This is why I’m hot…

Mims is hot because he’s fly. But it raises the question: Does being hot guarantee one’s being fly? “You ain’t ’cause you not,” would seem to clear that up.

But are fly and hot interchangeable? If you are one, you are both; if you aren’t at least one, you are neither.

It’s the whole she’s famous because she is famous…

The Mona Lisa is the most famous painting in the world because it’s precisely that: The most famous painting in the world. There will always be the best in class, most popular, coolest, tiniest, smallest, sleekest, richest, poorest, hottest, most expensive, least expensive, best, worst, newest, oldest and on and on.

Paris Hilton is truly popular because she’s popular.

But the big question is how do you become popular? I believe to become popular (and I’m not talking about high school popular) you have to focus on the edges.

What do I mean?

Offer the ‘biggest’ sandwich, the ‘best’ pizza, the ‘most expensive’ hand bags, the ‘fastest’ car, the ‘loudest’ speakers, the ‘least expensive’ burgers, the ‘most durable’ chairs, the “most reliable’ service, the “most obnoxiously priced” clothes, the ‘cheapest’ sneakers…

Do the ‘craziest’ things, engage in the ‘most unbelievable’ acts and wear the ‘skimpiest’ clothes…

You can’t just be average. Who is going to talk about you?

You have to be at the edge of something. Paris Hilton happens to be at the edge of many things.

That leads me to a very interesting question. Is the song of the summer precisely the song of the summer because “it’s the song of the summer?”

People like what other people like. It just the way it is. Most people want to fit in. Well, sort of.

Most people just don’t want to miss out. “Oh you see the Sopranos? I can’t believe they whacked…” or, “You see Entourage last night? I can’t believe he wore a bunny suit?”

Pretty soon if everyone is talking about something and you have no idea what they are talking about you feel the need to check it out. Best selling books become even more best selling once they make the list.

The fun part is trying to create the best or the least or the craziest or the most, or the wackiest something. If you’re not then you’re not going to change the game in any way, shape or form.

And that’s not fun. Or hot.

Welcome Millionaire Blueprint Readers!

Thanks for stopping by. Call me crazy but I’m going to assume that if you made it this far you enjoyed my article. I’ll be writing a regular column for Millionaire Blueprints Teen so be sure to look out for it.

I also write frequently right here on my blog. Anything business and life is fair game. I know. That’s like saying the problem with infinity is that there’s too much of it.

But most of my articles deal with business in some way, shape or form but I don’t like to be restricted.

My job is all about your most favorite person in the world: YOU!

My duties include but are not limited to: making you think, inspiring you, entertaining you, motivating you and maybe, just maybe, teaching you a thing or two.

I can assure you of several things. I don’t know all of the answers but I can help you ask the right questions. You have a major advantage over many people. Your thirst for knowledge will help you tremendously. You have a long leg up on most people.

If you’re already craving more GuruGilbert and can’t wait until my next article fret no more.

On the right hand side of this blog there is a link entitled ‘favorites’. Grab a comfy seat, some good nosh and have yourself a party. And if you don’t feel like moving I can even hand deliver each of my posts right into your inbox.

I love hearing from my readers so don’t be shy.

What a small world it is! This is really incredible.

For you to be as astounded as I am you have to read this post first which I wrote a few months ago.

Yesterday, Nancy writes, “Glad you enjoyed the singing waitress at Verdi’s. She happens to be my mom (Adrianna) and is thrilled that you have written about her. Next time you are visiting Grandma, go see Adrianna again. My mom has had a very interesting life which would make a great story if you wanted to write about it! She’s 80 years old and has been at Verdi’s over 30 years carrying trays, serving people, and singing her heart out.”

-Nancy Porcelli

I was absolutely amazed and I replied to her email immediately asking how she found my article.

Nancy writes, “My mom called me this A.M. and told me that her boss, Josephine Femia, googled her name and found your article. That’s how I found your blog. My mom is like a female version of Leo Buscaglia. She is such a positive person even though she has had a lot of adversity in her life. It would make a great story.

Her other daughter Linda writes, “Loved your blog about my mom, Adriana. Just one correction though, Nick & Josephine had nothing to do with the planning of this, this is my mom ALL the time. She’s such a positive person that customers actually have told her that they come in just to feel better. She genuinely LOVES life, even though hers has been less than positive. Thanks for the story!”

PS: I’m her other daughter in Fort Lauderdale

3 powerful lessons here:

ONE: Most people never say anything if they like something. You definitely have customers or you definitely are a customer of many places because they do something a certain way.

If they changed that certain thing you might stop going. For example, when I go to the diner under my building and order my grilled chicken sandwich or turkey burger, every single time, my man, Sammy, brings me like 10 pickles. He knows I love pickles and I don’t even have to ask him for extra pickles anymore.

Most people are too busy to say something nice. But if you believe in what you’re doing and people are coming back and referring you then don’t stop what you are doing!

It could be the smallest thing that people really enjoy…the free prize! (Or, the pickles!)

TWO: Recognition is very nice. However, if you’re in business to be recognized you’re in the wrong field. If you are doing what you love day in and day out then people will take notice. Not because you ask them to but because they want to recognize you.

THREE: Have fun with what you do. If you don’t love it quit. You will never succeed if you don’t love what you do.

Adrianna is successful because she loves making people laugh and feel great and singing her heart out. Mark Zuckerberg is successful because he loves connecting people. Bill Gates is successful because he loves software. Sergey Brin and Larry Page are successful because they love organizing information. Steve Jobs is successful because he loves innovating. And on and on and on…

Your template: I am successful because I ____________and I _____________and I_____________and although people may not really say anything to me I keep getting raises, I keep getting new clients and people continue to refer me and are wanting to work with me.

Thanks Nancy for emailing me and we’ll definitely do a follow up story about your Mom soon.

P.S. Tell your mom to leave a pitcher of water for me with extra lemons on the table next time. I love lemon water and I hate bothering waiters because I used to be one!

Interviewed by Conde’ Nast and I’m now a published man!

I’m very excited to announce that the article I wrote for Millionaire Blueprints has been published in the July/August issue and is now on sale.

You can pick up a copy at most Borders and Barnes & Nobles.

Recently, I was interviewed by Conde’ Nast. My interview is on their company blog and it might also be featured in Self magazine.

As much as I believe in my program, with every molecule in my body, it’s really rewarding to hear other people say such nice things about my program, for which I thank you!

Check out the Conde’ Nast interview here.

And also check out this great article about my program here.

Thank you so much for all of your continued support!

Irony storm on the way!!!

In yesterday’s post I dared to confess I like Paris Hilton because she works when she doesn’t have to, she has a sense of humor and I’ve never heard of her being mean.

It’s amazing how many emails I got from this post.

News alert: Category 5 irony storm on the way!

My third favorite email came from people who believe Paris Hilton’s television show on E!, The Simple Life, is a reality show about two stupid rich girls who do mean things. I hate to be a spoiler, but it’s a show produced by smart people, starring two rich girls who pretend to be mean and stupid. Their target audience is people who aren’t bright enough to know the show is staged.

My second favorite email came from the people who say Paris is a racist. Yes, I know she used the N-word on tape. Sometimes you pick the most shocking word because it’s the most shocking word. I don’t know what’s in Paris’ heart but I’m positive you don’t either.

I was also wondering how much economic value Paris has contributed to the world. If you put a price on the advertising budgets that support the media coverage she generates, plus her TV show, her movie roles, her magazine covers, I’ll bet the dollar value of her contribution to the world is in the billions. Those billions generate taxes that go to important social services such as feeding the poor and protecting our soldiers.

My favorite emails though came from people who angrily pointed out how wrong it is to be entertained by something as trivial and unimportant as Paris Hilton’s life.

This raises an interesting question: What the hell are you doing that’s so important?

You’re not only reading my blog, but you’re writing a frickin’ email.

How can you afford to take time out from your primary activity of performing free heart surgery on poor African babies?