Meeting George In Heaven
When I die, I hope heaven allows me to meet people from the past. Another part of me hopes I will be admitted to heaven.
Who would I meet? Family first. No question. I am curious where a bunch of cuckoos like us came from anyway. Then I would meet people who have impacted me without ever meeting me. First in the queue would be George Washington. No question.
I would likely have to wait in line for five or six. . . millennia. But that’s totally cool. I have all the time in the world. It’s heaven after all.
Why G-Dub? Because I yearn for his wisdom. His words, his aura, guide me.
Before Your Trip To Heaven
This got me thinking, I need to have a “Heavenly Advisory Board.” I need to take guidance from a group of people (either deceased or still here on this third rock from the sun) who inspire me and direct me when I need it most.
I thirst for the wisdom from the likes of Harold Thurman Whitman (1899-1981), Oscar Wilde (1854-1900), Dale Carnegie (1888-1955), Mary Kay Ash (1918-2001), Michael Gerber (still very alive and kickin’ and playin’ the sax), and many others. So why not?
I decided to do it, and created a Heavenly Advisory Board. It’s what you see here:
The Deets
These colorful pictures inspire me with the words of my “adviser” listed below each one. As of today I have three pictures. I plan to have an “advisory board” of perhaps ten when I am done. I am building it slowly. When the right words, from the right adviser strike me.
Every morning that I come to the office I look at them. Every time I have a question I consult them. Every time I am down and feel “it’s too hard” they lift me up. They are the perfect board for me. . . always available for consult and ready to break a distracting habit. And their fee? Shockingly reasonable!
If Your Vision Is Less Then That Of Superman
In case you can’t read it in the pictures, the advisers I have right now say this:
Harold Thurman Whitman – Don’t ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive and then go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.
Michael Gerber – Work ON your business. Not IN your business.
Oscar Wilde – Be yourself. . . everyone else is already taken.
** Coming next to my advisory board is George Washington himself. What is he going to say? I will keep it a cliff hanger for now.
Your Own Heavenly Advisory Board
Every entrepreneur and every small business should have a Heavenly Advisory Board. If you want to do a similar set up to what I have, I found an amazing, little one-person-shop that creates this artwork and puts any phrase you want to it. Ironically the owner thinks she has a greeting card business, but I think she really has a board of advisors business.
The business is called Curmudgeon Cards. The owner is Elisa Goodman, and she started the business in honor of her husband Ken who passed in 2010. I suspect Ken is on her Heavenly Advisory Board.
Who would be the members of your Heavenly Advisory Board? Yes, you can put me on it. Just please put a notation next to my name saying “(Not Dead Yet)”
Cute! I love it.
Thanks!!!! So now that I have your attention… who would be on your board?
Sun Tzu will definitely be on my advisory board and of course YOU!
Hot diggity dog. Masterful choice! MASTERFUL.
I love your blog and especially this article. Although not addressing a ‘heavenly’ advisory board, I published an article on my blog titled “Implementing An Advisory Committee” which I hope you and your readers enjoy! Feel free to leave comments.
EDITOR NOTE: Per the guidelines of our blog, the link has been moved to the author name above.
Jaimie
I love your blog and especially this article.
EDITOR NOTE: Duplicate comment has been edited down.
Jaimie
I used to get emails with a ‘quote of the day’ some years ago…I forget now where I signed up for them. Anyway, I saved the quotes that inspired me and created a collage on the wall above my desk. It’s a source of inspiration when I’m running low.
PS-You need to add ‘of’ before the word “cuckoo’s” and remove that apostrophe before the s.
If you remember which service it was JS, please share it with us.
Thank you for the typo correction. I have made the edit. An error clearly by someone who is cuckoo.
Remember the old WWJD What Would Jesus Do campaign? I confer with my adopted mentors and ask msyelf WW_D? (insert mentor’s name). We can also tap into our own deep reservoir of knowledge, experience and imagination. We all have within us the archetypes of a warrior, a lover, a magician and a sovereign (thanks to Tony Robbins for introducing me to mine). Approach any dilemma by asking yourself what each archetype would do. You will emerge with a balanced perspective.
XO
-Jill
http://www.goalguru.com
WWJD? I can’t believe it, but I don’t think I ever heard of that. Awesome. So now you got to tell me Jill, who are your mentors/advisers?
I love it. I think I’ll get this going this weekend. I look up quotes all the time, but don’t have them on the wall…great idea to get started with. Thanks
Start listing them here Frank… who would they be?
I love this! I am in the process of redecorating my office with pictures.. looked at many pictures with quotes and other inspiring art to hang. Well, I found it.. thanks for this wonderful idea!
Hey Cecilia – Please post pictures of the new office setup. I would love to see it!
Reminds me of the book I read and think about all the time, “The 5 people you meet in heaven” by Mitch Album. With your idea Mike, I get to chose, AND don’t have to wait until I die. Have to think about this now. Will get back to you on this.
I never heard of that book. What a great title! So….. who are your five?!?!?! I am super curious.
Mitch Albom is a sports writer for the Detroit Free Press with a penchant for writing other stuff, too. He’s got a few good books under his belt now. I think you’d dig his work, Mike.
The pictures had me cracking up, and I love the idea. I’ve just finished reading your TPE book while searching myself as I answered those (3) action steps of every chapter, and passed it on to a friend, I’ll certainly be doing this next, you’re really keeping me busy while running my company,HA.
OK… so first of all, you rock. Second, I want to boldly ask you want no one has asked before (said in a Captain Kirk voice). Since you read TPE, would you mind doing a quick, honest review of the book on Amazon? It helps me in a HUGE way.
Hi Mike, I did not buy your book, loaned it from the library. when went on to Amazon to write a review, it seems like they’re only letting me do this if I’d bought it there, sorry. If you know how I could get around to doing this just let me know. I’ve been telling everyone in my per-mentor circle to go out and buy it.
I would have Lee Iacocca on my board 🙂 What a great idea!! Making my heavenly (and earthly) board this weekend…Mike, you will be on my Monty Python inspired “I’m not dead yet” list 🙂 Thanks!
Mike! This was so brilliant, I can’t even find the words…. but will find my advisory board also… Thanks for a friday smile.
I am so happy you like Susan. I really hope you make your own advisory board. I will update the picture when the George Washington one arrives (will have it probably in 4 weeks).
What a great, great idea! Inspiring women will on my advisory board with the exception of one male…..Mike Michalowicz (did I get that right?), because you ROCK. THANKS!
I love it. If you need a picture of me, you can just swap in a picture of me with Brad Pitt.
I love it Mike! When people ask me about mentors and they say that they don’t know successful people, I always tell them that it is OK to have virtual mentors. That’s how I did it when I was starting out. One of mine was and continues to be Richard Branson.
Now…you’ve taken the virtual thing to a whole new level with your “Dead Mentor Society”. I think it’s time for a video of you with Ms. Cleo helping you channel your board. 😉
Congrats on landing Richard Branson for your board. I think I may invite him to join mine two. George Washington is already on board, and I am thinking Abe Lincoln too.
Great idea,great inspiration,great man
This is great idea. I keep a small cube note pad on my desk (3′ x 4″), brother gave it to me a long time ago sadly he passed away abour 4 years ago. It’s like having him still around. Anyway anytime I come across a quote that inspires me I write it down on the sheet. I can flip through the notes any time and find a quote to motivate me or to help me get through a bump in the road.
Sorry about your brothers passing. Do you have quotes/saying from him himself that you use as guidance too?
Mike, you know what? Thank you. I’m relatively new to your stuff and I think it’s fabulous and you’re inspirational, but this one moved me to tears. (Long story not for here.) Here’s my first Heavenly Advisory Board member and his quote:
“Finish each day and be done with it. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in. Forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day…You shall begin it well and serenely” – Ralph (Waldo Emerson).
[Think he kept his middle name to himself as a kid or got beat up a lot? — Not that Ralph is much better…….although as a bartender near U of Mich stadium on game days I once-upon-a-time wore a name-tag identifying me as “Ralph” …the better to remain anonymous when cutting people off]
….I digress.
But I do communicate in my own unique style.
Love ya, Mike!
Beth
Beth – Thank you for this. I am so happy it touched. you. I love that quote from Emerson. I never heard it before. It reminds me of Dale Carnegie’s “Live in day tight compartments” and Carpe Diem.
Who else would you have on your board?
Albert Einstein: “The ideals which have lighted my way, and time after time have given me new courage, have been kindness, beauty, and truth.”
and my LIVING mentor Steve: “All will work out well in the end. If it hasn’t worked out well, it isn’t the end.” (!brilliant and thank you a million times over)
Thanks, Mike. You’re a genius.
Beth – That quote from Steve is AMAZING. Thank you for sharing that.
I love these two quotes. Keep ’em coming!!!
Dear Michael, When I was a little girl I used to hate the words of my now late Dad, “Running is a good thing, but, you must be prepared well and start at the right time”. So many times in my life running our Real Estate business in Cape Town – South Africa. Those words rings all the bells and guides me even in the early hours of the day, to be prepared, to plan, so that when the day starts, I am ready to run… Wise words of my, to date, great mentor, although he had already passed on when I started my business 26 years ago. Great idea that you have. Looking forward to the outcome thereof — Marie van Rooyen SA.
Thank you for this Marie. As I get older (and hopefully wiser) I have come to realize my parents are far smarter then I thought, and I am far dumber.
This is great Mike. Thanks for the idea. People talk about who do have dinner with but not who would be on your advisory board!
I would go with Golda Meir. I remember a poster in College with her picture and the question,”But can she type?”
My fav quote of Golda’s
“It’s no accident many accuse me of conducting public affairs with my heart instead of my head. Well, what if I do? … Those who don’t know how to weep with their whole heart don’t know how to laugh either.”
These are beautiful. I am embarrassed to say this, but who is Golda Meir?
Golda was the first Prime Minister of Israel.
Golda Meir was a teacher and politician who became the FOURTH (but I believe first FEMALE) Prime Minister of Israel. Meir was elected Prime Minister of Israel on March 17, 1969.
Seriously, Mike? Your jokes are funny but sometimes you do seem to disrespect others through what comes across as lack of any interest in adding to your own general knowledge. Just a thought.
I’m not old enough to have known who Golda Meir was when she was first elected but I know enough about the world to respect that she’s an important historical figure for a number of reasons.
But I suppose that helps me to distinguish my own voice. For that I thank you.
Best wishes, Haralee and Mike.
Love this. Here’s my list (so far):
Leonardo da Vinci, because he was a genius, mad talented and got SO MUCH DONE! William Shakespeare — do I have to explain why?Dorothy Parker, because her wit is unmatched and I’d sure like to hear what she had to say to good old Will.Maria Montessori, because her educational method shaped who I am today, and inspired my insatiable curiosity and determined independence. Eunice Kennedy Shriver, because she lived a life of service, raised amazing kids who share her values, stayed strong despite great personal tragedy and changed the world.Ernest Hemingway, because he’s my favorite author and he would inspire me be bold and adventurous.
This is my favorite list yet! Thanks for sharing this AJ and thank you for explain what inspires you (and guides you) from each person.
Oh, and Mike, since you have Oscar Wilde on your list:
”Ordinary riches can be stolen; real riches cannot. In your soul are infinitely precious things that cannot be taken from you.” – Oscar Wilde
And this, which is not inspirational at all, but is an important reminder to figure out who YOU are and live an authentic life:
“Most people are other people. Their thoughts are someone else’s opinions, their lives a mimicry, their passions a quotation.” — Oscar Wilde
Very enlightening quote “Most people are other people.”
I’m in the process of starting my business, I’m doing a lot of research but haven’t actually “done” anything yet. One of my favourite quotes that I need to post somewhere to help me get my butt into gear is by Elvis Presley; “A little less conversation, a little more action.”
I LOVE THAT ONE!
I am always flabergasted as to how you come up with such great ideas & connect the dots to my business.
I am putting together my Heavenly Advisor Board right now!
Your the BEST! THANKS
Thank you Cindy. Many of the ideas are simply my own spin on what someone else is already doing.
So…. tell me… who do you intend to have on your board, Cindy?
Well, Mike… You do a great job putting the ideas into words & ideas that we can all relate to. THANKS!
So far I have 2 on my Heavenly Board – Mary Kay Ash & Thomas Jefferson
Still thinking about another, but stuck finding someone who is “heavenly”. LOL
Your the BEST!
Wudu Ezibon Loguli
My number one Heavenly Advisory Board is YOU because of your great pumpkin plan which has enabled me to start and grow a vibrant business from nothing. I love to add five more with time.
I am flattered. Totally flattered and humbled. It is an honor to be on your heavenly board!
Hi Everyone — I’m the “Little Hot Brain” behind CURMUDGEON CARDS! I had no idea my Crazy Cast of Characters and Mike’s Super Creative Board of Advisors was going to include me! A Happy Little Friday Surprise! Thanks Mike for “exposing” my work in such a creative way! May I just say…BRILLIANT ONCE AGAIN! I have been given my “NEXT ASSIGNMENT” from George Washington and have executed it swiftly…it’s on its way to the Printer now! One of my favorite inspiring quotes that I’ve had up on my wall since I was a child appears on (2) Sister Mary Carita Woodblock Prints from the 1960s’s: One quote is from John J. Heinz (of Heinz Catsup fame): “To do a Common Thing Uncommonly Well….Brings Success!” and Alfred White Northhead’s quote: “Ideas won’t Keep…Something Must be done about them!”. And my own daily inspirational quote on my Signature Art Character, “PIERRE” is: “Feel free to Rearrange the Parts of Your Life You don’t like….There’s Still Time!”….Thank You for enjoying my work! Have a great weekend!
Hi Elisa – Thanks for saying hi. I hope you liked the little surprise of including you in this post. I can’t wait to get the next two pictures!!!
I have a heavenly advisory board and they are extremely useful. They see things I cannot. They have a perspective from a broader experience. Their input is priceless. This post was very timely as I was just posting a recent channeled message I received from Henry VIII on my Angel Enlightenment blog. I did reach out to him for the purposes of advising me on business although I have reached out to Benjamin Franklin in the past on a particular issue, which was helpful. People who don’t rely on or incorporate the help from heaven, are missing out on this most generous resource.
Now channeling is well beyond anything I have experienced. I simply imagine and envision these past people guiding me. Big Ben Franklin is a great suggestion. I have his Poor Richard’s Almanac and refer to it often. i am going to add him to my board.
I might suggest the next time you want input, center yourself, ask for Ben Franklin to come, sit with a paper and pen and see if you are inspired to write something. You might be pleasantly surprised.
Alright I will try…. it sounds like hocus pocus…. but I have never tried it, so I am not in the position to judge. I will try and share feedback! Thanks.
Hi Mike! I’m reading the pumpkin plan and I was wondering….If you are just starting a business and don’t know who your best customer type will be, should you try and sell to all and then see who measures up and who doesn’t? thanks!
Great, great, great question. The answer is kinda.
When you are starting with no customers, first evaluate yourself. In many cases you represent the best customer (at least parts of them). You likely have the same Immutable Laws (values and guidelines that you live by), you may be the same or similar demographic (male/female, age, interests(, and you have have similar psycho-graphics (thoughts and beliefs).
So, first evaluate yourself and understand your interest in your offering. Then start selling to people like you. But don’t restrict yourself to that. Vary customers and see who comes to you. Watch closely for a commonality in your Top Clients. When they start revealing themselves, the Top Clients that is, start Pumpkin Planning.
Belated comment… I once had a soon-to-be-a-competitor tell me that she was visited by Mary Magdalene in a dream. MM told her to start our type of business and even told her how much to charge per hour. (Interestingly, it was quoted in USD.) Is this what you mean, Mike?
Kinda…. I actually meaning certain guiding principles that they share, that you refer to constantly. It can be their “famous quotes” or a summary of what one more important piece of advice they would share. Something that you can refer to every single day… over and over. The guardrails to your business.
I just added George Washington and Sun Tzu to my board of advisers…
copy cat!
I just added George Washington and Sun Tzu to my board of advisers.
Love Sun Tzu. A very basic concept of understanding with very complex outcomes.
Art of War is a MUST read.