Romanus, known as the “Kick Start Guy,” has inspired thousands of people to create unique strategies for success. Welcome to Reader Views Romanus. (Interviewed by Juanita Watson, Assistant Editor of Reader Views)
Juanita: With the success of your presentations, teleseminars, and articles, what inspired you to write a book?
Romanus: My intent. I live my life in the quest of helping others believe in themselves and go after their dream goals. Since I can’t have the answer to everything, I set out to find best way to teach people to go find the answers themselves. As I helped start and grow over 8,000 successful small businesses, I started applying what I learnt to people’s lives.
Through this personal interaction and testing different action steps people can take to close the gap between their goals and success—I found a common thread of success. If you define your goal and speak about clearly, you will inspire others to help you. That is what success is all about – getting people to support your efforts and discovering new ways for you to succeed. I wrote “Kick Start Your Success” because the four practical steps get the world to start supporting your success rather than being a roadblock.
Juanita: What sets “Kick Start Your Success: Four Powerful Steps to Get What You Want Out of Life, Career, and Business” apart from the rest of the motivational books filling the shelves these days?
Romanus: It is based on real-world action steps. This is not a book about “Romanus’ theory,” it is about how to take immediate action to move your goal forward. And, how to give yourself permission to change it as you learn from the world. In just one sitting, following the action steps in “Kick Start Your Success” provides you with the clarity and confidence necessary to go achieve your goals. The difference between other motivational books lies in the fact that as you read “Kick Start Your Success” you begin the process to achieving your goals – Success is not something you have to wait for.
Juanita: In your bio, you state that ‘any idea can become a reality.’ A statement like this would undoubtedly stir up many issues for people. How would you respond to the cynics?
Romanus: As you go after your goal, no matter how much success you have achieved in the past, when someone says something negative about your idea, or your abilities, it stings. In fact, negative comments have the power to crush ideas before they are even born. Conventional wisdom says that you should follow your heart and ignore these ‘naysayers.’
I ask people to always remember that people are there to help; they are just uncertain how to help. Some of the best ideas are born from unwelcome criticism. Negative comments have kernels of truth in them─people just don’t always know how to correctly deliver messages. Your ‘kick start’ mission is to engage the naysayers, determine what they are basing their comments on and discover new information that can help you succeed.
Listening to naysayers is especially important because in most people's lives, including my own, the naysayers are family and people you love! Your spouse, friends, and family want you to succeed; however, they also want to protect you from the unknown and things that may be difficult. Realize that behind each of their questions lies the subliminal suggestion of “we love you and don’t want to see you suffer!”
“Kick Start Your Success” shows you how to make Naysayers important success allies. Just listen and allow their years of experience to come pouring out.
Juanita: Why is success something most people are trying to attain rather than living it as their daily experience?
Romanus: Society. I actually start out my seminars by asking the audience, “How many of you think you can achieve success?” And then hit them with the reality – that no one can actually attain success.
Relieve any frustration you feel by realizing that life is about “multiple success.” We are human, and once we achieve a stated goal we will soon be looking for our next success. For instance, soon after you get that promotion you always wanted—you will start looking for your next one!!
Achieve success everyday by “dreaming like a child and deciding as an adult.” Like a child, wake up and discover the possibilities present in everyday life. Then as an adult, use your heart and intuition to determine the next action step you can take – and TAKE IT! Success comes from defining a goal and learning as you take action on making it a reality.
Juanita: You are known as the Success Coach for Entrepreneur Magazine. How do you feel your articles have helped people realize their dreams?
Romanus: My articles give them the power to make decisions and take actions on their goals. They help relieve any frustration surrounding their efforts – the frustration will always be there BUT the article show readers how to work with it to continue toward their goals. They are a look inside of the world that exists when you leave others expectations behind and truly focus on what you want to achieve. And most importantly, how achieving your goals will benefit other people – that is what success is truly about.
Juanita: Any success stories directly resulting from applying your techniques revealed in “Kick Start Your Success” that you’d like to share?
Romanus: There are many success stories contained inside the book that illustrate how taking the specific action step will get the world to help you achieve your goals. I think the most unexpected experience I’ve had helping someone create a Success Script is when I worked with a high school student who had tried to commit suicide a year earlier.
This teenager felt that no one understood what was going on in her head and all she wanted to achieve in life. She said she was gifted but felt very alone.
Rather than delve into her pain as she expected, I continued our conversation by simply stating, “What you are experiencing is not unique—it is part of growing up and being human.”
She looked at me bewildered. Hadn’t her admission shocked me, made me want to know more about her trials and tribulations?
Rather than having her explain her past or her goal, I asked her what made her happy. How did she want to contribute to the world? (Step 1 of “Kick Start Your Success”) And then I walked her through the steps of creating her Success Script.
This simple interaction gave her confidence to define her dream and have a coherent conversation about her goals – and include her parents in the process. Her mom is now going out of her way to support her efforts rather than question them.
Juanita: Who inspired you on your journey to follow your own dreams?
Romanus: Everyone in the world who has said, “I wish I could have…”
Juanita: Well Romanus, you have written a very exciting and motivating book. I know that your readers will be inspired by the action-based steps you have outlined in “Kick Start Your Success”. The knowledge of how taking immediate action can and will move your goal forward is invaluable. And best of all, it produces results. Is there any last words you’d like to share with your readers?
Romanus: My greatest life lesson is that the journey to achieving your goals is not a solitary adventure. A lot of people tell us that we have to take control of situations and be ‘self-motivated’ to achieve our goals. I have found the opposite to be true .
To enjoy achieving our goals – and to stay motivated during the rough times – we need other people’s support, ideas and spirit. “Kick Start Your Success” helps create a positive mind frame that energizes your spirit and invites others to share in your dreams. In fact, its four practical action steps INSPIRE others to help you because they can understand and support your efforts.
Successful people seek knowledge and take action—and “Kick Start Your Success” provides the action steps to do this on an everyday basis. Some people believe that reality crushes dreams. In fact, reality is the only thing that can support our unique goals!!
“Dream like a child, Decide as an Adult” and go for your dreams by speaking from your passion and allowing others to support your efforts. I am here to help you in any manner. If you have specific questions along the way, please feel free to email me at Romanus.KickStartGuy.com
PS: Accept that you are on the right path:
In the late 1500s, there was a group of artists, musicians, politicians, sculptures and writes who called themselves “The Wanderers.” Everyone in the group was blazing new trails, didn’t have a support system back in their home towns and was uncertain if they could make a living doing what they loved.
This group of people met once a year. During their meeting they didn’t ask what each person was doing, what their challenges were or how much money they had generated. They simply met and said, “No matter where you are, you are on the right path. Keep working toward your true goals.”
How powerful is that message? It would be amazing to know that there is a group of people out there supporting your dream without question or reservation. They trust that you can and will accomplish your goals. They believe in you.
I am resurrecting the Wanderers and if you would like to know more, please email me and I will send you the information – Romanus.KickStartGuy.com
