Honoring a Living Legend

by Charles George

I often talk about how you never know how one small act of kindness can affect someone. It could be a simple smile on the street, holding the door for someone, an unexpected referral or gift, or countless other ways to serve people.

But what happens when you design your entire life to inspire people and help them achieve their dreams?

What happens when you teach people how to create work and a life they love?

That is my friend Dan Miller.

I’ve only known Dan for three years, but his impact on my life in this short time has been remarkable.

I’m so grateful for him and our interactions.

Actually, I have struggled to find the words over this past week to write this article.

It is one of the more challenging newsletters I have written, but one I am the most grateful for.

Over the last week, I have read many comments about Dan’s impact on other people’s lives.

How do you write an article about someone whose influence reaches people across the globe to the extent the sun is always shining?

Dan is unique, and I’m not sure I can articulate the magnitude of his impact or the number of lives he has touched. I can try, but I am not sure it would be accurate. I am still not sure I fully understand the astonishing impact of Dan Miller. I know it is vast and has been throughout his life, but I’m unsure if I totally comprehend his level of endearing influence.

So, for today’s article, I’ll share the ginormous difference Dan Miller has made in my life in such a short time.

Dan, I am grateful for you! Thank you!

Honoring a Living Legend

by

Charles George

David Hancock, who co-founded Morgan James Publishing, and I met about three years ago and quickly became friends.

As we got to know each other, he started telling me about Dan Miller’s impact on his life. He told me about how Dan has mentored him and helped him grow Morgan James into the publishing company it is today.

At the time, I had never heard of Dan Miller. I was immediately intrigued. As successful as David is, I wanted to learn more about this man, Dan Miller.

I immediately started listening to Dan’s 48 Days podcast. After listening to my first episode, I was hooked. I loved his entrepreneurial spirit, wisdom, and inspirational and encouraging demeanor. I’ve listened to his podcast every week since. I haven’t missed an episode.

Fast forward a couple of months, David and I started the Guerrilla Marketing for Writers Mastermind. One of the original members who joined was Dan. David and I were both excited and over the moon that he joined.

Not long after Dan joined the mastermind, I joined his 48 Days Eagles Community. Again, I participated in every weekly Monday Mentor call, got to know other members of his community, and learned from Dan and his content.

A Living Legend

It didn’t take long to realize that Dan is a living legend.

As a boy, Dan bought Earl Nightingale’s The Strangest Secret. This audio recording planted seeds and gave him ideas of what was possible for his life.

Later in life, Dan was invited to create his own program with Nightingale Conant called Dream Job – Create a Six-figure Income and Your Dream Job – in just 48 Days.

Recently, Dan shared how humbled he was that his program surpassed The Strangest Secret and is now Nightingale Conant’s third most popular program. Wow!

Plus, Dan’s podcast is one of the most listened to and downloaded podcasts.

His books have benefited people for more than twenty years.

Most importantly, Dan’s impact has helped countless people create work and a life they love.

I’m only scratching the service of Dan’s impact and the number of lives he has touched.

Personally, I love Dan’s always positive, helpful, confident, but humble attitude. I love his entrepreneurial spirit, advanced mindset skills, and can-do perspective.

I love his focus on creating a balanced life between business and family. Plus, I love his passion for publishing and leveraging a book into a business while creating multiple revenue opportunities based on the content of a book.

Also, the family aspect of his life is always front and center. It’s the love between him, his wife Joanne, their children, and grandchildren. His love, passion, and focus on his family are paramount.

These are some of the things I admire about him and how he lives his life.

Meeting Dan in Person

In December of 2022, our mastermind met in the Outer Banks of North Carolina for a week. We all stayed in one huge rental home on the beach, fellowshipped, and enjoyed life together.

This was the first time I met Dan and his wife, Joanne, in person. I loved chatting and our daily conversations. It is just something warm and endearing about both of them. It is their love for each other and every person who crosses their path.

At the end of Dan’s presentation to our group, I told him, “Thank you. I think you have just become one of my heroes.

I’m so grateful for you!”

Earlier this year, Dan scheduled a couple of Eagles Innovate Experiences in Nashville, Tennessee, and Keller, Texas.

These were one-day events where he brought members of his community together to learn, break bread, and connect.

In one of our mastermind meetings, I asked Dan about doing an Innovate Experience in Richmond. We only had a couple of weeks to plan and promote it, but we all had a fabulous and successful day together.

Lisa Spiller even stopped by to meet Dan so she, Dan, David, and I could get our picture together…the mentors and the mentees. The day was remarkable and one I will always remember. I’m still so grateful for the entire day.

A couple of weeks before Dan’s Innovate Experience in Richmond, he hosted the Nashville event. It just happened to be on my birthday. I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate than being there with Dan, Joanne, and other members of his community.

After Dan’s event, Brian Dixon hosted the Christian Entrepreneur Conference, which Dan keynoted. David, my wife Claire, and I attended, along with other members of our mastermind. Another excellent couple of days together.

What Does This Make Possible?

One of Dan’s favorite quotes and messages is, “What does this make possible?” Not everything always goes our way, but we always have choices.

Last Friday, Dan announced that on Dec 7, he was diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer that has spread, and doctors don’t believe he has much time.

Instead of feeling down, Dan left the hospital smiling and holding Joanne’s hand.

Dan viewed these unexpected events as another opportunity to lead by example.

Dan said, “This is a gift. It’s an opportunity to reflect on my life and spend time with my family and others I love.

This gives me a unique opportunity to live out the principles I have taught all these years. Think about the way that I present life and how to approach things that are unexpected and unwelcome. I tell you to “never let your circumstances determine your attitude.”

I’m getting an opportunity now to test that out. Did I really believe those things, or was I just giving lip service to some kind of principles that I read in a book somewhere?

I’ve loved creating new adventures, and now I’m anticipating an incredible spiritual transformation.”

Dan’s family created a living tribute so he can read the comments and participate in the discussions.

I’m not sure I’ve ever seen anyone present such news in a more inspirational and heartfelt way.

Dan’s Real Impact on My Life

What started as curiosity and wondering who Dan Miller was quickly turned into someone I could model my life.

It’s his love of family, leading with an understanding heart, and his always giving and generous attitude. It’s his love for books, publishing, and marketing and his entrepreneurial and always positive mindset.

Dan Miller has taught me a lot about business, publishing, leveraging a book, being even more positive, and developing lifelong relationships. Most importantly, I’ve learned more about life and living by example.

Dan has led by showing everyone how to live an extraordinary life serving others.

Dan Miller is an exemplary model of a life well lived.

I’m grateful for our time together and how his impact will continue to make a positive difference in my life.

As Dan said in his final email, “My legacy is firmly embedded in people like you, people that I’ve had the privilege of interacting with in the past few years. You are my legacy. You are now the torchbearers of these principles that I borrowed from the previous great thinkers.”

Along with the other people he touched, I will continue to share the principles and lessons Dan has taught. I will share the concepts with new generations and tell the story of Dan Miller and how he impacted so many people, including my own life.

Thank you, Dan. I’m forever grateful for you.

Love ya, Dan.