QUICK ANNOUNCEMENT BEFORE THE INTERVIEW

Before I start with Part II of my interview with John Wesley, I’d like to make a brief announcement that I finally purchased a camcorder and have actually already made my first video.  However, I ran into a few snags along the way but nothing that can’t be fixed.  I expect to have my first video post up and running either Thursday or Saturday.  Or hey, maybe I’ll even make it part of the weekly gratitude post?  Yes - that’s what I’ll do because this techo-phobe will be so grateful to have finally done it!

I’m trying to get the video converted into a file that Windows Movie Player will accept.  Apparently my new camcorder only produces MP-4 video files, which is incompatible with the aforementioned movie program that came with this computer.  Fortunately, I found a free video file conversion program online but they’re taking forever to email me the converted file.  I am doing it this way because I heard Windows Movie Player will allow me to add subtitles for the benefit of deaf and hard of hearing readers/visitors.  My goal is to be all-inclusive - this is a place where EVERYONE IS WELCOME.  So I’m getting there!

Having made that little announcement, let’s move on to the most anticipated interview of the week with John Wesley of the very popular PickTheBrain personal development blog.  If you are a new visitor, you might want to take a moment to familiarize yourself:

• Stephen Hopson Interviews  - (What is it all about?)
• Part I Interview with John Wesley (last week) -  (I asked him 9 questions).

Okay, John, welcome back to Stephen Hopson Interviews!   Hope your week went well.  We’re all glad to have you back here.  Shall we?

10.  John, at Adversity University, I often talk about the value of  changing our perceptions in order to deal with adversity.  How have  you dealt with adversity in your life?  Give us specific examples of  adversity and what you did to overcome them.

I think everyone deals with adversity, no matter how blessed, but as far as my life has gone I’ve been extremely lucky. In many senses that’s been what I’ve had to overcome. It took me many years of coasting and a lackadaisical attitude before I realized how hard I’d have to work to get the life I really want.

Stephen’s Response:  You’re right, adversity does not discriminate - no one is immune from it.  It’s the one thing that ties everyone together - regardless of where they are in society.  And the meaning of “adversity” can mean different things to different people. What’s adversarial to someone else may not be the same thing to you or me and vice versa. 

11.  What would you say was the defining moment that forever changed the course of your life?  Was it someone who made an impact on you  or was it a spiritual revelation?

I think I finally got on track when I realized what it means to have a career that is source of passion and joy. Before then I’d looked at work as a sort of necessary evil. We spend the majority of lives at work, if you can’t find something that really moves you it’s hard to be completely fulfilled.

Stephen’s Response:  Isn’t it interesting that everything is a matter of perception?  You made a very important point here because there are millions of people who see their 9 to 5 job as a “necessary evil.”  And because of that, it becomes their reality, until they realize it’s possible, like you did, to find something that really moves you in order to be fulfilled.   This is a subject I frequently bring up in my keynote presentations - I try to emphasize how important it is to understand the power of our perceptions.  Our life is shaped by our perceptions.  In other words, it’s not what happens to us but how we deal with and perceive what happens to us.   Make sense?

12.  What books, blogs and/or mentors have influenced you and why?

Well, I must tell you that Steve Pavlina was the blogger who inspired me to start my own blog. Aside from that I’ve read so many great books that have made me think that it’s hard to name them all. Ralph Waldo Emerson is one of my favorites and I’ve also learned a lot from fictional writing. I’d encourage everyone to read as much as you can and follow what interests you. With me it seems that one book/author always leads to another.

Stephen’s Response:  You know, I would have to say Pavlina was also one of those who inspired me early on.  Speaking of fictional writing, have you ever heard of The Shack? It’s a book of fiction that is destined to become a literary classic because of how well written it is.  It’s actually a self-published book (available via Amazon) that’s fast becoming a best-seller.  There’s even a movie in the works.  If you’re open to reading another way of seeing God, the way we deal with each other and why bad things happen to good people, I highly recommend it.  I read it twice in one week!  Now I can’t stop talking about it.   

13. Name the top 5 articles from PickTheBrain that you believe readers at Adversity University could benefit from. 

1. How to Motivate Yourself
2. Powerful Relaxation Techniques
3. George Orwell’s Rules for Effective Writing
4. The Only TIme Management Tip You Really Need
5. Wake Up to the Important Things in Life

14.  What do you hope God will have to say to you when you arrive at  the Pearly Gates?

“I understand.”

Stephen’s Response:  What a simple yet powerful answer!  It made me smile because that would be like God, wouldn’t it?  He knows and understands everything about us.  

15.  Being deaf, I am always curious to know which sounds other people love and hate to hear.  Tell us a sound you absolutely adore and a sound you detest.

I love the sound of bacon sizzling in a frying pan. I hate most cell phone ringtones after I’ve heard them a bunch of times which is why I almost always keep my phone on vibrate.

Stephen’s Response:  You know what’s funny about bacon sizzling in a frying pan?  I associate it with painful squirts of hot oil splattering all over my arms!   As for cell phones, some people say I’m blessed not to have one.  Well, I’m not exactly sure about that but then again, it’s all a matter of perception, hmmmm? 

16.  We all have our likes and dislikes.  What would you say turns you on and what turns you off?  Give the first answer that comes to your  mind without censoring or editing it.

Funny you mentioned without censoring, because I love honest, uncensored ideas and emotions. When people really let it all go without worrying about how they’ll be judged is when the good stuff comes out. On the flip side I detest phony-ness. I think this is why more people are leaving mainstream media and going to blogs — it’s much easier to relate to a human voice instead of a corporation.

Stephen’s Response:  Why do you think I’m doing my first video post soon?  It’ll give me a chance to reveal my true colors, without censoring what I want to say and not worry about being judged.  You’re right - when we don’t worry, the good stuff comes pouring out.  It feels great when that happens.  I feel lighter, you know?  As for phony-ness, I can spot it a mile away but I try not to judge.   

17.  What is your favorite word?  Least favorite?

Well, I actually hate the word “blog” as ironic as that is. I think it sounds terrible (think hog, smog, frog, etc.) and undermines the credibility of a truly powerful medium. My favorite word I can’t really say, it all depends on the context and meaning surrounding it.

Stephen’s Response:  That really is ironic, considering you’re one of the most influential bloggers around.  How interesting is that?  Well, I never thought of “blog” rhyming with hog, smog and frog - that’s really funny!  Before you know it, someone will come up with something like “The Frog Blog.”  Or how about “Smog Me Awake Blog.”   You try it…..let’s see if you can come up with something funnier. 

18.  What’s next for John Wesley?

I just started a new job, doing something I love, that actually came about because of my work on PickTheBrain. It’s an internet startup that involves a theme similar to PTB, but also plans to do much much more. The site is still in development so I can’t refer you there yet, but if I have anything to say about it you’ll be hearing a lot about our company in the coming year.

Stephen’s Response:  Congratulations John.  I know it’s a big thing to pack up all your belongings and move to a different state for a new job.  I did that when I quit Wall Street in the late 1990’s and packed everything I owned in a 10 (or maybe it was a 14) foot Penske truck and drove 1000 miles to start over.  Good luck with the Internet startup venture.  Let me know if I can help you in any way.

19.  And finally but not least, where can we find out more about you?

To be honest, I haven’t really put my life story up on the web. Not because I don’t want to share with people, but every attempt I’ve ever made at explaining myself has always felt like an incomplete picture.  This aggravates me and I always find myself deleting my old bios. I do plan to launch a personal site in the next few months though, so when that happens you’ll be the first to know.

Stephen’s Response:  That’s actually why I thought this interview was a good idea so that people can have an opportunity to take a peek at who you are and what makes you tick.  It gives your readers, my readers and the rest of the world an opportunity to make a connection with you.  I think we accomplished that with both of our interviews, don’t you think? 

Turning to the audience:  Well, everyone, did you like meeting John or what?  Everyone who comes through here is a bit different and that’s what I like about what we’ve done so far.  So far Stephen Hopson Interviews has hosted a self proclaimed monk, a lady who once hitchhiked across America and a guy who admitted in a very public way that he once thought about and attempted suicide yet went on to make a better life for himself.  All of them shared amazing, yet different stories. 

Next week we will have Phil Gerbyshak of “Make it GREAT!” followed by Howard Putnam, former CEO of Southwest. 

Until the next time we converse, enjoy the rest of your week!

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