Among the many lessons I learned when I took the Dale Carnegie Course is this: “I know people in the ranks who will stay in the ranks. Why? I’ll tell you why, because they haven’t the ability to get things done.”
Whenever I’m hiring new people for my agency, I look for the ability to get things done. (“No problem” is my favorite phrase.)
People talk (and talk) about getting things done. “I’m going to write a book” or “… getting a portfolio together” but it so rarely happens. Talking about doing things instead of doing them is dead giveaway.
I can say that I’m working on a new marketing book because I’ve already written five or six of them.
Donald Sexauer…
But people with no track record should just do it. Which brings me to my friend Donald Sexauer. He told me that he wanted to write and illustrate a whole series of books about his grandchildren and their pets. When he showed me some of the illustrations, paintings really, that he’d already done, I knew he’d come through.
He wanted books that would be fun for the kids, both of them boys, to read. The stories are based on simple homespun values. And, since he’s a retired English teacher, he wanted to improve their vocabularies.
Moue
Donald is a wonderful artist – two of his painting hang in my living room – so I wasn’t surprised when I saw his initial sketches of the boys’ faces grimacing. He called it a “moue”. It’s a pouty look that can also be an upside down smile. Here is an illustration to the right.
The first book, Kramer Makes David Smile is charming and actually true. It’s about how David (the younger boy) never smiles until he realizes he has so much to be grateful for, and that life is fun. He learns this from Kramer, the family cat.
The book was just perfect book for Donald to read to his grandsons. When people I know heard about the book they started reading it to their children, too.
The second book in the series, Kramer & Jack Make Choices, is tougher. The boys lose their beloved Kramer and learn that although a choice can make them sad, it can be the right choice.
Book Number 3, Kramer??!, just came out and it’s my favorite. Anyone who has ever lost someone dear to them can relate when a special kitten brings new happiness to the boys. The story grabs you right away and the illustrations are so charming that children everywhere will want to see, point to, and cover them with chocolate fingers.
Kramer the cat
The three-book series is now available at Amazon.com. Please order one or two and snuggle up with your own kids to enjoy these wonderful stories. This year I’m hoping the books win an award for the values they teach.
Donald Sexauer is a man who gets things done.
