I can't say it too many times. It's the most important

advice in this book. TAKE DEAD AIM. 

- Harvey Penick, "Harvey Penick's Little Red Book"

Marginal Requirements

Second-Quarter Earnings- Last week Proctor and Gamble cut its earnings and revenue forecasts, citing among other factors unfavorable exchange rates. A strengthening dollar, especially versus the euro, can negatively impact earnings for U.S. companies that do most of their business overseas. But it's great if you're planning a summer vacation to Europe. So now might be a great time to liquidate your stock portfolio and hit the beaches in Mykonos.

Germany- Last week, the ZEW Research Center's economic expectation's index for Germany fell to a 14-year low. Additionally, Germany's IFO index of business confidence fell to its lowest level since March 2010. It looks like the euro zone debt storm finally hit Germany's radar screen. So far it's only a "watch," but don't be surprise if it's upgraded to a "warning."

Marginal Musings

Vice President- In 1885, a young political scientist named Woodrow Wilson wrote a path-breaking book about the intricacies of American government. Its 344-pages included just one paragraph on the vice presidency. "The chief embarrassment in discussing the office is, that in explaining how little there is to be said about it one has evidently said all there is to say," wrote Wilson. Nonetheless, this summer the only news item getting more attention than Mitt Romney's choice for a VP will be Tim Tebow's choice for a girlfriend.

Just Plain Marginal

Bling-A-Ding-Ding- To celebrate his very first Father's Day, pop singer Beyonce bought her husband Jay-Z a $40 million private jet. For her daughter's first play date, Beyonce plans to rent out Yankee Stadium. 

Views From the Cheap Seats

Dear Ross and Keith, 

The other day I found in our home library one of my favorite books that I purchased over twenty years ago; "Harvey Penick's Little Red Book: Lessons and Teachings from a Lifetime in Golf." Harvey Penick was a longtime golf instructor at the Austin Country Club in Austin, TX. He dispensed simple, direct, and practical advice to some of the game's best players. He kept a diary of teaching anecdotes in a little red notebook, and at the ripe-old-age of 88 he had them published into a book. Thumbing through the book, I stumbled upon a two-page chapter titled, "Take Dead Aim." In it, Penick writes:

"Once you address the golf ball, hitting it has got to be the most important thing in your life at that moment. Shut out all thoughts other than picking out a target and taking dead aim at it…This is a wonderful thought to keep in mind all the way around the course, not just on the first tee. Take dead aim at a spot on the fairway or green, refuse to allow any negative thought to enter your head, and swing away…I can't say it enough. It's the most important piece of advice in this book. TAKE DEAD AIM."

"Take Dead Aim" is not just a piece of golf advice; it's a metaphor for life. Pick out a goal you want to achieve, don't fear failure, and go for it. God-given talent will get you started, but achieving your dreams will require intense focus, concentration and energy. You did it as students, you did it as athletes, and you'll do it again as adults. Ignore the critics, shut out the negative thoughts, believe in yourself, and TAKE DEAD AIM.

Three times in my life I summed up the courage to "take dead aim." The first was to get an MBA. That required a year's worth of night school to earn a GMAT score higher than my weight. The second was to convince The Pretty Blonde to marry me, and I scrambled to become a good salesman. The third is my desire to become a serious writer. I'll get back to you on that one.

Happy Tuesday.

Love

dad

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