David Showalter reveals information to help business owners struggling to balance business life with their personal life. He shares a rare insight into the changes he has made in his own life.
This week's Motivation & Self Esteem For Success "Achiever's Interview" is with David Showalter, formerly of Los Angeles, USA but now residing in Prague, Czech Republic. David's website is East Point Consulting.

Gary Simpson - Welcome to the interview David. I know you have some really interesting and detailed information for us so we'll get straight into it. First I would like you to explain the principal aim of your website and what you hope to achieve with it?

David Showalter - The goal of our website is to help small business owners and managers to have happier lives. This means helping them to learn new ways to improve how they operate their businesses and increasing the enjoyment and fulfillment they get from running their businesses. We also focus on helping the small business person create a healthier, more enjoyable family life away from their work. As an experienced small business owner myself, I want to help as many people as I can to achieve these things.

Gary Simpson - David, what do you think is different about your website that makes it special?

David Showalter - Well, our motto is "no-frills small business strategies that work." That is exactly what I think makes us unique. Anyone coming to our website can read hundreds of free articles, reviews, and eBooks designed to help make their business and their life better. My staff and I carefully read each and every article and eBook before it makes it onto the website. We do not allow anything that we feel is bogus, ineffective, full of advertising, or simply time wasting. We only post the good stuff - information that can be put to immediate use by readers.

Gary Simpson - On a personal note, David, what do you consider to be your "crowning" achievement to date?

David Showalter - Wow! There's a sudden switch in mindsets! Personally, I consider the crowning achievement of my life to date to be my own "hellish" struggle to get OUT of the overworked, unhappy, stressed out and meaningless lifestyle I was trapped in. I am now happy, fulfilled, at peace, and always looking forward to the new day. Professionally, I value the work I've done to create our course, "Take Charge: Proven Strategies to Improve Your Business and Reclaim Your Life Today." It's a book that I believe will be a "life saver," literally, to many overworked, overstressed and "drowning" small business owners everywhere. That's why the book was written, but it's the experience, not necessarily the book that was the result of the experience, that I consider the true achievement.

Gary Simpson - How long did it take you to achieve that goal?

David Showalter - The "goal" began when I realized that I hated what I did for a living. My life, which had been so happy before, became one that I dreaded every day. That was when my retail shop was at the height of its success, and my home life had become non-existent. From then, it took me about three years or so to "turn things around." It came at great personal cost BUT in the process I learned a powerful truth - the "goal" is never accomplished. That's what sets you free and makes you truly happy, deep inside. I don't value "achieving" anymore. Instead, every day that I am given the opportunity by my Creator to wake up in a safe environment, healthy, and to pursue whatever "goals" I have on my agenda, that's a day I am happy to be alive and full of joy and fulfillment. Actually accomplishing the goals, which I try extremely hard to do, isn't really the point anymore. It's enjoying the process, and, having the opportunity to DO the process. That's the key. So, the short answer is, it took me long enough to realize that the "goal" will never be achieved! Does that make sense?

Gary Simpson - Certainly. I have made some of these realizations and changes in my own life. In fact, I am still evolving with it. David, what is the greatest difficulty you have ever had to overcome?

David Showalter - I refer back to my previous answer where I spoke of the "turnaround" in my life. This period saw the loss of my business, a painful divorce and the suicide of my brother in a period of just two months. Six months later, 9-11 happened and turned the world's emotional state and economy on its ear. By this time, I had lost all faith in myself and in the goodness of the world. I drifted, unable to focus on a single thing that mattered anymore except for a rebound relationship that became my whole world. When that failed, as they usually do, I was totally hopeless. The emotional pain is impossible to describe. I had simply nothing left to cling to. To make matters worse, I was living alone in a foreign country. I was in total emotional crisis with the last of my life savings slowly dwindling away. I try not to think about that situation any more. It was so painful! Gary Simpson - Gee, David, you certainly have been "through the mill," so to speak. You obviously have some steely resolve. What are three personal attributes you possess that help you to win?

David Showalter - From least to greatest:

ONE: I continue to build my skills. I never stop learning and building new things to offer my clients. TWO: I never give up. I work hard and when the going gets tough, I work even harder. I don't question - I DO. I think that is the single most important key to success. The reason most people "fail" is that they give up too early. THREE: I have an unshakeable faith in God. I don't "believe," I simply KNOW that He is there and will guide my steps. He will be there for me if I fall. That gives me tremendous strength to face just about anything.

Gary Simpson - Are you a reader and, if so, what books do you read?

David Showalter - I read about 200 books per year. I read mostly non-fiction, such as business, economy, politics, and especially history or science. As I said, I am always learning. I can read an entire hardback in one or two days. I also love fiction, especially fantasy. It's very difficult to find good fiction. Most of it is hackwork, designed to sell. I often find myself turning back to the classics, but longing for some well-written fantasy fiction. I just finished Lord Of The Rings and it was as great as everyone says it is! True to form, since I can't find much great fantasy to read, I have been writing my own. Tune in next time