Three Feet From Gold

This morning I began reading a book titled "Three Feet From Gold" by Sharon Lechter and Greg Reid with the Napoleon Hill Foundation. Napolion Hill was the author of the renowned book "Think and Grow Rich". It was lent to me by my good friend Don Foley who's always had my best interests in mind. The book is a story about a young man whose ego has gotten in the way of his progress. He meets a prominent business man who takes him under his wing and through various introductions to successful friends, he mentors and coaches him back on track. Without giving the book away, I wanted to share 8 key points I walked away with thus far.

"The most common cause of failure is quitting". Like the man who sold his empty mine to someone who discovered more gold by digging three feet further, many of us quit moments from success or accomplishment.

"Whether the glass is full or empty depends on where it began". This is an interesting twist on an old saying depicting those who see the glass as half full to be optimists and those who see it as half empty as pessimists. The glass starting out full and now being half empty can be looked upon differently than the one which started out as empty and now is half full.

"Before great success comes, you will surely meet with temporary defeat". Knowing that this is true, let's continue and persevere!

"There is a difference between being interested and being committed". What are you commited to? Many people quit because they have no passion for the business or their work. Those who succeed have a vision and love what they are doing. They are able to stick to it despite the setbacks they encounter. They have "STICKABILITY".

"Work your strengths, hire your weaknesses". Many of us try to do it all regardless whether we are good at it or not. This usually takes us away from the things we do well which compounds the overall problem.

"Seek counsel not opinions, and then pass it on".  Most people listen to opinions from people they know, rather than seeking out counsel from subject mater experts.  The problem is that most people we know may have little or no actual successful experience on the topic.  "Opinions are usually based on lack of knowledge, whereas counsel comes from wisdom and experience".

"Never make a major decision in the valley". How many times have you made a big move in times of sorrow, anger, a low point of your life?  Ride out the storm so your major decisions come from a point of progress and not defeat.

"A dream is just a dream unless it's written down. Only then does it become a goal". It's not about what you want to do, it's all about what you promise yourself you will actually accomplish. Keep cards with your goals written down in your pocket. These will serve as a constant reminder of what "promises" you need to deliver on.

So these are the key take always from the first four chapters.  I am curious what do you think?

Side note:  I do not believe there is such a thing as "failure" like the picture above depicts.  Unless of course you don't get up, dust yourself off, learn from your experience and have at it again!