The Inevitable You® Live Life by Design
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The Inevitable You® Live Life by Design William Sumner The Inevitable You Live Life By Design by William Sumner Copyright © 2011 William Sumner. All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. Limit of liability/disclaimer of warranty: THIS PUBLICATION IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE COMPETENT AND RELIABLE INFORMATION REGARDING THE SUBJECT MATTER COVERED. HOWEVER, IT IS SOLD WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT THE AUTHOR AND PUBLISHER ARE NOT ENGAGED IN RENDERING LEGAL, FINANCIAL, MEDICAL, OR OTHER PROFESSIONAL ADVICE. LAWS AND PRACTICES OFTEN VARY FROM STATE TO STATE AND IF LEGAL OR OTHER EXPERT ASSISTANCE IS REQUIRED, THE SERVICES OF A PROFESSIONAL SHOULD BE SOUGHT. THE AUTHOR AND PUBLISHER SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIM ANY LIABILITY THAT IS INCURRED FROM THE USE OR APPLICATION OF THE CONTENTS OF THIS BOOK. The publisher and the author make no representations or warranties with respect to the accuracy or completeness of the contents of this work and specifically disclaim all warranties, including without limitation warranties of fitness for a particular purpose. No warranty may be created or extended by sales or promotional materials. The advice and strategies contained herein may not be suitable for every situation. This work is sold with the understanding that the author and publisher are not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional services. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought. The contents of this work are intended to further general scientific research, understanding, and discussion only and are not intended and should not be relied upon as recommending or promoting a specific method, diagnosis, or treatment for any particular reader/ listener. The publisher and the author make no representations or warranties with respect to the accuracy or completeness of the contents of this work and specifically disclaim all warranties, including without limitation any implied warranties of fitness for a particular purpose. ISBN: 978-0-9835694-1-1 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS When I sat down and really reflected on whose DNA and input is in this book, I discovered there were a number of people to acknowledge. In my earliest life, playing football in Beavercreek, OH—Larry West, Paul Martin, and Bevan Garwood taught me the true meaning of greatness not only on the athletic fields of life, but even more importantly, off the fields, where it really started. At the same time, a number of teachers were instrumental in my mind’s development, too many to mention all by name. Of note, however, Mrs. Gordon and Mrs. Van Ausdal, my English teachers, were unbelievable in so many ways. They challenged me to grow, and I will forever be in their debt. Off to West Point, I met and experienced many outstanding officers and instructors, and some not so outstanding. Sometimes you learn more from the “not outstanding” ones than you do the good ones. Some people are in your life to inspire you, and some people serve as a warning. Of particular note was LTC Aschentino—that in a pivotal three‐day period in the summer of 1975 he fundamentally changed my life is undisputable. I hope he knows what a truly outstanding leader he was for me. My classmates, Proud and Great ’78, then and now continue to inspire me. Many continue to serve and have risen to great ranks, and many continued their greatness in other endeavors. My hat’s off to all of you. When I joined the real Army, the soldiers and non‐commissioned officers who took a wet‐nose officer under their wing are too numerous to mention, but this does not lessen the deep gratitude in my heart for each and every one of you. Germany and the Men of the Marne Division, and especially my last assignment with the Rangers, for all my officers and NCOs cadre of Camp Darby— ooh‐ra! You all rock! Your dedication to the mission and your professionalism to this day has never been equaled anywhere in my life. Moving into “civilian” life in 1984—what a motivating business laboratory did I find! MCI was truly the “Wild West,” and reporting into Texas to work for Skip Knowles along with Jim Gillum, Dennis McCumbee, Chris Craven, and the whole management team, I was again, a “wet‐nose” young business manager deeply out of his element and eager to learn. They took me under their wings, and I am deeply indebted to all of them. Deserving special attention here is George Tronsrue. As my classmate at West Point, we went off to Germany and came back to Ft. Benning together—he was instrumental in helping me into MCI, and he also helped form the next pivotal chapter of my life. Metropolitan Fiber Systems began life as Chicago Fiber Optics where I was the third employee, right behind George, working for Tony Pompliano. I cannot say enough about Tony. We joked, but it was oh so true—we experienced life there in “dog years.” And truly, working for Tony was as hard as cramming seven years of work into one year, but he made sure we extracted seven years of experience, too. He was a great man, I loved his laugh and rough humor, and I miss him dearly. Shifting back to MCI, I was extremely fortunate to work with some true superstars: Dan McGuigan, Andy Barrie, our client John Sandberg, and again, just too many people to mention. Life in the telecom revolution was grand indeed! My life shifted again with the decision to obtain my Masters in Social Work. Aurora University had some of the finest, deepest, most‐caring, and most‐compassionate professionals I ever experienced. While all the dedicated staff deserves accolades, I would single out Dr. Janet Yanos and Dr. Sara Bonkowski as having a most profound impact on my professional development. I owe them a deep debt of gratitude. Dr. Bonkowski was, especially, the professor who guided my Master’s thesis which was published in 1997, a somewhat uncommon distinguished event, and I owe Sally deeply for that. When I moved to Denver, the second job I had was with the US West Cable Group, and I moved out to California to aid in the acquisition and transition of Continental Cablevision. Again, you cannot imagine my luck! I have won so many lotteries in my life, and this was another profound one. One of the finest leaders I ever served under, Trey Smith, led a group of professionals who were simply amazing. Marwan Fawaz, Cindy Chalfant, Jim Matusoff and more, were kind to an inexperienced “bell head.” They ensured my success! “Thank you” does not even begin to cover it. And once again, my life spun to a radically new chapter. Departing corporate life in 2001, to begin this chapter of my life, within three months, I ran into Tony Robbins and RRI. That relationship has been wildly beneficial for me as I experienced profound new technologies and viewpoints. Of special note, Shore Slocum, Gary King, Jill Blessing, Rob Shelton and so many more opened their hearts and minds to educate me in a new arena. I am grateful to each and every one. Their impact to the content in this book is deep. So in the last ten years, several other people deserve special mention. Eric Remer, Jim Scott, Andrew Albarelle, Steve Goldman, and Pete Leavell were instrumental in their own ways to challenge me, resource me, and while I took care of them the best that I could, I am deeply moved by their complete and total contributions to this project. They know what they did; they may not know how much it meant to me. Words cannot describe it; I am again limited to a “thank you” which is inadequate. On this book itself, Jill Blessing deserves special mention. As Jib‐Jab’s tag line is “Brilliant,” I could not say that enough for her contribution. She took my voice… and made it better! She wrote in my voice, thought like me and better! Her DNA is deep in this book. I cannot tell you how amazing she is. I am deeply in her debt. Of HUGE note—I must thank all my clients! Your DNA is DEFINITELY here! You have taught me, tolerated me, laughed at me/with me, cried, been moved, moved me… and so, so many more complex interactions. To each and every one of you… deeply… I say to you: I am honored you shared your most Sacred You with me. Without you, this project would never have become real. Thank you all… Of special note: Walter Goodwin, my brother, what can I say? You know what you gave me. Without you, there is certainly not this version of me! Thank you! Bob Olds, my best friend and confidant since 1974 when two hayseeds from Ohio went to see the big city—I need no other words for you! Tim Taylor and Jim Nalepa, my D‐3 mates—to this day, you still inspire and move me. Thanks for your friendship and support. Dr Robert Blaich: twice‐monthly lunches for almost 18 years have enriched me with your wisdom, kindness, depth, and grace. Thank you. I know this world so much better for having known you. For my family: My sister Judy, who has risked much for my success, no words can express what you mean to me, to the project, to every word in this system. Big Sis: thanks for your sacrifices for me and for The Inevitable® Clients…. For my mother and father, Janet Mae and Ralph Sumner, they gave their all to me growing up so that I had a chance to succeed.