It All Matters

125 Strategies to Achieve Maximum Confidence, Clarity, Certainty, and Creativity

Paul Cummings

• Publisher: Wiley
• Year: 2017
• Print ISBN: 9781119417064
• eBook ISBN: 9781119418443
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Personal Development
• Subtopic: Personal Success

The all-encompassing framework for achieving the life of your dreams

It All Matters presents a framework for the rest of your life. What are those dreams you would only dare to dream if there was no possibility of failure? How can you live a life of real intention and purpose instead of duty and obligation? This book answers these questions and more. Everyone has the capacity to author their own destiny; it's not our circumstances that shape our lives, it's our response to those circumstances that either propels us to great heights or keeps us stuck in the mud. Here, author Paul Cummings shares one of the most comprehensive goal setting systems ever put into print. Based on the key U.B.U. process—Understand who you are, Be true to yourself, and always be Unique—this framework gives you the power to transform your life. Through a fast-moving series of engaging stories, you'll learn how to question yourself to greatness as you begin to think in bigger and more positive terms.

Professionals from across the globe have implemented this framework to achieve what they truly wanted out of life—isn't it your turn? This enlightening guide teaches you the revolutionary strategies that can help you make big things happen.

• Dig deep to find your real dreams, and set a plan to achieve them
• Discover the core principles the form the foundation for success
• Learn the art of self-questioning as a motivational tool
• Implement a comprehensive, proven system for getting what you want

You are one great question away from everything you ardently desire at all times. Are you ready to take the leap? It All Matters shifts your perspective to let you see the shining path ahead.

Part One
Confidence

Where It All Began – Confidence

A Special Message from Charlie Collins

As a Man Thinketh was written by James Allen in 1902, and remains to this day a book filled with timeless wisdom. That very same year, George W. Cummings Sr. was born and, other than his family, friends, and the local community, his birth received very little notice. But that would all change, as he, too, would leave behind a legacy of timeless truths and wisdom to encourage and inspire many future generations.

I met Paul Cummings for the very first time in the spring of 1975. At age 23, after selling books with Southwestern for five summers myself, I was a sales manager of a hundred people who were a lot like Paul…or so I had thought.

Check that: There are very few people like Paul. When I first met him, he was a brash, talented, and passionate young man. And yes, over the past 40 years he has changed some, but only in the refining and maturing that all men need. He has never lost his passion, and is still committed to making a difference in this world. If you will take these timeless truths to heart, and act on them, you will benefit more than you know.

Paul was blessed to have such a wise grandfather, who took the time to impart his experience and wisdom to his beloved grandson. In this book, Paul, now a grandfather himself, will give you the opportunity to accelerate your own life at the speed of light. This is George's legacy, but it is also a part of Paul's legacy too. Now, you can benefit from almost 100 years of combined life experiences from both of these incredibly wise gentlemen.

Success involves principles that are universally true, as clear and certain as the laws of gravity. For example, the Internet is not free; someone pays the bill. I believe that success involves some of these exact same universally true principles. Paul has simply outlined these principles in a manner that gives anyone who will choose to follow them a road to travel on which to create success in any area of their life. These truths will help you whether they are applied at your place of business or if you apply them within your family.

Paul had an advantage of the heritage of loving parents and grandparents. Unfortunately, many of us do not. Look around and you will see that dysfunctional and broken families abound everywhere. If you see yourself as a grasshopper, you will be regarded as one. If you will take hold of the truths that Paul Cummings has given, recognize that the lies of your environment are simply that, only lies, you can then begin to see the beauty of your creation. This book can be your guide to reorder your life.

If you as are young as Paul was, when he was first introduced to these life principles, then congratulations. However, if you've traveled further along on your journey in life, this book can still be a springboard to encourage you toward a greater future for all of your tomorrows.

If you are in transition, or think life has passed you by, I have a news flash for you. It is never too late. You can have the life you desire. These principles work and they will work for you. If you are in your 60s or 70s, you may be nearing retirement, but remember, you aren't dead. Living intentionally has no expiration date. Passion is not only for the young.

Have the courage to live, really live. You have far greater value than you think. You have been created for greatness. Experience it by living intentionally every day that you have left. Paul has given you an organized form and as excellent path towards greatness. Take it!

—Charles V. Collins

1
Where It All Began

The Power of a Single Decision

As I packed my bags on the morning of May 26, 1975, I had no idea that a summer opportunity would change the direction of my life forever, nor did I know this single decision would affect the lives of thousands of people that I would meet in the future. A high school buddy of mine, Richard Svetlecic, had convinced me to give up summer baseball, which was a big deal to me at the time, with the promise of making $2,000 working for the Southwestern Publishing Company, now known as Southwestern Advantage.

Richard had worked with the company the previous summer and already had something I did not have—wheels. That's right, a car! A car purchased with the money he made last summer while I played baseball. With college staring me straight in the face, the thought of buying my own car was the number‐one reason that I finally decided to accept the position.

Preparing to leave on my journey, I replayed the conversation with Richard from two weeks earlier, as I sat down with my parents, to sell them on the idea. After all, Richard may have convinced me, but I now had to persuade my mom and dad.

Needless to say, it was not an easy sale.

George and Shirley Cummings were full of questions, concerns, and, of course, some very serious doubts. Today, as the father of five children, all of whom share my adventurous and relentless spirit, I fully understand all of my parents' concerns.

Some of the questions that they were asking me were easy to answer; however, others had required some creativity, as this was not an ordinary summer opportunity by any stretch of the imagination.

Southwestern Advantage, out of Nashville, Tennessee, offers college students an opportunity to sell an array of publications, including bible libraries, cookbooks, and a variety of children's educational books. The sales are made door‐to‐door, in various cities across the Unite...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Acknowledgments
• Introduction
• Part One: Confidence
• Part Two: Clarity
• Part Three: Certainty
• Part Four: Creativity
• Part Five: A Life Well Lived
• 125 Life Lessons
• Index
• End User License Agreement