Seven Decisions Interview - Andy Andrews

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self developmentSeven Decisions toPersonal SuccessAndy Andrews talks toChristine MillerAndy Andrews was one ofthe keynote speakers atthe 2005 National Speakers Association conventionI attended this summer in Atlanta, Georgia, andI have to admit I had never heard of him belbre.His entertaining, engaging style certainly amusedthe 1600-strong audience, but contained withinhis stories and jokes were powerful messagesconcerning the growth and development ofourselves and our planet. Homeless as a youngadult, Andy made the discovery that there areseven decisions that work without exception totransform lives, Norry, as someone who has beeninvited to speak by four different US presidents,has performed for the US Military, and deliveredspeeches for many Fortune 500 companies, Aodyhas been described as one of the most influentialpeople in America today.After I contacted his offfce to arrange this interview,Andy's Chi€f Solutions Officer, Nick Francis, sentme two books - "The Traveller's Gift" and ..Islandof Saints" - so I could be fully conyersant with his\ryork. I wasn't sure what to expect, although thereviews were excellent, and Andy definitely seemedto have a knack for storytelling. In fact, I foundboth books powerful, yet easy to read, and thoseskilful storytelling skills were prominently displayedthroughout, making them a joy to read.I was curious about what had prompted Andy toturn his life round at the age of nineteen, and here'swhat he told me.Chtislihe: M$ thcte d (et.tain v rcthing, odc[hting nkr ent thot ptntnpted you to a.;k.t,o tscl/ th( kc.y (l cstk)tl "is lU(j sr o hrfluf,lickcl or arc thcrc choiccs ohc can tikc ttdircct hisfuturc?" at u oitital point in .yout.lili \t,hcn w werc l9.rell,:J ol.latftl a"phlgtough on the fi?cts, th(tt helpcd vtu gcttrxili/L buek on rru
self developmentbuilt the story ofthe Travellers Gift.Chrisli,te: l'bw dicl lou delenlitlcrhich werc lhc seren nuitlp iftiples rllen )ntt \rere sif?ingth Eh the 200-tlus biogtdPhie.\Andyi Thosc were the seven thingsthat cross-referenced in every oneofthose people's lives. I couldsee all sevcn things in each oneofthose people's lives, and that'show I narrowed it down to seven.Therc wcre other characteristicsthat pcople hd, but they may havenot nccessaf ily cross-rcferencedwilh cvcryone elsc, so thesc wefelbe principles lhal werc endurrngin pcople's livcs. Th^t is why theScvcn Decisions arc so powcrfil,why they work evety tinrc, becausethcy arc principlcs. I later put then'lin a slory in The Travcller's Gitl,bccaosc sloics nrc thc easiest waylbr mc to leam.('htislinc:,4put lhrn .\,orr nntcriulli \'0 t (ot cd\ dLt, \'l|i(h \\rtroht'ionlr vtt highlt tllAtik, hud\bi ht:.u \\'t iting d ull l)t it, tol'haAndy: I wtotc nMgazine articles,or short stories, but The Traveller'sGifl was the first novel I wrote.Chtislit(: Wt.t tht:.]!.]n c\'.r11ot o.\igni/kdnt h U)ening in Ytru lilcthut pnrnlcd rt) ta sktt t r,/ iti !:'l'he Tvt tll,:r \ Cili?Andy: For years, I had beenstLldying thosc Seven Dccisionsfiom thc time I had identified tbem,and evcn through to this moming,I continue to study them, to thinkabouthem, ^nd try to figurc outmorc cffective ways to relale themlo people. Through the Years, Ihad talked abouthem with certainpeople at certain times, and I wouldsearch for a really effective meansto put thosc seven things across.Essentially, it evolved over a peiodof time until about six Years ago,when I thought"l leam best withstories" - and so I came up with thestoly-The Seven Decisionsam able to see things in a clearcrmanner if somebody prcsents ideasI. HARRY S.TRUMAN to me in a story rather than in atext book. With a text book, I canT he Respo nsi b le Decis io n :remember the facts until it's timeThe buck stops here. to take the test; but with a story I'llI will noi l€l rny hislory controlmy oesnny.rcmembet the facts fotever, I wantedto present an effective way for2, KING SOLOMON somebody lo bc shown in the wontposition in their lives, and so DavidThe Gti.led Decisiofi:Ponder, the hero ofthe Traveller'sI will seek wisdonr. cift, his lile is in a shamblcs. HisGod moves mounlains to creat€ the job and his financial rneans haveoppoflunity ofHis choosing. Il is up to been laken away, his daughter isyor to be ready to move yourself. sick, his lif'e is in trouble. I put himin a situation where he is .ble 103, JOSHUA CHAMBERLAINtmvel through li)nc, and meet scvenThe Active Decision: hislorical figures who are each goingI an a person ofactionMany pcoplc move out ofthe waY for apcrson o thc run; others are caught up rnhis wake.through tough times in their ownl,vcs,FIc has corversations with each ofthesc scven peoplc, and then has the4, CHRISTOPHER opporlllnity to reccivo fro,n them aCOLUMBUS written decision. lf ho understandsand follows that decision, and putsThe Certuin DeciNion:it in his heart and makes it part olI havc a decided heart.Crilicism, condcmnalion, andcomplainthis Iifc, then each ofthese SevenDccisions will change his future.ar€ creaturcs ofthc wiud. Thcy come and There are troubled times when wego on thc wast€d brcath oflesscrbcings would all like to be able to go backand have no powcr over mc and get some advice tiom Sreat5. ANNE FRANK people, whether it is our fanilyor grcat leaders - and it was anThe Jolful Decisioh:intercsting device to be able to putToday I will choose lo be happy.into this situation and create a story.Our very lives are fashioned by choiceFhst we mak€ choiccs. Th€n our choic€sChrisline: Do rott lellsl(r'iet l0make usAndy: Yes, every night and several6. ABRAHAM LINCOLNtines during the day. I think thafsThe C ompassionale Decisio n : the best way to teach my boys,I will grcet this day with because that way they do listen.a forgiving spirit.Nobody wants to listen to a lecture,but ifsomebody says "Zet me lel/You willfind that God farely us€s ayou a stotT about a time..., therperson wlrose main concem js whatthat perks you up and grabs yourothers are thirking.interest. So with my children,l tell7. GABRIELthem stories about when I was aT he Pe6istenl D ecis ion : little boy, when I did such a thing,and what my daddy did.I will p€rsist without €xception.Rcason can only be stretclrcd so far butfailh has no hnits. The only limit to yourrealization of lomorrorv is th€ doubt youhold fast today.Christine: Hoi, has votn lilbchanged since w added being ahighl! su(:e\.{il authot to lol|tacconplish lents?
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Seven Decisions Interview - Andy Andrews

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