
4. Live below your means.

In the article, the author wrote that Alan Corey, author of A Million Bucks by 30, did something that I often tell people to do: read all the biographies and autobiographies of millionaires that you can. When you do, you’ll see that what they achieved was the result of a (sometimes) good idea, thorough planning, and hard work, as well as a belief that they can do it.

Or, to paraphrase Haanel in The Master Key System,

First, they had knowledge of their power; second, they had the courage to dare; and third, they had the faith to do.

When you read biographies and autobiographies, you will see beyond the trite anecdotes that you often hear. You’ll see them in all their naked, sometimes unflattering, glory–warts and all.

Hopefully, you’ll see a little of yourself in them and you’ll be convinced on a very deep level that you can achieve the success you want.

Another point on which the author of the article touched was an idea with which you are probably familiar. That idea is that vague and general goals are of not great value; rather, you should be somewhat specific about your goals. From the article,

Jen Smith, author of the Millionaire Mommy Next Door blog, says that the saying, “I want to be rich,” is too vague. Instead, she recommends imagining what your ideal life as a millionaire will look like. Smith offers this example: “I want to have $2,000,000 invested so that I can live off of the interest. Then I will quit my job so that I can volunteer, travel, learn to play tennis and watercolor, and enjoy picnics at the beach with my family.”

One of the best books that you can read to hone your vision of success is The Master Key Workbook. Get it, read it, do the exercises, and you will have a very clear picture of what you want–and a plan to achieve it.

There are two words that have earned me the ire of some devotees of The Master Key System. Those words are “hard work.”

I have always encouraged people to embrace hard work, as that is the true “secret” of any success, regardless of what some infomercials and “gurus” will tell you. As my proof, I cite every successful person with whom I’ve spoken or whose biography I’ve read.

I also cite Mr. Haanel. From Week Seven of The Master Key System -

4. This is another psychological fact which is well known, but unfortunately reading about it will not bring about any result which you may have in mind; it will not even help you to form the mental image, much less bring it into manifestation. Work is necessary—labor, hard mental labor, the kind of effort which so few are willing to put forth.

28. Thought force is the most powerful means of obtaining knowledge, and if concentrated on any subject will solve the problem. Nothing is beyond the power of human comprehension, but in order to harness thought force and make it do your bidding, work is required.

Now, I can cite this article, which quotes Donald Trump -

Donald Trump attributes his success to his hard work, which to outsiders often appears to be luck. But Trump says luck only comes from working hard. “If your work pays off, which it most likely will, people might say you’re just lucky. Maybe so, because you’re lucky enough to have the brains to work hard!” he says.

One last point from the article that I want to address is that many successful people (millionaires) live below there means. Frankly, many that I have met are down-right cheap! Two highly successful people that I know have a friendly competition about who got the better deal on their purchases. (For example, one will point to his shoes and say, “Target. Fifteen bucks.” The other will smirk and reply, “I used a coupon and got these for twelve.” Yes, they are that cheap.)

This is not to say that you should be misery with your money, but to quote Haanel from Week Four of The Master Key System -

8. Those who recognize this principle have a great advantage in the affairs of life. They do not wear themselves out. They can eliminate vagrant thoughts with facility. They can readily concentrate to the highest possible degree on any subject. They do not waste time or money upon objects which can be of no possible benefit to them.

Far too many “gurus” are out there today selling a lifestyle for my taste. They brag about their car collections or their huge mansions. They also say silly (if not outright stupid) things such as if you want to make money, then give away money.

As an insider in the self-help industry, I know that many of these “gurus” are playing smoke and mirror games. They brag about cars they don’t actually own (or if they do own them, they go into massive debt for them) or they film themselves in homes they rented for a video shoot. Read this article about the MTV show “Cribs” to see what often happens in the name of promoting an image -

http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.2683

Don’t base your lifestyle on what you see these “gurus” promoting on their blogs and videos. Instead, live life on your terms–and below your means. You will find yourself happier–and wealthier–in the long run.

Take these ideas to heart.

More importantly, put them into daily practice.

Attaining a million dollars is very doable as long as you go about it intelligently. Of course, you can purchase lottery tickets and wish and pray for your one-in-a-billion chance to win the money.

Or you can plan your work and work your plan and practically guarantee your success.

One path is more difficult than the other. One path is also more rewarding. Not just on a materialistic level, but on also on any scale you can think of–mental, spiritual, and moral.

Listen to what real millionaires and successes say about becoming a millionaire. Put their words of wisdom into practice. It may be difficult in the beginning, but you’ll be glad that you did.

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Personal development is a multi-billion dollar industry. That industry publishes literally thousands of books every year on the topic of success and how to achieve it. From the practical to the new age, there is a different flavor of book for every taste.

So, which books should you read – which books will actually help you on your quest – and which books should you toss to the side? People are busy, so this is a vital question.

This is the list of the only ten books you need to read in order to fully understand the philosophy of success. From positive thinking and the law of attraction to goals and enlightenment, these books hit all the topics.

Get them. Read them. Study them. When you’ve digested the contents of these books, you will be more than ready to get to the important part of your success journey – getting into action.

10. The Magic of Believing – Claude M. Bristol

This book is a classic. Mr. Bristol explains in great detail how to tap into the powers of your subconscious mind. While that may make it sound like it’s new age woo, it’s not. Bristol provides great techniques for auto-suggestion and how to actually think about the problems that may face us. You will get a lot from this book – guaranteed.

9. No-Nonsense Guide to Enlightenment – Blair Warren

Blair Warren is one of the smartest people I know and this book (e-book, actually) showcases that. His premise? That while many of us quest for enlightenment, the fact is that all of us have actually experienced enlightenment at one time or another – and probably even multiple times. I’ve read this book a few times and every time I read it I get something new from it. Want to know the best thing? Mr. Warren provides it as a free download. Get enlightened – get Mr. Warren’s book.

8. Psycho-Cybernetics – Maxwell Maltz

Do you want to know how your brain works? Do you want to improve your golf swing without physically practicing? Do you want to be like a guided missile when it comes to achieving your goals? Then this is the book for you. This is one of the most powerful books you will ever read. This books is such a classic that there is a decent chance that you have read it. If that is the case, then read it again. The concepts in this book bear repeating.

7. Think & Grow Rich – Napoleon Hill

What list of books about the philosophy of success would be complete without this book? It’s a classic that deserves repeated readings. I can’t write much that isn’t already written about this book. If you already have it on your shelf, get it and read it again. If you don’t have it, then get it and read it. The proof is in the pudding with Think & Grow Rich: many, many successful people cite this book as a major influence on their success.

6. SHAM – Steve Salerno

The sub-title for this book is How the Self-Help Movement Made America Helpless. So, what is what one would consider to be an anti-self-help book doing on a list of the best self-help books? In order to separate the wheat from the chaff, not only does one have to know what the wheat looks like, one has to be familiar with what the chaffs looks like as well. Mr. Salerno does an excellent job of illustrating where self-help and personal development have gone awry – and how in some circumstances it is actually hurting people. Like any other human endeavor, the personal development field has its share of charlatans and scammers. The better prepared you are to notice them before they lead you astray, the better are your chances for becoming the success you want to be.

5. How to Get Rich – Felix Dennis

This is not new age fluff. Not at all. This book is not like any book on this list. Mr. Dennis, the multi-millionaire publisher and founder of Maxim Magazine among others, actually calls his little tome an “anti-self-help book”. So, what will you garner from this book? You’ll get Mr. Dennis’ perspective on what it takes to really become rich. And not just six-figures-a-year rich, but multi-millionaire, never-have-to-worry-about-money-ever-again rich. Do you think that you have what it takes to get that far? Read this book and find out. Trust me – it will open your eyes.

4. You Were Born Rich – Bob Proctor

Before he jumped the shark and became “Scientist” Bob the quantum physics “expert”, Bob Proctor actually wrote books and delivered seminars that made sense. As much as I dislike what he’s become, I cannot deny that You Were Born Rich is one of the best personal development books ever written. Not only do I have the book, but I also have the unabridged audio version, which I have played countless times. I know it might be tempting to get some of his other works, but you really don’t need to do that. This is the only book that he’s written that actually has any merit and that will actually help you on your path to success.

3. The Master Key Workbook – Anthony R. Michalski

Yes, I wrote this book. Yes, I really do think that it is that good. And, no, I am not tooting my own horn. As I researched the success philosophy and as I talked with countless people, I discovered one of the main reasons people do not achieve a notable level of success. It is not because they don’t try hard enough; it’s not because they don’t understand the philosophy of success; it’s often not even because they’re not talented or skilled in some way. The main reason many people do not succeed is because they don’t know what they actually want! That’s where the Workbook comes into play. The Workbook is chock full of concepts, mental exercises, and written exercises that will help you hone what your idea of success is. This book will help you to decide what you truly want. Once you have the goal, then attaining it becomes that much easier. You will love this book. And since it’s a workbook and you will be writing in it, you will return to it again and again as you journey toward success.

2. The Master Key System – Charles F. Haanel

What more needs to be said? The Master Key System is “the only clear, concise, comprehensive, definitive, distinctive, and scientific presentation of the creative power of thought ever formulated.” As you read though the 24 weeks of the book and as you practice the exercises, you will be training your brain to focus and to visualize. You will learn how to look at a problem or situation or opportunity and to solve it or see it for what it really is or take advantage of it. This is truly a powerful book and the people who study it get a lot from it.

1. Prometheus Rising – Robert Anton Wilson

If you read only one book on this list, then make it this one. I read it at least once per year – and every time that I do I get something new out of it. In Prometheus Rising, Mr. Wilson takes the reader on a journey through the eight “circuits” of consciousness as delineated by Timothy Leary. What will you learn? A lot. Too much to get into here. I can only say that I have found this book to be one of the most important books that I’ve ever read. I am highly confident that you will agree with me once you’ve read it.

And there you have it. The only ten books you need to read to succeed.

You may be asking, Why only ten?

I know that it is a common claim in the personal development arena that you should be constantly reading every personal development book that you can get your hands on. Some seminar speakers say that you are “investing in your education” while others claim that reading all the books should be like “combing your hair” – you do that every day, so you should read personal development books everyday, lest you backslide into your unsuccessful ways.

I don’t agree with that line of reasoning. In my experience, one of two things happens if a person reads too many personal development books.

1. The person becomes confused because they are exposed to far too many ideas and techniques, thus they never tap into their ultimate potential.
2. The person becomes a “self-help junkie” looking for the “silver bullet” that will make them successful.

Both are equally debilitating and both are only caused by reading too many of what I refer to as softcore self-help books.

There are two classifications of self-help/personal development books: softcore and hardcore.

Softcore books refer to those books that espouse ideas and techniques related to the philosophy of success. They are books that are about the Law of Attraction, how to make friends, how your mind works. Things of that nature. This list is a collection of softcore self-help books.

Hardcore books are those books that actually tell you how to do something, such as how to start a business, step-by-step guides to learning a skill, how to invest your money. A good example of a hardcore self-help book is David Portney’s 129 Seminar Speaking Success Tips.

Once you have read and studied the books on this list, you should be good to go with regards to softcore self-help books. Sure, you can read a new one once in a while, but you should be quite familiar with the philosophy, if not practicing it somewhat fluently. If you don’t understand something, re-read one or all of these books. In most cases, it’s not a matter of requiring another book; it’s just a matter of understanding what you already have!

When you understand the philosophy, that is when you move to the hardcore self-help books so that you can learn the actual skills you need to learn in order to become competent at whatever you aim to do.

You see, it is important that you learn that you can do it; then it is important to learn how to do it; and then you must go out and actually do it.

With these ten books, you will learn everything you need to know about the philosophy of success. You will learn that you can do just about anything to which you set your mind. Speaking of your mind, you will learn how to properly use it.

Read these books and succeed. Or, as Haanel would say -

You must first have the knowledge of your power; second, the courage to dare; third, the faith to do.

These ten book will give you that knowledge of your power. By honing your skills, you will develop the courage to dare. After that, it’s all up to you. And I have faith that you can do it!

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A Zen story goes something like this:

A student was having a meal with his Master. When they were finished eating, the student asked his Master, “What should I do now?”

The Master replied, “Clean your bowl.”

At that moment the student was enlightened.

This story illustrates one of the most important ideas that we all should take to heart: whatever we start, we must complete. Leaving a task undone, unfinished, or incomplete is the surest path to failure. Success in life can be summarized in a sentence:

Show up and complete the job.

It’s amazing how few people fail to do those two seemingly simple things. That is what separates the winners from the losers.

In Week Four of The Master Key System, Charles F. Haanel held no punches when he wrote:

12. Unless you do this, you had better not start at all, because modern Psychology tells us that when we start something and do not complete it, or make a resolution and do not keep it, we are forming the habit of failure – absolute, ignominious failure. If you do not intend to do a thing, do not start. If you do start, see it through even if the heavens fall; if you make up your mind to do something, do it; let nothing, no one interfere; the “I” in you has determined, the thing is settled; the die is cast, there is no longer any argument.

As Haanel stated, not completing something forms within a person the habit of failure. Once a person begins to quit the things he endeavors to do, he finds that it becomes easier and easier to quit the task at hand rather than complete it. In the end, then, what does he have? Nothing.

If man had stopped at the launch pad rather than launching and landing on the Moon, would we have that amazing accomplishment to inspire us?

If Jonas Salk never completed his investigations into disease, we would still be suffering with polio (and probably other illnesses) to this day.

When the going gets tough, we are often told, then the tough get going. They don’t “get going” the other way, though; they go toward the trouble and get the job done.

A good analogy to illustrate these points is to think of your life as having a checking account. Every time you set yourself to do something and you attain your goal, then you deposit money into your account. You become richer. You’re life becomes fuller. You have bettered yourself. When you leave something incomplete, when you quit before you’ve attained your goal, then money is removed from your account. You are a little less than you were before you started. You’ve attained nothing, but lost the time you put into whatever little efforts you made.

A friend of mine made it his goal to become a master parachutist. (Please excuse me, but I do not know the proper term for someone who completes one hundred parachute jumps. “Master parachutist” will serve the purpose for this illustration, though.) He went through months of training and finally went on his first jump. After the jump, someone asked him how he liked it. My friend said that it was “the worst thing he ever did” and that he “couldn’t wait until it was all over.” He was then asked why he would keep on jumping if he hated it so much. He answered that he had to complete what he set his mind to.

Once he made his one hundredth jump, he quit jumping and has never done it since. He had attained his goal and in the process set himself up for future success. (He currently owns his own company and is very successful.)

Life, when all is said and done, is about the things we’ve done and the things we’ve accomplished and attained. Even something as little as buying something, if left incomplete, would leave us lacking in some way or other. Imagine needing a television, but never leaving the house to buy one or never committing to a particular model. You’d be inconvenienced for a very long while.

Complete your tasks; complete your goals; attain all that you can. Life might be a race, but it is a race of endurance, not speed. It matters not how we finish something nor how quickly. The fact that we finish is all that a person needs to be on the path to success.

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Segal’s Law states this:

A man with one watch always knows what time it is.

A man with two watches is never sure.

Many have heard this before reading it here. What does it mean, though?

In a nut shell, it means that when one pursues more than one goal or aim, he rarely achieve either. One’s efforts become too dissipated and he rarely (or never) allows himself to focus on just one thing – quite possibly the one thing that would make for him his fortune. 

All of us have talents and skills, wants and needs, goals and desires. That is normal that is what makes us a human being. If we look around us, though, and look at those who achieve and attain, we will notice a startling thing. That thing is the fact that those who attain massive success, achieve that success in one thing – one specific thing.

Bill Gates achieved his success in the computer industry. Rush Limbaugh attained money and fame through radio. Tiger Woods mastered the game of golf and succeeded massively.

One thing. These people – and others like them – took one thing and ran with it. They ran with it until they achieved all of their goals.

Most of us fritter our time and talents by leaping from one toad stool to another. We never settle on any one. We jump around like lost frogs looking for the next fly to eat.

The smart frog, on the other hand, finds his place and lets the flies come to him. And come they do!

It has been postulated, and in my experience proven very true, that it takes ten years of doing something before any kind of success or mastery is to be attained. A person studying for a black belt in karate will study that long before they attain that vaunted level of skill. Microsoft went public as a company in 1986 and it grew through the nineties, but not until the later half of that decade did Microsoft really become a household name.

It takes time and patience and persistence – and more than a little perspiration – to achieve a goal.

What many find the most difficult, though, is finding just that one thing to do.

The greats were in many ways most fortunate because they found their passion early. Tiger Woods, Ludwig Von Beethoven, and others like them began studying their crafts while exceptionally young. That is one answer as to why they were hyper-successful.

That begs the question, if one is getting off to a “late start”, does that deny him from the race?

Not at all. Albert Einstein was 26 when he published his Special Theory of Relativity. Babe Ruth was older when he became the home run king. Many CEOs and executives work many years through the ranks before they begin to see the fruits of their labors.

In other words, age is rarely of consequence.

The hardest battle one will fight with himself is deciding what that one thing is!

Take the time to discover what it is exactly you want to do. I wrote The Master Key Workbook to assist you with that “great battle”. It’s a step-by-step guide to discovering what is important to you and how to form a plan to attain it. Most people have found that once they decide definitively on something, whether that goal be tangible or intangible, it is often times easier to achieve than they thought it would be when they were merely musing and day dreaming.

A person merely “wanting a job” will often find it difficult to obtain a desirable position. The person who declares “I want to be an engineer!” will practically have their path laid out for them.

A person who wants “somebody – anybody!” in his life will more than likely by mired in bad relationship after bad relationship. The person who takes the time to define exactly what they would like in another person will eventually find that person and enjoy a sublime happiness.

You who would like to own a prosperous business must take the time to decide what you want to trade. Once you have that, you can then form you plan. And then you implement. And then you persevere. And then you prosper. If you jump from one plan to another or one industry to another with no good reason, though, then you will never gain the traction you need that will propel you to success.

Once you have that one thing in mind, then you can put into practice what Haanel wrote in Week Seven of The Master Key System

Visualization is the process of making mental images, and the image is the mold or model which will serve as a pattern from which your future will emerge. 

Make the pattern clear, and make it beautiful; do not be afraid – make it grand. Remember that no limitation can be placed upon you by any one but yourself; you are not limited as to cost or material; draw on the In?nite for your supply, construct it in your imagination; it will have to be there before it will ever appear anywhere else. 

Make the image clear and clean-cut, hold it firmly in the mind and you will gradually and constantly bring the thing nearer to you. You can be what “you will to be.” 

Decide! Decide! Decide! Find that one thing and pursue it with every fibre of your being! Don’t relent and never surrender. Time is running short. Run with your dream or else your dreams will run past you.

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A man lived in a small town. He played the violin. More than that, his passion was the violin. He played and practiced day and night. According to everyone in town who heard him play, he was a master – he was great!

One day, this man heard that a great virtuoso violinist would be giving a concert in the town’s concert hall. The man was excited. Not only would he get to see a living legend and one of his personal heroes play, but he would also take the opportunity to play for HIM after the concert. That way, he could get some valuable advice from the Master himself.

The concert came and the virtuoso performed. The music was spell-binding. The playing magnificent. Everyone who attended sat awestruck at the musical abilities of the Master.

After the concert, our young man went backstage, violin in hand. He approached the Master and said, “Maestro, would it be OK if I played for you so that you could let me know if I have what it takes to become a virtuoso such as you?”

The Master replied, “Please! I would love to hear you play.”

The young man tucked his violin underneath his chin and for five minutes he played with all of his heart and all of his soul. Those who heard this impromptu audition were amazed by the talent this young man possessed.

All the while the young man was playing, the Master merely sat with his eyes closed showing no signs of emotion.

When he was finished, our young man asked the Master, “Well? How was I?”

The Master replied, “You play excellently, but you haven’t got the fire.”

The young man nodded, said thank you, packed his violin in his case, and returned home. He proceeded to get for himself a respectable position in the local bank and worked his way to a position of responsibility. He married and had two children. He never played the violin again.

Ten years had passed since that fateful day and once again the Master returned to town to play a concert. Our young man went to see him and was once again rapt with awe at the Master’s playing. After the concert, the young man once again went backstage and approached the Master.

“Sir,” said our young man, “I played for you many years ago right here. Thank you for telling me I hadn’t the fire or I would have foolishly continued to dream about being a virtuoso rather than working on the life I now have. I owe you a lot.”

“Ah, yes,” replied the Master. “I remember you well. If you had continued, you could very well have been a virtuoso. You were an excellent player.”

The young man became angry at this point. He raised his voice and yelled at the Master, “WHAT! YOU told me that I didn’t have the FIRE! Because of that I quit! YOU heard me play. Why didn’t you tell me that I could have become a virtuoso? Why did you tell me that I didn’t have the fire?”

Calmly, the Master replied, “My dear boy, I tell every one who auditions for me that they don’t have the fire. If they truly do have the fire, then they disregard what I say and continue to play; if they don’t, then they quit and never play again.”

The young man was humbled and said nothing.

“You see,” continued the Master, “I was right. You didn’t have the fire. If you did and playing the violin was your passion and your love, then no matter what I had said or what anybody had said would have deterred you from playing.”

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In the words of Winston Churchill:

“Never give in, never give in, never; never; never; never – in nothing, great or small, large or petty – never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense”

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