Recently one of our sons, Chad, started classes at Columbia University. Although Chad was extremely excited about returning to school he was also very apprehensive. The reason for his anxiety was the fact he was a freshman at the age of 25.

You see Chad is a Former Marine and a Veteran of the Iraq War. He was but one of the thousands of Marines that were the first to go into Iraq during the invasion. Chad was fresh out of Salem High when he went to Boot Camp in 2002. He was still in high school when he enlisted after 9/11.

Now as he struggles to adapt to “Civilian” life he wants to finish his education. For that I as a mother am both thankful and proud. He hopes to one day join me selling Columbia real estate and I do indeed look forward to that day.

In addition to Chad’s anxiety about his age as a college freshman he admittedly has a few cobwebs in the “grey matter” area. He came over to the house to discuss these concerns with his father and myself. His father told him to grab a tablet and he did. His father then said “I never was very good at math but I was lucky enough to learn the formula for success.” On the paper my husband scribbled the following formula: W x (K+S+A) = X. He then said “this formula applies to anything you do including school. Any trade, any business.”

My husband then explained the formula:

W = Work Ethic
K = Knowledge
S = Skill
A = Ambition
X = Success

Each of us needs to rate ourselves in my husbands formula. Use any figure you wish for the first 4 parts ie 0 -10 or 0 -100. It matters not how high you rank on “K”, “S” or “A”. If you rank 0 on “W” the answer to “X” is 0.

The reason I share this little private story with you is that not only did it help Chad overcome his anxiety after only one day in college the young man learned two valuable lessons….. The formula for success and that Dad is much smarter that he ever imagined.

~Rhonda McMillan
Broker

We are proud to report that the 12th Annual Columbia Heart Walk was the most successful Heart Walk that Columbia has had to date and that the All Pro Realty Team was a part of this historic fundraiser.

So far over $88,000 has been collected for the American Heart Association as a result of the Columbia Heart Walk and the money is still coming in.

The All Pro Realty Team fell short of our $500 goal by over $200 but already have plans to better organize next year for this worthy event.

“It was great fun and I am proud to have been a part” reported All Pro’s Vice President Brandon Parker. Brandon led the way for “Team All Pro with his VERY pregnant wife Katarina and 9 year old daughter Autumn.

Despite early morning thunder showers hundreds of Columbians turned out for the 8 mile march for health. The gathering at Stevens Park was accented with drawings, gifts, face painting and balloon sculpturing for children.

Local vendors like Subway and others supplied food and drinks while our premier local FM station The Eagle 93.9 served as MC.

“It was a blast to say the least and made even better by being for such a great cause” stated All Pro Realty Team Leader and Broker Rhonda McMillan who was last seen being shadowed by a beautiful red headed butterfly (her Grand Daughter – BreAnne).

The American Heart Association will continue to accept donations to the 2007 Heart Walk through September 30, 2007.  Any donations received after September 30th will be credited to the 2008 Columbia Heart Walk.  If you have donations that still need to be turned in you can drop them by the office, call 573-234-1487 to make pick up arrangements or you may mail your donations to:
 
American Heart Association
Attn:  Columbia Heart Walk
P.O. Box 30638
Columbia, MO 65205