What's in YOUR wallet?
Friday, June 01, 2007 - posted by hellomynameisscott at 5:47 AM
It’s rare to have an epiphany while standing in the middle of Hooters.But I guess there’s a first time for everything.
“Look around this bar,” my friend Matt urged, “and tell me what you see.”
“Um … hooters. I see hooters,” I said.
“Alright, wise-guy. Now tell me what you REALLY see,” he joked.
“Well, I see lots of businesspeople.”
“OK. Good,” he said. “Now. Do you know what all these businesspeople have in common?”
“No idea.”
“Here. Let me show you something,” he said as he pulled out his wallet.
Matt unfolded a well-worn piece of paper. Both sides were covered in text.
“These are my goals,” he proudly stated.
“What, like, ALL of them?”
“Yes. Every one of them. Over 100, too: short term, long term, personal, business, relationship, you name it!”
“Wow. THAT is cool,” I nodded. “And I see you’ve dated and quantified each goal too. Nice work.”
“Thanks,” Matt smiled. “Now, do you know why I showed this to you?”
I leaned forward.
“Because statistically, about three percent of all businesspeople actually write their goals down. And less than one percent actually carry their goals with them at all times.”
“Which means, at this very Hooters, at this very moment, I guarantee you that I’m the ONLY person in the room who has his goals written down AND stored in his wallet.”
A chill ran down my spine.
“That’s what all these people have in common. They just don’t get it.”
Matt changed me on that day.
The way I think about goals.
The way I think about self-motivation.
The way I think about personal success.
When I got home that night, I sat down until 1 AM typing out every one of my personal and professional goals on a single piece of paper.
When the printer finished up, I grabbed my goal sheet and took one last look at it.
And I felt excited. Confident. Motivated.
Then I folded it up, stuck it in my wallet and committed to looking at it once a day, every day, until every goal was accomplished.
- -
I dare you.
I double dare you.
No, I TRIPLE DOG DARE YOU … to do this exercise.
Because it won’t just change the way you look at goals.
It will change the way you walk into a room.
Because even when you’re feeling down … even when you’re feeling unsuccessful … and even when you think business sucks
... all you'll have to do is pull that little piece of paper out of your wallet, take one look around, and think to yourself, “You know what? I’m probably the ONLY person in the room who has one of these.”
LET ME ASK YA THIS...
What's in YOUR wallet?
LET ME SUGGEST THIS...
Share three of those items here!
* * * *Scott Ginsberg
That Guy with the Nametag
Download Scott's new book!
Right here, right now, for FREE, no strings.
add to del.icio.us * digg it! * email this post
Labels: commitment, get them to come to you, totally random stuff
Well, you did ask what was in my wallet....bandaids, antibiotic cream, nail clippers, a left-handed Swiss army knife, kleenex, hand sanitizer, hand cream, lip balm, 15 "cards" (bank, credit, health, etc), a pen, a notepad, my PDA, my cell phone, my husbands business cards, my business cards, and as of today, my goals. One of which is to be a good Mom which is why I carry SO much stuff around in my purse :)
Inspiring as usual! This is something I haven't done, but am DEFINITELY getting on this weekend! I especially like the last line. makes me feel special already :)
A business card from Mama's Restaurant in Santorini Greece (2 years old), the best non-greek food with the nicest owners (who could talk for hours) you've ever met.
A well punched student 'Dawg Pack' ticket card for UW Husky basketball games
Chipotle gift card. Better than cash (ok almost)
all of a sudden i remember:
when i was not much self-assured and i was suffering under really hard study work i had the following in my wallet:
the golden portrait of roman emperor hadrian taken from an ancient roman gold coin ... the noble face of a true humanistic ruler ...
i liked it.. it motivated me ... if you wanna see it .. i can mail it to you !