As with all the interviews that I have conducted, there are parts of John Kremer's that resonated with me. Are you happy with the life you're living? John structured his life so that he could do the things that matter to him? Do you ever stop to smell the roses as he does, or are you always rushing from here to there? Are you fearless? One of the five life lessons that John Kremer has learned so far is that you have to be open, “You have to be so open that you’re willing to bleed and be cut. There is a saying that the best writers sort of open a wound and let it bleed. You have to be open and not be afraid of anything.” It this a good way to be? What are the advantages and disadvantages of being too open? Enough said, read his interview.
Tell me a little bit about yourself
John Kremer: I am 61 years old, and I live in Taos, New Mexico. My passion is publishing, marketing, walking my dog and spending time with my wife.
What’s a major regret that you’ve had in life?
John Kremer: There are a lot of ways to answer this question, but I go back to not knowing my place in the universe and I think when I was younger I should have spent a year or two focusing on that and not doing things that distracted me from that.
What are five life lessons that you have learned so far?
John Kremer:
- Always give. You have to give if you expect to receive. This is important not just in marketing but in life as a whole and you have to be open to giving and sharing.
- You have to be so open that you’re willing to bleed and be cut. There is a saying that the best writers sort of open a wound and let it bleed. You have to be open and not be afraid of anything.
- The best things come when people are free to do what they can do without being regulated by government, religion or even friends and family that can point them in the wrong direction.
- Relationships are the basis for success in business and in marketing and I think that’s a really important life lesson.
- Have fun!
When you have some down time, how do you spend it?
John Kremer: Reading, walking my dog and spending time with my wife.
What process do you use to generate great ideas?
John Kremer: I don’t really have to use a process because I have ideas coming to me all the time. My problem is figuring out which ideas to act on. I have 200 books that I want to write but I will never get them all done, so I always have these ideas coming to me. I don’t think I use a process but if you if you had a process it would be to let yourself be open to what is coming your way.
What’s your favourite quotation and why?
John Kremer: My favourite quote is “All that is real and true is simple, natural and life supporting,” by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. This quote has stuck with me.
How do you define success?
John Kremer: Being able to do what you want to do, and whatever that means in terms of what you are doing. But it can’t be just selfish because then you are not doing what you want to do. I think people who follow what they want to do are among the most generous in the world. And, that’s when success really falls into place.
In your opinion what’s the formula for success?
John Kremer: Just do what you want to do because that’s the definition of success and that’s exactly what you have to do to have success. You really have to enjoy what you are doing, you do it with your whole heart and at all times keep the generous spirit of sharing.
What are the steps you took to succeed in your field?
John Kremer: The main thing that I did was study and learn and keep observing what other people were doing that was working and follow what I noted when I watched people. I have a lot of people that I learned from and not just the gurus but my customers who tell me what works and doesn’t work for them. Much of what I know about book marketing comes from people sharing with me what works for them, and all I do is essentially pass on that information.
What advice do you have for someone just starting out in your field?
John Kremer: The key thing is that you have to do some amount of study. Study the successful people in your field by reading their books, and if you can, spend time with them. One of the other things that I do in terms of being mentored is spending time with people at conferences and conventions where you can actually sit down with them and talk. With me I’m not afraid to ask any questions, no matter how personal it might be. I mean it’s amazing, I sometimes scare my wife when I ask people some personal questions even if we are in the grocery line. I’m curious and I always want to know things. I am not afraid to ask personal questions because it’s the person’s right not to answer any question that I ask.
If trusted friends could introduce you to five people that you’ve always wanted to meet, who would you choose? And what would you say to them?
John Kremer:
I would just want to sit with them and not necessarily say anything to them. I would just want to spend time with them and be in their atmosphere and figure out what makes them tick and how they think. You can just sit with someone and talk about anything and it doesn’t matter what it is and you’ll learn from them.
Which one book had a profound impact on your life? What was it about this book that impacted you so deeply? Did you have an emotional or intellectual attachment to this book? Why?
John Kremer: Walden by Henry David Thoreau. I love that book and it’s probably the one that I have read more than any other book. I’ve read it about a dozen times. It really speaks to me in terms of living your true life and stepping to your own drum. It’s very emotional and if reincarnation is true I feel like Henry David Thoreau was one of my past lives.
Have you read any books that inspired you to start a business, service or invent “something”? If yes, which book?
John Kremer: Oh yeah, I always get that with any book. That’s one of the reasons why I don’t have to generate ideas because every book I read stimulates me to think of something new or something that I could be doing. I am always being thrown into all kinds of directions and my biggest challenge would be maintaining one direction very strongly.
If you were stranded on a deserted island, what are five books that you would like to have with you and why? Summarize the book in two sentences.
John Kremer:
- Walden
- I’d take the Bible. It would take a while to read it. I have never read it all the way through so that would be a great time to do it
- Maharishi Mahesh Yogi on the Bhagavad-Gita
- I’d take a couple of really good mystery novels that were worth reading over and over again
What one music CD and movie would you like to have with you (on the deserted island) and why?
The music CD would be one that I put together with some of my favourite songs. My favourite song is Brown Eyed Girl and I don’t know why, but every time I hear it I get happy. I would take that along with other songs from the late sixties and early seventies. I was at that age where music really impacts your life, and those songs still have a great calling to me.
If you cannot view the YouTube Video, please click here to view Brown Eyed Girl.
John Kremer: For a movie I might take Amadeus. Amadeus is such a well directed and acted movie and the passion for music came through in such a strong way. The guy that sort of killed Mozart or drove him to death loved his music so much that he was probably the only one who truly appreciated what Mozart was doing.
If you cannot view the YouTube Video, please click here.
What excites you about life?
John Kremer: Every day
How do you nurture your soul?
John Kremer: I really try to take time every day to pray, meditate, read things that help me, journal and think about the deep questions of life. I have structured my life and I have been doing independent business for over 25 years. I did this so that whenever I wanted to take time out to walk or just smell the roses I could do it.
If you had a personal genie and she gave you one wish, what would you wish for? Or, if I gave you a magic wand, what would you use it for?
John Kremer: I would wish that all people have true freedom.
Complete the following, I am happy when…..
John Kremer: I’m writing, when I’m with my wife, walking and playing with my dog.
What are five takeaways from John Kremer's interview? Review the first part of this interview and think about how you can apply the information to you situation. What nuggets of wisdom can you glean?
Let's keep the conversation flowing, please let me know your thoughts in the comments section below.
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