Matt Schmoldt

Everyday I take a break from my work when I get to the point of being tired of what I am doing, and I usually go play basketball. The breaks that I enjoy the most are when I am alone on the court. Uninterrupted.

I shoot, shot after shot. I enjoy trying to perfect my shot. I have an inner desire to become gifted. I have come to the point where I know what I need to do to consistently make shots, but I just don’t consistently do what I need to do.

The rim lets me know how I am doing. I love having it’s instant feed back. The loud clang of the rim challenges me to become better, and the soft swish of the net rewards me.

But today, I realized that the rim’s instant feed back is unnecessary.

I realized that I already knew if the shot was off course even before it hits the rim. I know by how I feel during the shot. I know if it is too short, or sailing wide left, and I know if the shot is perfectly on track.

I realized that I was concentrating on the result and not on how I felt during the shot. I was fixed on making my next shot (the destination of the ball), but not on how I should feel during the shot (the journey).

When I let go of my fixation on making shots and instead focused on how I felt during the shots, an amazing thing happened. I made way more shots. Why? I got rid of my self imposed pressure on the result, and became free to follow how I felt during the journey. I didn’t care if I made or missed a shot; I only cared if I was focused on feeling what I knew I should be feeling during the shot.

Our lives are the same way. We want to succeed so badly that we become fixated on succeeding. Our every thought and desire is to succeed in whatever thing it is. Sometimes we want to succeed badly enough that we do things against our conscience and better judgement. You see this happening in our schools. Students want to pass a class without putting in the work, so they turn to cheating, and when they aren’t caught, they continue cheating.

The world has recently seen what this pattern of cheating leads to in the likes of Bernard Madoff and Allen Stanford. They wanted to succeed so badly in their financial businesses, that they lied and cheated for decades. They took their new investor’s money and gave it to their old investor’s, pretending that this money came from legitimate investments.

They let their fixation on succeeding rule their actions and look what it brought. It brought devastation to thousands of honest people who invested in their lies. It brought families heartache and devastation.

In the words of Joshua Marcus Manuel, “It hurts to look at yourself in the mirror and hate yourself, look into the mirror and wonder what ever happened to that smile that used to shine so bright. When you look at yourself, you see this version of ‘you’ that your mind has created, someone that has become so distant and cold that nobody wants to be around. Empty eyes. Fragile bones. The only thing you have left are the lies you tell yourself everyday to survive, lies that have become your painful reality, lies that will swallow you whole and crush your insides, lies that have turned you into someone you never wanted to be.”

Let go. Let go of those fixations that are preventing you from living a successful life. The way to success and happiness comes from letting go and following your heart, from being in harmony with yourself.

Look at what this did for Mother Teresa. For over 45 years, she ministered to the poor and the sick. She lead 610 missions in 123 countries for people with AIDS, leprosy and other illnesses. She dedicated her life to being in harmony with her conscience; she was her best self.

What things do you need to let go of?

Let go of them.

What things does your heart ache to achieve?

Achieve those things of your heart and live a life of success in harmony and happiness. Remember, “It is better to deserve honors and not have them than to have them and not deserve them.” (Mark Twain) and “A great man shows his greatness by the way he treats little men.” (Thomas Carlyle)

About the Article’s Author: Matt Schmoldt currently attends Utah State University in Logan and is studying marketing. He loves life, his family, his heaven, and his sports (golf & basketball). He also runs a necktie website on the side which teaches people how to tie a tie.

Tony’s Comments: If you’re doing the exercises in The Master Key System, then you know that quite often Haanel instructs you to let go, both mentally and physically. This is a method of relaxation, which is somewhat key to truly understanding and getting results from Haanel’s philosophy.

When I am consulting with Master Key Coaching clients, one of the things we often do is practicing letting go. I’ve seen it do some amazing things. As one lets go, they lose the tension and they clear their mind. When that happens, they are not “tied” to the goal in a debilitating way; rather, they allow themselves to move fluidly and with agility.

Try it! Let go.

In The Master Key Workbook, I wrote

Many people dwell on the past. “It’s not my fault, Your Honor. I had a bad childhood.” Have you heard that before? How about “My mother was never there. She didn’t love me enough.” Have you heard a person explain with that excuse why they encounter one bad relationship after another?

Let go of the past. It is gone. Bring yourself into the Now. Why dwell on something that happened many years ago? If you’ve encountered failures, then try something new! The movie Vanilla Sky provides us with a wonder- ful thing to remember.

Every passing minute is another chance to turn it all around.

What goes for the past is true of the future. If you are not making plans, then why are you worrying about the future? Worry and anxiety are some of the biggest wastes of mental energy. They cause us to fear and many times they throw us into a state of paralysis. Keep your thoughts courageous and in the Now. You will be happy that you did.

Letting go may not be easy at first, but with practice you’ll get there. Pretty soon, you’ll be able to let go with ease.

As Haanel wrote, “You will not succeed the first time you try, but practice makes perfect, in this as in everything else…”

There is a new web site in town.

Since I started doing weekly teleseminars — the Master Key Coaching Teleseminars — I built a web site where you can download and/or subscribe to the podcasts of the calls and comment on what was discussed.

You’ll find that web site at

www.tuneinunlockattain.com

I am very excited with these calls. In our first week, we had at one point sixty people on the call! About five people asked some very good questions — and I think I gave good answers. Give the call a listen and let me know what you think.

I plan to do these calls every Monday at 8:05 pm EST into the foreseeable future. As long as people come to listen and ask questions, I’ll do them. So please, if you have the time and/or if the time is convenient for you, join the call.

If you are unable to join the call because of scheduling conflicts or you’re in a very different time zone, then please download the audio file. You can still take part by leaving a comment. You can ask a question, make a comment, or even just say hello.

Once again, the web site is www.tuneinunlockattain.com.

Oh, to answer the question you may be asking yourself, the web site is that name because at the heart of it all, that’s what we’re learning to do here. We’re learning how to tune in to the power within ourselves. We’re learning how to unlock that power and use it. We’re doing those things so that we can attain the things (goals) that we want.

Join the Master Key Coaching Teleseminars Every Monday at 8:05 pm EST!

To join the call to listen and/or to ask a question, dial -

Phone number: 1-218-862-1300

Conference Code: 183292

Please let me know if I can be of service to you. All the BEST!

Have fun … Tony.

It is with great pleasure that I invite you to the very first Master Key Coaching Teleseminar. Many people have asked for this — a few even demanded it! — so here it is.

We will be conducting the calls weekly beginning on Monday, July 26 at 8:05 pm EST (Eastern Standard Time). The call should last about an hour and will include a short monologue by me followed by an open question and answer session.

To join the call to listen and/or to ask a question, dial this phone number -

1-218-862-1300

then enter the Conference Code -

183292

The topic of the first call will be an introduction to The Master Key System: What it is, what it isn’t, and how to use it to attain your goals.

I look forward to speaking with you and getting to know you over the course of these calls. In the meantime, here are a few more questions I received about these teleseminars.

Do these teleseminars replace your Master Key Coaching Program?

No. Not at all. The Master Key Coaching Program is one-on-one personal coaching. It’s the difference between taking a class and asking a question during class to having a personal tutor or meeting the teacher after class for one-on-one time. It’s the difference between working out with a group and hiring a personal trainer. In both cases, the latter is more effective, more intense, and you’ll get more out of it. Of course, it also requires much more commitment.

In other words, the Master Key Coaching Program and the Master Key Teleseminars are two different animals.

Click here to learn more about the Master Key Coaching Program.

Are you planning on having webinars?

Yes, we are. The Head Coach for the Master Key Coaching Program, James Spooner, will be running those. They will begin about two weeks after these teleseminars begin.

Can I ask any question at all during the call?

The calls will run like this: We’ll open the call and I will deliver a ten to twenty minute monologue. The topic of the monologue will be about a key point in The Master Key System, an observation I had with a Master Key Coaching client, something like that. I think that you’ll find them interesting and informative.

After that monologue, we’ll go into the questions and answers. I ask that the questions be “limited” to what the main topic of the evening is. For example, if we’re discussing something in “Week Two,” I don’t think it would be helpful to entertain questions pertaining to “Week Twenty-Two.” Does that make sense?

As many of you know, I’m pretty flexible with things. I am here to be a resource for you, so just about everything is fair game. I will do my best to accomodate everyone, answer all questions, and do both in a timely and efficient manner.

Will these calls be available as a download?

Yes, they will. I plan to make them available in two parts for you to download: the monologue and the question and answer session.

They will be available about one week after the call. I will provide a link to the web site where they will be hosted.

Can I invite my friends onto the call?

Sure! The more the merrier.

In case you’re wondering why 8:05 pm EST: It has been my experience that if something is scheduled on the hour, then a fairly large percentage of people are late. So, to help people a little bit, I am beginning the call at 8:05 pm.

You just remember to be there at 8 sharp!

I look forward to “seeing” you on the call. It will be fun!

Howard Bloom: The Usefulness Of Feeling Useless

I am a big fan of Howard Bloom. Not only is he smart, he is insightful. He brings together the various ideas that he discusses — from the worlds of biology, psychology, sociology, neurology, physics, economics, statistics, and many other fields – and presents them in ways that are useful and illuminating.

For those not familiar with Mr. Bloom, please look into his books: The Genius of the Beast: A Radical Re-vision of Capitalism; The Lucifer Principle: A Scientific Expedition Into the Forces of History; and Global Brain: The Evolution of Mass Mind from the Big Bang to the 21st Century.

Now, this “video” (I put that in quotes because it is an audio interview and there is no real video to go along with it), at least at first glance, may offend some. The name of the show (or the name of the YouTube user) is “The Amazing Atheist.” Please don’t let that sway you to not listen to all 90 minutes! I guarantee that you will find much of what they discuss to be useful and fascinating, and, at the very least, you will learn something new.

How does this apply to Haanel and The Master Key System?

How does this apply to Master Key Coaching?

How does it apply to the upcoming Master Key Teleseminars?

Give it a listen. I think it will be obvious when you’re about half way through.

If not, then please post a comment. I think this interview will lead to a good discussion.

I need your help with something. In the very near future, I am planning to offer free Master Key Coaching conference calls. This will be of great value to you because

• you will have the opportunity to ask questions,
• you will hear experts explaining the ins and outs of the Master Key System,
• you will learn how to apply Haanel’s philosophy to your life,
• you will be exposed to an environment that will keep you focused, motivated, and excited about attaining your goals,
• and you will receive all of this free of charge.

I can do this because of the great success I have encountered with my Master Key Coaching Program. I want to help you to succeed like so many of our clients have.

Right now, though, I need your help.

I need to know when you’d like to have these conference calls, how frequently you’d like them, and what pressing questions you’d like answered.

Please take the time to complete this online survey -

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/5LQZQTX

Once I have enough data, I will announce when the first call will be and all of the information you will need to join the call.

I am very excited about this. I plan for the calls to be short, sweet, and to the point, with a minimum of talking by me so as to allow you ample time to ask questions and have them answered thoroughly.

For now, please help so that I can schedule the best time so that the greatest number of people can attend. The URL for the survey is -

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/5LQZQTX

I was speaking with a prospective Master Key Coaching client. He was telling me what he wanted to attain and what he wanted to do. As he told me his goals, I noticed something — something just popped into my head.

One of his goals was that he wanted to tithe to his church. He wanted to give a portion of the money he made to his church so that they could perform good deeds.

As you well know, giving is important. The amount doesn’t necessarily matter. It’s mainly the idea that you are putting yourself — and your money — out there so that it will do good for others.

I asked this person, “How much  do you give now?”

His response was, “Nothing. It’s something I want to do when I have more money.”

I responded, “Why not begin giving now? Just give yourself permission to give now. It doesn’t have to be a lot. You don’t have to make a grand gesture. Every little bit counts and as your income grows, then what you give can grow with it.”

This seemed common-sensical to me.

It was a revelation to this person.

What I have discovered from coaching so many Master Key Coaching clients is that more often than not, it’s not that a person doesn’t know how to achieve a goal; it’s not that a person doesn’t have the means; nor is it that the person isn’t willing.

What happens far too often is that the person — like you — is probably just not giving themselves permission to do the thing they want to do!

Instead of just allowing themselves to do or get the thing they want, they make  excuses about why they can’t!

If they want to tithe, they say it won’t be enough.

If they want a new car, instead of investigating the various financing options that are available, they just file that goal under the heading “Pipe Dream” or, even worse, “Later.”

Instead of springing into action on their idea, they over-think things and instead of inventing ways to make it happen, they invent reasons why it won’t work — without even trying!

Stop it! Now.

Give yourself permission to live how you want to live, to do what you want to do, to get what you want to get.

You are ALLOWED to do so!

This is your life. Live it. Own it.

What is the difference between you and the people who “made it,” who succeeded?

Beyond what they did, beyond what they thought, beyond the actions they took and the alliances they made, it was the fact that in the beginning, when they first conceived their goal, they gave themselves permission to go after it.

Far too often, I speak with people who deny themselves their goals and their dreams, no matter how simple they are. And the only reason they do so is because they don’t give themselves permission to just go for it.

So, give yourself permission to chase your dreams. Give yourself permission to catch your dreams. Give yourself permission to live your dreams.

If it helps, I give you permission.

What do you perceive when you look at this picture?

Do you see a vase? Do you see two faces? Can you vacillate between the two?

How about this picture?

Is it the young woman that you see? Or is it the old lady?

What do you perceive?

Now, look at a situation that is happening in your life. Is it the “vase” or the “two faces”? Is it the “young woman” or the “old lady”?

How do you feel when you perceive it from each perspective? Which feeling do you enjoy better? Which one impels you to take action and pursue your goals?

Haanel wrote in Week Six of The Master Key System

They are finding that circumstances and environment follow the trend of mental and spiritual progress. They find that growth follows knowledge; action follows inspiration; opportunity follows perception — the spiritual first then the transformation into the infinite and illimitable possibilities of achievement.

“Opportunity follows perception.”

Change your perception and you can change your world.

Try it.

Change it.

Work with it.

And follow the opportunities that follow when you change your perception.

PS – When you learn it … When you live it … Changes will happen — good changes. That’s what the Master Key Coaching Program is about. Try it for free. Get a free Master Key Coaching consultation now … and let the changes happen.

This book is about you. I cannot think of a book that details and describes one’s place in the cosmic setting and how the cosmic setting can and does influences a person like this book does. Although many books have been written about the subjects that Mr. Haanel tackles in this book, I can think of none that match this book. Much like how The Master Key System by Haanel is a definitive success and attainment philosophy, this book is a definitive statement about you and the things that make you.

As you read this book, you will learn about a plethora of subjects: astronomy, astrology, physics, alchemy, and many more. It is not to be taken lightly. Some may say that astrology is something that should be relegated to the entertainment section of less reputable newspapers. I say to give this a shot!

Astrology has a long history. It was the original study of the stars and the cosmos. Unfortunately, it was bastardized and compromised by many hundreds — if not thousands — of false prophets and charlatans.

In A Book About You, Mr. Haanel attempts to set the record straight, so to speak. He approaches the subject in a sober and logical way. He does not say that if one is a Gemini, then he will be this or that because the stars guide him; rather, he says that “The stars incline, but they do not compel!” In other words, while the influences may be there, they do not predict nor do they impel one to act one way or another.

Haanel’s idea is basically this: That we as human beings in a large and unknown universe can be and are influenced by the various forces that interact upon us from the various bodies that inhabit our solar system and galaxy, but ultimately, we all enjoy free will.

This might be difficult for some to swallow, but there is very real and tangible proof that celestial bodies do in fact influence us. For example, does not the Moon influence the tides of the oceans? or the menstrual cycle of women? or the mental state of people? That should be proof enough that we can be influenced by the vibrations of celestial bodies. The only thing that is up for examination is
how far does the influence extend?

The idea that we are swimming in a sea of vibrations from each other, from the Earth, and from celestial bodies is a proven fact. The notion that all physical objects — matter — is made up of an almost uncountable numbers of electrons is a proven fact. The perception that science is continually discovering evidence that what many thought was humbug is actually possible or even true is a proven fact.

This is what A Book About You attempts to convey to you: that you are a conscious mind that is influenced by the many different vibrations that travel in our universe. Nothing more; nothing less.

In this book, you will learn quite a few things about yourself.

• You’ll see how everything in the universe is vibrating and how the vibrations reach out to you.
• You’ll discover what your astrological sign really means and why the traits of that sign become tendencies in you.
• You will learn about the law of periodicity and how to use it to your advantage.
• You will gain a clearer view of your life and how you can take advantage of the myriad opportunities around you.
• You will understand the science behind astrology.
• You will learn how to deal with people on a greater level than you ever imagined because you will truly understand them.
• You will truly become aware of your free will, which is the ultimate gateway to freedom and prosperity.

In the tradition of The Master Key System, this book is not one that you will read once never to read again. Quite the contrary. This is one of those books that will become a reference for your many questions and inquiries. You will read this book as you find yourself asking questions about things you see and experience in the world.

If I may, though, give a few words of caution: Take it slowly and ask lots of questions.

As with most things in life, learning what is in this book is a race of endurance and not speed. Take the time to understand. If you doubt something, then research it until you prove it either right or wrong. When you study this book, you are studying yourself. Hopefully, when you are done reading, you will have a greater understanding of yourself and the world — and universe — around you.

Most of all and above everything, enjoy the learning and the process. If at first something does not make sense to you, then set it aside and return to it later. When you’re ready for it, try to tackle it again.

This is truly a book about you. With the knowledge and understanding that you gain for this book, it is my hope that you endeavour to do great things and accomplish all of your goals.

Purchase A Book About You as part of the Complete Master Key Course.

Get A Book About You in e-book format.

You can also get A Book About You in traditional book format directly from Kallisti Publishing.

Of course, you can purchase A Book About You from Amazon.com — even for your Amazon Kindle e-book reader!

There are many things that you can do today — right now — that will increase your chances for success.

What is the BIG ONE, though?

Is there even a BIG ONE?

I know that there is.

It’s something that most people don’t do.

Why don’t they do it? Is it too hard? Don’t people know any better? What is it?

It’s theoretically simple, but it is a hard thing to do. But, once it is done, then success, while not guaranteed, is definitely closer. Success becomes in reach!

So, what is it?

As I wrote, it’s seemingly simple, but oh so hard to do.

It’s …

DECIDE WHAT YOU WANT TO DO.

See? Simple.

Yet hard.

You have to make the decision that you are going to do something. You must stand by that decision. You must follow through on that decision and see it to the end. When you do that — and as you do that more and more — you’ll find yourself becoming … *gasp* … SUCCESSFUL!

Why?

Because successful people do what other people are either unwilling or unable to do.

Most people are not able and willing to make a decision — to choose a course of action — and stick to it.

Think about how many people declare New Year’s resolutions. Now, think about those people one, two, three months later. They’ve forgotten their resolutions, haven’t they? They’re unwilling and they’re unable.

But you are willing and able. Because you were meant to be successful. That’s why you’re here.

Now, please note one thing:

I did not write “DECIDE WHAT YOU WANT.”

I wrote “DECIDE WHAT YOU WANT TO DO.”

There’s a big — huge! — difference between the two.

Some gurus, movies, infomercials, whatever declare that all you have to do is concentrate on the things you want. We all want things. We’re human beings. We want an infinite amount of things. Sitting around and thinking about them all the time is nothing more than mental masturbation. Or, as Haanel would write, “mental dissipation.”

While those things that you want may serve as an incentive, it’s not the thing that will bring you success

Only your actions will bring you success!

Once you begin thinking about what you want to do — whether it be starting a business, changing careers, embarking on a career, helping a charity, going on an adventure, exploring, writing a book, learning a new skill, solving a problem, going on a date — and once you make that decision, then the planning is easy. And when the plan is in place, the doing practically becomes a no-brainer.

Chances are likely that once you decide to do something, you can find someone whom you can model — and perhaps even follow their plan!

If you know where you’re going (what you want to do) and you have a map (a plan), how much will your odds of succeeding increase?

From my experience, I would say a lot. It happens with me — and I see it happen with my Master Key Coaching clients all the time.

So stop masturbating over vision boards. Become the person you want to be by your actions — by the things you do — not the things you own.

People on their deathbeds never regret not having things. They only regret the things they haven’t done!

Decide what you want to do and do it!

It’s the best — and only — way to become successful.

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.

You can visit the Self Improvement Association at www.sia-hq.com.

I am very pleased and very honored to announce that an article that I wrote — and that you probably already read here — “The Master Key Is You,” has been published by the Self Improvement Association on their web site.

Please visit their site, read my article, and let me know what you think.

If you’ve already read that piece, then please read it again. I think that it bears repeating and re-reading.

As I speak with clients who are enrolled in the Master Key Coaching Program, as I email with people who have purchased the Complete Master Key Course, and even as I just speak with people in my day-to-day life, one thing that comes into the conversation all too often is the fear — or worry — they are feeling about the economic times in which we live.

Some people are fearful about losing their job. Some are facing having to deal with having their work hours cut. Many businesses are scrambling to find the credit they need in order to stay afloat.

You too have probably heard all of that — and more!

While what we are going through is bad enough —and perhaps even too much for some people — some people are even predicting that things will get worse.

So what’s one to do?

That’s the question I tackle in this article, “The Master Key Is You.” So please read it — again, if that is the case.

Other than that, while there is no one set answer to the question about what you can do since everyone’s situation is different in some respect, there are things you can do to prepare yourself.

One is that you can learn how to tune in, unlock, and attain by using what you learn in The Master Key System.

There’s a reason why Haanel’s book has been around for almost one hundred years. The reason is that when you put into practice the philosophy that Haanel espouses, you significantly improve your chances at succeeding massively!

You can also read the other books on my list of the only ten books you need to read to succeed. I limit my list to only ten because I want to see people take what they learn and spring into action rather than immerse themselves in countless books. Take the time to learn and once you have learned, then take the time to act!

It is only through your actions that you will yield results.

One other great way to prepare yourself is to work with a good coach or an able consigliere.

A good coaching relationship will not only help you stay positive or teach you about concepts, it will — it should! — be a relationship in which you are pushed, prodded, and expected to do better than you are. You will have a person who can look at your situation objectively and who will help you formulate the best “plan of attack” for overcoming any problems you are encountering.

In other words, your coach should help you to think differently so that you can attain what you want.

This can be a very powerful relationship, so I highly recommend that you explore the possibility of one.

Other than those things, I can only reiterate what I wrote in this article: don’t worry irrationally, be prepared, and do what you must do.

As Haanel wrote in The Master Key System,

Life is an unfoldment, not an accretion. What comes to us in the world without is what we already possess in the world within.

Be prepared. Be vigilant. Be ready to act. You will succeed.

In other words, tune in, unlock, and attain!

Please watch this video of Mike Rowe of Dirty Jobs fame. In it, he talks about hard work, success, the old (and played) adage “Follow your passion and the money will follow,” and much more.

If you have trouble viewing the video, please click here: Mike Rowe Video.

As some may know, back in 2003, I began a Group on Yahoo!: The Master Key Group. It now has over 600 members and is quite active.

Recently, a discussion developed regarding how things “manifest.” As you may or may not know, I am not a fan of the modern idea of manifestation, especially as presented by many of the “new wage” gurus and “husteldorks” out there. [For my view of manifesting, please see this article that I wrote: "How the Idea of “Manifesting” Is Ruining Your Chances of Success."]

The debate was raging when a member of the Group wrote what I am about to post here. What he wrote was so well-written and eloquent—and in my view spot on accurate—that I wanted to share it with you here. I even sent the fellow a book of his choice free of charge. (He chose The Master Key Workbook, just so you know.)

Please enjoy!

The way I see this, there are two opposing camps, two polar opposite schools of thought regarding how to accomplish things.

The purists of the materialist school would say that “manifesting” as spirit is a bunch of superstitious, new-age gobbledegook; it sees the idea of trying to visualize things into existence as naive in the extreme. There is no free lunch. Whatever you accomplish you achieve through your own efforts.

The purists of the mentalist school of thought would say that the “All is Mind“ and what we consider to be physical, objective reality is the mental activity of the All, of which we are a part, and of which Mind—our minds—are parts. Consequently by changing the inner we can change the outer; no specific activity is required on our part, whatever we desire to manifest will simply come to be through diligent visualization.

Notice I said above the purists of both schools think along those lines. And like most purists, I think they’re both extremely naive, simplistic, and completely wrong. In short, they’re full of it.

As with many, many, many things in life, the answer lies squarely in the middle. [Tony: I have often found this to be true as well, especially in philosophical debates.]

To the pure materialists, I say that you can work as diligently and as relentlessly and as hard as possible for decades and you will never reach your goal without a plan and the ability to evaluate and change that plan in favor of new approaches based on your result—both of these activities have absolutely nothing to do with work and everything to do with mental activity.

To the pure mentalists, I say that unless you are some kind of magician as powerful as King Solomon, you can’t just think things into existence. If that were possible then none of you would have any of the myriad problems you’re in this program to overcome. Remember that old Chinese proberb: “A man who waits for a roast duck to fly into his mouth must wait a very, very long time.” [Tony: This is why I am fond of saying that I'd rather hire or work with a person who is ready, willing, and able to take action rather than a "self-helper" who would sit around and "visualize" all day trying to "use" the Law of Attraction.]

My personal belief is that we should do the mental work as prescribed by Haanel: not just plan-laying, but visualization of the “emotionalized thought” variety, diligently. [Tony: In later articles that will appear on this blog, I will be detailing what you should be getting from reading and studying The Master Key System. Here's a hint: It's not learning about how to use the Law of Attraction.] And then we need to get out into the real world, start pushing buttons, meeting people, inquiring, making contacts, trying new approaches, etc., all with the end in mind of reaching that goal, bearing ever in mind that it may come to us through avenues completely unanticipated, seeming to have little or nothing to do with our efforts. We need to do the mental work and then put ourselves in the places we need to be in order for it to give us what we need to bring our intention about.

I’m reminded of another old quote I heard years ago. “Pray as though everything depended on God. Work as though everything depended on you.” (St. Augustine, I believe.) [Tony: Yes, it was St. Augustine who said that.]

So, form your plan, build your mental images, and then get out there and make it happen!

As always, I hope that you leave a comment. In my view, it’s discussion about these concepts and ideas that help each of us to grow and, hopefully, to excel.

A friend of mine — actually, he’s a member of the Master Key Coaching Program — forwarded an email to me today. Usually, I don’t open emails that people are forwarding. I think that many of us are all too familiar with how that works out. Against my “better judgement,” I opened it anyway.

It was an email about a dog. A two-legged dog. You see, this dog, Faith, was born with only two legs. What a way to start life! Nobody wanted him, not even his mother.

This is his story.

I am going to include the entire story here, pictures and all. Before I do that, though, I want to point out that this story is 100% true!

As with many emails that people forward, such as the sundry political diatribes that make the rounds and are purported to be written by someone famous or even the ‘Bill Gates read the Master Key System‘ rumor, they are often proven to be false, or at the very least mostly factually inaccurate.

A good place to check the veracity of stories that you hear online or via email is Snopes.com. And that’s what I did: I checked Snopes.

Yup! This story about Faith is true!

Thus, without further ado, here is a story that will make you smile a little, make you cry a lot, and give you inspiration by the ton. Enjoy!

This is ‘Faith’

This dog was born on Christmas Eve in the year 2002. He was born with three  legs — two healthy hind legs and one abnormal front leg, which needed to be  amputated. He of course could not walk when he was born. Even his mother did not want him.

His first owner also did not think that he could survive. Therefore, he was thinking of “putting him to  sleep.”

By this time, his present owner, Jude Stringfellow, met him and wanted  to take care of him.

She was determined to teach and train this dog to walk by himself.  Therefore she named him Faith.

In the beginning, she put Faith on a surf board to let him feel the movements. Later, she used peanut  butter on a spoon as a lure and reward for him to stand up and jump around. Even the other dog at home helped to encourage him to walk. Amazingly, after only six months, like a miracle, Faith learned to balance on his two hind legs and jump to move forward. After further training in the snow, he now can walk like a human being.

Faith loves to walk around now. No matter where he goes, he just attracts all the people around him.

He is now becoming famous on the international scene. He has appeared in various newspapers and on TV shows.

There is even one book entitled With a Little Faith being published  about him. He was even considered to appear  in one of the Harry Potter movies.

His present owner Jude Stringfellew has  given up her teaching post and plans to take him around the world to teach that even without a perfect body, one can have a “perfect soul.”

In life there are always undesirable things. Perhaps one will feel better if one changes the point of view from another direction.

And that, my friends, is Faith. Faith the dog.

Take from that story what you will. Perhaps you’ll take from it the idea that you have to use mind over matter. Others will say that with adversity comes opportunity or the seeds of greatness.

What I saw was this: We are all dealt certain cards in life, both good and bad, and our aim should be to use what we got to get what we want.

If Faith did, don’t you think that you can, too?

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.