The Devil, $10 million, the Detail and how you use it.

Who or what has been the biggest influence in your life?

I remember way back when I was a young boy...

My businessman, bespectacled grandfather struck a deal with me. I can still recall his sturdy words to me now, “Joseph, if you agree to learn to play the violin, I will gift you my 3 prize violins.”

Without hesitation, I accepted his offer, shook hands to seal the deal and took possession of the said instruments.

The treasured trio consisted of a ? size violin and two full sized violins. Beautifully crafted, one of the full-sized violins had a label inside which you could see through the left-hand F-hole, identifying Stradivarius as the maker.

Now as a 13-year-old boy I knew little of the celebrated status a violin made by Stradivarius commanded. All I knew was I had entered into a binding agreement that meant I had to improve my performance. Looking back now, it comes as no surprise that the greater the effort I put in practicing to play the violin, the more I enjoyed its sound and the better I became.

Which, by the way, came as some relief to my parents and my neighbours because...

During the early days, my only appreciative audience seemed to be next doors tom cat.

The spring of 1976 was memorable because a fabulous music teacher named Mr Watson was appointed as the Head of the Music department at my comprehensive school in Widnes. Mr Watson, a 60-year-old, grey haired and balding man who stood at a towering 6 foot 3 inches, proved to be a legend and he commanded any room he entered.

He operated on the firm, fair, and friendly principle and quickly earned the respect of his fellow teachers and pupils alike.

A seasoned musician who formerly played Cello with the London Philharmonic orchestra, Mr Watson brought his larger-than-life experience to our school and successfully enthused a group of often unruly kids to form an orchestra of talented angels (though some may contest the angelic reference)

In the summer of the same year...

(As mentioned in my Newsletter edition 7) I was involved in a road traffic incident and sustained serious injuries. My right arm was paralysed which meant I would not play my violin again. Or so everyone thought.

It was exactly at this time that Mr Watson stepped in, helped my distraught parents, and mentored me. He even arranged for me to receive violin lessons with a Miss Donnan. Miss Donnan was a very well-spoken and distinguished lady who played the violin to an impeccable standard with the Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.

I remember my mum driving me to my first lesson in Aigburth, Liverpool.

Nervously opening the imposing wrought iron gate of her mansion...

I walked up the winding pathway, rang the massive doorbell, and waited to be greeted shortly after by her charming and welcoming character. She was nobody’s fool though and this became apparent to me very quickly.

“Joseph” she would say, “if you do not practice on one day, you will know. If you fail to practice for two days I will know, and if you do not practice for three days, the audience will know.”

And as sure as eggs are eggs, she could always tell if I hadn’t practiced. And always, before I could.

During one of my lessons with Miss Donnan when I was practicing for my Grade V Royal School of Music exam, she handed me a book to read called, ‘The Magic Bow’ written by Manuel Komroff. The book tells the story of Niccolò Paganini. The world’s greatest violinist.

Paganini was known by the name of 'The Devil's Violinist'; his amazing violin skills were believed to be a gift from the devil. He was particularly known for performing recitals without sheet music, memorising everything instead, and could play up to 12 notes per second.

Even during his life...

A legend that he had sold his soul to the devil in exchange for his preternatural abilities was widespread. Paganini himself claimed that his talent came from a guardian angel, but his uncanny mien and infamous womanizing somewhat undercut his position.

The young Paganini did not live a life of riches and early in his playing career, received a neglected Guarneri violin, a gift from an amateur violinist and businessman. Paganini played on this instrument for the rest of his life, fondly calling it “my cannon violin,” referring to the explosive sound that he was able to make it produce.

I was recently reminded of, ‘The Magic Bow’ when I read an article about the nearly 300-year-old violin that has been in the collection of the late businessman Sau-Wing Lam. The news piece promoted to its readers that the same violin was exhibited twice at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and will be auctioned next month, with an estimate in excess of US$10 million.

So, what is so special about the violins that are handmade by the Italian master Giuseppe Guarneri del Gesù?

Well, compared to Stradivari violins of the same era, Guarneri violins have deeper and more sonorous tones and were prized by such musicians (other than Paganini) as Isaac Stern, Jascha Heifetz, and Itzhak Perlman, according to Tarisio, a New York-based auction house specializing in fine and rare stringed instruments and bows.

Even though modern-day violin makers have access to exactly the same tools, equipment and probably better working environments than Guarneri and Stradivarius. What do you think prevents them from creating the same sound quality and resonance from the violins they make?

Quite simply...

They do not have the same mindset, thought patterns, processes and techniques that the great masters Guarneri and Stradivarius had. Lacking these qualities translates into them lacking the ability to caress, condition and manipulate the maple and spruce wood in a way that creates a musical instrument that produces a sound of excellence.

Does that make sense?

That is why I am forever grateful to my grandfather for teaching me the importance of only shaking hands on a business deal if I am prepared to do whatever it takes to achieve the agreement.

Who has taught you some great lifelong lessons and what are they?

Looking back now, on the day I accepted those three violins I knew I had a responsibility to grow into the person I needed to become to play each violin, easily, effortlessly and with enthusiasm.

So, I now make it my Mission and Code of Conduct to always go the extra mile...

Under promise and over deliver on the agreements I make, ensure the products and services I offer to my clients are good quality and the relationships I hold dear to me are honoured.

What is your Mission and Code of Conduct?

Remember this… I know you know that it takes an age to earn a good reputation. Losing it can happen in an instant.

There is nowhere to run to and nowhere to hide.

What do I mean by this?

Well, how many people have you met, or read about on social media who appear to be the genuine article, seem to offer a good product and or service and when it comes down to it, there is little or no substance behind their statements or quality to their offer?

That is why so many media celebrities get found out and end up being shunned by society or even going to prison.

I’d like to share with you the 5 rules of engagement I use to help me get fantastic results.

You might find it useful to display these somewhere prominent as a reminder for you to act upon.

These points also provide a good basis for you to write your personal Mission Statement:

1. Be sincere in your thoughts, words, and actions.

2. Hold yourself accountable for what you agree to.

3. Do what you say you are going to do when you say you are going to do it.

4. Become the person you need to be to achieve your goals, dreams, and aspirations.

5. Never, ever, ever give in.

NB To receive your detailed Mission Statement Guide on 'How to Write Your Own Mission Statement' using the above rules of engagement click here.

Oh, and just one more thing…

As a Veteran on a mission, I always want to go the extra mile and help 1 million business owners and veterans achieve the financial freedom they desire, deserve and dream of. For every 10 copies of Pathfinder Ultimate Success Programme purchased I am donating (via the charity Transformation for Veterans) a copy of the same programme free of charge, to a veteran so they can benefit from the life changing content too. I believe this is truly a win win. A win for you and a win for our veteran community.

Click here to order your copy.

Have a brilliant day #HABD

Joe

Joe O’Connor

PS: This year I’m launching a new monthly programme called ‘Money Mindset and Motivation’ To discover how to start and scale any business, get focused; and better financial knowledge, build an on point personal brand and create multiple streams of recurring income, then join the VIP waiting list here to be kept updated on the launch date. BONUS - you’ll be entered into a prize draw