Newsletter

After many years of coaching it never ceases to amaze me how much better a student does with direct coaching he can hear  and see!  Since May 1993 when I gave my 1st QLA Seminar in Los Angeles it has been obvious to me that 1 on 1 face to face coaching was far superior to reading a book! This last seminar had a number of revelations for me, as you will read below. And at my age that is certainly saying something.

Better late than never.

First conference call with castle seminar attendees.
It went a little over an hour – a successful event. It was obvious to me I should have been doing this for many years.  Well better late than never! I have also noticed the level of emails I get from the seminar attendees are more detailed. I attach one as P.S. below from a 41 year old guy, I mentioned in my last news letter. It is quite insightful and very inspiring to read what can be accomplished in only 5 weeks!

Another apparent extreme benefit from the last castle seminar was the extensive role playing done amongst the attendees. Again though I have always used role playing I never saw the extra benefit of extensive role playing. Perhaps, because I have always felt the talking part of QLA to be the easiest. Why easiest? Because you are selling your dream and I always felt that should be the easiest part of the drill! Hence, I never rated it that highly. Again I was wrong! The role playing was very well accepted and appreciated by the attendees. So it will have an increased presence in August. And I strongly suggest you do role playing when you practice at home!

Since this is guinea pig seminar test group, I will experiment with them and keep my readers apprised. It is a good age mix of 25 to 41 years old  and the personality make up is spread from fast talking to slow to answer. Of course 75% of the attendees first language was not English! I know you all will benefit!

We already have an interesting group signing up for the next Castle Event in August so far late 20’s to mid 50’s. But as life would have it, we have some recent openings because a company that was scheduled to go has dropped off the face of the earth. So we have a couple spots that are now available! And their misfortune is someone’s opportunity!

Travel schedule
The reason for publishing my schedule on my site is to make it possible for you to make contact with me as I go around the world. I am not making promises I can see you all, but hopefully I can see some of serious QLA devotees! Make appointments with my assistant thelmag@guthriecastle.com

New product
As good as the QLA product is, I am looking at new material that I recorded. It will take editing, etc, but it would make terrific QLA product. More about this in my next news letter.

P.S.  Another r great American passed last week – John Wooden age 99!
I had the pleasure of meeting him when he was a young 85. He is considered the greatest athletic coach of all time – any sport! His “pyramid for success” is something to study and follow. He was an inspirational man and I was extremely proud to have met him! He will be missed greatly by all he ever came in contact with over his 80 year career! Google him. And read how a man was an extremely high performance person for more than 80 years!  It will be a worthwhile exercise!

P.P.S. Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico
The drilling oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is a tragic event! Having more knowledge of what is going on than probably 99% of the people hearing and reading the news, I have an opinion that is more experienced than most! As Chairman and CEO of a public energy company for many years that drilled in the Gulf of Mexico, I feel greatly for all concerned! ALL I CAN SAY FOR POSITIVE IS THE INFORMATION REFERENCE THE CRISIS IS GROSSLY UNDERESTIMATING THE SITUATION! The estimates are low and the length of time way too short vis-à-vis when it will end! I have great sorrow for the gulf coast region and especially the people that live there! They are an extremely kind and generous group!

P.P.P.S An email from an attendee from the last Castle Seminar. English is his second language, but very readable.

Dear Dan,

I thank you so much, for what you have done and given to me in Guthrie Castle!
I had your book "Building you Own Guthrie" since about 2005 and bought some of your digital stuff, tapes etc. since then.

And I followed your schemes concerning only the details and as far as it seemed possible for me.
But I did not do it focused enough and I did not work hard enough and/or smart enough. And my goals then seemed to be not reachable for me, despite I knew I would reach them. I wrote them down for the first of January years ago to reach the goals within one year. And I did every single one. So, the goals, as I now am sure, were by far too small.

I knew already from my own experience before the seminar and before I got your stuff that I could do everything, but I had stopped doing it on and on again. Maybe because I felt I nearly had died because of working about 140 hours each week for about six weeks in the end phase to get a deal done in 2003 – well, I think I did not behave smart enough. The potential was used for years only at a level of maybe 10 to 25% despite I invested many, many hours of boring work. Now it is all fun again, as it was in the beginning with my first 7-digit Euro deal in 2002/2003 and no one can stop me, now.

I left Guthrie Castle five weeks ago and yesterday I signed a contract that was about four times as large, as my largest single deal before, which took me years to get it started. The deal now size is already above 10 million and the project wasn't even visible two weeks ago. It is better than what you called us several tens of times to be.

Six weeks ago I was looking forward to do my next 2 million deals, which I had the OK for from the bank and nearly everything ready to be signed. Now, I did not even find the time to finish it – so, I will finish it within the next days.

I cancelled the next family holiday, which should have started tomorrow after the conference call, because the "large" deal from yesterday needs the time in the office and for negotiating with the public authorities for the deal here.

Besides that I am negotiating every day in parts about a current deal volume in total of over 250 million Euros…..

The day before yesterday I asked a new bank for the first time, which I know the officer with procuration of, for more than 6 million. And I told him very friendly, they had to be fast, but that I did not have the deal yet because no contract was signed by me and by the ones who own the deal.
Yesterday at 5:00 a. m., I wrote the concept and sent in the documents. At high noon, they did not yet agree in writing, but by phone call they told me the credit controller and the general manager were positive about the deal and they will need to check the documents and my concept the next few days.

Now, my problem is that they might agree, but that I might not get the deal, so I am already preparing switching the bank to other deals.
But it is not a problem for me. I enjoy feeling the pressure again!

After having done the concept of the 6 million I finished the contract for the beyond-ten-million-deal I drove to sign it 50 miles away and two hours later I had done a presentation in front of another bank for this deal. They were sitting with their mouths open – positively.

And think what, I don't mind if they turn me down, I simply will go on and kiss the next deal-frogs and banks.

The day before yesterday I drove about 200 miles from the 6-million-Euro-deal-bank presentation to a military base the Bundesrepublik Deutschland gave up and wants to sell. We will set up a great concept and maybe buy it – another 30 to 100 Million deal.

The 50 MWp deal I told you about at Guthrie Castle, now, COULD turn out to be useful, but now, I do NOT need it anymore.
 
Before getting active again after staying with you in Guthrie Castle I thought, I needed this 125 million Euro deal. Now, I have twice the volume in other potential and even better deals.
 
But finishing only ten percent of these would be very fine because these ten percent are twice as much, as I did in my whole lifetime before up to now summed up all together.

I contacted a senior business man the week after the seminar. I was looking forward to contact him already for half a year – what nonsense, call him and go for it.
 
He has retired and was on the management board of E.ON and some others of these companies. He knows nearly every (older) CEO of nearly all of the DAX-values. He did not want to join my dream team, because he thinks he is in danger of starting to work for me 50 or more hours a week, because this happened to him a few years ago. So we agreed that I may come up with deals to him and maybe he wants to invest with me, because he has some things in the same field. I think, later I will catch him, because he will realize, that I will not go to abuse him, as he was before.

So we will see, what turns out to be in his comfort zone. Because he did three going publics in his career he is not so keen on doing it again. He says, that this is just another type of company-financing and that there are sometimes better ways. I agree with him.
 
Because I did not start dreaming yet, I started shooting from the hips and simply working.

Well, Dan, I had some self esteem already before your seminar, I had grown in self confidence and I had developed some skills in leadership for years, but I had stopped using them, and I NEVER HAD SHOWN THEM OPEN. Now, I use them as tools while negotiating and while shooting successfully from the hips. As I said, there is nothing better, but I knew this already from my first larger deal in 2003. I was such an idiot. I simply had stopped doing what kept me going then.

That's finished/restarted, now.

Thank you for restarting me, you already made me jump to the next level. DAN, YOU MAKE PEOPLE QUANTUM LEAP. (Nobody would believe before that he gratefully would accept the kicks you gave us – thank you again and again.)

So, what can I do for you? If I can do something for you, please let me know. As I told you the last evening in Guthrie Castle you… are heartily invited to visiting me in… Germany. There will later for sure occur questions as the deals are going on, I know, and I will be very glad to be allowed to come up with them to you.
 
Looking forward to talking to you tomorrow.
 
Regards,
 
Robert
 
P.S. And I hope this all above is some kind of a testimonial you awaited on April 23rd and an adequate way of expressing my heartfelt thanks to you …. maybe I was just rebooting, or probably I wanted the proof that I would really go for it again afterwards as a result of having met you in person for a whole week. For me the last five weeks were quite a proof. So, please, feel free to use any part(s) above for a testimonial to your convenience, I proved it, now, and so it is a hard, really evidenced and demonstrated testimonial written from strong, deepest and settled conviction in my heart.
 

Dan Pena Blog, Newsletter coaching

Oops! Forgot it was Memorial Day weekend in the USA! Being a very proud Veteran myself, my thanks goes out to all that have served and died for their countries around the world! Was so busy working, it escaped me – so  Happy Memorial Day to those in the USA! Enjoy, but keep working! I just had my conference call with the last seminar attendees. A lot of success for a year let alone only 5 weeks. More about it in my next news letter.

And on a very serious note, as you may of read or heard a great American entrepreneur, Art Linkletter, passed last week at 97! I had the pleasure of knowing him many years ago when I was young and looking for advice and insight! I still remember going up to his mansion in Bel Aire, California. He was extremely kind to me and gave me advice graciously! The deal didn't work out, but I never forgot the kind jester! I guess I was looking for dream teams, even as a young man in the late 70's!

Dear QLA Visionary and Devotee,

Well, the market is looking for a reason to correct itself and just maybe lead us into the "dreaded double dip recession" we have all heard and read about. Time will tell.

I was especially amused to see the 1000 day drop in the market a couple weeks ago especially when it was ostensibly blamed on a "technical glitch" that they are still trying to ascertain the blame. This coupled with rioting in the streets of Athens, Bangkok, Kingston, many cities of Nigeria and what they call rallies in many European cities – I wonder what the hell is going on?!  I said to myself – golly bum (as my dearly departed partner Charlie used to say). What is happening? As my dearly recently departed father used to tell me since I was a boy, "the longer you live the less you are surprised."

With all this world wide turmoil, I still get regular emails and calls (more about my next mentee conference call later) from students, mentees, protégées and devotees. In candor almost all are from people wanting to share their successes and, or ask for some advice they don't seem to find in the QLA product or my book – Your First 100 Million. Of course I do get some very sad stories , as well.

Times are tough. Remember people change only out of inspiration or desperation. Which are you? Inspired? Desperate? Let's see how you would grade a few of my recent castle seminar attendees.Are they desperate or inspired? I will leave them nameless to protect the guilty. Of course, the attendees know who they are and who the other attendees are.

As I have recently completed, in late April, a castle seminar, I got first hand from the attendees what is going on in 2010 and how they are doing. Yah, times are tough – but deals are still getting done!

A 41 year old attendee had been funding property deals tied to energy producing green technology and wanted to do larger ones than he was currently doing. He had not been turned down ever by his bank in 20 years and he came to Guthrie to learn how to get larger and quicker results. I told him: though admirable what he had accomplished, he should do much better if he pushed harder; he should not be proud of never being turned down;  he was not asking for enough money; he was not focused enough.

Another attendee: was a manager at a site of the largest fast food operation in the world in Australia. He had known of me since he saw me mentioned in a 1994 Robb Report (he brought the page with him). He was a 25 year old and physically fit trained in martial arts; knew what focus and commitment meant; wanted to find a goal he could use his current talents.  I told him I forgot what I looked like in 1994; commitment and focus put him ahead of his contemporaries and most others; he needed to look at various opportunities he could wrap his passion around it; and whatever he does don't think he had a lot of time just because he was only 25!

Another attendee: a fast talking lawyer who at 39 had already had success in property and brokering deals from a tax haven wanted to get to the next level. He had bought my first book on eBay in 2004 and needed further assistance on how to get more direction. I told him: get laser beam focused; he can't do it all; use his legal practice as a conduit.

There were a couple of attendees that studied under two of my very successful mentees. Hence they thought, if I trained them – Bodo Scheaffer (German mind, body, finance guru) and Ron Legrand (USA no money down real estate guru) – I must be a terrific mentor coach!

Guy #1: 35 yrs old budding realestate entrepreneur; wants to leave his current endeavor of night club owner; doing his 1st real estate deal; had success early in his life with something he was passionate about; but lost focus and has had difficulty finding it again. I told him: he knew what it felt like because he had the passion once; find something he wanted badly; and refocus as he once did.

Guy #2: 31 yrs old, once personal assistant to real estate CEO: had done real estate deals on his own; trying to do big deals; trying to do deals that were much too confusing and needed too many things to happen to close; had knowledge from former CEO; trying to build his own track record. I told him: simple deals are best; financial institutions and investors like simplicity; get focused; you build a track record by doing deals. 

I told all the above: DREAM BIGGER DREAMS; they needed a board of directors and dream team to assist in fulfilling their dreams, with one exception. I told them all they were involved in too many things and were not laser beam focused.I told them all they were not working hard, tough or smart enough. I told them all – what gets measured, get done and what gets measured gets better. They all needed bench marks, more finite goals that were reviewed weekly and better daily and they all had to hold themselves much more accountable. I told them all we would follow up in our monthly coaching call and that they would be severely beaten (metaphorically) if they didn't accomplish their given tasks. LOL! Some seemed to like the beating idea.

There are other stories from the castle seminar that I could share, but I hope you get the point that the attendees are very much like you. And since I allowed payments for the first time, we got a larger mix of QLA devotees. All the attendees didn't use payments, but it did make a difference as I am sure it will in the upcoming castle seminar 22 -28 August.

As I said earlier in this news letter I would talk more about the conference calls I am initiating for the castle attendees 30 may. The schedule for the rest of the year will be posted on my website at http://www.danpena.com/schedule/. After giving castle seminars since 1994 I have gone through several permutations, trying to get the best results for the attendees – many of whom have become my mentees, protégés, students, business partnersand friends. As I said in a recent newsletter, I asked what I could do to strengthen and make the results more long lasting. Almost to a person I was told – more personal contact with me made a substantial and significant difference in their potential success. Hence, the monthly conference calls were born. I look forward to sharing the results of this new program with you in the future.

To Your Quantum Leap,

- Dan

P.S. As I have written my mentor program closed in 2008, due to my schedule and many commitments. It is hoped in 2011, it will have limited openings. But all potential who may enter the mentor program – must be graduates of the castle seminar. Only this way do the candidates fully understand what I demand in a mentee. Of course all castle seminar attendees will not become mentees.With the new payment schedule for seminars, more of you interested should be able to apply.

P.P.S. With cash and finance for deals tight – it still exists! It's a jungle out there and only the fittest survive. But as I have told the above castle attendees, it is easier when you present your deals with the support and backing of: a dream team; senior board of directors built around a experienced chairman; credible law firm; credible accounting firm;  and a deal you believe in, are focused on and passionate in your execution.

P.P.P.S I have told my children and anyone who would listen: it is not what happens to you in life that dictates how you turn out, it is solely how you interpret what happens in life that dictates your future. The glass is either – half empty – or half full. How do you interpret what happens to you?

P.P.P.P.S. As I write this news letter I am informed there are people trying to find flaw with me.Stalkers who would try and discredit me and what I have done! Not being perfect as many would contend, my life is a public record so they shouldn't have much trouble finding the errors I have committed.These are "real bad guys" I have been involved in a law suit with for several years. They have attempted to hack into my emails, etc. Unlike Sara Palin, I have nothing interesting to read other than a lot of F* YOU and other expletives! I would not be surprised if they don't attempt to contact anyone that I have had contact with in recent, or even distant year. They are ostensibly journalists from the UK with a special angle.In fact they have already been in touch with a former mentee. They are the same group that tried unsuccessfully to exploit bogus trumped up charges against me in India on Wikipedia.  Of course, I was fully exonerated, as indicated on Wikipedia – Firm Chairman Cleared of Charges. The closer we get to a court date the harder they will try to besmirch my name.They think I will go away. I strongly suggest you ascertain who you are talking to and get contact details and enjoy the experience.And don't worry about me. For those of you that have read my books you know I have been up against formidable opponents before!

Dan Pena Blog, Newsletter

Dear QLA Visionary and Devotee,

Volcanic ash! Man plans and god laughs.

It has been over a week since the castle seminar has ended and it was a big success. I have often said – man plans and God laughs. Well, the volcanic ash of Iceland made life pretty difficult to say the least. Of the total 12 registrants (actually 2 over a full house because 10 is all we normally take) 8 made it from as far away as Australia and San Francisco. It was quiet a group and you can see their testimonials on my site.

The new system of continued coaching has been effective, based on the desire for all to participate. We are preparing for the 1st conference call with the group to check what they have accomplished. Each attendee has been given a specific set of goals to accomplish. We have 4 conference calls scheduled this year. As I have told you countless times, what gets measured gets accomplished!

As I have written, I changed the structure so we had more role-playing. Each attendee had an opportunity to put forward their project/deal/dream. In variably each pitched their deal to a pretend financial institution (those with no deals didn't have to pitch). We went through step-by-step how to prepare you for raising capital. We had a couple silver tongued guys, but most were just like you and I (used to be) pretty humble in their communication skills.

My throat is just healing from all the yelling I did. In fact the Chinese guys who could not get here for the seminar arrived late after the seminar to discuss their deal, so I yelled at them a while for practice!

Castle Event in August 2010

Based on the success of the recent event, I am going to have another castle seminar 22 to 28 August 2010. Again, those that qualify will have the opportunity to make payments! Contact Thelma at my office for more information – thelmag@guthriecastle.com.

I continue to enjoy coaching and will do these events till I do not like it anymore. Unlike the *BS* the marketing gurus say, this is not my last seminar; I am not selling all my secrets in 3 installments; and I have not found the Holy Grail.

A mentee from Florida, Doris, who attended the castle 2008, has already signed up along with four others who couldn't make this one. Doris is a very successful lady who has been following Quantum Leap Advantage since the mid 90's when she heard me speak in Orlando. More info will follow on my site soon, but I wanted to get this out to my news letter subscribers now.

I hope to see you in August!

To your quantum Leap,

Dan

P.S. Here are two guys (who wrote me during the seminar week) who have used QLA in recent years: Tom went to one of the 1st castle events in 1996 and I worked with him for a couple years. He is a mentee of Bodo Schaeffer who was one of my mentees. The other guy is a recent devotee and I suggest you read their stories.

Letter 1

Hi Dan,

I hope all is well with you. I just wanted to let you know that I have pitched nearly 2500 angels, VC's & institutional investors throughout the world over the course of the last two years and despite the economic downturn I'm happy to report that we are weeks away from securing $30 million of initial seed & development capital with a potential of up to $700 million in the second round. What you said is true,"If you never stop looking, someone out there will fund your deal". I'll keep you posted.

Regards,

Tom

Letter 2

Dear Mr. Pena,

I own your first book along with several videos and audios. The information on these has helped transform me from a mush-with-some-ambition into sharpened steel.

In spite of being hindered by a chronic health problem, employing your principals have helped propel me from unemployment to today where I am now negotiating the multi-million dollar purchase of a great company in a growing industry where I will have a significant stake in the ownership as well as the top job.

You may like this. I did not hesitate even though the company is in an industry I had never heard of before in a foreign country with a language I do not speak and the target was controlled by another company in a different country, whose language I also don't speak, that is mired in bankruptcy court. To a Dan Pena mentee like me, these issues were just minor white noise in the background. It also meant nothing to me that there were four other serious bidders trying to acquire this company. My mind was focused to move beyond any obstacles and now we are in the final stretch as the favored bidder with the bankruptcy tribunal.

Although i am unbelievably committed to make this acquisition a 100% certainty, if we don't win it I am not worried at all. This is because I am just passing the point where instead of chasing opportunities they are starting to come to me. When important people see that you can get things done then opportunities start coming out of nowhere.

You have passed your mindset and attitude to me. I practice it and apply it and I am now playing with the big boys and about to capture financial rewards that would have been unfathomable to me just two years ago.

Thank you so much for making your methods available!

Sincerely,

Duke

P.S. One tiny point you never mentioned is that once you start this process then family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues start to view you differently. As I travel the world for meetings many people I know have been confused; some now avoid me while others seek me out to watch or ride on my coattails; but many have started talking about me that never did before. It feels like I went from being invisible to a very-minor local celebrity. More importantly, the ambitious people with whom I want to network are now interested in interacting with me.

Letter 3

Dear Mr. Pena,

Thank you for your very quick response. I live in Ann Arbor, Michigan and the industry is the domestic Chinese automotive & electric vehicle market.

My quantum leap is only because I continue to watch your videos over and over and over!

My mentor tried many people to move this project forward but they all fell by the wayside because they did not have my grit; reinforced and enhanced by your training.Six months ago there were a dozen people on this project, but now it is only my mentor and me – because we shy away from nothing!

Thanks again for the quantum leap!

Cheers to the continued success of us both,

Duke

P.P.S. I will be in London, San Francisco and Shanghai in the next few weeks. You can see my schedule on my site.

Dan Pena Blog, Newsletter

Yes, man does plan and the Big Man does laugh! But man still needs to plan and have and execute goals and plans.

Man doesn't plan to fail. Man fails to plan.

A lot has happened in the last few months in the world.

Sadly Haiti and Chile earthquakes have killed many. Banks are makings tons again, yet are not lending as they should be! The health care agenda in the U.S.A. has slowed down and may be stopped. But through these tough times people are still succeeding against the odds. Of course not all these successes are using QLA, but I can assure you they are following some form of QLA system. All success that is not luck of the spin, or turning a card has the same elements: absolute laser beam focus, unquestioned perseverance, risk taking, discipline, tons of hard work, pushing their comfort zone to new limits, paying the price to action – meaning there is a price for every action in life, and implementation and execution that is beyond the common consensus.

Whether you call it QLA or whatever, this is what it takes to succeed against the overwhelming odds in this economic environment. It happens and you can do it – if you want it bad enough. The plain truth is MOST PEOPLE DO NOT WANT IT BAD ENOUGH! They talk about it, read about it; take some easy actions about it even attending expensive seminars, then stop when it gets tough. Or stop when they start listening to the people around them saying why are you doing this or that, etc? I have written countless times – we all know how to lose weight. We all know how to get physically fit. It takes hard work and discipline! Yet people make it sound like a mystery! When we know it is not! It's like a new year's resolution – you know what I mean. By now most New Year's goals have gone by the way side. Why?

In this regard I have had time to reflect on my many mentees and QLA in recent weeks.

I buried my Father a few weeks ago and thought of a lot of things including a number of my mentees, protégés, business partners and friends. My Dad was 91 and had a full life. He died peacefully in his sleep.

I thought of the good I have done and where I have not done such a good job, or where I could have done a better job. It makes you think about one's life and what you could've done that you didn't; the people you influenced and the ones you could have influenced more. And those that still have more runway in their lives – the ones who have run out of runway and their lives are nearing their end. What we can still do? Of course as for me that is why I am going to China. In fact I arrived here with my youngest son in the last few days. He has moved here armed with his recently obtained MBA. He is immersed in a total business Chinese program at the Shanghai University. There is no English whatsoever! It is sink or swim! Live or die! No escape! No back up plans! No plan-B! Sound familiar?

At my Dad's memorial there were many men/women that approached me to say how much he changed their lives dating back 70 years. In his field he was an icon – a man of stern steel. A MANS MAN! Many told me they felt ashamed they hadn't done more when compared to my Dad's accomplishments, considering he started as a shoe shine boy at age 7 helping to support his family. To say it was an extremely reflective event for me would be an understatement of biblical proportion!

From my Dad's eulogy I gave:

A final story I often relate about my Dad, which illustrated who he was and how he lived his life was how he met me when I landed in Leharve France in mid 1951. I ran up to hug him and came away from him with blood on my little arms and hands. What I didn't know was he had just had surgery to remove a tumor from his back, early that morning. Yes he had undergone surgery, yet he was there to meet me at the boat as it docked hundreds of miles away on the west coast of France that evening.  The story doesn't stop there. What I found out later was he would not allow the surgeons to put him under with a general anesthetic. He only allowed the surgeons to use a local, because he refused to be unconscious for fear of someone extracting top secret info while he was under (my Dad was head of criminal investigation division (CID) during the cold war in Europe.) He underwent the entire surgery with mirrors watching the cutting, etc, by the surgeons – with a loaded 45 automatic in his hand.

YAH MY DAD WAS TOUGH! He was super hero tough. No props, extras or stunt men.

As I reflect about the memorial service, I think about what I often say: if people were writing your obituary now – what would they say? Could you have done more with your life? Could you have helped more people than you did? Did you take advantage of ALL your own resources? There is always time to make things better. This is one reason I continue to coach.

I saw grown men 40, 50, 60, and 70 shed tears trying to put in words what my Dad had meant to them, their families and lives. It was something I will never forget, if I live to be 100. One of the finest things that happened to me, in a long time, was when my 91 and 93 yr old aunts said, "You're like your Father".

The eulogy was tough but I got thru it – after all, I am my Dad's son. But putting his ashes in the crypt was surreal. The finality was overwhelming. I put him in next to his favorite sister with a folded American flag the honor guard gave the family. He had an honor guard for his distinguished service in two wars and a lifetime in public service in law enforcement and education.

Unfortunately, I am asked to often to give eulogies because I do it very well. In recent years I have had too much practice.

I say all this because I have been privileged to have a great impact on countless numbers including a global 25 CEO and all size CO's and too many entrepreneurs to count. I have been blessed. Many of my mentees and students have had great runs and some have failed, almost always falling forward in their quest for success to fulfill their dreams. Can you say the same? Have you given yourself an opportunity to achieve your dreams and goals? Have you done all you can to put your loved ones where they should be? It's not too late! It's never too late! It's only too late if you stop trying! And always remember "old age regret" is an awful thing to experience!

As a mentor I have said – you only have one time to make a first impression and time is the only thing we can't replace – so use it well! What does that mean? Take risks. For at the end of the day men/women are known for the risks they took – not the ones that passed them by. Be all you can be – not a mere fraction of what you can be.

It still amazes me for all the missed hits I have had in business, I am known for the success I have participated in my nearly 40 years in the trenches. Not the pop flies, strike outs, and fumbles I have made. What most people (you) worry about – when it comes to your obituary no one cares. Yet you dwell your entire lives over what people might think or God forbid say about you. I can assure you when they bury you – they only say nice things about you!

I read emails weekly from people struggling in life. I get emails from people who are using my methodologies successfully. I have had the same struggles and successes. I still struggle even today, but the quantum is different. I have been doing this for a very long time now – and some things don't change – only the players change. Economies go up. Economies go down. There is never a perfect time to make hard and difficult decisions, yet I continue to see people ponder on the correct timing, etc.

I still talk and have business dealings with people that attended my first QLA Seminar way back in May 1993. I have had close relationships with many that have enriched my life beyond the imagination. I have assisted countless individuals attain their dreams that they aspired to, but thought beyond their reach. Ask yourself, when you attend a service as I did,"what could I have done to better enhance the people around me"?

Most of you have an idea you keep to yourself; you continue to noodle it; you get excited; you tell someone; you then get nervous because the feedback and , or initial results weren't what you wanted; you then try for more feedback; you then get scared; you then drag your feet; and ultimately it dies a very quiet death. Sound familiar? Why?

So I thought, "Dan – in all  your infinite experience and wisdom how can you short cut the success process for your  upcoming castle seminar attendees when they leave Guthrie Castle the 24^th of April?" I had already made it possible to attend the castle experience paying for the investment in yourself by payments. I have never accepted payments before, though I had made a few exceptions over the years for students, groups and a French Foreign Legionnaire! Then a few weeks ago, 1 of my most successful mentees (a 5 time castle attendee) suggested vis-à-vis the current dismal economic environment I accept payments so I did! But I have always surmised in the past, once the attendee has the information verbally from me and the CD's, etc, it is up to them. I now think differently based on information from some of my successful mentees, who believe more interface with me would of impacted them greatly! And I thought me yelling at the attendees at the castle would be enough for them for a life time! LOL!

Hence, I have changed the upcoming QLA Seminar not just making the economic information current, in 2 very different ways: 1) I added more role playing and 1 on 1 with me; and 2) I added, for the first time, follow up on my part.

This is a letter I sent out to the upcoming seminar attendees:

First, let me congratulate you on the best decision of your life.

Your decision to attend the Castle Seminar at my personal estate in April demonstrates that personal growth is a high priority for you, and it's a quantum step in the right direction.

There has never been a better time to take advantage of my 30+ years of business experience.

I will be showing you firsthand what the Pros are doing, and more importantly not doing, to survive and prosper in the current economic climate.

I wanted to take a moment now and share with you something you are not aware of.

Because you have a made a commitment to change your life, I want to see you thru to that end.  So in addition to the close personal attention you will be receiving from me in April, I wanted to tell you what else you will be receiving from, which was not advertised.

For one full year following the Castle Seminar, you will have direct access to me by email. That means you can email me anytime with your questions or problems – and I will give you a candid and transparent answer.  You will get my personal email address and have direct access to me. If you need to talk personally, I will take your call, but you need to schedule a time with my assistant, as I'm usually travelling or in meetings. 

You may be surprised to know that I still communicate with attendees who came to my 1^st seminar in 1993.

As if that wasn't enough, you will also receive the following:

1. You will be able to put deals in front of me for my opinion.
   
2. You will have access to the monthly update conference calls.
   
3. You will also be able to submit short weekly reports for me to monitor your progress and give you direct feedback.
   
4. You will be able to ask me to be involved in your deal. I only pick a few deals each year, but you always can ask!
5. You will have access to other QLA devotees in your area for as long as you wish.
   
6. And finally, if I'm in your neighborhood, we can meet up for a drink. Even though I'm now based in Asia, I travel the world and I'm in the UK and USA each quarter.

As you may already know, I charge $3000/hour for my time, and CEO's pay this without batting an eye!

See you in April!

As good as the seminar has been I am making changes to make the attendee results even better! Don't get me wrong – I can't make people succeed! But I can underscore and assist the attendees that they stay the course when it gets tough. And believe me it will get tough! It always gets tough and measures your resolve, myself included. Life always tests you. It's like raising kids. You have to put your head down and just keep pushing – no matter what! I am absolutely positive that is what my Dad and Mom did when I was growing up. To say I was a challenge to raise would be one of the greatest understatements of the 20th century. As my Dad often said, "We have no goals for Danny other than to keep him ALIVE till he reaches the age of reason". They were not sure if that would be 20 or 30. Remember – I was expelled from grade school 3 times before I was 10 years old and arrested 5 times for various mischievous deeds, the last being at age 31. Yah I was a challenge growing up!

Well, I am here and some would say I haven't yet reached the age of reason. And if the age of reason means you believe common consensus is correct or that going against the grain isn't what a man/woman should do to achieve their dreams – then I might not ever reach the age of reason. After all, I still have dreams. I still have stuff I want to complete before I go. I am still involved in the lives of many working their plans to achieve their dreams and goals and more importantly, I am still loving it!

To Your Quantum Leap,

P.S. If you could start over again how far would you go back, 25, 35 50? Well you don't have to go back in time like the movie. All you have to do is "suck up you panty hose" and just do it! I have had mentees spring back at age 70!  How old are you? Wouldn't you love to come back like the phoenix rising from the ashes? Would you be truly grateful for having another chance? Wouldn't it be wonderful to have, yet one more shot to fulfill your dreams? Just do it!

P.P.S. When was the last time you told your parents, kids, and other loved ones – I LOVE YOU? I did tell my Dad and I tell my kids whenever I talk to them, or email them. I didn't tell my Mother before she passed. As I have written and said before – I didn't think my Mom was really ill and it will live with me forever. SORRY MOM!

Dan Pena Blog, Newsletter

DAN PENA’S NEW QLA FINANCIAL CRISIS INTERNET NEWSLETTER ISSUE # 75

23 OCTOBER 2009

Dear High Performance Person and Visionary:

It has been about a yr since my last news letter. A lot has happened with my life and the world. And almost all has been good 2 great in my life! Of course just like life there have been a couple bumps in the rd. or as my good friend and qla devotee bruce whipple says, the rd 2 success is ALWAYS under construction! but the world has been a very difficult place! Some have prospered dramatically and many have suffered severely!

In the future, I plan on sending out more regular newsletters and as u read u will understand why. And I will write in the style I use 2 write my regular emails: abbreviated words; #’s in lieu of words; lower case, succinct (I think) thoughts; pithy comments ref life, biz and the cosmos!

BRINGING U UP 2 DATE WITH LAST 12 MONTHS WITH DAN PENA

1. I continued 2 solidify myself in asia where I have been since late 2005.
2. I was given a I phone by a mentee as a xmas gift and played my 1st music on it last week. I don’t use it 4 emails.
3. I accurately wrote of the financial collapse in the credit mkt, which led 2 a mass collapse in other mkts, tho now seems 2 b recovering.
4. My 2nd edition of my book “you first 100 million” with new and current info on how 2 deal with the current mkt conditions was published in recent weeks. It is available on my web site and soon 2 b on amazon and other sites. It still looks like a large bible, leather bound with gold leaf pgs, 53 fotos of my life and family. it resembles a bible cus I am telling u what the Lord knows ref creating something from nothing with no cash, so u can change ur life and fulfill ur dreams.
5. I have traveled a great deal in and around the south china sea 2 various islands, and china, Singapore, japan, and thailand looking at many new biz opps, even in these chaotic financial circumstances.
6. I have moved into mainland china based on research initiated in late 2007; hired a Chinese speaking and writing assistant; other Chinese speaking financial and opps professionals; and will translate my new book and web site into Chinese. These were my opening remarks 4 my meetings in china:
   

   我 非 常 期 待 许 多 年 之 后 在 中 国 的 所 有 好 机 会。 Wo fei chang qi dai xu duo nian zhi hou zai zhong guo de suo you hao ji hui.

7. I got a new rt hip from the same surgeon who did the queens mum’s  in England. I am walking fine and feeling great 4 months on!
8. I stopped lifting heavy weights 2 save my other body parts. And since nov 2007 I have lost 40 pounds from 285 to 245. I wanted 2 c how big I cud get lifting heavy, as I did long ago. I gave new meaning 2 – living large! A couple of the fotos in the new book show me in my defensive end weight!
9. I recently went on a natural fruit juice fast 4 the 1st time in my life, for 64 hrs, nursing myself back 2 semi solids and solids over 48hrs.. Contrary 2 what I was told and thought I felt relatively the same, which perhaps confirms or validates – I am “twisted steel and panther piss!” When I was young they said I cud live on jack daniels and my own ego alone! Of course I don’t drink very much anymore, but my ego hasn’t changed much and cud feed many!
10. My youngest son, derrick, graduated from an east coast school with an mba, triple major, on a full scholar ship not coasting me a dime. He is going 2 china 4 me early next yr.
11. I have taken on 2 new projects and exited 1.
12. I am working on a new expanded qla financial crisis castle seminar 4 april 2010.
13. I have exposed myself 2 new social media like tweeter, my space, blogs, etc. c new addresses at the end of this news letter.
14. I continue 2 use my LA based world class aging doctor allen peters, nutritionist jeanne peters and chiropractor dr grace syn, 4 the 2nd yr, hence am in better shape than in 20 yrs, and have learned the bennies of taking periodic naps now.
15. I started 2 play golf after a long layoff. bot new clubs, etc, joined an exclusive country club and almost immediately had 2 stop due 2 my bum hip. Man plans and God laughs!
16. I continue 2 b more focused, diligent, candid, and motivated than anyone I know.
17. I pulled my barrio 2 castle special investment fund (b2c) due 2 potential conflicts with various regulatory agencies. It was based on warren buffett’s original model he used b 4 berkshire Hathaway. I wanted 2 have a simple “joe the plumber” investment vehicle with few constraints. Post Bernie Madoff, it became impossible and I have put my efforts elsewhere.
18. But post madoff I have decided 2 launch a china fund based on the vast opps and many of the precepts of the b2c fund above.
19. I have been attacked on wikipedia by a group I am in dispute with and people have attempted 2 rite the partial and misleading info. Ur assistance is welcomed. It has validated what I already knew that info taken out of context can tell whatever story u want it 2 say.
20. I allowed a mentee from eastern Europe and 1 from south america 2 move in with me 2 b closer 2 the qla source – me. They were both good kids, but they moved back ostensibly 2 b in show biz. Man plans and God laughs!
21. I suspended my official mentor program cus I am full up with qualified mentees and their projects. The kids above had nothing 2 do with my decision. lol!
22. I have been cleared by the Indian courts of a laughable (tho it wasn’t so laughable fighting it 4 more than 3 yrs ) bogus charge of being an international criminal chased by the sec, Interpol, fbi amongst other gov agencies. C attachment.
23. I have reached out 2 old friends, relatives and mentees I have lost contact with extremely satisfying results.
24. I have decided 2 sell my qla product electronically on my website, based on its relevance in this mkt and many requests. I was reminded, qla was initiated in a declining mkt when I had NO MONEY!
25. I continue 2 visit the usa 2 c my 3 kids, 91 yr old dad, friends, family, world class health pros, current and potential new biz relationships, once a quarter searching 4 the next qla opp. C my schedule is on my social media sites.
26. I rediscovered “atlas shrugged” by ayn rand and recommend it strongly 4 a long but beneficial read. Yes I still believe in GOD!
27. I have reevaluated what 2 of the basics of qla really personify: collaboration (with ur dream team amongst others) and candor (with all) – which jack welsh, former ceo of ge says r the 2 most important elements in mgt and r the biggest problem facing biz in the 21st century.
28. I began reading several books in the last yr, but I only finished 4 real good 1’s and recommend them highly : “talent is over rated” by Geoff colvin, the theme is what I have been preaching 4 yrs – all hi performance individuals out practice their competition; “stop whining and start living” by dr laura schlessinger, which shud b self explanatory, but still an interesting read if u have a family, etc, and want 2 understand the dynamics of getting along. 2 bad it wasn’t available 2 me 25 yrs ago; “either you’re in, or you’re in the way” by logan and noah miller. It is the amazing story of how–without a dime, nor a single meaningful contact in Hollywood–they managed to write, produce, act, and direct a feature film in under a year starring an acclaimed cast and crew. Sound familiar? Qla is everywhere; and “a bull in china” by jim rogers. Founder of the quantum fund and 1 of the 1st 2 go 2 china, believes and substantiates his belief the next big moves of the 21st century r in china! But don’t b surprised that he tells u all the co’s that may the next big winners, some of which he may already own!
29. I continued my long term project of reading these very long books: “poor charlie’s almanac”, by charles t. munger, (given 2 me by mentee dan lok) which gives bits of wisdom accumulated over 60+ yrs in biz, by famed billionaire partner of warren buffett; and “the snowball, warren buffett and the business of life,” by alice Schroeder, which chronicles the good, bad and sometimes troubled life of legendary investor warren buffett.
30. My beloved last Great Dane Misty passed away fighting having moved her from Guthrie 2 asia. In preparation 4 that I got a puppy Great Dane and Basset hound, Kera and Daisy.
31. I reread my 3 fav books that still tell me and anyone else that is interested in a better life 4 themselves and their luvd ones, the best biz and life info of all time: “think and grow rich” by napoleon hill; “release your brakes” by my former mentor jim newman; and my own “ur 1st 100 million.”
32. I have reached out to 3 once young mentees from 1993/4. I called them the “Mexican Morons.” They all went 2 prestigious schools. They r now 40+. all r very successful, even the 2 harvard multiple degreed ones. 1 manages a billion dollars, 1 is a well known nationally syndicated columnist and 1 is a successful corporate lawyer. (I don’t mention their names 2 protect them from u!) I called them mm’s affectionately, cus I am a latino. I am extremely proud of how they turned out and the influence I may of had on them and their careers!
33. I received “man of the yr” and “inspirational leader” awards from the American international real estate expo and conference, AIREEC 2008 at the la convention center. The convention center is only a few miles from where my very humble home was in the 50’s.
34. I recently stopped by 2 c a old mentee, ron legrand, doing 1 of his infamous 3 day seminars in la. Ron is arguably the best real estate expert giving seminars in the usa today. If ur starting out in real estate and don’t know where 2 start, I recommend him not withstanding he is a curmudgeon extraordinaire!
35. I celebrated my 25th yr of having a 15th century story book home Guthrie Castle on my 64th b day, 10 aug, whilst visiting tokyo.
36. There r many other incidents that have occurred in the last 12 months, but I am only listing the most salient ones.
37. Future emails will not b so much catch up, cus I will b writing newsletters more often, along with a lot of social media entrées.

THE WORLD

The economy seems 2 b on the rebound (if u believe the pundits), the recession technically is over and certainly the stock mkt indices have rallied in recent months, notwithstanding the unemployment figures approaching 10% and at a 26 yr hi. If the rebound is 4 real it will b yrs b 4 the world responds where most people sit! Remember the stk mkt is a leading barometer, and it will b yrs till the financial institutions loosen their grip. Hence, u have time 2 find ur vehicle, etc, 2 fulfill ur dreams. In that regard, I have continued 2 travel around the world looking 4 biz opps and recently returned from 2 weeks in inland china meeting with 80 co’s all in need of guidance. Of course they all believe cash is their only requirement. I tell them even with cash if they r not on the rite rd they can fail! I was there at invitation of the government.

It is extraordinary the growth in china even tho the worldwide economy has suffered greatly. But u still need 2 b very careful, no diff than any other place. Like always it is who u r planning 2 b in biz with – the people r of paramount importance! U r who ur associated with and will b measured by whom u surround ur self with!

In writing the 2nd edition and updating the QLA step by step guidelines (Bible as many call it), I was blessed with mentees, devotees, protégés and friends candid testimonials and stories of their successes following QLA, since the last yfhm published in 1999. They came from all over the world and from many diff industries. The one thing they all had in common was they succeeded against the odds. And started with NO MONEY. The book discusses ongoing success stories like george and deeann Verdier, who I met in 1993 early in my coaching career and were mentioned in my last book 10 yrs ago. And in this edition I was especially pleased 2 include my 1st second generation qla devotee, the verdier’s son, bob, who is a successful investment banker! u can’t imagine the joy I have when I c him and we share experiences! Except 4 the verdier’s and beryl crump (who is still running and gunning deals all over the world) the book is full of new names – a new generation that have taken the qla baton!

As of this writing, even in this economy, I have mentees following qla: building dream teams of directors; getting lawyers and accountants on board on a success and deferred fee basis; finding fragmented industries 2 consolidate in asia, europe, and the usa; finding the necessary finance 2 fulfill their dreams, albeit often on tougher financial terms; and continuing 2 motivate others in qla methodologies.

 REFLECTIONS ENTERING MY 65TH YR

Having had my 64th b day recently I appreciate more than most we have limited time on this  earth, tho I am living at least 120 yrs! And it’s the choices that make us who we r! irrespective of what we may b told we can always chose to do rite 4 ourselves and others! (but I am not saying win – win!) I have had countless opps where I had a choice 2 make it easier 2 do the wrong thing in almost 40 yrs in biz. I am sure virtually all that r reading this have had similar choices. At the end of the day or a career u will b judged by the decisions u made, sum in the heat of despair, but most not in such an environment. I and many other hi performance individuals only judge the decisions made under stress. I believe, what better evaluation of a person than when he is over the toilet spitting his guts out because of nerves caused by FEAR – which r false expectations appearing real! Or as Churchill said, recognizing and acknowledging a fear is wisdom!

As part of my aging process I have learned 2 take issues very seriously, but not 2 take myself seriously! I have said countless times hi performance individuals often engage in self deprecating activities. They r able 2 engage in that activity due 2 their own hi self esteem and self worth. There has been a popular finance commercial on American tv that I feel embodies much of the qla spirit. It states in part: dreams never sleep; aspirations never sleep; hopes never sleep; opps never sleep; the world never sleeps; hence u can always turn dreams into realities!

MY FUTURE

This month I am officially launching my new social media presence (c below); my recent 2nd addition of ur 1st 100 million; my new on line qla products 4 the current financial crisis environment; my new QLA financial crisis news letter; my new qla updated 2010 qla castle seminar; and my firm commitment 2 make qla visible in china and asia.

I hope and pray u all have had a fulfilling yr, but even if u have not had as good a yr as u wanted, the great thing is, u can in the next 12 months! As long as u never give up! Associate with other hi performance people and never ever give up knowing ur goals can become reality. Of course u need goals. And as the legendary golfer Ben Hogan used 2 say the 10 greatest words ever spoken: if it is 2 b, it is up 2 me! And always remember plans can b made of sand, but goals must b made of concrete!

 2 ur ql,

dan pena
www.danpena.com

ps here r my new social media info details:

Twitter http://twitter.com/danpenasr
Facebook  http://facebook.com/danpenasr

pps c the new Chinese web site of the Guthrie Group: http://www.theguthriegroup.com/cn/

ppps we r ALL inhibited by something that prevents r personal progress. Some wear braces, some r in wheel chairs and sum walk normally like me (san the recovering hip). Having 3 kids, 23 kelly, 26 derrick and 27 dan jr, I have realized it has not been easy being my kids! It is not easy being my mentee, biz partner, accountant, lawyer, or even friend! I require a higher standard than most have experienced outside the military,  tho sum say I have softened with age. I have told many I am a product of my social and economic milieu, as we all r. we r who r parents were (4 better or worse) and who we were raised around – good, bad, or ugly! The navy seals (which I was not) have a saying: the only good day was yesterday! I have said countless times: go hard or go home! I say all this cus whilst qla works in these diff times – it is not easy! It is easier! It is not 4 the weak of heart! And those who work with me know I am more demanding in tough times than easy times. I hate 2 get corny, cus I am a lot of things but corny isn’t 1 of them – when the times get tough, the tough get going! If there was ever I time 2 "suck up ur panty hose" IT IS NOW!

If u r sincere (and if ur not don’t bother) in ur desire of fulfilling ur dreams 4 u and ur luvd ones: as Winston Churchill said – never never ever quit; and a fanatic is one who can’t change his mind and won’t change the subject! So go out and b a fanatic and never quit!

qlaorg Newsletter

QUANTUM LEAP ADVANTAGE®

INTERNET NEWSLETTER
ISSUE # 74
26th September 2008

From Dan Peña – Executive Coach and Mentor to the High Performer.

Dear High Performance Person and Visionary:

Capitalism on the way up!
Socialism on the way down!
You only get hurt on a roller coaster
when you get off in the middle of the ride!
Yes I know it feels like we have gone off the rails,
 but we haven’t!
 Stay on!
We can avert a Depression if we act intelligently!
Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition!
It is financial WAR with out the guns,
for now!

I never knew how much good my training as an infantry officer at Fort Benning, Georgia, USA would be for me! Dodging live bullets keeps you focused! And believe me this financial crisis is not a drill! This is for real.

AIG gets $85 billion from U.S. Government, Lehman Brothers goes BK, Merrill Lynch gets taken over by Bank of America, Bear Stearns bailed out by JP Morgan, and Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae taken over by the U.S. Government!  And as if this wasn’t enough, Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley take refuge under the Fed banking laws by becoming commercial banks and are no longer the venerable power house investment banks they once were. Plus the recent darling of the Nuevo Rich, hedge funds, are now unwinding! And it wasn’t just greedy America! The Bank of Scotland, founded in 1695, and others are now gone! I assure you many more will follow! If you are not having fun yet, wait there will be much more to come! I guarantee it!

I take no solace in saying, I told you so!

It could take a generation to fix this mess!

WHAT’S NEXT?

A $700 billion bail out from the FED, which will easily go over a trillion and more. I would like to be optimistic, but when was the last time one of these estimates was even close to being accurate or truthful? NEVER!

My seminar in November will address in detail how to take advantage of this crisis in your individual business, as I did to build a $445 million empire in the worse energy market decline in 50 years.

It is unbelievable to live as long as I have, because if you live long enough you see it all!

I have been saying for several years; the giant debt we had world wide would bite us sooner than later; Real Estate would eventually bring us down because the fantasy of “God” isn’t making anymore land; the kids now managing most of the money in the world would cause us great hardship; and the U.S. Government would have to bail us out or go out of business as we know it!

As many of you know I watch CNN, CNBC and other financial news shows all day long, as I answer emails and talk on the phone, when I am not in meetings. The financial roller coaster I witnessed recently was remarkable. In two days more than $700 billion (each day) was wiped off the USA markets. I really don’t know how much other markets declined world wide but India, Brazil, and China to name a few all have suffered and the Russian stock exchanges were shut down completely after a 45% decline – and short selling was banned in the USA markets.

Now the U.S. Government will bail out the financial system to the tune of $700 billion that is estimated to run easily well over a trillion dollars. What a absolute catastrophic total meltdown! These are unprecedented actions to say the least! It makes the 1987 crash and dot com fiasco look mild!

As I have said for many years cash is a better alternative for most people, because they don’t understand what risk they are taking. For example, money market funds are not insured, contrary to what people may have thought.  This is only one small example of how risk assessment is not understood. Most people outside the financial centers of the world just don’t appreciate how close the U.S. financial model came to total collapse and mayhem!

For many years I have told people nothing goes in one direction forever! Many of you made, on paper, tons of money in real estate and the stock market, continuing to leverage up getting bigger and more expense properties and larger stock portfolios. But leverage goes both ways and is a vicious two edge knife. What has exacerbated the situation even more are the countless hedge funds that use all kinds of financial instruments, including shorting the markets to enhance their yields.  People that should not be involved in such dealings are up to their eyes in a big way. These hedge funds are not regulated and virtually anyone with the minimum investment is allowed in the game. This is a recipe for disaster!

The week before the financial debacle I was privileged to be a key note speaker at a large world wide real estate exposition:

www.aireec.com

. I was the opening speaker to get them jacked up. I also spoke 60 minutes on how I dealt with building my own empire in a collapsing market, but I had no idea what would follow the very next week. I was scheduled to speak another 60 minutes in the grave yard slot the last day. My presentation went 125 minutes, they listened with baited breathe an extra 65 minutes, before I shut the convention down. It was all filmed and to say I was terrific is an understatement. I really enjoyed my self. It had been a long time since I spoke in the USA.

I was honored in receiving two awards at the expo: “2008 AIREEC Man of the Year” and “2008 AIREEC Inspirational Leadership Award”. I was humbled to say the least. I believe my humble beginnings from an East LA barrio, only a few miles from the expo, boded well for my being chosen as an example of rag to riches.

Interestingly I was initially invited before the financial meltdown to pump up the expo attendees, because I had made quantum leaps in a collapsing market. Of course I was prepared to do this easily. What I didn’t know or appreciate was the very next week the financial world would be in such trouble it would be beyond comprehension! Hence, my timing was almost perfect!

Hence, my message was even more germane the very next week to those that attended. Of course those that have read my book and or attended my seminars know that attaining significant success is easier by modeling those who have done it before. Finding a mentor who is where you want to be. This is even more important in these treacherous markets. There are still countless ways to get screwed trying to attain and fulfill your dreams. So having a mentor is even more important now than ever!

At the expo I had a large private office to listen to the many attendees from all over the world. Outside I was screaming on a huge screen showing me doing a seminar. For those brave enough to make an appointment I spent time with each and every one that wanted time with me.  I heard some very sad stories and people that were looking for some direction. I heard a few success stories, but they were in the minority. I also heard one potential suicide story. Some stories were shocking how they lost their money, for the second or third time doing the exact same thing as they did the time(s) before.

I enjoyed talking to many people, but it never ceases to amaze me how people never understand it is not their genius that made money in a raging bull market! They always give little or no recognition to the market conditions. And they NEVER understand markets move in two directions and nothing goes up for ever! NOTHING! NOTHING!

As I discussed their individual situations, virtually all knew they were in a mess, but few of them emotionally could make the tough decisions going for ward. You have heard me say we have two bank accounts in life: emotional and financial. And we almost always run out on our emotional side of the personal ledger – not the financial. We all use our positions as a parent, son/daughter, mortgage holder, etc, to say we can’t do what ever is necessary. We use these as excuses for  not doing the correct thing to fulfill our goals and dreams. We fall prey to conventional wisdom and common consensus.

If I have done one thing consistently all my adult life it was to go against the grain.  Most of the time it stood me in good stead.  My detractors would point out the times I was wrong, but I would not trade my life with anyone who ever has attended any of my seminars since May 1993! We are in a classic “suck up your panty hose” time for the entire world! Who prevails will depend on emotional bank accounts going for word.

Will you be one of the few that prospers from the new financial parameters?

DAN PENA PERSONAL

I spent my birthday last month enjoying the sun and playing golf with friends!  Yes I did work as well, but not as hard as usual. It was very nice and I want to thank all of you that acknowledged my birthday. I appreciated the many nice gestures.

More importantly I was with my dad to celebrate his 90th early this month.  He appears to be on his way to many more such days. I certainly hope so! I will post some photos on my site soon.

My new book, the 2nd edition of “Your First Hundred Million” will be out around Christmas. It will be updated to 2008 with new examples and insights. And since it was originally written for a down market scenario it is absolutely on key for present market conditions! Its cost will be $477 per copy. This insures me you will read it, but more importantly it has the critical information to change your lives now! If you want a signed copy notify my office through,

steven@guthriecastle.com

.

I have said for many years you only need three books to read to achieve your dreams! Think and grow Rich; Release Your Brakes, by my mentor Jim Newman who invented the “comfort zone;” and my own “Your First Hundred Million!”

My kids are doing well. Derrick my youngest son is a second year MBA candidate and was relating how his fellow candidates were in shock vis-à-vis the recent financial collapse. He told me offers made to the students were being cut dramatically and of course kids that were going to Lehman were out of luck.  Of course Merrill Lynch being absorbed by Bank of America, amongst many other situations, means countless jobs will be lost. And our mortgage business is being socialized by the FED. The world has changed forever! Again, I guarantee it! Are you ready?

To Your Quantum Leap

Daniel S Peña, Sr.

P.S.   Agreeing, by not saying what you really think or feel, is a massive disservice to whom you are dealing with! All too often we are in a position listening to a colleague, friend or loved one, and that’s all we do – listen! (And I understand how we are supposed to give support to loved ones, but that is not the point here.) We have our own thoughts but we keep quite! We often know what they are saying makes no sense based on our own experience, age, wisdom, etc., but we still say nothing! Why? Well, conventional wisdom tells us to keep our own opinions to ourselves, least we affront the other person, etc. Or we don’t want to say anything that may give the other person reason not to like us, etc. This is extremely common with kids. They keep their mouths closed and this is how peer pressure can have a very detrimental effect on the less vocal.

How many times in life do you dutifully listen to someone and say little or nothing? Countless! Well I am here to tell you, you do a geometric disservice by allowing them to believe you are supporting their goofy idea. And by being silent you give them your tacit approval! This only reinforces foggy thinking and does them no good whatsoever. In fact in most cases it is harmful!

Jack Welsh, arguably, the best CEO   of the last 50 years says the biggest draw back and challenge in business today is the lack of candor! He contends, and I agree, this is our main challenge to be better managers, leaders and businesses. He, nor I, and many other high performance people could never be accused of lack of candor! How about you?

PPS I had the great pleasure of being at dinner two nights with a billionaire “true” venture capitalist who made his money before dot com, hedge funds and fancy financial instruments. When I told him I was considering not working as hard in a few years – he went nuts! He told me he still works seven days a week; gets up early; has no real hobbies other than his work; is involved in many charities; and has not figured out how to retire! He is 10 years my senior!

PPS As this news letter goes out: Washington Mutual goes down and is absorbed by JP Morgan; there is total chaos in Washington DC in terms of little agreement in the $700 billion bail out in the US; the two presidential candidates are trying to act Presidential; the congressional meeting at the White House turned into a screaming match. Obviously this doesn’t add much confidence to anyone, let alone Wall Street and other financial centers. I know based on my own 37 years experience through some extremely bad and difficult times when there was no light at the end of the tunnel, the US financial system will survive, albeit in a different form with apparently more government controls. As I have preached for many many years, TOUGH TIMES DON’T LAST- TOUGH PEOPLE DO! HANG TOUGH AND PRAISE THE LORD AND PASS THE AMMUNITION!

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Dear friend and subscriber,

I am pleased to announce that Dan Pena will be one of the keynote speakers at the upcoming “American International Real Estate Expo and Conference” (www.aireec.com) in the Los Angeles Convention Center between 5th – 7th September.  With an estimated 10,000 attendees from over 30 countries around the world, AIREEC is one of the biggest events of its kind to be held in one place over three days.

Dan will be speaking in the “Empowerment Series” of the event.

Dan also plans on doing a 1/2 day break out QLA seminar for devotees, mentees, protégés and interested parties!  This will be his only USA event in years!  Dan hasn’t given the QLA message in several years in the USA.  

All that can attend are encouraged to do so to experience their rare opportunity to hear and see Dan in action – LIVE!

I’d like to take this opportunity to let you know there are only a few remaining places on the next 7 Day Castle Seminar, to be held at Guthrie Castle from 16th – 22nd Nov 08 (www.qlaseminar2008.com)

To Your Quantum Leap

Steven

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8th March 2008

From Dan Peña – Executive Coach and Mentor to the High Performer.

Dear High Performance Person and Visionary,

Castle Seminar just completed!

Well the last castle event was better than any that came before! And I know that is hard to believe considering the seminars that have been given at Guthrie Castle since the mid 90’s!

We had a particularly diverse group with attendees coming from; Panama, Romania, England, USA, India, Wales, Ireland, and Venezuela. The industries represented were also very diverse; internet marketing, escort services (no joke), financial services, property/real estate, health care, athletics, a dietician and medical doctor, and medical phone answering services; and some who were looking for a new deal in their lives. They ranged in age from 22 to 66.

s always, I spent time looking at their deals and if appropriate discussed alternatives. It was especially gratifying to meet a very successful woman, Doris, who had heard me at a 3 Day QLA Seminar in Orlando in 1995. She actually followed what I said and is wealthy now, but wants to go to the next level, even though she already has a multinational company. God bless her!

We also had a guy who had heard me speak in 1994 and never gave up and now is on his 2nd successful venture. We also had a young woman that literally came back from a near death debilitating disease against all odds and all doctor’s prognostications and is now looking for a financial quantum leap having already made a physical one!

To see some of the graduation night testimonials – "Click Here." Yes the guys are wearing kilts and no I don’t know if they were wearing anything under them. I went to sleep at 1am but some stayed up in the newly decorated snooker room and played video games and snooker till 5am.

I had such a great time beating the attendees in our new $1.5 million pavilion facility, I am having another Castle Extravaganza 16th – 22nd November this year. We already have attendees signed up and at least 1 of the recent attendees will return for a 6th time.

The section on “A Healthy Life Style for the High Performance Person” was very well received. Dr Peters and his lovely dietician wife Jeanne did a terrific job and dished out some amazing information. Of course they are the team that has done some great work on me in the last 3 months: weight down 22 pounds; blood pressure down; cholesterol down; and other vitals headed where they should be for a 30 year old! You read correctly a 30 year old. Awesome!

More later as we get closer to the next event in November.

To Your Quantum Leap,

Dan Peña

P.S. I have decided to write another book, or should I say update “Your First Hundred Million.”

P.P.S. As I said at the Castle Seminar low interest rates and a collapsing real estate market make for massive opportunities.

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28^th January 2008

From Dan Peña – Executive Coach and Mentor to the High Performer.

Dear High Performance Person and Visionary,

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12^th October 2006

From Dan Peña – Executive Coach and Mentor to the High Performer.

Dear High Performance Person and Visionary,

I hope you have all been well! I am working hard and accomplishing a lot. And I sincerely wish you are doing the same!

Boom – Bust

In April 2001 I wrote in my news letter: “On March 20, Richard Russell, a Dow theorist, claimed after the 238-point decline of the Dow the end of the 19-year (really 223 months) bull market”. More importantly (if true), he claimed the bear market recovery would take one-quarter to one-third the length of the bull market. You do the match: 1/4 or 223 or 1/3 of 223!

I also wrote during this time of crisis there would be great opportunities!

Who took advantage of them in the last 6 plus years? More about that further on…

If you do the calculations 1/4 of 223 is 55.75 months and 1/3 of 223 is 73.6 months. And 73.6 months is a little over 6 yrs since the market collapse that saw most indices drop 40 – 60%. Is Russell a genius? Maybe, but that’s not really the point. Here we sit a little over 6 years later and we read in the Wall Street Journal last week:

Boom!

MARKET ALERT
from The Wall Street Journal.

Oct. 3, 2006

The Dow Jones Industrial Average set a record closing high, finishing at 11,727.34, eclipsing a mark set back in January of 2000 during the height of the technology boom.

Bust

Even in these times of great stock market boom there are times of great bust! As you read the links below you will see notwithstanding the new market highs the internet gambling stocks have collapsed due to intervention by the U.S. Government. It will always be something and it is not necessary to ask why? What smart people are doing now is looking for the opportunities. When one door closes another opens. We must look for them!

News results for internet gambling - View today’s top stories
Congress approves Internet gambling ban bill – Reuters.uk – 2 hours ago
GOP aims to crack down on Web gambling- USA Today – 30 Sep 2006
888 to freeze US business after gambling bill – FT – Reuters India – 9 hours ago

Chaos

Whilst in a hotel room I started reading my files and a recent October Fortune magazine issue. The cover is titled CHAOS @ GOOGLE! It has a number of excellent articles on “Managing on the Edge”.

Like the article, as I have said since 1993 when I embarked on coaching the biggest opportunities come from where the most chaos exists. In conjunction with this notion, always put your best people on the biggest opportunity – not the biggest problems. This Fortune issue could have been written by me! I highly recommend it for all of you. Keep it in your permanent reading file along with other QLA reading material. Here is the link to the feature article: http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/2006/10/02/8387489/index.htm

The Next Bust ?

NEWS ALERT
from The Wall Street Journal

Oct. 10, 2006

The Department of Justice has begun an informal inquiry into potentially anticompetitive behavior among some of the world’s leading private-equity funds. Information and documents related to deals and business practices have been requested.

That’s it for now. I have to get back to work.

To Your Quantum Leap,

Dan Peña

P.S.  If today was a test how would you grade yourself? What about the last 6 years?

P.P.S.  Due to inconsiderate misuse and spammers I have ceased my message board infinitely. I am very chagrinned to have to take this action. Many thanks for your previous support!

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