PAUL J MEYER
May 21, 1928 - October 26, 2009
I was sad to hear that Paul J Meyer passed away early this morning. He was a gentleman that I really wanted to have the opportunity to meet because of the tremendous life that he lived and the impact that he has had on millions of people all around the world. He was 81 years old when he passed.
Born to immigrant parents from Germany, Paul is a classic example of the American success story. He started off his career in service to his country by serving in the military. After serving his country he moved on to insurance sales. My understanding is that he applied to well over 50 companies, being rejected by each and every one before finally being accepted by a company and given one of the worst territories. By the time he was only 27 years old, Paul was already a millionaire insurance agent and insurance broker.
However, it is his contributions to the personal development industry that Paul is most well known for. Many refer to him as the father of the personal development industry because he was one of the first people to produce audio versions of personal development. It was through a passion for personal development that Paul started his two personal development companies which are:
Success Motivation International, Inc
Leadership Management, Inc
A couple of years ago he also launched a publishing company known as Leading Edge Publishing Company, which publishes many of the books he has authored, including one of my favorites which is 24 Keys That Bring Complete Success (Fortune Family & Faith)
Paul was also a deeply religious man, unashamedly speaking about his personal relationship with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. However, what impresses me most about him is for all of his professional accomplishments they have not had a negative impact on his family life. Unfortunately when you read about most leaders who have earned the type of income this man has earned, they are usually divorced several times. Not Paul. He was married to his wife Jane for over 37 years and EVERY WEEK he sent flowers to his wife! Even more impressive is the fact that he has five children and 15 grandchildren. A lot of kids usually want to move far away from their parents. However, all five of Paul's children live within 2 hours or less driving distance away from him.
Paul J Meyer was also my upline in Pre-Paid Legal Services. Along with his daughter Leslie and his son in law, Kevin, they co-founded LK Marketing Group. This group is the #3 income earners in all of Pre-Paid Legal, earning well over 1.5 million dollars a year. A multi-millionaire many times over (last year Paul earned well over 100 million dollars for the year), Paul donates his half of Pre-Paid Legal commissions to religious ministries and charities all over the world.
Every year, Paul invites every distributor in the organization that has reached the Gold Executive Director position or above to his ranch in Waco, Texas for a leadership retreat. It was an event that I was looking forward to qualifying for in the future and having the opportunity to meet Paul in person.
I am so grateful that he has taken the opportunity to document so many of his philosophies and attitudes in books and tapes. Now that he is no longer here, I won't have the opportunity to meet him in person. However, I can still benefit from his years of knowledge and incredible success philosophy through his books and tapes.
Paul J Meyer - A great man, mentor, role model and a classic example of a life well lived. He will be missed!
I've included some links to some additional resources if you would like to learn more about this amazing man!
Read Paul J. Meyer’s Obituary
Paul J Meyer - What It Takes To Be A Winner - June/July Success Magazine 2009
4 comments:
I am also a ppl associate. Became a member a week from today. I just receive news and immediate did research to know about another great role model.
are you from california sir?
http://prepaidlegal.com/go/johnvu
would love to keep in touch with you
As an Independent Associate of PPL, I have had the pleasure of meeting Paul J. Meyer and feel greatful that I have had the opportunity to do so. We are blessed to have had Mr. Meyer pass on his wisdom in personal development at our LK Marketing meetings during conventions. He will be missed!!
C. Laugalys,
Ontario, Canada
I am also a PPL member and Manager Associate in Ontario Canada. My brother is on my team. We grew up with Paul Meyer's Personal Development on both records and cassette tapes. Our father had the 1st SMI distributership in Canada. He went to Waco to meet Paul and make the arrangements. [I still own some of the original records] Dad named his Company "Dynamic Personnel Limited", & sub-headed "motivating people to their full potential". Paul Meyer was an icon to be sure and a significant part of our lives. Lynn
It isn’t with sadness with that I reflect on Mr. Meyer’s passing but with gladness and celebration as I can’t think of anybody who lived life to the very fullest as Paul J Meyer.
He has been part of my life for over 20 years; first in 87 when I attended Dale Carnegie and somebody lent me one of Mr. Meyers recordings and then in 97 when I became involved with TPN. I joined because Mr. Meyer was on the success channel.
When TPN was sold to PPL my gut reaction was we were sold out, after all who needs legal services, which is another story. It was because of the belief of leaders like Paul J Meyer which sustained my belief that if he believed so do I.
Gary Burnett RM
Ontario Canada
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