From: Mark Hoverson
Date: Mon, Mar 22, 2010 at 7:10 AM
Subject: I lost $13K this weekend? Let me explain
To: Jerry

Greetings from Mark Hoverson,

***Please note, I’m writing this at 11:48am Sunday night, and time-releasing it around 7am Monday morning.

So this weekend I lost about $13K.

Here’s why:

This afternoon a friend was over for supper (Tbones, asparagus, baked baby potatoes, and ice cold Coke from the glass bottle…the kind with real cane sugar instead of the high fructose goo because it tastes way better that way).

Anyway, before we ate, we had our oldest Isaac (7 yrs), read a passage from the Bible and then I quizzed my kids on what was written (we definitely don’t do that every night, but I like using the Bible as our dinner table appetizer because of the variety of stories, poems, songs, and critical-thinking ethical issues it poses for the kids. It’s a basic bonanza of fodder for stimulating conversation).

Moving on…

After supper, my buddy watches Shanny & I as we train our little kids how to completely clear the messy dinner table (cleaning plates, wiping table, cleaning floors, putting away salts/peppers/sauces/etc).

Then suddenly, my buddy gets this reflective, philosophical look in his eye and says…

“You know Mark… I teach a 7th grade Sunday school class of about 8 kids and today every single one of them said they have been diagnosed with ADHD, ADD, and other stuff…and I think all of them are on meds for it.”

So, let’s snap back to me losing $13K this weekend…and why I really don’t care.

I was asked to speak at a really cool internet conference this weekend. And I was truly honored at the invitation. Speaking would have yielded me at least $13ish thousand (estimated based on what usually happens if I speak), and some new teammates and join venture partners, and some friends/connections/more exposure/blah blah blah…

But, why did I politely decline the invite?
And thus forgo all benefits involved?

Very simple:

#1- I only like to travel if I am going to see my teammates. Or going on a flat-out vacation.

#2- My high school buddies & I also played in a basketball tourny this weekend and hanging out in a pub with them after a game is literally priceless.

#3- I have been able to grow my business to a point where $13K isn’t enough to motivate me to spend a weekend away from my wife and kids.

Okay, so back to my friend’s comment on the drugged up kids in his Sunday school. (ps–if you have kids with those issues, what I’m about to write isn’t meant to be a guilt trip so no worries.

Anyway, one of my all-time favorite direct response marketers is Dan Kennedy. He is a genius. I love his writing and his thoughts dearly. If I ever meet him, I will hug him.

But, one of his books I’m reading right now talks about his schedule and commitment to working. He mentions a couple divorces he’s had, and how he looks forward to one day knowing “leisurely mornings” and whatever (he’s probably close to 60yrs & is the most transparent honest writer I’ve ever read by the way).

I was reading through his confessions about the toll business has put on him and I said to myself, “Forget that.”

Thus, here is some of my new developing manifesto:

#1- My kids are not going to be drugged up because they were stuck infront of a TV because Dad was out there working like an idiot and Mom was so busy cleaning the house she didn’t have time for them. They will have order, vision, and intimacy with human beings…they will be stretched, active, and challenged to live purposefully.

#2- I am not going to let this recession pass me by without acquiring massive riches through the amazingly cheap infustructure & distribution of an online business.

#3- I am not going to play small in this recession because that’s what everyone else is doing. And I learned early in life that the “majority” of people are a very bad demographic to follow.

#4- I am re-reading “The 4 Hour Workweek” by Timothy Ferris over and over and over again because that book has allowed me to radically sky my income & my time-off “at the same time.”

#5- Unlike my dear mentor Dan Kennedy, I am not going to wait until some boring retirement at age 65 to have a “leisurely morning” so I can reflect on a life that I wish I would have pursued if I just had some guts & wisdom when I was younger. Speaking of leisurely mornings, here’s a 27-second video my wife grabbed of my Gracie & I catching leaves outside this Fall (the epitome of my perfect morning).

#6- It dawned on me that my business is to fuel my passions. And thus, my passions are to fuel my business. Bottomline: through the mobility of the web & the ever-growing necessity of transparent branding, I am going to use my business to “fund” my heart’s desires (like I’m doing an IronMan in Hawaii this June). But, the beautiful thing is:I am using the IronMan as a rally point for creating a team of adventurepreneurs who are committed to travel, wealth, health and time freedom, and personal mastery. Thus, my business & my passions are intertwined at such a level that I feel almost the same whether I’m working or playing. I admit this is a rare blessing uniquely available to the new breed of adventurepreneurs (and yes I will get my book cranked out on exactly what an adventurepreneur is someday soon).

Cheers,
Mark Hoverson

ps…stay tuned for emails from me. I have some killer stuff for you rolling out in the weeks and months ahead.

ps…if you didn’t see the drama about my credit score, it’s here: credit saga

800 Oldham Ave, Manvel, ND, 58256