Jill Cataldo


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Giveaway: Win a copy of new book “Be Who You Are!”

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Disclosure: This giveaway is sponsored by Jimmy Brandmeier. I have not been compensated for this post. I received a copy of the book for review. Read full Disclosure Policy.

Note: Giveaway has ended! Winners will be contacted via email. 

Graduation is right around the corner, and a new crop of young people will leave high school or college to enter the workforce and begin their lives on their own. What advice do you give these new adults about love, financial independence, and what’s really important in life? Musician and author Jimmy Brandmeier began writing a song to his three daughters, which quickly grew into a book: “Be Who You Are: A Song For My Children.” It’s an empowering message about the point of life from a devoted father’s perspective.

The book’s pages are packed with sage, no-nonsense advice — the kinds of things that may seem obvious to many adults but can take years to figure out on one’s own. For example, in one chapter, Jimmy shares the story of one of his music students who’s frustrated that he hadn’t become successful yet. Jimmy asked him to describe his daily routine, and the student explained that he woke up at 10:00am, watched a movie, got dressed, ate breakfast, and then tried to figure out what to do that day!

Jimmy writes:

Between “breakfast movies,” commuting, eating dinner, and partying at night, he had about an hour left to dabble with his dreams. From a lack of vision and planning to lack of belief in himself… I decided to focus on time. Becoming aware of how he spends his time could transform his life. Your goals and dreams must match your habits and routines.

“Name one thing you want to do,” I asked.

“I want to write songs.” 

“How much time did you spend writing today?” 

“Hmm,” he grunted.

“When’s the last time you sat down to write?”

“Umm, let me think.” Then he blurted out, “I don’t have enough time.” 

“You may not have focus. You may not have faith. You may not truly believe you can achieve your dreams, but I promise that you have more than enough time!” 

The book is filled with lots of examples of success stories from people of all walks of life. If you’re a fan of the concepts in “The Laws Of Success” (essentially, setting goals you firmly believe in, then fulfilling them) you find similar, solid concepts in “Be Who You Are.” There are also dozens of fun illustrations and images throughout the book which help reinforce the concepts being taught. 

My longtime readers, and my Chicagoland audience, will undoubtedly recognize Jimmy Brandmeier’s surname as well. Yes, Jimmy is the brother of Johnny B, and there are plenty of stories in this book featuring Brandmeier family memories with their parents, the five Brandmeier brothers, and their sister too! As someone who spent years of my life listening to Brandmeier family stories on the radio, it was especially poignant to open the book to a photo of the Brandmeier siblings scattering their father, Frank’s ashes at their beloved up-north cabin. 

I think that “Be Who You Are” would be a great gift for anyone who’s trying to find their place in the world and figure out what life’s all about! You can purchase the book on Amazon, but I’ve also got ten copies to give away to my readers! 

For a chance to win a copy of Jimmy Brandmeier’s book “Be Who You Are,” simply post a reply in the comments under this article! (If you need a post idea, why not share a favorite piece of advice someone gave to you?) This giveaway begins today, May 9, 2019, and runs for one week. The giveaway will end on May 15, 2019 at 11:59am CST, and on May 16, ten winners will be chosen via a random number generator!

More about Jimmy Brandmeier: 

Jimmy Brandmeier is “the dad” in a crazy household filled with 3 teenage daughters (Jamie, Jessie, and Josie), Paula, his wife of 20 years, 3 doves, 6 goldfish, a cat named Squeakers, and last but not least, Satchmo, a big, hairy yellow lab named after Louie Armstrong. Jimmy and Paula moved their family from Hollywood to Wisconsin to raise their kids closer to family. Brandmeier is a Telly Award-winning composer and Summit Award-winning marketer. He’s worked with artists ranging from Kenny Loggins to Jason Mraz, written jingles for brands from Mazda to Mattel, performed in venues from town halls to Carnegie Hall, and garnered media coverage from Oprah to Rachael Ray.

Legal: This giveaway is sponsored by JillCataldo.com and Jimmy Brandmeier. Responding to this post with a comment qualifies readers to enter. Duplicate posts do not increase chances of winning. The contest began at noon CST on May 9, 2019 and will end at 11:59am CST on May 15, 2019. Ten winners will be chosen via random-number generator on May 16, 2019 and announced the same day. Each winner will receive one copy of the paperback book “Be Who You Are.” Prize, information, and giveaway have been provided by Jimmy Brandmeier. I have received information to help promote the product as part of this giveaway. I have not been compensated for this post. I received a copy of the book for review. Winner will be contacted via email. If a winner does not reply to the message within 48 hours of notification, that winner will forfeit the prize and a new winner will be chosen. Fulfillment will be handled by Jimmy Brandmeier. Odds of winning are determined by number of eligible entries received. Read full Disclosure Policy. Good luck to everyone!

Comments

  2. Some great advice I was given a while ago was to ‘Do what you say you will do.’ Whether it’s related to home or work, always try to do what you say you will do and it will take you far!

  4. No one can take care of YOU but you! Been looking forward to this book release for awhile! ❤️💚❤️

  5. I have a 19 y.o. who could use some of this advice, cuz mom & dad certainly don’t know anything! ;)

  7. As an administrator for the Brandmeier Nation facebook group , I feel I have grown up with the Brandmeier family. If I don’t win a copy I’ll be purchasing one. 😎

  8. I finally learned to be who I am 14 years ago. I realized that people will either love me for me or I don’t need them in my life. I know a few people who need to read this book to help them. It would be great to win and pass this book around.

  10. It would be a wonderful thing to Win a copy of this book. Another point of view on life.

  11. I was already looking forward to reading this but your post just made me more antsy to get my hands on the book! I’ve been jotting little thoughts for my daughter for years but I think Jimmy May have already done all of the hard work for me! Thanks.

  12. Would love to read this and share with my daughter who will be a senior next year.

  13. What an inspirational book. My parents always told me growing up that is was ok to “just be me”. We didn’t try to keep up with the Joneses!! We had nothing to proof!. Stand by this even 40+ years later! <3

  14. Oh I need to read this book. I have so many different hats on in my life . Now retired with a 4 year old granddaughter my Boss.and her puppy. Who I’m I

  15. My niece is graduating high school and I’m all about sharing tips that I learned after college. Like never do laundry on a Sunday 😂.

  16. This seems like an awesome book. I would love to be able to gift this to my nephew who is graduating from high school next month.

  23. When all’s said and done, all roads lead to the same end. So it’s not so much which road you take, as how you take it.
    – Charles de Lint

  24. After a 33 year relationship (married 28) I am on my own for the first time in my life. Last year was the most difficult of my life! I had to survive a very contentious divorce (that I initiated) and I struggled tremendously with trying to find my footing and figure out how to stand on my own two feet all the while supporting my ex-husband. To top it off, my 23-year old nephew was killed in a tragic motorcycle accident and this loss has ripped a hole in our family! I am unable to offer any advise about making it through each day as your own person or how to find your purpose in life as I constantly question all of this on a daily basis. I think that this book might just be the tool I have been searching for.

  25. This book would be an asset to my family. My 12-year old grandson, who plays the sax and piano, lives with us and is going through some difficult situations with friends.

  29. Thanks, Jill. Would love a copy for our 18 year old daughter who’s graduating from high school in 20 days.

  32. I have a 13 year old son and any advice I can give him now will serve him well in high school and college (any beyond). Plus, I could always use new advice and how to look at situations with a new lens. I’d love to win this book! Thanks for the give away chance!

  35. All teenagers could benefit from reading books such as this! I wish that I had.

  36. Jimmy is an inspiration to others. His words and actions are something we should try to follow. Being a friend of the family I am so happy to see all of his hard work being paid off! Congrats Jimmy!

jillcataldoheadshotI'm Jill Cataldo, founder of Super-Couponing® workshops and author of the nationally-syndicated newspaper column and video series "Super-Couponing Tips" enjoyed by over 20 million people each week.

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