Diana Page Jordan | Book Reviews and Inspiration

Three Feet From Gold: Turn Your Obstacles into Opportunities!

By Sharon L. Lechter & Greg S. Reid

Published October 9, 2009 (Hardcover) Sterling Publishing

My PC lumbered slowly through the tasks I demanded, leaving open a dozen windows, as I played in all of them.  I had bought an iMac the last day of the year, but, wanting to finish a podcast order first, I haven’t moved the material over yet.  I had a feeling the PC was on its last days.

Then, I got my biggest voiceover order yet from Internetjock, I cut it, and listening back to my take, I heard electronic splatters.  A couple of emails popped in – one regarding a part-time TV job I wanted, the other about a fill-in radio gig.  I got compliments, but didn’t get either job.  Bummer.  Changing focus, I figured I’d tackle the scripts for the two podcasts I’d been producing. But first, I had to re-cut the VO’s.  Better start from scratch.

I rebooted.  Crash. My PC died.  Wow. 

The deaths of two possibilities and a PC.  There has got to be a lesson in here somewhere. 

It’s cool to know my intuition is sharp – knowing I had to buy a new computer.  Not so cool to realize my rebelliousness gets in my way – I’ll just finish my podcasts first. Now what – other than to call my amazing geeky friends, who all tossed in ideas.

My stacks of books drew my gaze.  Here.  This book — perfect.  Three Feet From Gold. I opened the first few pages, and was swept away.  At first I thought the book was another of those be-a-millionaire-metaphor books.  Fiction or non-fiction, I couldn’t tell.  But, it is the true story of a man, Greg Reid, whose ways were changed by his interviews of successful leaders.  A few characters in the book were invented, and the incredible bios of the others are in the back of the book. Including those of a few people I’ve interviewed for shows.  One, who had me at his Thanksgiving table a few years back.

Reid and Lechter tell of a winning formula — P+T+A+A= success.  P is Passion.  T for Talent.  One A is for Association. And the other A is for Action.

Debbi Fields’ contribution: Good enough never is. That hits me – I realize that while I keep going, keep pushing, I accept “good enough” in pay, acceptance, recognition.  No, that will no longer do.

Another bold piece of wisdom: You must believe it before you can see it. Lately, I’ve been working on what I deserve, and limits have melted away.  A hazy image of what exists stands in view where the walls once were.  Wow, was that possibility there the entire time?

This is fun!

From champion boxer Evander Holyfield: You never feel or remember the blows. You only feel the victory. I discounted the five or six times a crown was placed on my head, brushing it off as not counting; discounted compliments, not worthy; discounted contributions my work might make, not enough.  Feel the victory!

Experience the alchemy of Three Feet From Gold — the book feels really good.  I want to interview the authors. Once my iMac is up and rolling.