billhamp 
November 2, 2012Real quick brief thought for Friday. Truth is, a lot of life happened today (Thursday) and I ended up just doing that instead of writing and doing other things that I had planned. Happens that way sometimes.
Earlier today I was reading through some notes that I’d taken years ago at a conference that me and some guys from work attended. John Maxwell was speaking and he told a story that I’ve never forgotten. Then watching the CMA’s tonight, his words were ringing in my head.
At that conference he told a story about one time when he was speaking before a large crowd. He gave the talk and everyone loved it. Praises were flowing. When it was over, a kid in his early 20’s came up to John and asked if he could talk to him. John obliged. The kid told John that he liked what John had to say. He too wanted to be a speaker and then asked John how he could do what John does. You know, walk up, look sharp, give a great speech and have the crowd go wild. This is what the kid wanted.
John answered the kids question, “How can I do what you do?” with a question of his own. It’s one I’ve never forgotten.
The question was. . . “Are you willing to do what I did. . . in order to get to do what I do?”
So often we see just see the success. We don’t see all the work it took to get there. The steady consistent discipline of doing the right things every day. The study, the reps, the time. Saying No to fun when there was work to be done.
It’s a great question and it’s so true. “Are you willing to do what I did. . . in order to get to do what I do?”
Have a great weekend.
As a young man I heard the following, and it still rings true today…”only in the dictionary does success come before work.”
Hey Bill- Great post!! I think this is a trait very indicative of my and future generations. We see something we want, and we ask how to get it as soon as possible. I like to watch the show “House Hunters”, and I find it so interesting that newly engaged or married couples are being so particular about menial details. The other day, a 21 year old couple nixed a house off their list because it was missing one item of their list of requirements……granite countertops in the kitchen and bathrooms. And they didn’t want to pay to have it re-done/updated, because they wanted a turn-key home. At the ripe, successful, and knowledgable age of 21. I’m all for having nice things if you have the cash for it, but I also don’t think we as twenty-somethings should expect to have the same nice homes, cars, whatever, as our parents do just because we want it. And the banking industry makes it so easy to assure us we can attain whatever we want….but they leave out the small fact that we will be in debt up to our eyeballs for the rest of our lives in order to get it. My parents’ first home was a trailer house. It was nice, but it’s a vast difference from what they have now. My fiance just finished building a new home. Granted, it is nice, but it is also extremely modest (it’s the same square footage as my parents’ trailer home–my life has come full circle minus the wheels attached to the home….) He built this home on a very strict and low budget comparatively for new homes. We have already talked of upgrades and remodeling….in 10-15 years though. Perspective.
Anyhow, this post was a great reminder of how we have to put in the time not only in our dreams or the workforce, but in the day to day activities such as buying homes and cars as well. I enjoy reading these! Thanks!!
Great post Bill! Thanks for that reminder today.