Woo Hoo…we begin an 11 day Odyssey of Interviews called “Destiny Discoverers”
These are people that I have personally invited to play because I sense their big heart, 
open mind, and ability to succeed on their path of Purpose…..today we begin with interview #1, Bill Gladstone, someone I have known about for a few years. I admire his mission to help transformational authors get their message out to the world. Upon reading his recent book The Golden Motorcyle Gang, I knew I was meant to connect with him, since I myself am a Golden Dolphin energy, one who has come to bring more empowerment, love and enlightenment. It is so great to connect with each other at this time of the Shift.
What were the stepping stones that allowed you to step into your True Purpose/Destiny? (key choicepoint, decision, change, or challenge)
There were many choicepoints along the way but there never was a challenge or major change in my approach to life. From infancy I had a sense of purpose and destiny and an innate feeling of joy. Adults were drawn to me and my constant smile. I had an older brother who was violent and who tried to strangle me almost from the day I was born and was abusive to me throughout my childhood. I felt challenged by his abuse and even contemplated suicide at the age of six. It was quite clear to me that his behavior was limiting my potential and was interfering with my personal sense of mission and purpose which though undefined was with me from birth.
When I made the decision not to commit suicide I decided that I would do the best I could and avoid my brother as much as possible. I excelled at school, in sports and socially was quite popular acquiring the nickname Happyrock(the Gladstone). My brother was really a mirror opposite full of negativity and his nickname given by the older students at the school we both attended was Sadstone. Having to interact with my brother gave me a sense of compassion for others who had challenges in their lives. Except for my brother my life was most charmed with loving parents and abundance meeting all reasonable needs I might have.
What did you have to let go of in order to truly follow your path?
I have never really had to let go of anything though learned that having tens of millions of dollars and wives who were beautiful, sexy, fun and exciting but ungrounded and selfish was not a formula for happiness. Suffered greatly from several failed marriages but never stopped loving my children or believing in love itself.
What did you say yes to?
Have always said yes to life. My literary agency is based on saying yes to authors and wanting to help them and their publishers find great matches that result in great books and lots of sales. I enjoy helping people with my specific expertise, experience and skill set related to book publishing. I grew up as the son of a book publisher and was educated in the book business starting at the age of six years. I really knew a great deal about publishing even before graduating college and was asked to serve as editorial director for a number of major publishing companies while still in my early twenties. I accepted a position with Harcourt Brace Jovanovich in San Diego California and after two years created Waterside Productions Inc. not as a literary agency but as a film company. Due to lack of funding and other obstacles I focused on the literary agenting at a time when there were few if any major literary agents outside of new York city.
My odds of being successful were not high. However due to my good nature and willingness to explore books that did not necessarily interest me personally but which were easy to place with book publishers I became the leading literary agent in the world for technical information for books on how to use the just then exploding world of computers and soon after the internet. I loved the excitement and the rush of finding authors and creating books in sometimes less than six weeks that eventually would sell millions of copies. Everyone was making significant money and the books were helping to lead the information revolution that has transformed our planet in the last thirty years.
What were the key actions you took to start creating the destiny you wanted to experience for yourself?
The key actions were always working hard and keeping focused attention on how I could help others while taking care of myself emotionally, physically , financially and intellectually. I have low tolerance for boring people and boring projects. I limit myself to working with people I enjoy being with and am open to both famous and less famous people. I care more about their character and acts of goodness as well as their intent than their fame and celebrity.
What is one key nugget of wisdom you wish to share from your journey?
Never give up. I have failed many times in many ways both personally and professionally. I am an optimist by nature and I am also generous by nature. My generosity starts with myself. I forgive myself immediately for any mistakes I make and just try to do my best in every moment to experience joy and be a catalyst for others to experience and share their joy. Most important single quality is to maintain integrity in every moment and be your authentic self. I am not exactly the same person today that I was as a young student but I have never allowed myself to follow or believe in people or causes without questioning who, why and how they do what they do. In the end each individual must be his or her own teacher. There is no one with greater access to the infinite source of wisdom that we all share that you yourself. Find mentors along the way if you can but in the end trust in your own intuition, your own sense of right and wrong and your own commitment to self determination.
About Destiny Discoverer William Gladstone:
William Gladstone is co- author of the books Tapping the Source, The Golden Motorcycle Gang,
and author of the international bestselling novel, THE TWELVE. He is also co-producer of the highly
acclaimed film, TAPPING THE SOURCE. As a literary agent, Mr. Gladstone has worked with some of the
most respected and influential authors of our time, including Eckhart Tolle, Deepak Chopra, and Barbara
Marx Hubbard. As a pioneer in the publishing industry, William contributed to the creation of the
first print-on-demand book publishing company. Throughout his career, William has also worked with
prominent visionaries, including Tom Anderson, founder of Myspace; Peter Norton, founder of Norton
Computing; and Linus Torvalds, creator of the Linux operating system.
William has served on the boards of public and private companies He was the founding president of the
Alumni Association for School year Abroad, based in Andover, Massachusetts. William attended Yale
College and earned a graduate degree in cultural anthropology from Harvard University. He resides in
Cardiff-by-the-Sea, California. Visit www.waterside.com
***Michelle L. Casto is The Destiny Diva, Success Catalyst and Prolific Author. Read her latest book upon which the series was created The Destiny Discovery: Find Your Soul’s Path to Success.