Create lifetime memories for those you love…
My Father, Joe, has been threatening to take flying lessons for nearly 3 years now.
He’s got a bit of an adventurous spirit that’s been squashed somewhat by my stepmother, Adela. She’ll say, “Joseph, don’t be stupid. Only Yanik can do such stupid things.” Or, “You’re not a young man anymore.” Of course she means well but she’s got to be the biggest worrier on the planet.
Seriously. If Missy and I don’t answer our phones she automatically thinks the worst. Or if I call and don’t leave a message – she checks caller ID and wants to know what’s wrong. I don’t get it – but whatever.
So anytime the subject of flying lessons came up – Adela would promptly shut it down. Fine.
I was reading a book the other day by Phil Keoghan called “No Opportunity Wasted”. Phil and I must share a little bit of the same DNA because the guy is a pretty amazing adventurer and his book is designed to get people to get off their butts and go experience life to the fullest. (You might recognize Phil because he’s the host of the Amazing Race TV show.)
One chapter in there presented the question about what dreams could you make come true for someone else you care about. I immediately thought of my Dad and got to work on my plan to ambush him. I told him I needed a ride to the private air park on Saturday because Missy couldn’t take me and then I made up some excuse about not being able to leave my car there for a week. I said I was flying private to Vegas for my Mastermind meeting.
One of my hockey teammates owns a Cirrus 4-seater jet and one of my other hockey teammates is a pilot so the trap was set. I could tell he was a little annoyed for having to pick me up at my house and drive me over there. We pull up to the tiny airplane and Joe asks me, “Are you sure you’re going to be ok in this to Vegas?”
And I turn right around with a big smile and tell him, “Actually hopefully you’ll be ok in there.”
I don’t think it quite registered and then I told him this was his first flying lesson for his birthday (which was the next day). He kinda stood there for a moment wavering and deciding whether he should follow his heart or do what his wife would want him to. It took about 5 seconds and said, “Let’s go.”
Even though Missy told me I shouldn’t get in the plane with him I thought better of it and jumped into the backseat. I was a tiny bit worried because Joe couldn’t hear Brian (the pilot) in his headset telling him to NOT touch the pedals. Yikes! But he got the headsets figured out and Brian even let him take off and land (with his help of course).
Here are a couple pics and video of him flying:
Once we landed, Joe gave me a hug and told me what a surprise it was and thanked me repeatability for making it happen. My step-mother, Adela, had been calling his phone several times and trying to track him down and he got a bit of an earful from her (and so did I). But I wouldn’t have changed a thing.That element of surprise and letting people experience their dreams was so rewarding.It’s well worth setting something like this up for someone you care about.I think you’ll be amazed at the response and how it makes you feel. Personally, I get incredible joy and a sense of accomplishment when I knock things off my own “Big List” but this was a different feeling helping my Dad get one of his done.
* Update *
I’ve found a great resource to help you create cool memories for people you care about. It’s called Cloud9Living and it’s an awesome spot to search for experiences around the country (U.S. only at this point.). Everything from thrilling adventures to one-of-a-kind learning events. Even if you don’t know exactly what to get someone – you can pick-up a gift certificate. I gave Cloud9 Gift certs to some of my team members and top affiliates. They have a really cool presentation box that’s worth buying just to see what they do.
I’ve worked out a special deal for InternetLifestyle.com blog readers. Make sure you put in ‘SILVER09′ at check-out for free shipping on any gift certificates you purchase.
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I did fly to Vegas the next day just not on my buddy’s plane…
I was there for about a week for the final meeting of my MasterMind groups I run. Plus, each year we also do an optional adventure activity and this time was an F-1 racing day at the Vegas Speedway. We had about 24 of us come out from the MasterMind members plus a few of my Internet buddies like Jeff Mulligan and Brad Fallon came out. And I brought the winner of the affiliate contest of the ‘Brain-in-a-Box’ launch, Chris Zavadowski out as one of his prizes.
We did 24 laps in a 600 hp Indy-style open wheel race car.
It was pretty awesome except for the weather on the track was brutal. It was probably 20 degrees colder than it should have been and nobody brought gloves or anything else warm. My hands were numb by the time I hit pit road. I’m going to blame my numb hands on the following video:
I hit 155.99 mph as my top speed and Ryan Deiss beat me by .01 mph – I couldn’t believe it. We had a good time screwing around with people and changing their speed because the gals working could enter in any speed we wanted. For Mulligan I gave him an 89.3 mph top speed and he just shook his head in disbelief when he got out of the car. He actually hit 159 and Brad Fallon just inched him out by a few tenths.
I’ll have lots of cool updates for you guys because I’m up in New York for the Virgin Galactic unveiling of SpaceShip Two. Missy and I have got a party tonight with the other ‘astronauts’ and Richard Branson. And then next week I’m off on the premiere Maverick Business Adventures trip. So lots to report back on soon. Stay tuned….
January 23rd, 2008 at 8:22 pm
Good post Yanik. It seems we humans spend a lot of our lives “waiting” instead of living in the now.
Darwin
January 23rd, 2008 at 9:06 pm
Hi Yanik,
Wicked cool what you did for you dad.
I think every one needs a nudge or a shove everyonce in a while.
Your friend,
Koorosh
January 23rd, 2008 at 10:07 pm
Great kidnapping plan Yanik! The value of living ones dreams should be taught in schools.
Karen
January 24th, 2008 at 5:55 am
Yanik, AMEN! I heard a quote a long time ago that said, “You can get anything you want in this world if you will help enough other people get what they want!”
If we make our lives about others and their success, success will seek us out as well! All that is missing usually is simply taking action on it.
Thanks for your post and setting the example.
January 24th, 2008 at 7:29 am
Hey,
That was awesome. I mean what you did for your dad.
I want to do things like that for my family.
I bet he(your dad) was so suprised when he realized what was
happening.
I am sure this is going to be my year Yanik. I am finally going
to make it on the internet.
This is one of the first things I want to do. Give my family things I never could have given them before. New house for my mom, nice car for
my daughter. I know it feels so good to give but I don’t know how good it feels to give someone their dream come true. I will know, soon.
I’ll bet your dad is so proud of you.
Can’t wait to hear about your Maverick Adventures and also
about Richard Branson and Virgin.
See ya,
Tammy
January 24th, 2008 at 10:40 am
Hi Yanik,
As usual, enjoyed the post. It was especially meaningful to me this time as I was with my older brother when he took his last breath on Jan. 9. He was only 41 years old. Enjoy, appreciate and share with the ones you love while you can. You never know when life will throw you a curve ball.
Joyce
January 24th, 2008 at 12:57 pm
WOW! I’m totally jealous. I’ve always wanted to get my pilot’s license and fly. I agree with Tammy. I also think that’s awesome. 2008 will be a great year. One of the most important things is going to be your mindset.
Yanik,
Thanks for everything you’ve given to internet marketers around the world.
-Curtis.
January 31st, 2008 at 11:20 am
Gimme that, Yanik Silver!
Great one bro…
Ian del Carmen
http://FireballPlanet.com
January 31st, 2008 at 11:46 am
Great info Yanik,
Like the surprise for Dad! F1 racing day looked really fun.
Cheers,
John
February 1st, 2008 at 5:01 am
Hi Yanik
Everytime I read one or two of your articles I become very motivated. I also last year download one of your ebooks and I enjoy it so much.
I think the reason we fail is because we fail to reason and this means we will never succeed if we keep on looking at what will come next (obstacles).
I have been doing this business for the past 4 years and I never give up even though I made less money on commissions. The only reason I don’t is because education never stops but we stop when we die.
Keep up the good work.
Johannes Mongatane
South Africa
http://www.bravechoices.com
February 3rd, 2008 at 3:04 am
Thanks for the flashback, Yanik.
I did something similar for the first ‘annivarsary’ of going out with my boyfriend. He’d mentioned he’d always wanted to fly a helicopter, so that was what I got him. Not having an internet lifestyle (yet, but working on it), I got it on my day job salary. It’s amazing how many really cool, fun experiences you can give someone without having to win the lottery or own a six figure business.
I still remember the smile on his face when he stepped back down from that tiny little perspex bubble thing (no way would you have got ME into it!) but from what he said afterwards, the biggest impact it had on him was the fact that I’d listened to what he said about his dreams and remembered it…
That part of it didn’t cost me anything.
Crystal
http://www.crystalsquest.com
February 5th, 2008 at 3:36 pm
[...] Create lifetime memories for those you loveWhat a son does for his Dad’s birthday and making cool memories Submitted: 4 days ago Category: Offbeat Submitter: RssFeed Website: http://www.internetlifestyle.com Report this link: Click here to report Comments: 0 [...]
February 6th, 2008 at 12:23 pm
I believe that was indeed a great experience. Keep on keeping on with your creative mind. All the best of luck.
February 7th, 2008 at 4:37 am
Thanks
November 15th, 2008 at 7:29 am
GOD has many way to Bless people…
Due to unemployment this year I have come up with idea that has helped any graduates of which was an Internship program for Graduates and unemplyed individuals who might in a long run might become criminals just because they don’t have food and mostly thir needs.
I had nothing but a telephone and PC.
What I did was to go to one of the govnerment agencies especialy the skills development and asked them if they do have job for me.
The first thing the manager said to me was; “What can you do?” I said to him I have an idea and my idea need the support of unemployed individuals which includes those that are still graduating.
I said if we can have companies that are willing to train this individuals they will be able to secure themselves once they are out of school as everyone seems to look for an experience.
How about Internship programs? The manager said; “How are we going to find this people? The I said I will give you them. BUT the question is how many do you want and when. He look at me and said I need 200 graduates by next month. Then I said to him, you will have that by Monday and you will have more than what you are looking for.
He did not believe me. By that Monday his office run crazy as 450 graduate keeps coming in.
By February we had 200 in 6 months Call Centre Internship program and as I am writting this yesterday 40 done interview and Monday they are going to start training with the company for 3 months and if they prove themselves they will work for that particular company. All in all 115 are working now and 60 on the row.
Miracles don’t just happen BUT YOU make them happen?
June 14th, 2009 at 10:42 am
What an awesome post Yanik!
Thank you so much for sharing your experiences with your dad with us.
I love the “ambush” method.
I used it myself a few years back. A friend and I had long talked about skydiving but never made any definitive plans. So, one day I simply said “let’s go!” I think that he was pretty nervous but I wouldn’t let up. Oddly enough I waited until I got to the point of jumping to feel pure terror – by that time my FRIEND was fine; lol. But we both had the experience of a lifetime.
Taking piloting lessons is actually on my list …
** Pam, perfect. So great. We all tend to keep saying ‘I’ll get around to it’ – but you did it! – Y.S. **
June 14th, 2009 at 1:00 pm
Hi there..
This is a great social proof that whatever that you’re doing right now to make money is excellent.How many people here can afford to take a ride or drive their own planes?(at least rented one)
Bravo!!You’ve been a source of motivation for me personally and also business wise.
Goo day!!
June 14th, 2009 at 1:54 pm
Hi Yanik
What an awsome suprise for your Dad.
Thanks for reminding us that this is what life is all about. if we take the time to stop and enjoy those moments
To give is the greatest gift and is one of the 5 business priciples, without this charity, one will not bloom or prosper to the fullest.
As Pam says it’s somewhere on our to list as is mine thanks for th nudge.
The stratergy is to include it in our plans from now on period. Family, Friends and Customers.
June 14th, 2009 at 3:50 pm
Yanik,
Great post. I was just listening to something on the radio this morning and they were referring to a song by Tim McGraw “Live like you were dying” and now today I read this post. I think someone is telling me to start living. I am going to check out the site you recommended and also go check something off my bucket list. Thanks for the motivation!
June 14th, 2009 at 6:20 pm
I’m off to check out cloud 9 Living Yanik. It was a great thought for your Dad, there is always that thought for or about others with you and invariably with it, a thought provoking story. Keep them coming Yanik I
would’nt miss them for anything.
June 14th, 2009 at 6:43 pm
Hi Yanik,
Love your mail, very motivating
God Bless
June 15th, 2009 at 4:33 am
Yo Dude, good job taking care of your Dad.
Believe it or not, I STILL remember you sending me a text w/ a belated happy father’s day and checking in on me, that was HUGE for me and shows what it can do for someone (friends, family AND Biz).
I’m sending you an EARLY Happy Father’s Day!
Thanks bruddah and hope to see U soon!
–Z–
June 18th, 2009 at 7:29 am
He ! Yanik
You are VERY MOTIVATING every DAY !
Every day, neue IDEA.
One momement ! I will send my photo.
Tomorrov I go to CROATIA with polnishe grupe.
Thanks for Your hard JOB.
Kazimiera