This time last week I had just given my presentation to the Sales and Marketing Institute of New Zealand in Auckland... and the reception was fantastic... and I am taken by how proud Kiwis are at being Kiwis. It reminds me of how proud Aussies are of being Aussies especially when we re winning at sport. I didn't mention the cricket today where we "thumped the Kiwis" in India.

But why am I writing to you today... apart from saying thanks for all the support I have been receiving about our challenges with the Government and the "fanciful" $5.5 million. On the product table of Pat Armitstead, who also spoke at the Seminar on being a Joyologist, is a great book called Silver Linings on the Great White Cloud. And I am drawn to the story about Colonel Sanders and the challenges of adversity.

Did you know that Colonel Sanders was turned down 1,009 times before anyone bought the rights to his KFC chicken recipe?

Harlan Sanders owned restaurant/motel/service station business and at the age 63 was offered nearly $200,000 for it. Deciding he was too young to retire he turned down the offer. Two years later the state built a new superhighway that bypassed his business and within a year he had to close down.

Living off a benefit he went back to what he knew best - cooking chicken. With just recipe and his car, he set off to sell his idea to the world, often sleeping in his car because he couldn't afford to pay for accommodation.

After 1,009 knock-backs, he found someone who believed in his recipe and the first KFC restaurant was opened. There re now nearly 33,000 KFC restaurants around the world.

Do you have what it takes to keep trying after 1,009 setbacks? If not, what might you be missing out on??

So, as I prepare for the first seminar in New Zealand by our new associate Business Seminars New Zealand tomorrow, I encourage those of you who are feeling that it might be getting bit too hard, you might just be one more knock back away from your ultimate success.

Keep at it... you deserve success!