Thanksgiving Message

The following conversation took place at Timothy’s funeral.  His memorial service affected people deeply. Mourner after mourner shared powerful stories about the way the 45-year-old man had touched their lives.

“That was wonderful,” one man exclaimed. “When I die, I want the exact same service. The same music, the same Bible readings, the same words.”

Another man put a hand on his shoulder. “Our church doesn’t do cookie cutter funerals,” he said. “If you want a funeral like this one, then you are going to have to live a life like Timothy between now and when you die.” (Condensed from “GET REAL: A Spiritual Journey For Men” - 2007)

What would you want people to say about you when you are gone?  Or better still what do you want people to say about you NOW!

I once heard this in a sermon but I have added to the first three letters the last three myself. 

You might think about it as a legacy to work toward.  

Be a FATTTE person

A Faithful,Available,Teachable,Trustworthy,Thankful,Encourager

Now there are no money back guarantees with this promise but I CAN tell you if that becomes your legacy or your DASH (the little line between the time you were born and the day you die). you will have made a difference in the lives of others.

So at this Thanksgiving time of the year

I am thankful that I can express myself to each of you and that you are gracious enough to read what I send you.

Have a Meaningful and Memorable Veteran's Day

Armed Forces Medley

"If there must be trouble, let it be in my day, so that my child may have peace." Thomas Paine

     I was talking to a friend yesterday and mentioned something that I have thought about for many years.  I tend to gravitate toward Veterans.  In groups of people I do not know in a social situation, I manage to usually end up talking to a Veteran even when I do not know that fact in advance.  Coincidence?  I think not!
     It will be my honor to lie among all of you that have served when my body moves to the dirt side of the grass.  It is also my fervent hope that our spirits will all meet "up yonder"!

Wishing you a Memorable & Meaningful Veteran's Day,
Dan

Captain W Dan Dobson

United States Air Force

1967-1972 

Sales Joke and Moral

While cruising at 40,000 feet, and on his way to Las Vegas, a salesman looked out his window, "My gosh!"  he screamed, "one of the engines just blew up!"
Other passengers left their seats and came running over; suddenly the aircraft was locked by a second blast as yet another engine exploded on the other side of the cabin. 
The passengers were in panic now, and even the stewardesses couldn't maintain order.  Just then standing tall and smiling confidently, the pilot strode from the cockpit and assured everyone that there was nothing to worry about.  His words and demeanor seemed calm and he made most of the passengers feel better about the situation.  They sat back down in their seats as the pilot calmly walked to the door of the aircraft.  There he grabbed several packages from under the seats and began handing them to the flight attendants. Each crew member attached the package to their backs.
"Say," spoke up the alert salesman, "aren't those parachutes?"
The pilot confirmed that they were.
The salesman continued his probing questions to uncover the truth; "But I thought you said there was nothing to worry about?"
"There isn't," replied the pilot as the third engine exploded.  "We're just going to get help."

Moral of the story.  True sales professionals understand the importance of paying attention to non-verbal, physical cues from their prospects.   Prospects may lie to your face, but their body posture and sudden gestures give away their true thoughts, feelings and emotions every time.   Want to thrust some altitude into your sales career?   Understand first that you are the pilot of your own sales career and your ability to read the minor weather type shifts in non-verbal cues will determine whether you have a successful flight or whether you will ultimately crash and burn.  It's that simple.

Reflections on a Decision Well Made

As I grow older (by the minute), I find myself becoming more and more reflective about decisions I have made in my life.  Some have not worked out so well to say the least but more than enough have so I count that a blessing.
     I was thinking the other day about my decision to make sales a career which actually occurred when we bought our first home.  I was very impressed by the salesman ship of the real estate sales guy and having been hatched out of a sales egg anyway, I decided to give it a try.  That was 1972 and I am still going strong.
     I got into sales quite frankly because I came to realize that sales people can make a lot of money without having to invest in a formal technical education.  That sounded good to me at the time.
     But as I look back, I stayed in and enjoyed because I was able to make a difference in people's lives by encouraging them to do something which I always believed was in their best interest and would enhance their lives either professionally or personally or both.  I have never sold anything to anyone that I did not honestly believe would help them.
     I would encourage you today to spend a few minutes examining your motives for playing ball on a sales team.   

Make sure those motives are more about them than they are about you.

Happy Thanksgiving,

dan