Failure or Progress?
In This Issue: Issue 352 - - April 17, 2007 
•   Welcome! And what's new...
•   3. “I Don’t Syndrome” (IDS)
•   1. Failure or Progress?
•   4. Humor -- Different Perspective
•   2. Rubber Duckie Race
•   5. News You Can Use
Welcome! And what's new...
Spring is back in Tennessee. After the brief cold snap – and the demise of most of our early flowers – the weather is once again beautiful and warm. If you’ve had a “cold snap” in your life, recognize that it’s probably just a short season – and warm weather is coming again. Welcome the changes and be confident that your springtime is coming.

Remember, you can hear the live radio broadcast of 48 Days to the Work You Love and call Dan and Tim Knox with your questions (615.737.9986) each Sunday night from 6:00-9:00 PM CDT. The call letters are 99.7 FM in Tennessee or go to Super Talk 99.7 WTN for direct Internet access. You can also listen to any past shows via podcast. 48 Days to the Work You Love

This last Sunday night, April 15th we had a lot of business related calls. We had some very interesting examples of inventions and how-to questions related to financing a business. If you’re thinking about starting a business, check out the current podcast. And be sure to read Tim’s column below on IDS.

We have some new options for promotion on the radio show and on the 48 Days website. If you’d like exposure to our readers and listeners just shoot an email to media@48Days.com for the details.

“Success is never an accident. It typically starts as imagination, becomes a dream, stimulates a goal, grows into a plan of action – which then inevitably meets with opportunity. Don’t get stuck along the way.” Dan Miller, author 48 Days to the Work You Love.

*To view this newsletter on our website in full html, please go to http://www.48days.com/newsletter/access.php

1. Failure or Progress?
Sir James Dyson says he made 5,127 prototypes of his Dyson Vacuum before he got it right. But he says he learned from each of the 5,126 “failures.” He says he’s always thought that schoolchildren should be noted for the number of failures they’ve had. His solid belief is that the child who tries lots of strange things and experiences lots of failures is probably more creative.

But we’re not taught to do that. We’re taught to stay inside the lines and avoid “mistakes” at all costs. The kids who get rewarded are those who do things “right.” Not those who are trying new things. Sir Dyson says if you want to discover something that other people haven’t, you need to do things the “wrong” way. You can read the article Failure Doesn’t Suck and pick up a few ideas on how to fail more.

My son Jared certainly fits this model. We pulled him out of school in the 6th grade and allowed our homeschooling model to make allowance for his creativity. He resisted any “normal” job or lifestyle. But now at 29, he is living in Rwanda as executive director of Sisters of Rwanda where they teach former prostitutes micro enterprises for generating legitimate income. If he had not been allowed his “mistakes” and “failures” he would probably be stuck in a life draining job – rather than living his passion and creativity!

Everyone is born a genius, but the process of living degeniuses them." Buckminster Fuller

Explore the 48 Days store for resources to help you fail toward success

2. Rubber Duckie Race
Yes, there really is a Rubber Duckie race. Actually there are many, but the one each year in Cincinnati is a pretty good example of how you can have fun and raise a lot of money at the same time. Last year they raised over $500,000 for the FreeFoodStore Foodbank. They sell 85,000 little rubber ducks – all wearing sunglasses – for $5.00 each. Then to the cheers of thousands of fans watching from the sidelines, they release those little duckies to float down the river.

The first duck to cross the finish line wins a brand new car for its owner. Five others win $1000 U.S. Savings Bonds.

Now – what’s your creative idea for raising half a million dollars for a worthy organization? Check out the Rubber Duck Regatta here.

Many of you have ideas that are as great as this. In 48 Days to Creative Income I go through the process of turning ideas into income. Turn your idea into something worthwhile.

48 Days to Creative Income

3. “I Don’t Syndrome” (IDS)
Here’s another timely article by my radio co-host Tim Knox. We hear from so many people who want to start their own venture – but they get trapped behind sentences that begin with “I don’t..” Reminds me of how we used to ask our kids (Kevin, Jared & Ashley) – “Are you an AmeriCAN or an AmeriCAN’T. Yes it annoyed them at times but they all grew up with the idea that they could do whatever they decided to do.

Here Tim writes about this sad malady called, "I Don't Syndrome" or IDS. IDS is a sad malady that affects many people who claim they want to start their own business, but never seem to get beyond just talking about it.

Read the article

4. Humor -- Different Perspective
The teenager lost a contact lens while playing basketball in his driveway. After a fruitless search, he told his mother the lens was nowhere to be found.

Undaunted, she went outside and in a few minutes returned with the lens in her hand.
"How did you manage to find it, Mom?" the teenager asked.

"We weren't looking for the same thing," she replied. "You were looking for a small piece of plastic. I was looking for $150."

5. News You Can Use
It’s Tax Time--
If you’ve procrastinated once again and can’t even make it with the 17th deadline, here’s what you need to do. You can get a six-month extension. You’ll still be charged interest and penalties, but don’t let the 17th pass without filing something. You have to file form 4868 to get the extension. It’s available right here. Just click, fill it out and get it postmarked by the 17th. I’m a slacker

It’s not about the money--
If you’re working just to get the money – and are confident that if you ever got a lot of money your problems would be over, you may want to read this story. It’s the sad account of Jack Whittaker, who won a $315 million lottery on Christmas Day of 2002. His wife says she wishes she had torn up the ticket. A grim reminder that money is just a commodity – like a brick or a tree. But what we do with it tells a lot about who we are. Take my Money

180,000 More Jobs –
The unemployment rate fell to the lowest in five months in March as employers added 180,000 jobs, the government said Friday in a report that suggested the housing slowdown has had little effect on the job market. People are concerned about the housing slowdown, but so far, there has been no effect on the creation of new jobs. Unemployment is now at a five-year low. Of course all the pessimistic economists are predicting that a “slowing in the economy” will soon lead to a deterioration in the job market. More Jobs

48 Days Coaches
Here are the recent blogs by some of the 48 Days Coaches. This growing group of excited coaches are sharing their valuable tips for building their businesses, and their ongoing daily insights on living and working well. You’ll see interesting philosophical and theological musings – even recent thoughts from my wife, Joanne. 48 Days Coaches