How the Tortoise Became Fast: A Fable to Follow to Achieve Your Goals

By Nathan P Mercer

How did the tortoise know he was going to win the race?

Discover the path the tortoise took to reach your goals too!

Everyone knows that tortoise beat the hare in the race.

Very few people know how the tortoise prepared for that moment.

Join Tommy the Tortoise on his journey through the six goal setting steps that transformed him into the "fastest" creature in the forest.

The same six step process that works for tortoises has been proven effective for humans as well.

Like any journey, however, you cannot get to where you want to go until you are willing to start.

All of the tools you to reach your goals are in this one book.

The story of the tortoise and the hare is used to guide the reader through the steps with sections afterwards that include insights, activities, and goal setting worksheets.

Whether it's for business or self-help, everyone can follow these steps to lead to success.

Why should you buy this book?

- It's a quick and easy read - not a 400 page technical snoozefest!
- You can get back to the business of achieving your goals faster!
- It doesn't tell you what your goals should be, that's up to you - but it does give you a path to follow.
- There are real life examples given for each step that anyone can relate to.
- Anyone from teenagers to CEO's can find value in the books message.
- Aren't you curious why the tortoise thought he could win the race in the first place!

Look at what one website who reviewed the book said!

"(This book) reminded me of those by Patrick Lencioni, another author who understands the value of the story. Here, Mercer uses the fable of the tortoise and the hare as a backdrop for down-to-earth advice on how to set and achieve goals.

Mercer alternates an imaginative lead up to the classic race told from the tortoise's point of view with chapters summarizing the steps to take to first decide what to do and then achieve the desired results. He even includes worksheets" Frances Thomas, Examiner.com

And a "Top 500" Amazon reviewer said....

"This is a short, informative, positive-reinforcing book with a set of great instructions on how to recognize what your goals really are and how to go about achieving them. Mercer is a former Marine and I'd swear that I could almost hear him coming across the pages with his no-nonsense approach at winning at life. I hope he takes his wisdom on the road because the world can certainly use it." Robin Landry.

10% of proceeds from the sale of this book will go to the Paralyzed Veterans of America!

Go to pva.org to learn more or donate to this great organization.

Buy this book and start down the path of achieving your goals today!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Nathan P Mercer
• Release date: Dec 26, 2013
• ISBN: 9781311055026

Nathan P Mercer

Nate currently lives in Cranberry Twp, PA with his family, pet cat, and pet bird. He is a veteran of Operation Desert Storm, having served with the United States Marine Corps. He was a member of the USMC Reserves, 2nd MP Co out of Pittsburgh PA. During Desert Storm, he served in the largest prison camp in Marine Corps history and performed customs checks for Marines traveling home. Nate returned to Indiana University of Pennsylvania after Desert Storm and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Education. He returned to school almost 20 years later to earn his M.B.A. from Strayer University. He has taught in public schools for seven years, managed auto dealerships for nine, spent a year as a mortgage broker, and is now a personal development trainer.

Book preview

How the Tortoise Became Fast

A Fable to Follow to

Achieve Your Goals

By

Nathan P. Mercer

How The Tortoise Became Fast

By Nathan Mercer

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2013 Nathan P. Mercer

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Dedication

For my family, who have always believed.

For my friends, who have always been there.

For my brother, Aaron, who will always be missed.

He is the Why behind this goal.

MEMORIES

An old man sits in his empty house

Reflecting on days now past

The days of family, the days of love,

The days that would not last.

His kids had grown, and gone away,

To build their lives anew.

His wife had died, God rest her soul-

And now visitors were few.

He sits there now, a lonely man,

With little left to strife.

He listens to the clock so loud,

Tick the seconds from his life.

And so he remembers, days gone past

Of love so strong and bold.

But he can’t help realize

Memories are memories

And he is growing old.

Written by Aaron Mercer (1972 – 2007)

Prologue

I hope that you will find this book easy to read, fun to follow, and helpful in reaching your goals.

I am a big believer in the power of stories as a tool to get concepts across and as a way for the audience to remember the message. I am also a fan of back stories and prequels. I find that after I have already come to love a character, you want to know more about them.

Why the back story of the Tortoise and the Hare? One day a thought occurred to me: everyone knows that the Tortoise raced the Hare, but does anyone really know why? What made the tortoise accept the Hare’s challenge? There were other animals in the forest, but none of them accepted the Hare’s challenge.

In writing the story section of this book, I wanted to make it light hearted, easy to read, and something that you could share with your children to get them started thinking about their goals.

I do not purport to be an expert on anything, but I am hoping that you can find some nuggets of information that work for you and help make your life better. I have been working on this book from the time I was a first year teacher just trying to figure out how reach middle school kids and survive the day. I have developed this method of setting goals over time; as a teacher with students, as a manager with sales staff, and as a career and personal development trainer with employees.

I hope you enjoy this book; this is one goal that I can now remove from my list. Please share with me any stories you have once you have completed some of yours! Email them to me at [e-mail]. Who knows, maybe this tortoise has some stories to share after the race!

Wishing For Speed

Tommy the Tortoise was sad. As he was traveling down the well-worn path through the forest, Tommy saw many different animals running and prancing about. There was Stanley the Squirrel, who darted from tree to tree. By the stream, Tommy saw Frankie the Fox jumping up in the air like a graceful dancer as he ran. And out of the corner of his eye, Tommy saw something flash by so quickly that it could only be Henry the Hare.

Tommy stopped walking, and was hanging his head when he heard a familiar, slow shuffle of feet coming towards him. It was his grandfather, Thaddeus Tortoise.

Tommy, you don’t look very happy. Why are you sad? asked Thaddeus.

Grandpa T, as Tommy always called him, I was out taking a walk and I just saw how fast Squirrel and Fox were. After that, Henry the Hare ran by so fast, I could barely see him. I am tired of always being slow.

Thaddeus had a special place in his heart for Tommy. Tommy reminded him of when he was a young tortoise who was ready to change the world.

Tommy, the wise old Owl once told me that desire is the source of all misery. Eighty years after hearing that, I still find it to be true.

Is it really so wrong to wish to be fast? questioned Tommy.

Wish to be fast? Thaddeus smiled and shook his head, Tommy, what have you done to become faster other than wishing for it to be so?

Tommy was confused by the question. What do you mean?

Grandpa T reached out and lifted Tommy’s head up so that he could look Tommy in the eye. A wish is nothing but a goal that is not written down or acted upon, but we still hope that will happen somehow, someway, sometime.

Thaddeus saw Tommy’s eyes starting to tear up.

"Is this the part where you tell me to just be happy being a tortoise?

Reviews for How the Tortoise Became Fast

[kimberlyduboise · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was a book that truly excelled at teaching a timeless truth and I am so glad to have come across this book. It creatively explains the power of belief and thoughts, the value of action stemming from intent. I loved this book more than words can say for its potential to change the lives of those who read and apply what it says. If you like twists on classic stories and are into creating a change in your life or especially with children... This is for you!