Table of Contents:

1. The One-Minute TIP
2. Welcome Notes
3. In Memoriam
4. Quotes of the Wee k
5. Strictly Business:  The Value of Lifetime Customers
6. Resources and Tools for YOUR Success!
7. Humor:  13 Things Your Dog Can Teach You

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1. The One-Minute TIP

Obviously this is not a typical article, and I thank you for letting me share. Life has many mysteries and the gifts I received from Cody are among them. May you know joy, love and hope.


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2. Welcome Notes

As you can read below, this has been a difficult week for us, certainly not the week of sunshine and yard work I planned on. And yet, it’s also been a time of learning. Mary and I spent extra time together, and the support of friends has been wonderful! I love the line from an old Beatles’ song, “I get by with a little help from my friends.” A lot of truth in that!

We are preparing to fly to Wisconsin for our annual World Class Life Conference in about ten days (the Conference is May 15-17th) and that’s exciting. I love everything about this event—the location, the people we meet, the energy and transformation that occurs, even the food tastes better! As I wrote last week, we’ve had a couple last-minute cancellations, so if you’ve been considering joining us, there is some room but act quickly. Please call me – (541) 342-1030 – or email (Coach@philiphumbert.com) to confirm that there is space and we’ll help you register!


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3:  In Memoriam

This as been a very sad week for me. I lost a companion, a partner-in-mischief, and a friend. While most of my friends walk upright exactly like the humans they are, Cody spent his life artfully disguised as a canine, the better to chase squirrels and avoid paying taxes.

I’ve had six dogs, including two when I was a boy. Of the six, only one was intentionally selected. The other five just showed up and decided to stay, which I’ve always counted a great compliment since I find dogs are better judges of people than most people. All were fine pets and intelligent, gentle beings who enriched my life.

Cody, however, was “special.” I know, every dog owner worthy of the term says their dog is “special.” And I know it’s always true!

Cody was abandoned, or to be more accurate, thrown away when he as about ten weeks old. During our early-morning walk my previous dog, Kelly, found him hiding in some brush, wet, muddy, cold and lonely. Later that morning I gave him a bath, something no one had inflicted on him before. Oh, how he howled! The poor pup had been in the woods for who knows how long, and then some demented human who at first seemed friendly, turns a cold hose on him! Even after all that, he learned to trust me and we became friends.

Shortly after she brought Cody into our family, Kelly had to take her leave. She had health problems, and I think she knew it was time to go. I’ve often speculated that she knew I couldn’t get along without a dog to watch out for me, and brought Cody into our home for that purpose. At any rate, as Cody settled in, Kelly moved on to a warmer climate and an unlimited supply of chew toys.

I’ll never forget that as I grieved for Kelly, Cody seemed to understand my pain and for weeks he literally stayed by my side. He learned to slip under my desk and rest his head on my feet. At night, he’d stand with his head on the edge of my bed and watch until I fell asleep, then curl up on the floor beside me. When we walked, he’d press against my leg until it was hard to avoid tripping over him. I loved him for that.

Later, I learned to love him for other things as well.

I often said that our morning walks were essential to help the sun rise. Occasionally, some narrow-minded scientist would claim (ridiculously) that as the earth rotates, the sun only “appears” to come “up” and that it does this whether or not we took our morning walk. My reply was always, “while that may be true in your world, our walk is essential for light and warmth in my world.”

One of Cody’s best things was to help me write articles and speeches. (When I say this, I noticed some people get a funny look and I wonder if they believe me—these folks are not dog people!) When I’d get stuck trying to find the right phrase, I’d bounce it around with Cody. Usually, we’d do this on the deck or while walking. I’d try various phrases and wordings, and he’d just look away, trying to hide his embarrassment.

Then, when I finally found words that could work, his head would whip around, he’d cock his ears and his eyes would confirm that I’d finally got it! He was always so proud and would come over and lick my hand to say he’d never lost faith that I would (eventually) come through!

I’ve had people tell me he wasn’t the writer I thought he was. They claim he could detect a change in my voice and that he was reacting to my behavior, but like the sunrise thing, these people are mostly scientists and Cody taught me that mere “facts” cannot be trusted with the more important things in life.

Cody died suddenly last Monday. We were driving by his favorite park when he collapsed. He was gone almost instantly and I like to think he saw an abandoned tennis ball that needed a friend and couldn’t wait to get out of the truck. In his eagerness to play, he left his body and I shall miss him.

                         *****

Obviously this is not a typical article, and I thank you for letting me share. Life has many mysteries and the gifts I received from Cody are among them. May you know joy, love and hope.


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4. Quotes of the Week

"Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies."
                                         --Mother Teresa

“Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world."
                                         -- Albert Einstein

"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others."
                                         -- Mahatma Gandhi

"People are like stained-glass windows They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within."
                                         -- Elizabeth Kübler-Ross


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5. Strictly Business:  The Value of Lifetime Customers

There's an old truth that one customer, well satisfied, is worth a fortune. Over and over again, I work with companies who are determined to improve their advertising to attract new customers. They spend fortunes looking for better copy, the write spokesperson or the right “media mix.” All the while, current customers are evaporating or (worse) doing business with their competitors.

There's a wonderful old story about a couple looking for a hotel on a rainy, dreary night. At last they pull up to a small hotel in a rural Pennsylvania town, go inside, but are told the hotel is full. Seeing their fatigue and despair, the young man behind the counter offers to let them use his own quarters, a small room in the back of the building.

In the morning, the couple is so grateful and impressed, the husband promises that someday he will open a hotel and hire the young man to manage it. Time passes, and one day the young man gets a call from that weary traveler. It seems he has opened the Ritz Carlton Hotel in New York and would like the young man to manage it.

I have no idea if that story is true, although I've heard variations of it for many years. The point, however, is clear: Every customer is potentially worth a fortune!

It is always easier and more profitable to keep a customer than to attract a new one. Advertising is expensive! Negotiating the first sale, learning the needs of the customer and serving them well is difficult. To grow your business, focus on repeat sales.

Your customers are your best source of new ideas and innovations to put you ahead of the crowd. Listen to them, honor them, go the extra mile and work with your customers to achieve what you both want: a satisfying and profitable long-term relationship.


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6. Resources and Tools for YOUR Success!

    #1 Your World Class Life!
     With Dr Philip E. Humbert
     May 15-17th in Green Lake, Wisconsin
     http://MyWorldClassLife.com 

Is your life working the way you planned? Are your biggest dreams and most exciting ambitions still sitting on the shelf, waiting for “someday?” Are you stuck or frustrated, or letting time and chance and other people make decisions about your life, and your future? Is it time to do something about that? This is for you!

Join me for three days in May where the focus will be on designing, creating and living the life you truly want! Top achievers are not different or born under a lucky star. They simply KNOW what they want, create SYSTEMS to achieve it, and then follow a road-map to success.

This is for YOU! It is a Conference entirely focused on helping you design your ideal life, and create systems and plans and skills to make it happen. Living well is an art, but there is also a science to it. There are skills and habits that highly successful people use, and you can learn them! Don't miss this! “Seize the day” and let this be the opportunity that changes everything!
http://MyWorldClassLife.com 


     #2 Use a MasterMind Alliance to Achieve Your Goals
     Get the Support, Advice & Encouragement You Need
     We All Need a Little Help from Our Friends
     http://TheNewMasterMind.com 

Every winning athlete, and successful business person has a team of experts behind them. How would you like a team of hand-picked advisors committed to your personal success? What could you do with expert advice, wise counsel, and a network of successful people at your finger-tips?

Back in 1935, Napoleon Hill wrote that a “MasterMind” group was the one essential behind every successful person he interviewed! And yet very few people create a Mastermind team to help them achieve their most important goals in life! Now you can! Most people “don’t know how” or they fear they “wouldn’t know who to ask.” Now, I’ve written the manual! I’ve create a “recipe” so you can create your own MasterMind whenever you wish! I’ve included suggestions for where, when and how often to meet. I’ve even included simple scripts to get you started. Check it out!

If success is important to you, you MUST have a MasterMind group to help you “get there.” Click for more info. http://TheNewMasterMind.com


     #3 Got a Website?
     Earn Passive Income!
     http://philiphumbert.com/go/1A.htm 

Over the years, I've paid lots of money for shopping carts, autoresponders and systems that were supposed to help me serve my subscribers and make money from my website. None of them worked, or more accurately they worked, but they were complex, confusing and didn't work very well. Then I discovered Don Schnure and the amazing programs he's put together. They work! They are powerful, EASY to use, and they let me automate my newsletter, my affiliate programs and my shopping cart, with no hassle! I love this! And, you can use it for 30 days to check it out. Highly recommended!
http://philiphumbert.com/go/1A.htm


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7. Humor:  13 Things Your Dog Can Teach You

I’ve used this list, or a similar one, before but it seemed appropriate this week. My friend, Kristie Tamsevicius sent it to me, and I hope you find it as nice a reminder as I did. Enjoy!


When loved ones come home, always run to greet them

Allow the feel of fresh air and wind in your face to be pure joy

Let others know when they've invaded your territory

Take naps and stretch before rising

On a hot day, drink lots of water and lay under a shady tree

When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body

No matter how often you're scolded, don't buy into the guilt thing and pout.... run right back out and make friends

Delight in the simple joy of a long walk

Eat with gusto and enthusiasm. Stop when you've had enough

Be loyal

Never pretend to be something you're not

If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.


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   Be kind to yourself and to someone else, and
   have a wonder-FULL week!

Philip E. Humbert, PhD,
President, The Philip E. Humbert Group, Inc.


Shameless Marketing TIP:
Dr Humbert is a Success Strategist, author and popular
speaker. Imagine what’s possible! To inquire about
having him speak to your group or organization, or
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