Author
I'd like to share with you a really cool story about something that happened yesterday.
As you may or may not know, back around 1999, as a result of a lot of hard work and perserverence (as well as assistance and contribution from friend Brooks Patton), I became a published author for what was then Macromedia Press (now Adobe Press).
The first book I wrote was a how-to guide for using Flash 4, a technology behind much of the interactive, multimedia content you find on the Web these days.
Over the next 5 years, I went on to write 5 books for Macromedia/Adobe press on the topic of Flash, and sold over 250,000 book worldwide.
In the course of those 5 years, with the popularity of the books, I came in contact with a lot of folks who were gracious enough to share with me the experiences and successes that they say came as a result of the instruction and teaching I provided in my books (many of which also came with video tutorials on a CD).
One of the folks I had the priviledge of meeting (at least virtually) was a fellow by the name of Renaldo Lawrence.
Renaldo contacted me early on in my Flash book-authoring career, sharing with me his successes with what he was creating in Flash, and pumping up my ego by enthusiastically relating to me the role my books and teaching were having on his results.
Like I said, I've sold over 250,000 Flash books over the years, but I can count on one hand the number of readers who I've become as close to as Renaldo.
Over the years, we've each occasionally shot off a short email to each other, just to stay in touch.
Renaldo's love for learning and using Flash has never wavered over the years since he started early on with some of my books as his guide, and as a result, he sent me something in an email yesterday that literally blew me away.
This is what it said...
Because of you Derek and your fantastic tutorials.
Thanks.
Renaldo
(Here's the video at the link he sent me)
The man is being interviewed by Adobe for his success with using Flash and their other tools.
Yes, I said Adobe! :)
How awesome is that?
I got to tell you, when I saw the video, and what Renaldo had accomplished, and he shared with me the impact that my teaching and tutorials had in helping him get to this point, it gave me an immense feeling of satisfaction!
And the crazy thing is...I haven't written a Flash book in nearly 7 years!
I would have never guessed that after the passing of that much time, that something I created some years ago would have even a slight imact on a result as aweome as this one.
I want to congratulate Renaldo for sticking with it and and seeing the fruits of his hard work. As you'll see for yourself by watching the video, something this cool couldn't have happened to a nicer, or kinder person. :)
This experience has validated my personal approach to life and business, and that is...
Focus on providing REAL value to others in everything you do. Always realize that the things you create, write about, and share with others CAN have a huge impact on the lives of others, even if you don't see it - at least initially.
We all have unique gifts and talents, and should be using them to the fullest to make a difference in the lives of others.
If you do, someday you'll have an unforgettable story like this one to share, and you'll experience one of the greatest joys a human being can have!
