by Kyle Wilson
Don’t quit
Stories of Persistence,
Courage and Faith
To
From
I wish for you a life of wealth, health, and happiness; a life in which you give to yourself the gift of patience, the virtue of reason, the value of knowledge, and the influence of faith in your own ability to dream about and to achieve worthy rewards.
– Jim Rohn
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ISBN-13: 978-0-9983125-8-3
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Praise for Don’t Quit: Stories of Persistence, Courage and Faith
It's not always the most talented, gifted, or smartest people who succeed. I can tell you, as a sports broadcaster for almost 30 years, more times than not, it's the people who decided they would find a way, not listen to the no's, outwork anyone, and dig deeper into their why's and passionate dreams that reached the results they desired. Kyle Wilson's new book Don’t Quit, Stories of Persistence, Determination, and Faith is filled with motivational and uplifting stories that will move and inspire you to live your best life.
— Newy Scruggs, 7x Emmy-Winning Sportscaster, Speaker, and Author
We all face rejection, disappointment, setbacks, and heartbreaks. When you confront the inevitable challenges that life brings, reach for this book and find inspiration in these amazing stories of perseverance and determination. Rather than throw in the towel, grab a lifeline and pull yourself up. And whatever you do, don’t quit!
— Robert Helms, Host of The Real Estate Guys Radio Show
If you’re doing anything noteworthy with your life, you understand the powerful message shared by Kyle Wilson and his coauthors in Don’t Quit, Stories of Persistence, Determination, and Faith! Wherever you are in your life’s journey, these stories will propel you ahead, empower you into action, and inspire you to just keep going.
— Olenka Cullinan, Speaker & Women’s Coach, Founder of #iStartFirst
In Don’t Quit, many inspiring authors share how these two simple words profoundly reshaped their lives. The great Winston Churchill said it best, “Success is stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm.” I urge you to keep this riveting book close by, opening it every time you feel your mission is losing steam.
— Gary Pinkerton, #1 Bestselling Author, Speaker, Wealth Strategist
The first thing all successful people have in common is they’ve failed. The second is they didn’t quit. In Don’t Quit, Kyle Wilson and his group of world changers share insight into what drove them to NOT quit. If you feel as though life has just dealt you a knockout blow, this is the book for you.
— Keith Elias, Former NFL Player, Speaker, Author
Don’t Quit is a compilation book full of real stories. The power of honest, real-life stories is that they contain true inspiration, the fuel needed to live an extraordinary life!
— Michael Manthei, Speaker, Financial Freedom Educator, Syndicator
Don’t Quit is a must read for anyone who has a dream to be more and do more. Through the experiences of Kyle Wilson and his coauthors, the reader is blessed by a granular reminder that, while ambition may fuel our journey, it is persistence that is the vehicle that takes us there.
— Tom Burns, Physician, Author, Speaker, Investor
It's been said that most people give up just a few feet from their treasure. Nothing will take the place of persistence. Water can carve holes in rocks with persistence, and this powerful book outlines stories of people who refused to give up, never quit, and achieved their dreams. I recommend this book for anyone needing that kick to keep pressing on.
— Ron White, 2x US Memory Champion
This warm, wonderful, uplifting book contains the greatest success principle of all. Make a decision to become “unstoppable” and then resolve in advance that, no matter what happens, you will never give up. When you do this, your success is guaranteed.
— Brian Tracy, #1 Bestselling Author, Speaker, Consultant
Kyle Wilson and team have done it again. In Don't Quit, we read inspiring life stories that encourage us all to persist, no matter the challenge! Life does find ways to test our resolve and measure our determination, and these authors share how they overcame significant challenges and setbacks, pushing through to personal success. Enjoy and learn from each of these amazing life lessons. Never give up!
— Tim Cole, 31-Year Colonel US Marine Corp
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that life has a way of testing our resolve to see just how badly we really want something. Don’t Quit is a collection of stories of people who define resilience. No matter how bleak things looked, they persevered and fought their way back into the light. If you’re struggling with money, in your business, in your relationships, or with your health, you’re not alone and the stories in this book can help.
— Adrian Shepherd, Author, Speaker, Productivity Consultant
At some point, everyone comes to that place where it seems like giving up may be your only option. This book is a must read for anyone at that place. Whether the corner you find yourself in is about money, health, relationships or all three―there is hope for you in these pages. Someone else’s story of triumph really can become our own.
— Kathi C. Laughman, Author, Speaker, Business Strategist
One of the most important ingredients for a successful life, business, or venture of any kind is to keep pushing forward even when the going gets tough. In Don’t Quit, Kyle and his fellow authors talk about how they pushed ahead and made the decision to never quit. I believe every successful person faced periods of difficult times when they made the decision to keep going. Don’t quit!
— Dave Zook, Investor, Entrepreneur, and Speaker
Kyle Wilson has done it again! If you’re feeling stuck, un-inspired, confused, or just plain need a kick in the pants to get started, make this your next read. Don’t Quit talks about one of the most important traits of any successful person I’ve ever known, persistence―but it isn’t a boring lecture-style book. Kyle always finds and shares great stories that drive the point right home. Thanks, Kyle!
— Seth Mosley, 2x Grammy-Winning Songwriter, Producer, MusicPreneur
In Don’t Quit, you will not only be inspired, but also given the hope and determination you need to turn your ob
stacles into opportunity. You will witness the profound impact that’s possible when giving up is not an option.
— Kelli Calabrese, Bestselling Author of Mom & Dadpreneurs
Everyone who presses beyond the ordinary faces insurmountable obstacles and impossibilities. Don’t Quit will fuel your hope, faith, and inspiration to press through the immovable road blocks until what was impossible is now reality! You haven’t lost until you quit! I highly recommend this book to anyone who is tempted to throw in the towel. If it’s not good, its not the end…don’t quit!
— Jerry Horst, Author, Speaker, Developer, Investor, Syndicator
DISCLAIMER
The information in this book is not meant to replace the advice of a certified professional. Please consult a licensed advisor in matters relating to your personal and professional well-being including your mental, emotional and physical health, finances, business, legal matters, family planning, education, and spiritual practices. The views and opinions expressed throughout this book are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of all the authors or position of any other agency, organization, employer, publisher, or company.
Since we are critically-thinking human beings, the views of each of the authors are always subject to change or revision at any time. Please do not hold them or the publisher to them in perpetuity. Any references to past performance may not be indicative of future results. No warranties or guarantees are expressed or implied by the publisher’s choice to include any of the content in this volume.
If you choose to attempt any of the methods mentioned in this book, the authors and publisher advise you to take full responsibility for your safety and know your limits. The authors and publisher are not liable for any damages or negative consequences from any treatment, action, application, or preparation to any person reading or following the information in this book.
This book is a personal collaboration between a number of authors and their experiences, beliefs, opinions, and advice. The authors and publisher make no representations as to accuracy, completeness, correctness, suitability, or validity of any information in the book, and neither the publisher nor the individual authors shall be liable for any physical, psychological, emotional, financial, or commercial damages, including, but not limited to, special, incidental, consequential, or other damages to the readers of this book.
Introduction
by Kyle Wilson
W hether it's out on the field, in the classroom, in the boardroom, or in any meaningful endeavor, we all know we will be confronted with challenges that will test our resolve. And the ultimate determining factor in whether we achieve our goals will depend on our ability to not quit!
For the past 25 years, I’ve made my living as a seminar promoter, agent, publisher, and marketer, working with some of the best, including my 18- year business partner, Jim Rohn, and so many others including Brian Tracy, Darren Hardy, Les Brown, and Zig Ziglar.
I love learning from and being around really smart and talented people. But as much as I love and admire talent and genius when I witness it, I'm clear that one’s ability to not quit is an imperative skill!
In this powerful book, Don’t Quit, Stories of Persistence, Courage and Faith , my fellow authors and I share our stories of how persistence, determination, and faith have played major roles in our successes and in overcoming some of life’s biggest challenges.
Three-time Grammy-winning music publisher, Robert Ott, and founder of ole Music, shares how he went from a blue collar small town in Canada with no education or experience to launching a billion dollar company that has published entertainers including Taylor Swift, Beyonce, and Rush!
Heather Self shares how she overcame physical challenges and being a single mother on welfare to now inspiring other women to find their passion and a roadmap to achievement.
15-year Major League Baseball pitcher Todd Stottlemyre tells his struggle in trying to make it to the Major Leagues and almost quitting before taking some much needed, but not so easy to hear, advice from his dad.
This book is loaded with powerful stories, lessons, and insights that will inspire, encourage, and in some cases, challenge you to look past your current difficulties to see the possibilities if you will simply persist!
As the publisher and a coauthor of this book, I'm beyond proud and honored to share these amazing stories with you.
And remember these wise words in the Don’t Quit poem, “When things go wrong, as they sometimes will, Rest, if you must, but don't you quit.”
Kyle Wilson, Founder of KyleWilson.com and Jim Rohn International
Dedication
To all the mentors and influences that have shaped the lives of each of our authors. To our families and loved ones who fan our flames and inspire us. To all those that read this book and are inspired to take action, persist, and believe in their own ability to achieve great things.
Acknowledgments
To Takara Sights, our editor and project manager extraordinaire, for your endless hours of work and passion in this book! Despite the complexities involved with a project like this, you keep the process a pleasure and always provide first-class results. A thousand praises! You are a rockstar!
Thank you to Kathi Laughman, Adrian Sheppard, Gary Pinkerton, and Heidi Wilson for being our second eyes and proofreading the manuscript as needed. We so appreciate it!
And to Brian Tracy, Newy Scruggs, Robert Helms, Tom Ziglar, Seth Mosley, Keith Elias, Tim Cole, and ALL the amazing mentors and world-class thought leaders who took the time to read this manuscript and give us their endorsements―thank you!
Foreword
by Mark Victor Hansen
W hen Kyle Wilson asked me to write the foreword for his new book, Don’t Quit, Stories of Persistence, Courage and Faith , it was an immediate yes for two reasons! First, Kyle and I are friends of more than 25 years. We have worked and traveled the country together many, many times. Kyle is someone I respect and admire in business. And secondly, the title so resonates with the remarkable journey Jack Canfield and I had on becoming the number one selling non-fiction authors in the world with our Chicken Soup for the Soul book series.
The making and publishing of Chicken Soup for the Soul is a don’t quit story.
It was serendipitous when Jack Canfield and I met while hearing each other speak at the Mandela conference in San Diego, California in 1989. We immediately befriended each other. I got Jack to think bigger, write bold goals, and really start telling heart touching and soul penetrating stories. Over the next three years, Jack and I met together continually if we were off speaking somewhere to write the first Chicken Soup for the Soul book together. Simultaneously, we were also getting rejected by every agent and publisher we talked to―144 rejections to be precise.
Finally agent free, we found a small publisher in Florida, Health Communications, Inc., that agreed to take our book, if we would agree to buy 20,000 copies at $6 each. We were desperate and said yes.
Jack and I thought the soul of America was in pain and trouble. What we discovered was that the soul of the world was also ailing and in profound pain.
We also decided to test our stories and created seven mandatory discernments to help us find stories that people wanted and would read and reread.
Eventually, the first Chicken Soup for the Soul book was published in June 28 of 1993.
And the marketplace responded and has never stopped loving CSS stories!
Every time Jack and I appeared on stage talking and sharing our stories, we enjoyed a table rush of sales that was beyond compare. Our book became the gift book phenomena of all time.
On a daily basis, I was doing two to three radio interviews, many times from a pay phone at an airport between planes. It was exhilarating, exciting, and occasionally exhausting.
People started to buy books. And more importantly, they started to recommend and share books within their spheres of influence.
We had set BIG goals! But the results
eclipsed even our lofty goals!
Our original goal that I set was to start by selling a million and a half in a year and a half. We sold 1.3 million books the first year and half. The second year, we sold 5 million. The third year, we sold 10 million. The year after that we started selling fifteen million per year. We had 15 titles on the USA Today list out of 50 books and got listed in the Guinness Book of Records. We started doing serialization topics like Chicken Soup for the Mother’s Soul , Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul , and Chicken Soup for the Entrepreneur’s Soul which we did with Kyle Wilson.
As of today, we have sold over 500 million Chicken Soup books worldwide.
We committed early on to tithe on every book sold, which is one of the secrets to our phenomenal success. One of the many charities that we seriously contribute to is Child Help. (See Childhelp.org. Please watch our videos at this website.) My wife Crystal and I fell totally in love with Sara O’Meara and Yvonne Fedderson (84 years old) who have helped ten million five hundred thousand children out of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. We are now volunteer as co-chairman of their 60th Childhelp campaign and are busy raising one billion dollars to build the Childhelp Global Campus in Arizona.
I’m inviting you to read the stories in this book, Don’t Quit, Stories of Persistence, Courage and Faith , and see where your heart takes you. See if you see yourself in some of the authors’ struggles, their lessons, and their victories.
You will be moved! You will be lifted up! You will be inspired!
Take the authors’ and my advice. No matter what others may believe about you and your circumstance, all that really matters is what you believe and are committed to with passionate purposefulness.
If you see it, desire it, and want it, then for your and the world’s sake, don’t quit!
Mark Victor Hansen is the co-creator of the world’s bestselling book series, Chicken Soup for the Soul, serial entrepreneur in renewable, sustainable energy, and co- chairman of Metamorphosis Energy, LLC. With the same enthusiasm Jack and Mark had when creating Chicken Soup for the Soul, now Mark Victor Hansen and Crystal Hansen are excited and committed to their next book to be released in the spring of 2020, ASK! – The Bridge Between Your Dreams and Your Destiny.