From The Publisher’s Desk

The Secrets of Success and Fortune

Our Fearless Leader

by Biff Humble

Chapter 2: The connection between effort and achievement

How many times are those who have gained some level of achievement envied by those whom have not?

As a society our fixation with achievement is tantamount to worship.  We watch television programs such as “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous” and “American Idol” to live vicariously through the achievement of others.

But, what is lost, is the connection between effort and achievement.  You can have effort without achievement; but you seldom have achievement without effort.  Sitting on your fat ass watching American Idol is not likely to land you a recording contract.  And sitting in the bar talking with your friends about the great novel you are going to write does not put the book on the shelves of Barnes and Noble.

To achieve, you must first do.

After all, even a bowel movement requires some effort.

Well, we’ve had Biff contact.  After disappearing for months, our humble publisher sent us a manuscript for his new book.  It seems he spent much of the time at a Baja California resort, where we believe he may have met marketing guru Seth Godin.

Apparently, Godin’s enthusiasm for marketing himself rubbed off on Mr. Humble, and he decided it was time to dredge through the bits of memory he still retains, and share the secrets of his success.  That, and apparently the cash and blow are running low, and he needs to generate some capital to pay his bar bill.

Without further ado, below is the first excerpt of Biff Humble’s latest  book:

The Secrets of Success and Fortune

Our Fearless Leader

by Biff Humble

Chapter 1: Inescapably Intertwined Ideas

Many people approach me at my numerous public appearances to ask the same question: “Mr. Humble, how can I become a rich and successful entrepreneur like you?”

The second most often question that these sycophants invariably inquire is: “Mr. Humble, is it some secret about the publishing industry that allowed you to become so rich and successful?”

The answer to the second question is “No.”
The answer to the first question requires more time than a chance encounter at a publishing convention allows. But, in truth, the answer to both questions can be summed up to say, “The secret to success and fortune lies within one’s own being.”

But, I’ve got to hit 50,000 words before this book will be considered serious. So, let me expand.

One first must understand how inextricably intertwined are the factors of success and fortune.  It’s very difficult to achieve one without the other.  Look around you to those who have already achieved one or the other of these enviable states.  In almost every situation I can think of, the two states exist so closely as to be symbiotes.

To be successful brings fortune.  Fortune brings success.  The two achievements can hardly live one without the other.

In knowing this interconnection, one can shift the paradigm of knowledge to one’s advantage.  Once this shift is facilitated within one’s being, it all becomes clear.  Since it is difficult to achieve fortune without success, and to achieve success without fortune, one is left with a simple avenue towards the future.

Simply achieve both at the same time.

Now, I expect those who have already discovered this secret will raise their voices in protest that I have allowed this knowledge to flow beyond the castle doors of  the privileged class, but I feel it’s for the greater good of mankind to share this new knowledge.  After all, in an information age, what could be a stronger democratizing factor than knowledge?

So, now there is nothing standing between you and such notables as Bill Gates, the Bush Family, or Donald Trump.

Now, you have access to the secret knowledge that allowed them to reach the pinnacles from which they rule the world.

And the only thing from stopping you from following the dual highways of success and fortune and taking your seat beside them is this question: “Are you in the mood to become rich and successful?”

Remember, even a journey of 1,000 steps begins with one.