"I like these odds"...

One thing I do not usually divulge to strangers is my obsession with true stories. Documentaries, historical legends, and/or real-life events - I love them.

When I was a kid, I would watch anything about Bonnie and Clyde, Evel Knievel, Buddy Holly and even the Lifetime movies like "The Burning Bed"/The Betty Broderick story. (and still do)

The one that stood above the rest to me... is Billy the Kid.  Hell, I still read about him.
There are many things that interest me about his life, but his participation in the Lincoln County War is what rings a bell.

To those in the dark on this matter, The Lincoln County War was a battle in the later 1800's -The Regulators***  VS. a bunch of corrupt politicians and corporate business leaders.   
(I highly recommend you turn on the history channel and watch a little about it (and Pawn Stars) if you have the means...so choice.)

Anyway... This is the direction we went with for the first GoNextWorld commercial - Launching TOMORROW.

People have asked about the video and why we went with the "western" feel.
The short answer is:  We wanted to do something different. 
The obvious answer:  Bring down the bad guy, get a reward, right?

Besides the fact that our producers are brilliant when it comes to video quality, neither answer is good enough. We wanted it to have a stronger meaning.  Like the movie "Forrest Gump", there are many hidden messages.  (I will give my thoughts on Forrest Gump in a later blog)

The philosophical answer:  The American Frontier/ Wild West history was a bunch of stories about the merging of people to defend a community and a way of life.  Few versus many, right versus wrong.

Since last year, I know 8 small businesses in the Pittsburgh area that went out of business due to corporate restaurants and corporate gyms.  I'd say that's a threat to our community. 

I think we captured that and we hope you like it.  If not, there's always our next commercial featuring a wicked cute beagle probably dressed as a frog. 

-Mike


***Regulators - Gang of justice seekers in 1878 in Lincoln, New Mexico /// A championship winning hockey team in 2003 from North Hills, PA.

When I jumped...

Because I love writing everything down now, I figured to look back and reminisce on when I jumped...

Of course, I am referring to when I chose my path in life - an entrepreneur.

It was 2008.  I had a decent job in sales working for my mentor and was saving all my money for when I was 65 years old.  I had a company car,  my weekends free, and I was seeing a great girl.  But something was missing.  I was dead inside.  I was turning into Tom Hanks from the movie "The Burbs".  Something needed to change. Turns out, everything had to change.

I did not know who I was or what I wanted - the worst possible feeling (not including losing to the Flyers)
I even attended a Joel Osteen event. To be honest,  I never told anyone that until now.  That is how desperate I was to find the answers.

I started to read A LOT.  Books on anything related to rental property, starting a business,event planning, etc.  My friend John and I would constantly be trading books and self help cds.  We started attending FREE seminars and asking the "experts" all the questions.  But they did not have any answers, unless you paid them of course.  Most people teaching the stuff NEVER did it themselves.  That is when we decided to just go for it.  Because, time and energy is finite and the only way to learn how an engine works is to take it apart YOURSELF.  It was time to start investing in ourselves.

So we did.  We jumped.  By 2009 we both had rental properties and the idea of what would later be called "The Next World"

Jumping is only half the battle.  Flying, on the other hand, is the real fun part.  Due to the laws of attrition, this is what really separates the talkers from the doers.  This is where you have to let go of that company car, your free weekends, and well... you know the rest. 

During the Flying, you find out what your are made of;   more importantly...Who you are and what you want.

The greatest part is - we are not at our destination yet.  We are still flying, still moving. "And make no mistake, moving is living."

    

The Smiths - The Next World

Recap of the week 4-15 to 4-20

This week was pretty crazy.  We cleared a bunch of things off our plate that have been in motion for quite some time. 

The First GoNextWorld.com TV Movie (Commercial) - It almost brought a tear to my eye to see that an idea we thought of 3 years ago is actually something that will be on TV.  Most of the team was there to witness the premier and it was awesome to hear more ideas for the next feature film that will begin production shortly.

Completion of Electronic Contracts - This is one of the first steps (regarding legal matters) we took to ensure a business in Utah can sign onto the GoNextWorld.com program without us ever entering their location.  (This may not mean anything to you, but this makes me more giddy than the first time I wore Peter Venkman Jumpsuit when I was 4 years old)

Phase 2 updates - This week we were able to ________________.  (To read the rest, you must sign over the rights of your first born to me.  Thanks)

Overall - Now that May is approaching, there is one word that comes to mind - RHYTHM.  We are finding it.  For the first 3 years of this, GoNextWorld.com has been like a fast paced heart beat 24/7.  Adrenaline non-stop.  Now, we know a little more.  The heartbeat has steadied a bit.  Everything and everyone has a place. It is something that only comes with experience, maturity, and many mistakes. Once there is a solid rhythm, its time to push it to the next gear -

(Enter Phase 2)

 




 

Sneak Preview of Movie

5am talks

Its been a few weeks since I posted a blog, so I figured to get one in here.  To clear the head, they say it is best to write down your thoughts, listen to Tom Petty, or go for long rides to nowhere on the motorcycle...so I do all 3.

Today, a man came into the gym just like any other day.  As you may know, you meet all kinds of different people at 5 am at the gym.  Many have some interesting stories.

Anyway, this guy and I always talk about bicyle adventures, marathons, and 100 mile runs (he does the long runs, not me).  He said something today that struck me as pretty profound and something I will use in the long battles I have with helping the "Next World" business get off the ground.  He said "As I was nearing the end of my 50 mile run, there were 3 people trying to catch me and I would not let that happen.  I couldn't feel my legs and my muscles were locking up.  But then I realized, I had less than a mile to go.  If I let these people pass me, I will have to live with that memory tomorrow.  I won't let that happen.  The pain will go away, but a win is forever."

His last sentence is pretty strong.  You can apply that to many pieces of life.  I dont like to generalize any more, but make no mistake about it, we are all in a race; Especially if you are in Business.    He who wants it bad enough, is going to win.  Some people start out ahead in the race and slowly fall back.  Some people come from behind.  The race begins when your born and ends when you die.  Everything in between is either joy or pain.

The race is not over.  Remember, the pain will go away, but a win is forever.