Celebrate Your Independence
Happy Fourth of July! To help celebrate your independence, I wanted to let you know about this exercise from Tim Ferriss, author of the instant New York Times bestseller, The 4-Hour Workweek...
As soon as Tim's book came out, it skyrocketed to the top of the New York Times, Washington Post, and Wall Street Journal bestseller lists. As I write this it's #14 on Amazon.com, and it's been out since April!
Did I mention he's a longtime Member of Contact Any Celebrity, and that he actually recommends us in his book... twice?
So here's the exercise Tim Ferriss recommends to help boost your independence from page 161 of The 4-Hour Workweek:
COMFORT CHALLENGE:
Call at least one potential superstar mentor per day for three days. E-mail only after attempting a phone call. I recommend calling before 8:30 a.m. or after 6:00 p.m. to reduce run-ins with secretaries and other gatekeepers. Have a single question in mind, one that you have researched but have been unable to answer yourself. Shoot for "A" players -- CEOs, ultrasuccessful entrepreneurs, famous authors, etc.--and don't aim low to make it less frightening. Use http://www.ContactAnyCelebrity.com if need be, and base your script on the following:
Unknown answerer: This is Acme Inc. [or the office of Mentor X"].
You: Hi, this is Tim Ferriss calling for John Grisham, please.
Answerer: May I ask what this is regarding?
You: Sure. I know this might sound a bit odd, but I'm a first-time author and just read his interview in Time Out New York. I'm a longtime fan and have finally built up the courage to call him for one specific piece of advice. I wouldn't take more than two minutes of his time. Is there any way you can help me get through to him? I really, really appreciate whatever you can do.
Answerer: Hmmm... Just a second. Let me see if he's available. [two minutes later] Here you go. Good luck [rings to another line]
John Grisham: John Grisham here.
You: Hi, Mr. Grisham. My name is Tim Ferriss. I know this might sound a bit odd, but I'm a first-time author and a longtime fan. I just read your interview in Time Out New York and finally built up the courage to call. I have wanted to ask you for a specific piece of advice for a long time, and it shouldn't take more than two minutes of your time. May I?
John Grisham: Uh... Ok. Go ahead. I have to be on a call in a few minutes.
You: (at the very end of the call): Thank you so much for being so generous with your time. If I have the occasional tough question--very occasional--is there any chance I could keep in touch via e-mail?
Timothy includes lot of footnotes with supplemental tips about getting past gatekeepers and contacting celebrities, but to get those you'll have to buy the book :)
He recommends Contact Any Celebrity again on page 203:
CELEBRITY FINDING:
Contact Any Celebrity
It is possible to do it yourself, as I have done many times. This online directory and its helpful staff will help you find any celebrity in the world.
Jordan,
Congrats on the 4-Hour Workweek mentions! You're a celebrity now. You'll have to deal with paparazzi peeking over the back fence and rummaging through the trash bins...
It was fabulous seeing you in New York City recently!
Tsufit
www.secretsfromthespotlight.com
P.S. Anyone who doesn't have Jordan's service, whatdya waitin' for? You're only one celebrity away from celebrity status yourself!
Posted by: TSUFIT | July 06, 2007 at 06:55 AM