Stop Drifting: Become the Switch Master of Your Own Thought and Pivot to Positive

By David R Ibarra

For Tom Stanley, a slightly overweight lost soul, life has lost its luster. Rather than face the daily grind of life working at his Chevrolet dealership, he'd rather sleep his days away. Just when Tom's malaise seems like it can't get any worse, a chance meeting with fellow car dealership owner Daniel Santos changes everything. Tall, tan, and fi

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ibarra Books
• Release date: Mar 9, 2021
• ISBN: 9781736479308

David R Ibarra

Author of "Stop Drifting: Become the Switch Master of Your Own Thought and Pivot to Positive," David R. Ibarra is a leadership consultant and successful entrepreneur in Salt Lake City who blazed his own trail to success after being raised in the Utah foster care system. At 28 years old he started his first business, beginning a career that spans the restaurant, automotive, and leadership consulting industries. David wrote "Stop Drifting" as a chapter within his "Life Purpose" journey. He is dedicated to working with employed adults who often drift through life unsatisfied. His leadership coaching focuses on developing talent and teaching individuals how to become goal setters and achieve a positive work experience, which creates the freedom to find success in other roles including family, faith, community, and health. David's story began as the son of a Mexican immigrant father and a rural Utah mother. When his parents divorced, 2-year-old David and his 3-year-old brother Mickey were placed into foster care until they reconnected with their father as teenagers. At eighteen years of age, David started his career in the hospitality industry as a dishwasher. Ten years later, he became the youngest franchise owner of Farrell's Ice Cream Parlour Restaurant - a division of the Marriott Corporation. David held several positions for the Marriott Corporation, and was the general manager of a large automobile dealership. These experiences, from entry level to management, prepared him to form the Ibarra companies, which include an insurance firm, brokerage firm, learning institute, and performance software companies. David is a well-known public speaker, trainer, and success coach who is invited to deliver keynote addresses all across the United States. David is also the recipient of an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Salt Lake Community College. David has participated in a variety of community and leadership positions, including an appointment by President Clinton to the U.S. Air Force Academy Board of Visitors. David has also served as a board member for the Salt Lake International Airport, Utah Private Industry Council, Central Region Council of the Utah Department of Workforce Services, Latino Leaders Network, and Utah Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Much of David's personal charitable contributions are directed to the Ibarra Foundation, which David started to make college possible for Latino students by providing full tuition scholarships. Since 2004, over 100 students have received a college education with the Foundation's help. For over 30 years, David has been committed to "Time Tithing" - weekly mentoring sessions for people, from all walks of life, who bring their business ideas and concerns to him for advice.

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Become the Switch Master of Your Own Thought℠ and Pivot to Positive℠

Copyright © 2020 by DAVID R. IBARRA. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations or except where permitted by law.

The information contained in this book is intended to be educational and not for diagnosis, prescription, or treatment of any health disorder whatsoever. This book is sold with the understanding that neither the author nor publisher is engaged in rendering any legal, psychological, or accounting advice. The publisher and author disclaim personal liability, directly or indirectly, for advice of information presented within. Although the author and publisher have prepared this manuscript with utmost care and diligence and have made every effort to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information contained within, we assume no responsibility for errors, inaccuracies, omissions, or inconsistencies.

ISBN-13: 978-1-7339150-8-3

Printed in the United States of America

For more information about special discounts for bulk purchases, please contact 3L Publishing at 916.300.8012 or log onto our website at www.3LPublishing.com.

Dedication

To Mr. Robert E. Farrell—my first business coach and mentor. At just 18-years old, I had no idea my dishwasher job at Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlour Restaurant would turn out to be one of the most significant experiences in my life. You challenged me to study Think & Grow Rich by Dr. Napoleon Hill and become a disciple of its principles of success. You helped me dream big, find my purpose, and gain the burning desire to achieve it. Just 10 years later, I became a business owner—the youngest Farrell’s franchisee. As I promised Mr. Farrell, I will always pay it forward.

In Memory of my father Francisco Ibarra, whose life was a great American success story. He taught me how to live and how to depart with dignity and grace. Dad will always be my hero.

To my brother Mickey, while we did not get to choose how or where we started in life, together we did choose where we would end up in life. During those first fourteen years of being raised in foster care, you were not only my brother, but also you were more like a parent. Every failure and success I have experienced, you have been by my side.

Thank you for always taking care of your younger brother.

To my fifth-grade teacher Mr. Sam Francis, thank you for believing in me and helping me to believe in myself.

To my sons Nicholas and Cassidy, my daughter-in-law Jenn, and my grandchildren Nicholas Jr. and Berkeley. You all have taught me so much about love and family.

To my work families at eLeaderTech and Think and Grow Rich Latin America, your dedication to coaching, encouraging, and developing PEOPLE makes it an honor to serve alongside you.

About Stop Drifting

Tom Stanley, a slightly overweight lost soul, who doesn’t want to get out of bed anymore. He would rather sleep than face the daily grind of his life and his car dealership. Life has lost its luster — until one day a chance meeting changes everything.

Tom runs into fellow car dealership owner, Daniel Santos. Tall, tan, and fit, Daniel is famous for his success and takes Tom under his wing. Not only does he agree to train Tom to run his first marathon, but also coaches him in his business.

While training for the marathon, Daniel teaches Tom:

• The Brain Model based on the Think and Grow Rich Science of Success Principles by Napoleon Hill

• How to become the Switch Master of Your Own Thought

• How to Pivot to Positive to overcome Dr. Doubt

• Identify what you want to develop — your Purpose

• Learn to create training processes to implement new business strategies

Stop Drifting is a story of great imagination to inspire new ways of mastering your mindset to achieve your dreams and wake you up to exciting new ways of thinking, being, and living.

Praise for Stop Drifting

"This isn’t a book. It is a full contact coaching session with one of the most compelling personal improvement gurus of our time. From the first page you feel as though you’re having a fireside chat with Ibarra himself. The story carries you easily into recognition of the familiar, self-limiting dilemmas of your life. Next, this master teacher brings fundamental principles of success to your soul as artfully as Aesop.

With each page you will find yourself involuntarily scribbling commitments in the margins. Before you finish you will find yourself behaving in ways that lead to greater achievement and enduring happiness. You’ll inevitably conclude you paid far too little for the value."

Joseph Grenny, Co-Author of Crucial Conversations, Crucial Accountability, Influencer, and Change Anything. Co-Founder of VitalSmarts

"Whatever book you are reading now, hurry up and finish it. Stop Drifting is absolutely the next book you should read—it’s really that good! For over 30 years, I have witnessed David Ibarra’s passion and success as a leadership coach. While reading his new book, I quickly realized the story was based on his real-life coaching experiences. The automotive narrative is simply a metaphor for how everyone can achieve incredible things if we apply the principles he teaches."

Craig A. Bickmore, Executive Director of New Car Dealers of Utah

"Sometimes you’re drifting without even realizing it. I’ve always practiced positivity in my life and business. Yet when I read Stop Drifting, it hit me—and it hit me hard—I could do better. Once I realized ‘Dr. Doubt’ was holding me back, I did an exorcism and sent Dr. Doubt packing. Just by applying the statement of my goals when I get up in the morning and before I go to bed, I got immediate results. I strongly recommend EVERYONE, including those who think they've got it mastered, read Stop Drifting. It’s a real game-changer!"

Michelle Gamble, author of Second Bloom: 10 Steps to Reinvent, Rejuvenate and Realize a New Life.

"Stop Drifting masterfully demonstrates the importance of finding the answer to life’s most important questions: ‘What do you want?’ and ‘How do you get it?’ Ibarra’s story artfully demonstrates the power of thought and how to pivot from negative thoughts to positive ones. This must-read book teaches you how to tame your adversary, ‘Dr. Doubt’, whose sole mission is to prevent you from ever starting. David practices what he preaches, and he does it every day with gusto."

Lionel Sosa, author of Think and Grow Rich: A Latino Choice and The Americano Dream

"I’ve had the good fortune to attend several of David Ibarra’s keynote presentations, including a national group of accomplished automobile dealers in New York City, the Automotive Auction owners in Detroit, and the National China Automobile Dealers Association Convention in Chengdu China. Stop Drifting is a book that rises to the same level of excellence as his keynote presentations. David possesses a unique combination of passion, intelligence, and commitment. His enthusiastic personality is infectious, his ability to educate is impressive, and his dedication to success is inspirational. Trust me; you will be glad you took the time to read Stop Drifting!"

Charlie Vogelheim, host of Motor Trend Audio, Past Executive Editor at Kelley Blue Book, and Vice President at J.D. Power and Associates

Foreword

As the CEO of the Napoleon Hill Foundation, I have seen countless examples of drifting leading to failure. This great new book by David Ibarra contains an easy-to-read story about fighting the habit of drifting or simply wandering through life without a definite major purpose. David used the success principles he learned from reading Think and Grow Rich, one of the best-selling self-help books of all time, to reach his level of success as a leader. Additionally, David uses his experience as a business leader to demonstrate to readers that drifting can be defeated by acquiring specialized knowledge, determining what you want most from life, taking action, and developing a pleasing personality. I highly recommend that you read Stop Drifting and ask yourself: How does this apply to my life, and how can I take action now to achieve my dreams? I truly enjoyed reading this book and believe you will too.

Don Green

Executive Director and CEO

The Napoleon Hill Foundation

Chapter One — Drifting

The sound of the alarm clock shook Tom Stanley to his core. It never used to do that to him.

Oh great, he thought. Please, just 15 more minutes, that’s all I ask. He had become accustomed to reaching out and slamming his hand on the snooze button, hoping that the next 15 minutes would be enough to satisfy him. It was never enough. Sleep, peaceful sleep, was his favorite time of day; it was the favorite time of his life.

Tom, Carol called from the bedroom door.

Tom squinted through watery eyes over at his wife, who stared back at him with a furrowed brow and her lips pressed into a thin line on her face. That’s the third time you’ve hit that darn snooze button. Are you going to get up today or what?

What do you mean? Tom asked about to let himself drift off again. His eyelids felt as heavy as steel beams, making an extra few minutes of sleep that much more appealing.

It’s seven thirty-five, she said. Get up.

The realization hit Tom like a runaway freight train, and his eyes shot open. For heaven’s sake Carol, he said, leaping out of bed. Why didn’t you wake me? I needed to be up at 6:15.

Of all the days to have overslept, it had to be on the day of the 8:30 sales meeting. A meeting he told everyone else not to be late to attend. Even though Tom talked a big game about being on time, lately he seemed to be the one always behind schedule. A person in his position, the owner of the dealership, should act more appropriately.

He needed to be the model of excellence for his team: a beacon of pride and accomplishment. Yet here he was again, rushing out of bed to get ready. He felt humiliated.

You could have woken me up, he repeated, bounding across the room and reaching for his clothes hanging on the bathroom door.

Carol snorted, Yeah, sure. And stop your new morning ritual?

For the last few months, Carol had tried to wake up Tom on time, but he always greeted her with the same look of disdain—a look like the one Tom gave her now—and the whispered plea for just fifteen more minutes. There was no point in her trying anymore—and Tom knew it.

Tom sighed as he finished buttoning up his shirt. You’re right, he said. He paused while reaching for his tie and looked into the mirror on the wall. He had bloodshot eyes, messy hair, and skin much paler than usual. He now owned a slight pudginess around his belly that drooped past his waist—the result of large amounts of cheap fast food and sweet treats he had been eating. What was he doing to himself?

I just can’t seem to get it together anymore, he complained. These mornings are only the start.

These mornings led to the rest