No wonder that Bill was one of the most searched persons in Google.com last week?
All of the values that each one of us should have are found in this man. Bill Porter, the cerebral palsy-suffering, door-to-door patient who becomes one of America's most celebrated salesman. His is a story of strong will or not being forced to accept the closed doors and endurance. Ever since when I saw Bill's story on ABC 20/20 back on Dec. 12, 1997, I knew that would not be the last time I would hear about him. In fact, there was a reprise on the same network two years later. His story got out with the documenting of The (Portland) Oregonian in 1995. He went door to door to sell inspiration and healing to his consumers. He was not ready to take no for an answer. Not that he was forcing anybody to buy the products of Watkins Co. He knew that "today's closed door is tomorrow's opportunity."

Every salesman will love to read this book. In fact, anybody will draw so many life lessons from reading it too. How many times are we more than ready to quit when we are faced with life's problems? His life's story was also made into a movie by TNT.

This new book, Ten Things I Learned From Bill Porter is the more detailed account of a remarkable life lived by a superb human being. It's written by his best friend, Shelly Brady, whom he hired as a kid to deliver his employer's wares to his customers.

What a moving journey! Despite Bill's disability, he never got tired of walking to meet his clients

To appreciate Bill Porter's story, we must understand that he had to go door-to-door to contact potential customers. He had to walk many miles a day. Yet, he has been suffering from cerebral palsy or cp, a developmental disability which impedes ambulation. He knew what his limits were and was determined to make the best of what he had. He wanted to be not only a walking salesman, but the best his company could ever have. No wonder that he was recognized by Watkins Co as their top salesman. He brought value to this company by selling its products. He knew that the results would talk for themselves. He did not take time to have pity on his misfortune. As you may have realized, he had to work hard to meet his goals.

How many times we don't trust those who are developmentally disabled? It's time to reconsider. Institutionalization was not the only alternative his mother had for him

Bill's message of hope: There are no obstacles

Could they be a figment of our imagination? What one may consider as obstacles can turn out to be solutions in disguise. For Bill, the obstacles were evident. Due to his CP, he could not even type his reports; he could not even get dressed and tie his shoes without taking an eternity to get these basic tasks done. Traveling long distances (over 10 miles a day) over snow and rough terrain, he still managed to say that there are no obstacles. Bill Porter has a soul and a heart made of steel. Failure was not in his vocabulary. His focus was on meeting new clients who could potentially buy products such as laundry soap and spices etc.

In Bill's world, anything is possible: Here is a man of strong faith and values, which our current market economy may need more of these days

Bill's mother had confidence in him. She encouraged him to go ahead with his goals. A lot of the times, we all need to cheer up and support the developmentally disabled among us. Bill said that his mother's trust keeps him going up to this day. He just wanted to have a chance to prove himself. He wanted a job to become independent and care for his needs. That's how he got hired by Watkins Co, a company he later brought so much free publicity to thanks to his great work ethics. Bill knew he could not make any excuses. He had to work hard every day from the time he was getting dressed to all the houses he would hit.

Results of his hard work: Recognition, fame, retirement funds and continued work despite his old days

What are the lessons for us, readers of this book?

We have so much to be thankful for in life. When we think we can't take on a project or we can't go on any longer, we should take a look at this guy's story. Bill used what he had. Despite his CP, he could still walk. He used his assets to his advantages. In harsh times, we probably need to take an inventory of everything that is going well in our lives and refocus. It's never ok to just give up. Failure, headaches always precede success and relief.


Recommendations:

This is a great book that you will enjoy a whole lot. If you want to get more information on this superb human being, Bill, check his website http://www.billporter.com. You can also buy some of his products online. Now that he is advancing in age, he will need all kinds of technology to help him sell and meet his quota.

Good luck reading this book!





Recommended: Yes