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THE ACHIEVEMENT DIGEST® June 2004 Gene Griessman, Ph.D. Editor and Publisher 6525 Riverside Drive, Atlanta, GA, 30328, Phone: 404-256-5927 email abe@achievementdigest.com If you enjoy this issue, pass it along to your friends. RETURN TO HOME PAGE WHAT'S IN THIS ISSUE I. Personal Productivity--The Futch Maneuver and the feature article: "Lessons From History" II. Lincoln’s Log III. Quotable Quotes IV. Travel Notes From A Road Warrior--New Orleans and Denver V. Feedback I. PERSONAL PRODUCTIVITY The Futch Maneuver "If someone in a large organization says No to something that you really want to do, keep asking or calling people in that organization until you find someone who gives you the answer that you want." This success tactic is named for my friend Ken Futch who taught me to use it. Futch is author of "Taking Your Best Shot." (www.ken@kenfutch.com) The reason it works is because knowledge, authority, and temperament vary widely in large organizations and in most small ones. You may be told that something is absolutely impossible by one individual, whereas you may be able to find another person in the same organization who will cheerfully say Yes. Don't take the first No as final. Keep asking until you get to Yes, or until you run out of people. For scores of additional success tactics that you can use in your everyday life, read "Time Tactics of Very Successful People." (Click here to order: http://www.achievementdigest.com/ProductOrderForm.html) LESSONS FROM HISTORY Harry Truman stated, "The only new thing in the world is the history that you don't know." Truman spent many years studying the history of those who preceded him. His study paid off. Truman today is regarded as one of America's greatest Presidents. The reason history is important is because we live in a cause-and-effect universe. Similar choices produce similar results at the individual (micro) level and at the national (macro) level. History is the story of choices made and the results of those choices. LESSON ONE Look For What Worked And What Didn't Work, And Why You can use history like a case study in business school. Example: Mark Twain became a partner in a publishing company, Webster & Co., which published the " Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant." Twain also obtained the rights to Pope Leo III's authorized biography. The first book became a best seller. The second sold poorly. Both publications seemed like good ideas. Twain assumed that purchasing the Pope's biography would be required reading for American Catholics. It wasn't. Moreover, at that time many working-class Irish and German Catholics couldn't read and those who could had little excess income for purchasing books. Grant's memoirs became a literary and financial triumph because it was written by a popular President who had just died, it provided an insider's account of the Civil War, which was a fascinating topic for millions, and it was beautifully written. (See Fred Kaplan, "The Singular Mark Twain." NY: 2003, Doubleday, pp. 422, 423) The next issue of The Achievement Digest will contain another lesson from history. II. LINCOLN'S LOG Lincoln still influences decisions. Christie Hefner, chairman and chief executive, Playboy Enterprises, recently told a New York Times writer that she had learned an invaluable leadership lesson from Lincoln. Here is a quote from that interview: "In leadership, it isn't about what you say; it's about what the other person hears. If you articulate well, like Lincoln, you have a tendency to think: 'I've made myself clear.' But the point is, Lincoln realizes, what did the other person hear?" Learn more about how Lincoln communicated in "The Words Lincoln Lived By." If you'd like to order a copy, click here: (http://www.achievementdigest.com/ProductOrderForm.html). If you'd like to listen to the book instead of read it, you can order the audio book, "The Inspirational Words of Abraham Lincoln" by clicking below. (https://www.2checkout.com/cgi-bin/ccbuyers/purchase.2c?sid=80016&product_id=5&quantity=1) Quantity prices are available. One of our readers ordered 200 copies to give to customers and prospects. III. QUOTABLE QUOTES *"Many a true word is spoken in jest." ( Shakespeare, "King Lear") *"Opportunities always look bigger going than coming." *"No man has ever been shot while doing the dishes." Bumper Stickers "Live your life in such a way that the preacher won't have to lie at your funeral." (Thanks to Dick Biggs who sent us this one.) EXECUTIVE COACHING. You Can Receive Executive Coaching From A Master Communicator. We are launching the President's Club for people who want to move to a higher level of achievement. Get one-on-one coaching with Dr. Griessman about personal productivity, presentation skills, time management, leadership issues--or a second-opinion on that difficult decision you must make. A very limited number of slots are available. For information, contact us immediately at 404-256-5927 or by clicking here http://www.theamericans.us/ContactGene.html IV. TRAVEL NOTES FROM A ROAD WARRIOR ***NEW ORLEANS If you're planning a visit to New Orleans, visit the Internet. An excellent first stop is www.neworleansonline.com. The site has a schedule of events, must-see places, and a good selection of coupons that you can download and print. *Bacco. The best lunch value in the French Quarter. (I found Bacco at neworleansonline.) Two-course lunch specials begin at $10. Great food and 10-cent Martinis. Charming dining room; excellent service. 310 Chartres St. 504-522-2426 *Brennan's. Brennan's still sets the standard for service and cuisine. The famed breakfast at Brennan's is pricey--$35 for the three-course breakfast--and worth every penny. My favorite is Eggs Sardou--poached eggs on artichoke bottoms nestled in a bed of creamed spinach and covered with Hollandaise sauce. Banana's Foster, which was invented at Brennan's, is a sinful way to conclude the experience. Ask to see the private rooms that contain memorabilia from the krewe of Bacchus which was begun by Owen Edward Brennan, Sr., the founder of Brennan's. The restaurant is located in the French Quarter at 417 Royal Street; phone: (504) 525-9711 ***DENVER *Maggiano's Little Italy. Downtown. Big, well-run restaurant that's popular with the natives. Good food; modest prices; gigantic portions. I liked the baked tilapia--lightly coated with pesto and topped with a chilled salad made of avocado, broccoli, tomato and onion. V. FEEDBACK "Really enjoy your emails - very uplifting and a great way to start the day - on a positive note! I sent the leadership section to my daughter who is job searching after college graduation." Anna Rentschler "Excellent approach with 3-D presentation. Not only did we get to hear Lincoln but see him too. I think this will help retention. A lot of take-homes." (Comments on "Lessons Learned From Abraham Lincoln and Other Historical Leaders") T. Davis The John Dewberry Foundation recently sponsored a Lincoln portrayal for 8th graders at the Teaching Museum North in Roswell, Georgia. Here are excerpts from some of the messages that we received from students: "It was the most interesting way to learn about history that I have ever
experienced." Jake Wright ***IF YOU ARE INVOLVED IN PLANNING AN UPCOMING MEETING, SALES CONFERENCE,
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