As a result of overcoming astronomical odds throughout my life, I decided that it was time to put an inspirational-self help book together.

The making of this book actually got started in 2000 and has seen numerous revisions/edits not only with the manuscript itself but also with the title. Thanks to my recent win with Simpleology’s “BeTheNextBestSellingAuthor” video competition (see the entry video here and see the results of the contest here), I am now on track to make my dream of publishing a book a reality because they have custom-made their Bestselling Blueprint just for me.

The first step along this process is to make it available via e-book and then turning it into a hardcover copy, hopefully through a mainstream publishing house.

At this stage, the manuscript is almost 200 pages and contains several bite-sized chapters, “Chicken Soup” style, each of which ends with a life lesson I learned. They range from the impact others have made on my life to daring risks I took to some of the most embarrassing moments. Many of these stories were first written during the early 1990s, shortly after I quit Wall Street.

Here’s a testimonial from Azriela Jaffe, speaker and author of twelve books:

In a world stuffed to the brim with hundreds of thousands of self-help, inspirational books, it is refreshing to enjoy Stephen Hopson’s unique sense of humor, his unbridled optimism, and his insight that comes from not just intellectual knowledge, but really living what he  teaches every single day. I wonder if there’s every a day that Stephen Hopson isn’t smiling. If there is, I bet you and I would never see it.  Reading his book will add a smile to your day, and if you live by his principles, you’ll probably be smiling more than you were before.

After countless revisions, changes and edits, they will soon be put together in a cohesive fashion with never seen by the public photos (in the e-book). Take a look at the proposed table of contents:

Acknowledgments

Preface: “Take a Little Trip with Me”

Part I

• The Jordan Factor
• Power of Persistence
• You’re FIRED!

Part II

• Dare Take Risks: Swimming Championships
• Be The First to Admit You are Wrong
• Bad News

Part III

• It’s Okay to Stumble Along the Way
• The James Bond Lady with Red Lips and Red Wine
• Bluffing Ain’t Gonna Get You Anywhere

Part IV

• Everybody You Meet Has a Lesson Plan for You
• Never Underestimate the Power of Making a Difference
• Scrounging Up the Courage to Be Brave and Take the Leap
• Things Don’t Always Turn Out the Way You Plan
• The Grandmotherly Client From Hell
• Goodbye Wall Street!

Part V

• The World is Conspiring to Bless You If You Just Believe
• The Tale of the Lost Driver’s License: Everything Happens for a Reason
• Praying the Price for Your Dreams
• Have Courage to be Upfront - Car Loan
• Blizzard Housecleaning

Part VI

• The Flight Instructor Who Believed in Me
• Life is a Great Adventure or Nothing
• Overconfidence is Just as Bad as Not Enough
• Adversity at the Barber Shop
• The Leeza Show - Attitude of Gratitude

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