Welcome to THE LAST LECTURE book club About This Page:

[Sandra Bostwick]

Originally Posted by DebiDebiDebi

I challenged him to a "Fear Factor" competition (remember Fear Factor? The reality game show wherein each week something dreadful was consumed by the contestants?). Immediately, his face lit up and together, we chugged that contrast to see who could finish it first. My boss still doesn't get it, but I am here to say that in my opinion, that day I think I "won big".

Brilliant! Your boss sounds like someone who does not do well in a crisis, if he can't think outside the box.

[Sandra Bostwick]

Originally Posted by DISNEY03

Wow, I've missed so much, we've been camping for the last week and I need to read up to catch up on all the talk. I finished the book and really enjoyed it. A little redundant at times but for the most part very positive.
I'll read all your posts and catch up.
Thank you Sandra for the boo, I can't figure it out, I'm still trying!

The chapters are very short!

As far as the BOO, keep trying. Two problems seem to be

1: finding the mountain
2: needing to erase the first http:// if you included it when you copied and pasted. I'm going to try to find a good diagram for finding the mountain.

[graygables]

I just read Chapter 11 and I am verklempt. I know EXACTLY how Randy felt, but on a much smaller scale.

When I was a snot-nosed freshman in college, I decided to write my freshman comp II paper on Walt Disney and his contributions to WWII. OF COURSE this meant a trip to CA to interview someone IN PERSON, right??? So, I did some homework (not 80 hrs, though) and made a phone call. No, they don't grant that kind of interview, click. So I called back. No, they don't grant that kind of interview, click. And I called back, and again, and again, until I finally got the "yes" answer. My Dad worked for American, so my mother and I flew to LA where we rented a car and drove to the Burbank studios. They treated us like movie stars! My mom wandered the Burbank lot while I conducted my interview and was shown to a secretary's office who was to give me "anything [i] needed" reference-wise. She introduced me to Chris Miller, Walt's grandson. WHOAAA! Talk about gut-sinking-awe, I was shaking hands with someone who was a kid on Walt's knee! He showed me around a bit and was VERY kind. They also gave my mom and I free passes to DL for the next day.

I couldn't tell you any details of my paper, but the way I was treated on the Disney lot galvanized my love for the company. I'd never been to Disney as a kid (grew up in Germany), but this experience made me feel just like the 8yo Randy talks about.

I'm still hoping I get another chance with a job offer!

[Sandra Bostwick]

Originally Posted by graygables

I just read Chapter 11 and I am verklempt. I know EXACTLY how Randy felt, but on a much smaller scale.

And I called back, and again, and again, until I finally got the "yes" answer.

I couldn't tell you any details of my paper, but the way I was treated on the Disney lot galvanized my love for the company. !

WOW! That is amazing! It took me FOUR YEARS of calls and pestering to get a fifteen minute phone interview with a Disney employee for an article. The fact that they said "yes" has changed the way I approach every challenge.

Uhhh, let me rephrase that, I fearlessly approach the impossible challenges, then hopelessly flounder with the simple and probable.I don't exactly know what that is about, but I have a feeling I am getting close and the work this book club is doing is helping me.

Can I take a guess? I think that, as a young person, I developed my fears around simple things. As an older person, I developed a taste for adventure and challenge that does not have the old baggage attached. I just go for it! When I get down to the basics of organizing, routine, and trusting myself, thats when the negative beliefs surface again. Kind of like building a tall tower on shaky sand.

That is where the resistance is, or was, because I am done with it! I think I've got a handle on it now!

[scottjs]

Well I got my own challenge!!! Do I want to meet Winnie from The Wonder Years??? Yes this is real and not about stalking(Always time for romance later). She wrote a book called Kiss My Math and is going to give talk on it. But instead of being a book store(Why would anybody promote a book in a book store?) she is going to be at a fairly private club. So its about $25.00 to see her. Not much, but you know all the expenses we have these days. So should I stay or should I go? (Thanks to The Clash). I don't know. But geeze--its Winnie Cooper!!! (Real name Danica McKellar)

[Sandra Bostwick]

Originally Posted by scottjs

So should I stay or should I go? (Thanks to The Clash). I don't know. But geeze--its Winnie Cooper!!! (Real name Danica McKellar)

Well, Scott, if you go there could be trouble but if you stay it could be double! I'd go then, since it sounds like half the trouble. You do the math!

Good Morning, Book Club!

Can I just say that the comments and reflections that people have been posting have been SO helpful. The overall topic of the book is childhood dreams. I'm realizing just how much childish thinking, or beliefs that were formed before I was smart enough to know how capable I CAN be, get in the way.

I'm going to quote Debbie, who said earlier:
Ah, you have hit the nail on the head. 80 hours of homework. Randy is the perfect example of someone who:

A) Knows what his goals/dreams are
B) Knows what he has to do to achieve them
C) Uses no excuses and in fact sees these hurdles as an opportunity to challenge himself

To really do "A", you first have to believe that you at least have a shot at it, I think. It is what turns a daydream into a plan of action.

To do "B", I think, you need to believe in that plan of action and have a little experience and success under your belt. I think this is the stage I start to slow down sometimes. This is the stage where I can get overwhelmed with details, confused on how to proceed, and I am very susceptible to judgments, doubts, or opinions of others.

I think the no excuses comment in "C" is SOOOO important. The word excuse, though, sounds almost like you are doing it on purpose, where I think alot of people get tripped up by overwhelm, self-doubt, energy draining people, confusion, inertia, etc. The excuses come in when we fail to admit that it is up to us to overcome those things, or when we fail to do what has to be done to move on. I think there are plenty of reasons to give up, and most of them are not even conscious.

I really liked what Debbie said about seeing the hurdles as opportunity. Right now, I think largely with the support of the thinkers here, I feel like I am not just jumping over the hurdles (MAJOR character flaws) in a painful manner. I'm kind-of disassembling them in a thoughtful and observant manner so that the next time I pass by, they won't be as big.

I think this was sparked by some comments on The No Win Scenario, and really thinking about what I'd need to do to reprogram like Kirk. In the story, he took the time to go back to the source and change things around.

So, thanks Book Club! Today, every time I find myself getting tangled, I'm going to pause a moment and untangle, rather than pulling myself ahead and just tightening the knots.

[graygables]

I think Randy was never a procrastinator and never had issues with motivation. For non-procrastinators and highly motivated people, I believe it is hard for them to understand those of us who are procrastinators or easily overwhelmed by nature. It is similar to being in an abusive marriage, people don't understand why you don't just leave, what's so hard about that? But, for those who have been IN those shoes, it is VERY difficult to see clearly, much less act rationally.

I read this on a website and while it's not rocket science and may seem like a "duh", it really has helped me refocus:
"An effective method for developing and improving these abilities [willpower & self-control] is to perform certain actions or activities, which you would rather avoid doing due to laziness, procrastination, weakeness, shyness, etc. By doing something that you do not like doing or are too lazy to do, you overcome your subconscious resistance, train your mind to obey you, strengthen your inner powers and gain inner strength. Muscles get stronger by resisting the power of the barbells. Inner strength is attained by overcoming inner resistance."

The idea is very much like Flylady (FlyLady.net: Your personal online coach to help you gain control of your house and home), baby steps, baby steps! By overcoming small procrastinations, you strengthen your mind to overcome bigger and bigger ones.

I don't think of myself as a lazy person, but I do experience a lot of subconcsious and conscious resistance to some things. For instance, I needed to sort through some merchandise in my trailer today and get it ready for the next round of shows. I did NOT want to do it and it's been hovering on my list for a few days now. I re-read that segment and decided to "just do it". I overcame those inner voices telling me to put it off, put it off and I not only got the merchandise sorted, but hubby came out and helped me pack the car! TWO things crossed off my list and I don't have to worry about the whole packing thing later in the week! I'm amazed how great it feels, not just that the work is done, but that I had the self-control and willpower to boot those negative voices out of the way.

[Sandra Bostwick]

Originally Posted by graygables

TWO things crossed off my list and I don't have to worry about the whole packing thing later in the week! I'm amazed how great it feels, not just that the work is done, but that I had the self-control and willpower to boot those negative voices out of the way.

YAY PROGRESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[scottjs]

Dawn, thats good.

[Sandra Bostwick]

WOW! A powerful chapter! I can't imagine the moment with that cancer diagnosis.

I liked what Rany says about phrasing things in the positive, about how Disney cast members are trained to say "The park will be open until 8:00." (It is so appropriate that this book would be on a Disney site.)

Anyway, I think my "homework" will be to really catch myself if I'm thinking thoughts in the negative and to rephrase those thoughts. Can you phrase your challenges in a more positive way?

Generally, I am a painfully optimistic and positive person BUT I have a few areas where my attitude or beliefs can be pretty negative. I'm going to try and reframe those attitudes. It is just so much wasted time and energy! It is like spinning your wheels to be negative, you can't really get any good traction!

Chapter 13, the man in the convertible, sounds alot like me. I am often really happy and content. Unfortunately, I can be pretty sensitive sometimes and, on certain issues, I'm easily hurt or discouraged. I have a short attention span for negativity and sadness, though. I can easily be delighted by something small and stupid, like a nice word from a friend or a beautiful sign from nature. Then I'm happy again! Oh, and show me something shiny and pretty!I'm doing a happy dance! I want to really surround myself with people, places and things that distract me into happiness and self-confidence. I'd like to avoid people, places and things that distract me from the fact that I can be creative, successful and wise. Who are the people who empower you? What places or things remind you of the best that you can become?

[scottjs]

My wife empowers me. Anymore thats pretty much it.

[Sandra Bostwick]

Originally Posted by scottjs

My wife empowers me. Anymore thats pretty much it.

Love that comment!
Remember Lily Tomlin's character Edith Ann? She'd say

And that's the truth, pppptttttttthhhhhhhhh!

[DebiDebiDebi]

I am religious, so that, of course, empowers me.
My husband Lee is my rock, and he inspires/empowers me.
My children and my grandchildren are like life's breath to me.
I know many people who are empowering...I just have to be willing to follow their example and expand my horizons.

[scottjs]

I didn't see Winnie Cooper today. But am doing good anyway!!!

[scottjs]

Originally Posted by Sandra Bostwick

Love that comment!
Remember Lily Tomlin's character Edith Ann? She'd say

And that's the truth, pppptttttttthhhhhhhhh!

Dammed!! I do remember her very well. I am old aren't I??? LMAO!!