Mastering The Art Of Success

(^) Ralph Ford
That’ a familiar name in the speaking business. Would you expand
on that for our audience and our readers?
FORD
Of course. You know Ellis as the very successful author, poet, and
sp eaker. I use the word “tombstone” to remind me of the truth of
Linda’s words. She wrote a poem titled The Dash. In 1996, it was read
by an announcer on a nationally syndicated radio program. It was based
on the fact that the hyphen between the birth and d eath year on a
tombstone is much more important than the dates themselves. It was an
instant hit. Her new book, Live Your Dash, magnifies the message of the
original poem.
Senator Bob Dole said “the dash” is a reminder to live with all we’ve
got, appreciate the blessings we’ve been given, and do everything
possib le to make our time on Earth meaningful.” To me, that means to
make a positive difference in the lives of others. I believe it is the
inherent duty of parents, coaches, t eachers, mentors, and entrepreneurs
to make sure their child, athlete, student, mentee or employee can do
more, have more, and be more than they themselves. This is Legacy—
th is is s uccess.
WRIGHT^
You have a laundry list of achievements in the financial arena with
your primary company. For example: You have a million dollar
producer trophy from your first y ear in business. Mark told me you
qualified as a President’s club member, attained the Chairman’s Circle
recognition, and w ere a trophy recipient at the Mutual Fund Leaders
Conference at the national meeting of Barclays International in
Huntington Beach. In addition, in 1979, you were inducted into the
State Farm Life Insurance Hall of Fame. Don’t you consider that
succes s?