Most self-help truths are obvious but obvious truths are often forgotten. We need reminding of them again and again.

Chris de la Rosa gave one such reminder in connection with network marketing:

"There is no magic potion to success in network marketing, or we would all be millionaires. The key is hard work and proper training."

Hard work and proper training is the key to success, not only in network marketing, but in most things

In the UK recently there have been two competitions involving celebrities learning ballroom dancing and ice dancing.

In both competitions, hard work and training from a professional partner for only a few weeks transformed the untalented into reasonable performers and the talented into professionals.

The winner of the ballroom dancing competition who had reached a professional standard told a fellow actress (who was competing in the ice dancing):

"When you put the work in at rehearsal you can actually go out and enjoy it."

It is much easier to enjoy your work, if you reach a professional standard in it.

A professional standard could be defined as the standard achieved by someone when they consistently do something well and without obvious effort. They can even smile like James Bond as he completes his toughest assignments.

The main way to achieve such a standard is through hard work and training.

You can then enjoy performing like a professional. People will treat you with respect and you will know that you are doing a good job.

Pay for some training, work hard and start enjoying yourself.

Someone might say they cannot afford to pay for training. They might need to work hard at something else until they can afford the necessary training.

Alternatively they could take the longer, harder route of training themselves and learning from their own mistakes.

Nothing is impossible if you challenge your own self-limiting beliefs and watch your true self emerge like a giant from within.

John Watson

John Watson was born in Shanghai at the start of World War II on Dec 31st 1939

His father, a British civil engineer, was given the choice of working in the mines of Northern China for the occupying forces or going to a concentration camp. He refused to work for the invading forces.

As a result the whole family were imprisoned in a concentration camp in the middle of China in 1942. Eric Liddell (featured in the Chariots of Fire) the Scottish runner and missionary was imprisoned in the same camp.

In 1945 the family was rescued by American troops who were parachuted in. John's most treasured possession from this time is a plane made of bullets given him by one of the US soldiers. The tail parts have been lost but most of it remains. He also remembers being given a bottle of coca cola by one of the US troops and has been an addict ever since!

They moved to England and then, when John's father died, to the Isle of Man.

John went to school in the Isle of Man and then taught Physical Education at a prep school in Hertfordshire. Around this time he had three mystical experiences of contact with God.

He then studied English Literature at Cambridge University and later became an English teacher in South East London but, after 5 years, he did a diploma in Religious Studies and began teaching about religion full time.

After 33 years teaching in three London Comprehensive schools, John retired from teaching. He received several awards and commendations for teaching both religious studies and the martial arts. He still teaches martial arts after beginning training in karate at the age of 37. The style he now teaches is Choikwangdo, a brilliant self-defence and health oriented style founded by Grandmaster Kwang Jo Choi in 1987.

In his retirement he began studying internet marketing and continued his study of the psychology of achievement and self development. This has always been a key interest.

John plans on writing reports and books on both teaching and on achievement in general. He feels that many schools let their students down by not teaching enough about how to study (by using mind maps for example) and about how to set goals and how to start saving money for their early retirement!

John's main aim is to make the most of his own potential and to help others make the most of their's. He also wishes to pass on whatever he knows of the meaning of life and to discover more and share more about the truths behind the universe.