Dear QLA Visionary and Devotee:
Hope your holidays were happy and you have more success in 2011 than you can imagine!
The New Year is upon us and this is the time I historically discuss goals, aspirations and the positive affirmations that go along with them. I have been doing this for most of my 40 year (January 1971) career. Actually I have since 1976 when I attended my first PACE seminar with Jim Newman, who became my mentor. As a kid I had no goals and accomplished little as I have written and said many times. My Father had only 1 goal for me: to keep me alive till I reached the age of reason!
Upon volunteering to go into the Army, as a 20 year old, in Jun 1966, I formulated 2 goals: come back; and once in the Army to become an officer. Going through OCS and becoming an officer changed my life forever. What I learned as a young army officer has stood me in good stead since Jul 1, 1967, the day I gained my commission and was deemed: AN OFFICER AND GENTLEMAN BY AN ACT OF THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES!
My next goal upon leaving the military was to get through college in the shortest possible time: after flunking out of 2 colleges before entering the military, I returned on academic probation and finished in 2 ½ years taking as much as 26 units in one semester. I graduated in Jan 1971 achieving Dean’s List recognition. Hence, even though goals seemed to work for me, it still took me till 1976 to fully appreciate what setting goals REALLY meant to achieving in life.
From 1976 to 1991 I was fanatical about my goals, aspirations and affirmations! Since 1992 (when I got kicked out of the company I founded) I have been less strict, but still diligent. Funny, as I think back much of my material success came from 1976 to 1991. This should be a lesson for ALL! And I have decided to become fanatical vies a vies my goals in my 66th year! I am reading my goals and positive affirmations when I go to bed and when I wake up daily! To me it made sense, when most people are retiring from active life – to kick life in the ass and spend the next years leading from the front, while still accomplishing the goal of ticking off my "bucket list" destinations!
In preparation for 2010 this time last year, I made goals to: change the way I deal with my mentees; eliminate and downsize my business interests to include ONLY the very best; do live webcasts; restructure the castle seminar to include the new QLA Credo (below as a P.S.); open an office in Shanghai; produce new QLA training programs; update and modernize my web site; expand my internet presence via social net working; structure a more comprehensive follow up procedure for seminar attendees with monthly conference calls; establish a scholar athlete scholarship in honor of my Father; tick off 3 (and actually did 4) travel destinations on my "bucket list."
I have accomplished all the above, in addition to a lot more, but am especially proud of: the castle seminar has been restructured to emphasize what worked best since 1993 for attendees going forward; a new monthly conference call with castle attendees to support their individual QLA programs; create new QLA training programs; and initiate my Father’s student athlete scholarship!
Years ago, I would ask myself – would I have been as successful if I would not have been so prolific in setting and accomplishing goals? I know now after 34 years of setting goals and accomplishing them, there is no comparison! The most recent castle seminar has a number of new sections, but one of the most important is goal setting and assigning positive affirmations to accomplish them.
NOW IS THE TIME TO AVOID REGRETS!
This is a perfect time of the year to sit and reflect on the year that is just finishing and the year about to begin! Take the time! You deserve it! And unless you take the time – because you’re worth it- what you will have left at the end of your life is REGRETS! And having lived 65 years and worked 40 years (not including 39 months of active duty in military, which was as important as any business experience I ever gained), I can tell you with certainty: 1) MAN’S GREATEST BURDEN IS UNFULFILLED POTENTIAL; AND 2) YOU WILL REGRET THE THINGS YOU DIDN’T DO/ATTEMPT AND THE RISKS YOU DIDN’T TAKE!
To Your Quantum Leap,
DAN
P.S . The castle seminar is being changed to 17 April 2011. See www.danpena.com for more information. Here is a photo of the October castle graduation. Doesn’t everybody look impressive?
P.P.S.
QLA CREDO
In times of financial war or uncertainty there is a special breed of warrior ready to answer this special call; a common man/woman with uncommon desire to succeed. Forged by adversity, he/she stands alongside the finest, especially to serve the world of business and protect and enhance a better way of life. I am that man/woman.
QLA is a badge of honor and heritage. Bestowed upon me by the heroes that have gone before, it embodies the trust of those I have sworn to protect – my family! By wearing the QLA mantle, I accept the responsibility of my chosen profession and way of life. It is a privilege that I must earn every day.
My loyalty to QLA and Team is beyond reproach. I humbly serve as a guardian to my fellow QLA trained, always ready to defend those who are unable to defend themselves. I do not advertise the nature of my work, but do seek recognition for my actions. I voluntarily accept the inherent hazards of my QLA training, placing the welfare and security of others before my own.
I serve with honor on and off the financial battlefield. The ability to control my emotions and my actions, regardless of circumstance, sets me apart from other men/women. Uncompromising integrity is my standard. My character and honor are steadfast. My word is my bond no matter how inconvenient, or politically incorrect.
We expect to lead and be led. In the absence of orders I will take charge, lead my partners and accomplish the mission. I lead by example in all situations.
I will never quit. I persevere and thrive on adversity. QLA expects me to be physically harder and mentally stronger than my competition. If knocked down, I will get back up, every time. I will draw on every remaining ounce of strength to protect my partners and family and to accomplish our mission. I am never out of the fight and understand the sacrifices required.
We demand discipline. We expect innovation. The lives of my partners and the success of our mission depend on me – my technical skill, tactical proficiency, and attention to detail. My training is never complete.
We train for war and fight to win. I stand ready to bring the full spectrum of power to bear in order to achieve my mission and the goals established by my goals and aspirations. The execution of my duties will be swift and violent when required yet guided by the very principles that I serve to defend and honor: honesty; morality; legality; and ethical.
Talented men/women have fought in the trenches of life building the proud tradition and feared reputation of the QLA warrior, that I am bound by my honor to uphold. In the worst of conditions, the legacy of those that have gone before me steadies my resolve and silently guides my every deed. I will not fail.
P.P.P.S. I have been asked many times what are the best books, vies a vies QLA, I have ever read and the best movies I have ever seen.
Book and Movie must list:
Books:
– Your First 100 Million
– Release Your Brakes
– Winning Through Intimidation
– Tough Minded Mgt
– Think and Grow Rich
– The Law of Success
– The Art of War
– If You’re Not In You’re In The Way
Movies:
– Rudy
– Patton
– Brave Heart
– Gladiator
– True Grit
– Chariots of Fire Zulu
– Brian’s Song
– High Noon
– Wild Bunch
– 300
– Last Samurai
– The Natural
