Dear Dolphins,

This month’s article is about how to handle rejection – especially big, public rejections – like someone writing a bad review of your book on amazon.com! This happened to me, and I shared with my feelings about it with a few of my networking friends online and on my amazon blog. I got so much great support, it was wonderful. And then I got a note from the man who wrote the negative review! Read all about that in this month’s article.

My new web site is up and running, and soon you will see some wonderful new features. We are busily designing and building a Dolphin Community for all of you to participate in. We have some exciting products and bonuses – a daily screensaver full of affirmations, message boards to share support and advice, directories for you to advertise your services to other dolphins, and a special one-time bonus offer from my literary agent, Lisa Hagan. I will let you know as soon as all of this is available. Meanwhile, enjoy your wonderful life!

Wishing you smooth seas, sunny skies, and treasure ships in your harbor.

Love and blessings,
Chellie

ARTICLE:

Rotten Reviews and Passionate Praise

Dear Dolphins,

Eek! I just received a scathingly bad review of my new book, Zero to Zillionaire, from a reader on amazon.com.

Has this ever happened to you? Perhaps someone has hated your work, criticized your looks, or ridiculed you in public. Does it make you feel bad, sad, or mad? Does it make you want to:
a. Throw things
b. Call up your friends and complain
c. Crawl into bed, turn the electric blanket up to “mother,” and cry
d. All of the above

How many people will have to praise you passionately in order for you to forget the sting of one miserable criticism?
a. One
b. A dozen
c. A zillion
d. It isn’t possible to forget EVER

Which of the following actions do you take?

a. Write a letter to the perpetrator protesting their criticism
b. Write an email to the world protesting the criticism
c. Hire a hit mand. Never write anything or anyone again

Are you laughing now? I hope your answer is “yes” because that’s the bottom line answer for me these days. I used to be a person who checked answer “d”, but now when people don’t like me or what I do, I laugh. They’re not right and I’m not wrong—or vice versa. They just belong to the “Not My People” pod.

When you stand up to be counted, you can count on two things—you will be loved and you will be hated. Can you name one movie star, politician, or celebrity who has a fan base that has no detractors? No.

So gather your fan club, your “Soul Patrol” (congratulations, Taylor Hicks!)—“Your People”—and cherish them. Remember that for every “Iron Jimmy” that writes a review saying “One of the worst books of its genre”, there will be someone else like the Booklist American Library Association reviewer who said it was “A wonderful reaffirmation of what life should be.”

What Happened Next . . .

After I sent this note to my friends, I was overwhelmed with more than 200 heartfelt messages of support from my very own “Soul Patrol” like these:

“Hey Chellie, I want to share something with you. A few years ago, after I published a novel, In the space of two hours, I got the hugest full page rave of my novel from The Washington Post. And then ten minutes later, I got the worse, most awful review of my life from The Cleveland Plain Dealer. The CPD loathed everything the Wp had loved--every thing! So who was right?

That taught me a huge lesson. Reviews are personal opinion, and if you get a scathing review, you still have touched a nerve in someone. Better that than to leave someone indifferent!

And by the way I happen to adore your books!

Caroline I(Leavitt)”

“Dear Chellie Campbell:

A bad review is a badge of honor. Congratulations on doing excellent work and helping make the world a better place. The reviewer was merely expressing his opinion. My father always said everyone has an opinion and an a**hole, sometimes you get them confused. You are wonderful. Keeping writing your wonderful words. Remember the wisdom of Miguel Ruiz, and “Don’t take anything personally.”

Philip H. Henderson

Ethical Magician, Oxen Drover, and Inspirational Listener”

“Chellie,

You know the drill - one swallow doesn’t make a summer! And as (you) Hollywood folk know, nothing like a little criticism or controversy to stir up interest – and sales!! Perhaps a gift in disquise?

Drop the critic a note of thanks for taking time to comment and say his thoughts have been noted. Then let your raving fans review your book and post their rebuttals.

And yes, laugh at life – the whole catastrophe!!

Peace and Love,
Tim Cline, Ph.D., MCC

PS – Of course I would have to scream, cry, and be sad and mad first!!!”

Then Donna C. posted a message on my amazon blog:

Chellie,

Oh, I have been there. I continue to insist on asking my audience to evaluate my performance after I speak. 99% of those evaluations are positive. But there are always one or two.....

I usually ask the question - Would you like to hear this speaker again?? One time, everyone but one person checked YES! However, the one person wasn't satisfied to check NO. Instead, he/she wrote NEVER several times across the page.

Actually, I laughed - obviously I rubbed that person the wrong way. But it hurt me a little - it's the one I remember out of all those evaluations. The others said such nice things - and I can't even remember what they said. But boy, do I remember that NEVER.

Anyone who has actually TRIED the strategies you put forth in your books, knows that they work!! And the ones who try are, as you put it, YOUR People!!

I'm one of YOUR people, Chellie!!

Warmly,
Donna C.

And I answered:

Hi, Donna!

Thanks a zillion for sharing your story - oh, I can just imagine getting that note. But can you imagine being the unhappy person who felt called upon to hurt someone like that? We only have to endure them for a moment, but they have to live with that energy all the time. Regrettable.

I thought "Iron Jimmy" wrote a well-considered review - he obviously gave some thought to what he had to say. His prejudices are clear--I think he thought he was buying one of the usual "save your money for retirement, buy real estate, don't buy the latte" financial books. My take on it is that none of that happens to be worth anything if you're not enjoying the journey and living rich inside as well as outside.

May all your ships come in laden with treasure!

Cheers,
Chellie

And then I heard back from Iron Jimmy himself!

Hi Chellie.

I just took a look at your page and I must say I'm very, very sorry if my review caused you any duress at all.

It appears that you have taken the criticism like a winner. It would also appear that your pod of dolphins disagrees with my assessment wholeheartedly.

I hope you take considerable comfort and joy in that. You've done more than most people do: assembled a group of people who not only appreciate and admire your advice, but seem to genuinely like you.

A few further comments . . .

His prejudices are clear--I think he thought he was buying one of the usual "save your money for retirement, buy real estate, don't buy the latte" financial books.>>

You really hit it on the head, there. That was exactly what I thought your book was about. It was either the title or the location (I believe it was on the same rack as "the millionaire mind" in the SeaTac airport.)

As you are already aware, the "save your money for retirement, buy real estate, don't buy the latte" sector is a very crowded one. (I like that assessment of the genre, too. You've summed it up quite succinctly.) I also wasn't particularly charitable to Robert Kiyosaki, who has attained a stratospheric level of success in this genre. It simply takes quite a bit before I feel like a person has given enough original or insightful advice to warrant the price of the book.

If I missed the intention of your book, I do apologize. Being on the Intuitive and Judging side of Myers-Briggs, it's only natural for me to see the world differently than the Sensing-Feeling folks.

Donna's story of how the few criticisms affect us is one that rings home with me as well. I run a business, and if you care at all about your business, you care when people don't seem to like what you're doing. Like the two of you, it bothers me greatly and I end up stewing on it way too long. For what it's worth, (and you already seem to be here), my review is one of many and in the minority. Don't let it bother you at all if it still does. (And I sincerely hope it's nothing more than an insignificant footnote to you at this point in time.)

Ultimately, for the one negative review you got, you saw many, many positive ones. If I were in your shoes, I'd like those odds very much. The more negative reviews you get, that just means many, many more good ones, plus in the end it means that a lot of folks are buying your book.

Good luck at the poker tables! Best of luck in all you do.
-Jimmy

P.S.

I was overjoyed when Taylor Hicks won. I picked him out in the auditions as my favorite, but never imagined that the American public had such good taste. Ah well,

folks will surprise ya.

Yes, Jimmy, folks will surprise us – you certainly surprised me! And delighted me, too. We can agree to disagree, we can appreciate our differences and celebrate each other as beings. Maybe we don’t all swim in the same pod, but we can smile and wave to each other across the oceans.

And besides, you can always turn a negative into a marketing opportunity!

Cheers,

Chellie

Please feel free to pass along this newsletter to anyone you think would benefit. Just please credit me so people can find me! If you have been sent this newsletter, you are invited to sign up for your own free subscription at Chellie.com

Feedback: I love getting your letters! Dolphins are everywhere, and more are joining our pod every day. This one came from Arizona:

“Chellie, I've never known anyone quite like you - your article just felt wonderful to me - you seem to able to connect with me. I read every single page of your last book and it spoke to me "every day". I have a feeling you do that with an awful lot of people. What a great gift God has given you - thanks for sharing "you" with "us". Congratulations on your new book - I can hardly wait:-)”

Kitty Wiemelt, Speaker & Author

Co-Author of the #1Best Selling Series, Wake Up...Live the Life You Love

For more information go to: www.windsofchangeconsulting.com

We’d love to hear from you, too. Let us know how you are using The Wealthy Spirit principles in your life, or ask a question. We may publish your response or answer your question in our next newsletter! You can write chellie@chellie.com.

August 11-13: The Arizona Chapter of Meeting Planners International has invited Chellie to be one of the keynote speakers for their summer educational conference being held in Los Angeles, California. Contact Cathy Clifton at cclifton3@cox.net for details.

August 17: Chellie will address the Women Entrepreneurs of Santa Clarita Valley at their luncheon from 11:30 – 1:30 at the Valencia Country Club in Valencia. Contact Terri Lee Cadiente at stuntsista@aol.com for reservations and directions.

November 4: Executive Coach Patti Kaprellian Kouri has engaged Chellie to be the keynote speaker at her Jumpstart Workshop being held at the Woodland Hills Hilton Hotel November 3, 4 and 5 for Real Estate professionals from around the country. Contact Patti at 818-341-9751 or visit www.CoachPatti.com for further information

Financial Stress Reduction® Workshops in Los Angeles: New evening classes begin Monday, February 20th and Wednesday, February 22nd from 6:00 – 8:30 pm and the daytime class begins Tuesday, February 21st from 1:00 – 3:30 pm for the 8-week series. Achieve extraordinary results in your life! Call 310-476-1622 to reserve your space now.

CHIP CHATTER POKER NEWS:

Poker Pro magazine featured an interview with me in their July issue “How to Handle the Stress of a Big-Time Tourney”, along with a photo of my win at the Pechanga Casino Ladies No Limit Hold’em Tournament last December. You can view the article on their web site at www.pokerpro.com.

I played in my first World Series of Poker event at the Rio Hotel in Las Vegas on July 9th. It was the Ladies No-Limit Hold’em tournament and there were 1,128 women players who paid the $1,000 entry fee or won their entrance through winning another tournament (I had won mine at Pechanga). I saw celebrities like Jennifer Tilly (last year’s champion), Mena Suvari, Mimi Rogers, Shannon Elizabeth, and lots of experienced pros I’ve read about. Although I didn’t make it to the final table, I was able to last until round 6 and finished 300-something. My two sisters and a couple of Dolphin friends came to cheer me on and I was at a table where they could actually stand behind and watch me play – it was great fun for all of us!

A Little About Chellie . . .

Chellie Campbell is a former musical comedy actress and past owner of a business management firm who’s been a professional speaker for over sixteen years. She’s the author of The Wealthy Spirit: Daily Affirmations for Financial Stress Reduction (Sourcebooks, 2002), a GlobalNet book-of-the-month selection. Chellie has been quoted in Good Housekeeping, Lifetime, Essence, Woman’s World and many books, and she’s featured in How to Run Your Business Like a Girl by Elizabeth Cogswell Baskin and Money, A Memoir: Women, Emotions, and Cash by Liz Perle. Her new book, Zero to Zillionaire: 8 Foolproof Steps to Financial Peace of Mind (Sourcebooks, 2006) has just been released.

The Wealthy Spirit News is written and published by Chellie Campbell, © 2006 All rights reserved. We hope you enjoy receiving this newsletter—but if you would like not to, just let us know by sending a “please don’t send us this anymore” note to the above address. Thank you!

Contact Chellie!

Chellie can be reached at chellie@chellie.com or call 310-476-1622.

Campbell Consulting Company
409 Bonhill Road,
Los Angeles, CA 90049.