Ten Things I Learned from Bill Porter: The Inspiring True Story of the Door-to-Door Salesman Who Changed LivesDespite being born with cerebral palsy, Bill Porter grew up to take the physically demanding job of a door to door salesman in the worst neighborhood in Portland, Oregon, earning no pay, only commissions. Eventually he became the companys top salesman in the city, the region, and finally the country. Along the way he learned powerful life lessons that he imparted to those around him. One of those people was Shelly Brady, first hired by Porter as a typist and driver, later to become his great friend. In this inspiring book, she brings together his lessons. These seemingly simple ideas, such as Mothers Know Best, Persistence Pays Off, and Know Your Limits, but Reach Beyond Them, resonate powerfully when seen through the lens of a life lived to the fullest against what would be impossible odds for many. Whether finding cooperative bellmen to button his cuffs or beaming a video to his speaking engagements because of ill health, Porter, whose life story became a cause celebre in the 1990s, gets the job done with a smile, and inspires readers to do the same. |
Contents
| 1 | |
| 13 | |
Mother Knows Best | 25 |
Persistence Pays Off | 35 |
Dont Take No for an Answer | 49 |
Know Your Limits and Reach Beyond Them | 63 |
Be a Team Player | 75 |
If It Isnt Broken Dont Fix It | 85 |
There Are No Obstacles | 107 |
Live Your Values | 123 |
LETTERS Things Youve Given Bill Porter | 133 |
AFTERWORD by Bill Porter | 167 |
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS | 169 |
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS | 171 |
ABOUT THE AUTHOR | 177 |
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Common terms and phrases
able agent answer baby believe better Bill learned Bill Macy Bill Porter Bill’s Bill's story blessed Brady family Callaway Golf called catalog child clients customers Dear Bill disabilities doctor door-to-door dream Ernest never eyes father feel felt finally friends Fuller Brush Company gift goals handicap hear heart hope hospital husband inspiration Irene handled Kauai later learned from Bill Lincoln High School lives looked Macy manager months morning mother movie never obstacles Oregon Oregonian pain parents person physical picture ID Portland Primerica Financial Services remember salesman saw your story selling Shelly Brady someone speaking engagement speech Steven Schachter talk tell territory thank things thought told Tom Hallman took touched United Cerebral Palsy walk wanted watched Watkins products week wonderful words worried write yard