Contesting: A True Story
Back in the 1980s I read a life changing book called Contesting: The Name It and Claim It Game.
It was by Helen Hadsell, billed as “the woman who wins every contest she enters.”
The book showed the practical side of metaphysics. My attract a new car program is in the same genre: the idea is to show how tools like positive belief, visualization, feeling and action lead to concrete results — like winning a contest or manifesting a new car.
Contesting was a breakthrough book for me and many others - in fact, millions of others. The book sold three million copies. A few copies are still floating around, but you’ll pay anywhere from fifty to two hundred dollars for one (unless you’re smart and read this post to the end).
What most people don’t know is the author is still with us.
I talked to her on the phone the other night.
Helen Hadsell is 83 years old and a hoot. She’s vibrant, humorous, active, a hypnotic storyteller, and still as plugged into metaphysics as anyone around. She should have been in the movie The Secret.
Movie producers are in fact considering making a film of her life. I’d love to see that happen.
Helen and I spoke for about an hour. She’s still writing. She sent me her recent autobiography, Confessions of an 83-Year-Old Sage, which I’d love to see published, and one of her lesser known books, In Contact With Other Realms: An Adventurer’s Experiences in Awareness.
She personally knew many of the great teachers of the New Thought Movement, from prolific prosperity author Joseph The Power of Your Subsconscious Mind Murphy to Silva Mind Control creator Jose Silva to the mystical founder of Eckanker, Paul Twitchell.
Helen is delightfully fearless. She calls it the way she sees it, even if what she sees is invisible. She told me I was a monk in a past life who spent too much time “monking” around.
I guess that meant I got tired of being celibate.
She says we knew each other then.
Hmmmmmm…
I didn’t know how to respond to that esoteric observation, so I asked her about her most famous book, Contesting. The story of its birth is a great marketing lesson.
A young man who was so broke he lived in his car, heard of her winning contests with spiritual principles and said he wanted to publish her book explaining how she did it.
He didn’t have any money.
He didn’t have any experience.
He didn’t know where to begin.
But he had a goal: “I want to make one million dollars and move to India.”
Helen had a goal, as well: “I want to make one million dollars and open a center of my own to teach these principles.”
They made a deal: the man would pay a royalty of fifty percent (virtually unheard of today) for every book sold.
The young man drove off to begin his mission. Helen trusted him (though her late husband did not). She let go and allowed things to unfold.
“If it’s meant to be, it will be,” she says.
Six months later the young man returned, this time with a check for Helen.
A large check.
Here’s what he had done:
#1. He rented a mailing list of people who had entered contests.
#2. He sent every person on that list a postcard about Contesting, by the woman who won every contest she ever entered.
Clearly that’s an offer to market match.
You can imagine the response.
The man sold millions of copies of Helen’s book.
He made his million dollars, moved to India, and gave all rights to the book back to Helen. He had achieved his goal.
Helen got her money and opened her center.
This was a win-win-win.
The publisher won, the author won, and all those readers won.
That’s my all-time favorite way to do business.
There are so many marketing and metaphysical lessons in this little story that I urge you to read this post again and consider what happened.
And then apply the insights to your own life.
While you chew on that, here is Helen’s ending advice about life from her unpublished autobiography:
Make Every Day Special
Share a joke, hum a song.
Pass some special joy along.
And if someone should come your way
who doesn’t share your joy today…
THE HELL WITH ‘EM!
Ao Akua,
Joe
www.mrfire.com
PS - Helen is a private person. She doesn’t have a website. She rarely gives out her phone number. She does “Blueprints” on your life path, combining astrology and numerology and whatever her own intuition suggests, for $35. She has a few copies of her Contesting book remaining, which she sells for $10 each (postpaid). She’ll even autograph them. If you want one, write her at taptap88 at cowtown dot net. Tell her that her old lusty friend Joe the Monk sent you. 
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:grin::grin::grin:
Thanks, Joe! I’ve written to Helen. You are JOY! And I appreciate you! I follow many of your postings and you are a win-win kind of a man, inspiring me. I also enjoyed watching the video of your visit at the Heart store in Wimberly. I even woke up this morning wondering if I should start selling his shoes. I’m really glad you are “out there”. Mary
August 1st, 2007 | #
Thank you so much for your postings, I want to share this with you; I went to my bank account today and it was zero + (overdrawn) instead of getting into a total thought bog I repeated over and over “focus on what you want” which turned my day around I am still overdrawn but I know that by focusing on the positive I have the power to do something about this! thanks again
P.S. I have just bought a new car but will check out your website anyway
August 1st, 2007 | #
Wow, what a beautiful story! Thanks for sharing it with us. I thought the name of Helen Hadsell rang a bell. I read that book back in the 80s or 90s in the Danish translation.
Best wishes
Britt
August 1st, 2007 | #
Just read the blog on Helen! And I immediately wrote to her. Thanks Joe for telling us about a remarkable woman of inspiration and encourages us all to expand and open and be mindful of both intention and the attractor factor!!!
Life just gets better and better because of people inspiring people!
The best,
Loyie
August 1st, 2007 | #
Joe, I tried to reach Helen at www.taptap88@cowtown.net and it forwarded me to waymark.net which is a business communications website. Can you please assist?
Thank you, Rozanne
August 1st, 2007 | #
What a sweet story. I hope that someday I will be inspired enough to create a million dollar in the same way. Actually, I am, but I have no clue how to begin. Even at $10, it is hold to come by for me right now, but you’ve really inspired me to think positively, so I’m working on it. Thanks!
August 1st, 2007 | #
A small Houston group visited Helen Hadsell in /around
the Dallas area and spent the weekend with her.
Didn’t she train in Silva with Jose Silva?
Anyways we bought her book(s). An interesting thing is
when we walked in she commented that entities were
walking in behind/with us.
She is a lovely woman and very tapped in to the SOURCE (obviously by her life story)
We had a great weekend with her. Helen Hadsell is an incredibly gifted lady and she told us her stories of winning all/each of the contests.We loved just sitting and listening to her talk and did not want to leave. We each also got a reading from her. Very insightful!
Thanks Joe for the reminder and wake up call, you are an incredible human being. I just read Zero Limits and am now reading Hynoptic Writing. You inspire me and so many others by your life example. When I meet you in person, I have a big HUG for you. Thanks so much!:grin:
Blessings,
Joan Maresh-Hansen www.artworkontheweb & www.reachingnewrealities.com Coming Soon!
August 1st, 2007 | #
Never mind… my mistake…
August 1st, 2007 | #
:smile::cool::grin::wink: joe, you make me smile, you are way to cool, you make me think which makes me grin, wink wink to you
August 1st, 2007 | #
Joe
I wasn’t clear how to contact Helen. I really would like to get in touch with her. While I am at it I have just finished reading Zero Limits. I was saying a callover about wanting to be clean and free in order to make a difference and then bought your book. It was just right for me right now!!
Many Thanks
Love Mary
August 1st, 2007 | #
Joe thanks so much for the endearing share about Helen. It reiforces in me the clearing, erase erase that you shared in “Zero Limits” It also reinforces in me the desire to meet Dr. Hew Len in September near Charlotte NC. I say I love you and thank you often during the day!!
August 1st, 2007 | #
hay mr fire,hehehe l love that one truly i do,it makes me smile so much,love this story wow and wow again what a wonderful and awesome soul helen is i feel like i know her for lifetimes,she had the measure of you mr fire,hehehe monk that cracked me up cool. thanks for shareing this with us all i know of someone who is filming her story,wow how cool is this.thanks a million.blessings mr fire from ms fire.blazeing in glory.ros
August 1st, 2007 | #
Thanks, Joe, for giving us another example that getting older doesn’t mean losing all of your faculties. There are a lot of media stories out there hyping fear of getting older. It just doesn’t have to be that way.
I always appreciate your examples of win-win-win business too. I don’t think there is any MBA program out there that teaches this key to success.
Thanks for sharing your wisdom so freely!
August 1st, 2007 | #
Hi Joe greetings from Denmark, and thank you for the story, thank you for you,everything I learnt about LOA its trough you. Thank you.I havnt a website, i am doing it right now, my dream: I have 8 beautiful engels, each differend from onother, small, wonderful colors just like ballerins, wonderful creature. soon on my website, they are conected to the Univers. And i intend to sell them, many of them so I can make 1 million dollars so I can travell and come to America too.Love you and bless you.I will write to Helen. I am also happy that you are out there.Zsuzsanna from Denmark
August 1st, 2007 | #
Joe: you’re the greatest.
August 1st, 2007 | #
I loved the story about Helen. What a fascinating lady! I will email her shortly on her book.
Have you noticed the people coming out of factories and offices in the city? Bless their hearts! They look like zombies. Frowning, scrunched over, disgruntled, zombies!!!
What has happened to our society??? SMILE PEOPLE!!!
Thanks Joe you are pretty cool….I have enjoyed the Secret and all of the things and gurus involved in it. Just wanted to take time to tell you that…..And when I am 83….may I be as wise as Helen Hadsell!
CJ
August 1st, 2007 | #
Another awesome story Joe! Everyone needs to pursue their dreams! This is a great example of manifesting and creating your own reality. It works, I am living proof.
August 1st, 2007 | #
Thanks for sharing Joe. This brightened up my day.
August 1st, 2007 | #
Joe,
Thanks! from the “Mule” who only responds to 2 commands;
GEE.. Generic Eclectic Esotericist
or
HAW.. Hedonistic Atavistic Wiccan
D2
August 1st, 2007 | #
Joe, I used to be an Eckist or a follower of Eckankar way back in the 80’s. First I’ve heard of it in a while.I wrote to Helen and I hope she still has one of those books left.
Thanks and peace be with you.
Jay
August 1st, 2007 | #
Joe,
Yes, I love you and all the incredible wisdom you share…your personal story gives us all faith that we can do whatever it takes from wherever we start. You have been an inspiration to me for a very long time and will continue to read your materials, watch your DVD’s and apply your wonderful gifts.
I can’t thank you enough for your continuing supply of brilliant insight that I can apply and grow from, I appreciate you…Smiling Gail Foley
August 1st, 2007 | #
Thanks for the story about Helen Hadsell. It reactivated some wonderful memories I have from many years ago. I remember her from the Silva Mind Control classes in Dallas in the early 70’s. She was always ready to talk and share about creating your life by keeping your thoughts positive. I also remember going to her home for a “counseling” session back then. She has had a very positive effect on my life. Thanks again Joe for sharing this…..I’m going to e-mail her right now.
August 1st, 2007 | #
Yhe email doesn’t work
August 1st, 2007 | #
Did anyone notice Joe’s H’oponopono smile ?
Kind of powerful, uh ?
August 1st, 2007 | #
Joe,
What I love about you is how you are able to find people like this and then share their stories with others for us to learn from.
Sometimes we are able to learn more from a simple but powerful story than a $1000 course.
I have also emailed Helen.
Thanks!
Rob
August 1st, 2007 | #
:lol:Joe, I must agree with Rob - I think the people you bring into our lives adds so much to our growth. I want to meet Helen and share a cup of tea and soak up her wisdom. I will be ordering one of her books, hope she still has a few left! Maybe you could find a publisher to get the book back in print. thanks for so much!!!
August 1st, 2007 | #
OMgosh! I’m so excited to learn Helen is still alive! I saved up my allowance and probably cashed in pop bottles to secretly send off money for that book! And read it and read it and just thrilled in the possibilities. Never did win any contests but it was fun trying and dreaming. Thanks for reporting in Joe! I appreciate you!
August 1st, 2007 | #
Joe, will you be bringing your conversation with Helen as a podcast? I am sure it would be very entertaining and worth listening to.
August 1st, 2007 | #
Joe, this email reminded me of Ho’oponopono when I first got your post about it, it struck something in me, an awakening. Is it my timing, your timing, the timing, I’m not sure but it feels good. I wrote to her, normally I wouldn’t - why? Coz I feel that is greedy of me, but you know I’m changing thank the goddess and I like to feel the desire and passion for good things and you give out wonderful information and good things and I appreciate you exposing me to yet another amazing person, I feel like more pieces of the puzzle are falling into place, into yet another face of the cube, filling it in like a jigsaw. I love how you’ve used your Capricornian nature to build and provide with joy, you must feel fantastic, I want some of that please!
Love lots
Lise x
PS. When you coming downunder again, love to see you, you had dinner with mutual friend Dale Gilham (Wealth Within) last time!
August 1st, 2007 | #
[…] Yes…but don’t you want to know what is the product that the woman has, and how a homeless person can sell it and make millions of dollars out of it. For this you should check the whole original story at Dr. Joe Vitale at Zero site. […]
August 1st, 2007 | #
I would love to meet Helen and have a long cup of tea - I am fascinated. Thank you for sharing these tidbits, Joe - it’s rather cool.
I’ll just leave the monking bit out there …. !!!
Le’Chaim
Nancy
August 1st, 2007 | #
Great Story! Maybe ‘monking around’ refers to spending too much time alone and sort of hiding from life….just the opposite of what you are doing now.
August 2nd, 2007 | #
joe PLEASE HELP I CANNOT REACH HELEN HADSELL TO GET HER BOOK THANK YOU
August 2nd, 2007 | #
joe please help I CAN NOT REACH HELEN HADSELL TO GET HER BOOK
August 2nd, 2007 | #
Joe, I used to dream of attending the 4 major tennis tournaments in one year.. Now I dream of meeting Joe, you make me smile
August 2nd, 2007 | #
I tried to get the website for Helen’s book …but website does not exist…Joe can you help I would love to get the book.:grin:
August 2nd, 2007 | #
[…] The whole article […]
August 3rd, 2007 | #
Dear Marie and others who didn’t read my whole post about Helen, the PS said,
“Helen is a private person. She doesn’t have a website. She rarely gives out her phone number. She does “Blueprints” on your life path, combining astrology and numerology and whatever her own intuition suggests, for $35. She has a few copies of her Contesting book remaining, which she sells for $10 each (postpaid). She’ll even autograph them. If you want one, write her at taptap88 at cowtown dot net. ”
joe
August 3rd, 2007 | #
Aloha Joe, if at all possible like to purchase the book and get a reading but the email doesnt work could you find time to help me locate the correct www., mahalo, Aloha ke Akua, Moana at ama51mo04@yahoo.com
August 6th, 2007 | #
Hi Joe, Thank you so much for sharing this! Thank you for your amazing book - “Zero Limits”. I ordered it from audible - it’s fantastic. So when I see you, don’t be scared if I say “I Love You”
btw, mentioned in your newsletter that Helen doesn’t have any more books left. I think maybe you should remove her email from this page coz this post came up on the first page of google results (of course! look who i’m talking to - the marketing genius!).
cheers,
Irina
August 8th, 2007 | #
Hello Joe,
Thank you for wonderful story about Helen. After reading it I am not scared getting older. And I want to say you have most wonderful smile in the world. My son has same:). I wish I could make him follow my steps to learn about LOA. You inspired me to start learning it.
Thank you again.
With love,
Emma
August 9th, 2007 | #
:Hi Joe.
Greetings from Southern Ireland I was delighted and inspired to read this story . It gives me such hope. I have read the Secret and have noticed small but real changes occuring in my life. I have yet to realise the dream of obtaining 50,00 euros to allow me to remain living in this wonderful part of the world but I am ever hopeful that it will be granted.
Kind thoughts.
Margaret.
August 9th, 2007 | #
Hi Joe,
I love your work because it always seems to touch something in me that I’m not aware is there. I would love to get a coy of Helen’s book if she decides to re-publish it. Please put me on the follow-up list.
I’m sorry. Please forgive me. I love you. Thank you.
Cheryl
August 10th, 2007 | #
I did a search for Helen Hadsell on ebay, and there is a seller with several copies of this book available right now for $12.00 a piece, 300 available, expiring Aug. 15. maybe he’ll relist if he doesn’t sell them all. I was only #17 bidder, and it’s already the end of the 12th.
just thought someone might want to know this.
~Suzanne
p.s. I just finished readin “Zero Limits.” What a wower! I always “knew” there was something beyond intention, and now that I’ve read this, I realize it’s what I knew all along….
Thanks for everything Joe!
August 12th, 2007 | #
That seller is Helen’s son. Helen couldn’t answer all the emails, so she put the books on ebay. If you want one, best to get it there until she reprints.
joe
August 13th, 2007 | #
Glad I waited…I’m off to ebay!! Thanks Joe!
August 13th, 2007 | #
Joe, I can’t reach helen at taptap88 at cowtown dot net. I would love a reading do you have her snail mail address or the correct way to reach her.
Thanks in advance, Beth
March 23rd, 2008 | #
Hello. I think you are eactly thinking like Sukrat. I really loved the post.
July 19th, 2008 | #
nice very nice inspiring story i like it very much. thank u joe for sharing this
September 5th, 2008 | #
Hi everyone.
Ms. Hadsells’ first name is Helene, not Helen. FYI
I got her book ‘The Name It and Claim It Game’ from Helene last week, and I sent off today for her other book, ‘Confessions of an 83 Year Old Sage’.
You can go to www.deltasciences.com to get info, or order the book(s) online.
October 27th, 2008 | #
[…] Read the Full Article on Joe Vitale’s Blog >> […]
December 1st, 2008 | #
Hi,
I was wondering if you’d care to comment on the numbers the article mentions.
What I mean is - it would appear that her system does not work well for everyone who tries to implement it, certainly not as well as it works for her. If her book worked for everyone who read it, the people who bought the millions of copies of her books that were sold (not to mention if even 10 or 20 percent of them resold the books) then these people would be winning all of the contests they entered, over and over, so there would be lots of stories of repeat winners similar to her, but I rarely see that in any media (tv, radio, or internet) . Also when several of these people enter the came contest they are be competing with one another.
I wonder if you’d care to comment on this? I would really like to hear your thoughts on why some people are so much more successful with these techniques than others. I have my own theories (basically unresolved karma or subconscious negative attitudes and feelings). What do you think?
I took the basic Silva training about 20 years ago and had great results with it. After reading this article I would certainly like to use a Silva technique to improve my life, but I was wondering if you agree that most people will probably not have great or even good results with this approach, and how we can improve our effectiveness if we find that is true for ourselves. While your article is certainly motivating, I think an article that addressed this issue would be very useful for many many people.
Thank You,
Mike Scirocco
December 1st, 2008 | #
Hi Joe,
Than kYou for all the sharing that you do! Your “The missing secret” CD’s are awesome.
And thanks to you Jimmy for sharing the website on where to order the books.
Love you all,
Rev. Mary Madeline
December 1st, 2008 | #
Hi Joe, I would like to buy the book, Could you suggest some way to get it cheaper, I can’t afford this sums they are asking in Amazon, etc. I live in Spain, would it be safe if I write to Helene to the Alvarado address…shall I send the money with my letter. Please help me. Thanks:wink:
December 3rd, 2008 | #
Hi Joe,
Interesting story, I wrote to her to the provided email and am curious if I’ll get an answer.
I’d like to support Mike Scirocco’s request for your view on the questions he put.
Thanks and with love,
Lora
December 3rd, 2008 | #
Mike, as you probably know, most people don’t read the books they buy. For those who do read them, most don’t implement them. For the bulk of those who bought her book and read it, most didn’t believe it would work. Well, belief rules. Also, there are way too many contests to think people all entered the same ones. The logic of thinking everyone who bought the book would win just doesn’t hold water. Besides, isn’t it wiser to focus on you and your own beliefs?
Blessings,
joe
December 4th, 2008 | #
I saw you in the film The Secret. Thanks for your participation, it was very inspiring. I am very interested about learning and practicing what Mrs. Hadsell has been doing. What would be the best way? I understand her books are difficult to get. Could you suggest something else?
All the best,
Estela
December 4th, 2008 | #
What is the correct e-mail to contact Helen for a blueprint and a book.
Thanks so much.
December 4th, 2008 | #
Dear Joe,
You and Helen are truly self-awared phenomenal enlightened souls. I count it a privilege to have stumbled on this sight, or might I say destined! (smiles) I have been searching and on the path to self-realization for some time now, first of all trying to figure out who I really am, secondly trying to change my thought patterns to work for my family and I, didn’t know where to start or turn so I decided to meditate for the answers , which I started just yesterday, to my surprise, here I am reading your story, Wow, I can definitely say that angels are right by our side listening all the time, and you and Helen are the angels I needed today!!!!!!! Thank you for your time, wisdom, Knowledge, books, and lectures, that has made a difference in my thinking and always will!!! I look forward to meeting the both of you real soon!!!!!!
Unconditional love to you both!!!!
P.S. I also would love to get a blueprint reading from Helen, thanks for responding.
December 4th, 2008 | #
I have just been reading about Helene Hadsell and I came acroos this blog entry. I do actually receive some things from you related through other connected sites. My question is about the film ‘The Name it and Claim it game’ that was to be made by Idiko Minko (sorry it I have not spelt her name correctly) ? Thank you
December 6th, 2008 | #
I omitted to ask was the film made or is it in progress still ! Yvonne
December 6th, 2008 | #
Hi Joe.
I would like to get a blueprint reading from Helen
But the email taptap88@cowtown.net does not work, Help?
Frank
December 6th, 2008 | #
Hi Joe!
I too want to get a reading from Helene. I have her book from many years ago and have taken the Silva Method and so on myself. I remember emailing her when your article first came out and having no success as well. How can I reach her so I can ask her if she would do a reading for me?
Thanks so much!
Laura
December 8th, 2008 | #
Hi Joe.
Could you have Helene contact me instead? I tried taptap88@cowtown.net and was not successful either. I would like a blueprint reading and books.
Thank you so much.
Florence
December 11th, 2008 | #
I need a blueprints reading from Ms Helene. Interested readers are not getting through with taptap88. What is the best way?
I am 197
6 Silva method graduant from Seattle.
Nemaste
rotimi
December 14th, 2008 | #
Hi Joe,
The faith that Helene has demonstrated is incredable. You also demonstrate this in your work. Kindred spirits.
Thanks Eric
December 15th, 2008 | #
Hi Joe, Do you know how I can get a blueprint reading from Helene? Thanks!!
December 21st, 2008 | #
December 21st, 2008 | #
Hello, I actually just have a question in regards to The life blueprint, I was wondering if you have any idea as to when they will be available online again.:smile:Thankyou for you’re reply. Amelia
December 22nd, 2008 | #
i would love to get a blue print done from helene i live in australia can you help me
December 28th, 2008 | #
Wow, look at all the people here who wrote recently wanting change for the good in their lives. 2009 is the year! We must all be on the same plane of thought, so to speak.
I’d love the blueprint as well. Joe, point me in the right direction. If she has copies of her book available for a reasonable price, I’d love one. Thanks!
December 30th, 2008 | #
Dear Dr. Joe, I’ve tried EVERY aurl/address given in this post, and have not been able to find the correct one. How can I contact Helene? I would like to purchase a blueprint from her. I was adopted @ 3 months of age, located my birth mother a while back, but she & my birth father divorced after my adoption. I know my birth name and date/time, so I was hoping Helene could really give me “something to go on!” My birth father died in 1983 & I know nothing about him except his name and birthdate and his adoptive parents names. Thank you in advance for your helpful reply! Sincerely, Peg David Onarga, ILLINOIS
January 4th, 2009 | #
For information regarding The Law of Attraction .. http://www.lawsofattraction.bravehost.com .. It’s an amazing world out there!
January 4th, 2009 | #
Hi,
I live in Swedn and would like to get a blue print from Helene. Can you please help me with her contact info. Thanks
January 4th, 2009 | #