Chance you’ve backpacked across Europe: .1755 percent.
Chance you’ve competed in a competitive eating contest: less than .0001 percent.
Chaska resident Matthew Udermann can check all of these items off his bucket list and add one more -- publish a book.
Udermann has authored a book called “One in a Million: Life to the Fullest.” The book is a mash-up of statistics and inspirational goals, presented in easy to read graphics. The author hopes it will prompt people to follow their own dreams -- the spine of the book includes logos meaning “Dream. Do. Share.”
“I want to take people along for the ride,” said Udermann, who many Chaskans may know as the organizer of the annual SayHey5K race.
“One in a Million” includes the probability that, in the past year, an American has done anything from go camping to meet Lady Gaga to climb Mount Everest.
The book includes a “Did it/Do it” check list, as well as guides to accomplish one’s goals. “I’ve had a chance to manage a number of people,” said Udermann, a marketing professional. “If you believe in people and give them something to believe in that’s bigger than day-to-day, they just rise to the occasion,” he said.
This Saturday morning, Udermann is launching a Kickstarter campaign at Dunn Bros Coffee to raise funds for a larger run of his co-published book. (Kickstarter is an online tool used to raise money for projects, in exchange for small rewards. If a goal isn’t reached, donors keep their money.) If Udermann reaches a goal of raising $57,750, he offers a series of rewards, beginning with a handwritten card from his mother for a $5 donation.
Writing a book is a result of Udermann’s own goal he set for himself about a year ago, along with reading the Bible and, a soon-to-be-reached goal of visiting all the Major League ballparks in the Unites States. He is planning an official book signing at a Barnes and Noble in Houston -- where he plans to visit Minute Maid Park, completing his ballpark tour.
“I have an impatience for mediocrity. I like to lead by example,” Udermann said. He hopes the book will help people take “baby steps” toward their goals.
The book reflects Udermann’s own thought-process. “Half of my brain is logic and finance … The other half of my brain is marketing. This book pulls both of those together.” As a result, Udermann said the book would appeal to computer programmers as well as artists.
The statistics in the book are “intentionally diverse, but also some things are attainable and some things aspirational,” he said.
Udermann said he reviewed several sources before including the statistics in the book, “a very difficult and very laborious” process. He welcomes people to challenge his numbers and post their findings on his website. He also encourages to share their own accomplished goals on the site.
“I would encourage people to come out and share their support -- pledge with Kickstarter and buy a book at the book signing. And pick an adventure to do in the next year,” Udermann said. “I think the title sums it up, 'Life to the Fullest.' If I can spark that in other people, I think I’ve won.”
Source: http://www.chaskaherald.com
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