Steve O'Sullivan's Personal Blog » Raves

The True Story of Rudolph

Steve O — Sat, 25 Dec 2010 06:58:39 +0000

The True Story of Rudolph

A man named Bob May, depressed and brokenhearted, stared out his drafty apartment window into the chilling December night.

His 4-year-old daughter Barbara sat on his lap quietly sobbing. Bob’s wife, Evelyn, was dying of cancer. Little Barbara couldn’t understand why her mommy could never come home. Barbara looked up into her dad’s eyes and asked, “Why isn’t Mommy just like everybody else’s Mommy?” Bob’s jaw tightened and his eyes welled with tears. Her question brought waves of grief, but also of anger. It had been the story of Bob’s life. Life always had to be different for Bob.

Small when he was a kid, Bob was often bullied by other boys. He was too little at the time to compete in sports. He was often called names he’d rather not remember. From childhood, Bob was different and never seemed to fit in. Bob did complete college, married his loving wife and was grateful to get his job as a copywriter at Montgomery Ward during the Great Depression. Then he was blessed with his little girl. But it was all short-lived. Evelyn’s bout with cancer stripped them of all their savings and now Bob and his daughter were forced to live in a two-room apartment in the Chicago slums. Evelyn died just days before Christmas in 1938.

Bob struggled to give hope to his child, for whom he couldn’t even afford to buy a Christmas gift. But if he couldn’t buy a gift, he was determined to make one – a storybook! Bob had created an animal character in his own mind and told the animal’s story to little Barbara to give her comfort and hope. Again and again Bob told the story, embellishing it more with each telling. Who was the character? What was the story all about? The story Bob May created was his own autobiography in fable form. The character he created was a misfit outcast like he was. The name of the character? A little reindeer named Rudolph, with a big shiny nose. Bob finished the book just in time to give it to his little girl on Christmas Day. But the story doesn’t end there.

The general manager of Montgomery Ward caught wind of the little storybook and offered Bob May a nominal fee to purchase the rights to print the book. Wards went on to print, Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer and distribute it to children visiting Santa Claus in their stores. By 1946 Wards had printed and distributed more than six million copies of Rudolph. That same year, a major publisher wanted to purchase the rights from Wards to print an updated version of the book.

In an unprecedented gesture of kindness, the CEO of Wards returned all rights back to Bob May. The book became a best seller. Many toy and marketing deals followed and Bob May, now remarried with a growing family, became wealthy from the story he created to comfort his grieving daughter. But the story doesn’t end there either.

Bob’s brother-in-law, Johnny Marks, made a song adaptation to Rudolph. Though the song was turned down by such popular vocalists as Bing Crosby and Dinah Shore, it was recorded by the singing cowboy, Gene Autry. “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer” was released in 1949 and became a phenomenal success, selling more records than any other Christmas song, with the exception of “White Christmas.”

The gift of love that Bob May created for his daughter so long ago kept on returning back to bless him again and again. And Bob May learned the lesson, just like his dear friend Rudolph, that being different isn’t so bad. In fact, being different can be a blessing.

MERRY CHRISTMAS 2010

Kathy’s Birthday

Steve O — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 19:16:45 +0000

Getting ready for a nice lunch at PF Chang’s.

Posted via email from Steve O’Sullivan’s posterous

I Love My iPhone (mostly)

Steve O — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 19:53:46 +0000

A few weeks ago I attended Ed Dale’s Coming Home 3 seminar in San Diego. It was “Awesome” of course!

One of the major points Ed made was to be able to work with a mobile device when you aren’t in front of your computer. More specifically, get a iPhone and an iPad!

So of course, as soon as I got home I bought an iPhone. (The iPad will have to wait a bit, one toy at a time.)

Can I say I LOVE my iPhone!

Mostly.

What I love about it is that I can use down time (waiting for a haircut, waiting for my appointment to show up, during commercials…) to stay connected to Facebook, Twitter, urgent email, and skimming my Google Reader account.

I also love the camera and photo apps. I can take pics at an event, edit them and upload them to my social media sites or my blog in just a few seconds. Powerful stuff.

I love that it can connect to local Wi-Fi and cruise at top speed with the click of a button (assuming no password is needed).

I love the myriad of apps that are available to do just about anything you want.

What I don’t love is, in a word, AT&T.

Sorry guys, you suck.

Despite the kajillions of dollars you’re spending on TV commercials to claim you have the best coverage and the fastest speeds, that’s just bull. Before I bought the iPhone, I was aware of the complaints of other iPhone users about AT&T and they were right. So my advise is to stop talking about how great you are, admit that you suck and fix the problem.

Did I make a mistake by not waiting for the new iPhone 4?

No. I’m not into paying to be a beta tester for new products and software. That just doesn’t float my boat. I’d rather wait for kinks to be worked out by the ‘smart’ guys and not have to pull my hair out trying to figure out why it won’t do what it’s supposed to do.

Now, I have to admit that I said I would never get a smart phone, because I didn’t want my email to follow me around when I wasn’t at my desk (’cause I’m at the desk way too much), but I found a good workaround for me. I use my Gmail account, which is not my main email. I still have the advantage of being able to use email without doing double duty on the 500 or so incoming messages I get everyday.

One last rant, I HATE iTunes. It’s just plain stupid. It’s cumbersome and restrictive. Mr. Jobs, please take a lesson from Google’s Picasa. If iTunes could figure out my music the way Picasa figures out my photos, you’d be “all that, and a bag of chips”.

But, I still LOVE my iPhone.

Spend Valentines Day with Ali Brown

Steve O — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 01:04:04 +0000

Well, you don’t really get to go out with Ali, but….

There is a Valentines gift for you, and you don’t even have to kiss me.

Save $100 on any of these Ali Brown products:

1.”Online Success Blueprint System”

Ali’s 7-step program system on how to use the Internet and information products to skyrocket your profits AND your free time. (My new personal favorite!)

2.”Beyond the Blueprint”
Learn how to add multiple streams of income to your current business, including teleseminars, affiliate programs, masterminds/retreats and other revenue generators.

3.”Business Building Blocks, Your Solid Foundation For Growing a Million Dollar Company”
Get “back to the basics” and learn the secret to running your business like a million-dollar company.

4.”Simply Irresistible! How to Sell More From the Stage…
Easily, Effortlessly, and Authentically”
Learn the authentic way of selling from the stage and generate greater income from your speaking engagements.

5.”The 7 Mindset & Manifesting Secrets of Multimillionaire Entrepreneurs”

Understand how to tap into faith to help manifest miracles in your life over and over again — whether it be clients, sales, money, opportunities, or love. (A very close “second” favorite of mine!)

For ONE DAY ONLY, you receive $100 off any of Ali’s award-winning products for business and personal success. This is supposed to be a Valentine’s gift for members of her Millionaire Protege Club, but Ali said to spread the love, so you can get this deal too.

To claim your $100 dollars off, simply use the promo code MPCLOVE at check out!

This discount is available only on Valentine’s Day (Sunday, February 14) — so mark your calendars and pick up your products THIS SUNDAY!

Which products will you choose? (You can learn all about them ahead of time at http://www.steveosullivan.com/AliProducts)

OK, lets review.

Sunday February 14th, Save $100, Check out the products – http://www.steveosullivan.com/AliProducts, use the promo code MPCLOVE at check out!

I think that’s it. Have a wonderful Valentines Day!

xoxoxo

Fabienne Fredrickson of Client Attractions Reveals The Advanced Marketing and Mindset Secrets of Highly Successful Entrepreneurs

Steve O — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 01:31:00 +0000

Are you looking to know the untold marketing and mindset secrets of highly successful entrepreneurs? You’re not the only one.

In fact, there are lots of entrepreneurs out there looking for solid marketing and mindset strategies, to get more clients and make more, just like you.

Fabienne Fredrickson, The Client Attraction Mentor, is hosting a no-charge 90-minute content-filled coaching call where she’ll share her proven system for attracting ALL the clients you need and want.

Here’s the link to sign up:
http://www.steveosullivan.com/MMBW2010

It’s all happening Wednesday January 27th at 8pm EST. Will you join me? I can’t wait to see what she shares (she always gives so much): http://www.steveosullivan.com/MMBW2010

Free Copy of Napoleon Hill’s Book “Think and Grow Rich”

Steve O — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:57:25 +0000

I really didn’t get it the first time I read “Think and Grow Rich”, but I do now. Long before the movie “The Secret” came along, Napoleon Hill wrote this amazing book, and now you can have a copy for free.

Just tell us where to send it, and we’ll send you the number one success book of all time.

My friends Vic and Lisa Johnson are doing this crazy marketing test where they’re giving away Napoleon Hill’s “Think & Grow Rich.”

I’ve know Vic for years, I met him when I was studying with Jim Rohn.

I’m helping them with their big giveaway and wanted to make sure you got your copy before they take this offer down.

Get the details here: http://www.FreeTGRbook.com/TeachingUtheSecret

Feel free to pass this on to friends. They can get one too if they act right away.

This is one of my favorite books. I know you’ll love it!

P.S. Vic and Lisa are actually shipping these so you need to give them your address before they run out. Details here:
http://www.FreeTGRbook.com/TeachingUtheSecret

http://www.FreeTGRbook.com/TeachingUtheSecret

Turn What You Know Into Dough

Steve O — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 23:48:49 +0000

Do you remember Loral Langemeier from the movie “The Secret”?

Well, she has a new book out called “Put More Cash in Your Pocket”.
I’ll be honest with you, no one book will make you rich, but…the book you don’t read can’t help you.

As part of my business building, I read a lot. Books, blogs, magazines, stuff on Facebook and Twitter too.
I attend seminars, I have a great library of training videos and programs by some of the top teachers and trainers in business. No lie, I’ve probably spend over $10,000 on my (post college) education.

So what? I’m always looking for more from the people who are where I want to be. I learn from them and steal emulate their methods. I make good money that way. I currently own 5 businesses, and plan to start at least one more by the end of this year. How about you? Check out the description below.

A timely book with a counterintuitive message, Put More Cash in Your Pocket helps you create your own “lemonade stand” by getting paid for the things you already do. If you do billing and accounts receivable for your boss, why not do it for other businesses as well? Watching the neighbor’s kids all the time as a favor? Get paid for your time! Good at fixing cars? Fix your friends’ cars, too!

By following my simple and straightforward approach, you’ll put more cash—$1000 or more a month—in your pocket in no time. I’ve helped thousands of people make extra cash fast. People from all different backgrounds, in a variety of situations, all over the world. People just like you.

So, make the small investment in your future of 20 bucks, get the book and Put More Cash In Your Pocket.

CHUCK LORRE PRODUCTIONS, #248

Steve O — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 22:08:53 +0000

OK, so I’m a bit of a geek. I was watching “The Big Bang Theory” on TV tonight, and at the end of each episode there is a brief (about a half a second) flash of what’s known as a CLP Vanity Card. Yep, CLP is Chuck Lorre Productions, very good.

Anyway, I have TiVo (said I was a bit of a geek) and I usually pause at the end of any CLP to read the vanity card. (Because I can’t read 300 words in a half a second.) Whatever, so, below is from tonight’s episode. This guy is brilliant. Read it.

CHUCK LORRE PRODUCTIONS, #248

I believe that Newton’s first law of motion is the reason we will emerge from our current economic woes. That law states that an object at rest tends to stay at rest and an
object in motion tends to stay in motion with the same speed and in the same direction unless acted upon by an
unbalanced force. How does that relate to the financial #$%*storm we’re now cowering under? Allow me to explain. There are slightly less than seven billion people on this planet. Assuming that roughly half that number are either too young, too old, too lazy, or too loaded to work, that still leaves almost three and a half billion people getting up in the morning to chase the almighty dollar, the transcendent rupee, the zen yen,the dear ol’ euro, the what’s goin’ on yuan, the… well, you get the idea. Now, call me crazy (and many have called me far worse), but I happen to think that three and a half billion motivated people is one big damn
object in motion. And the only thing acting against that object is the friction caused by a small bunch of greedy, dumbass, screw-the-pooch, Ivy League pot stickers (the
unbalanced force). I therefore assert that the unbalanced force (you know who you are, shame on you), will eventually be overwhelmed by the object in motion (three and a half billion people with pluck, aka pluckers), thus allowing the object in motion to continue its relentless journey forward, thriving and conniving until it is once again slowed down by other unbalanced forces, or a very large meteorite. Or a plague. Or fundamentalists with nukes. Or atmosphere-eating nanobots. Or a super volcano. Or Skynet. Or Cylons.

Alexandria Brown’s “Beyond the Blueprint”

Steve O — Tue, 05 May 2009 15:35:26 +0000

More about “Beyond the Blueprint“, posted with vodpod

My gal, Ali Brown has her new system out, you should take a look.

Check it out here http://bit.ly/Blueprint.

You can read about the 10 teaching modules and all the strategies that go along with them, PLUS… you get a Membership in her exclusive Silver Mastermind for only $9.97 per month.

Time is running out, get it now.

http://bit.ly/Blueprint

PS – Remember, you ONLY get $300 off if you purchase by midnight (ET) on May 5, so don’t delay — buy your copy now and make up your mind anytime this year!

P.P.S. Remember, you’re making this purchase at absolutely NO RISK, so grab this price while you can! You’ve got nothing to lose, so reserve your copy right now above.

I Once Felt Sorry For Myself Because I Had No Shoes

Steve O — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 01:07:34 +0000

A number of years ago I heard this saying: “I once felt sorry for myself because I had no shoes, until I met a man with no feet.”

It grabbed me.

How often we complain because of ‘how bad we have it’. The reality is, most of us don’t really have much to complain about.

Earlier this week, a friend of mine sent me this video. Take a look.

What the heck do I have to complain about now?

How about you?