This is part two of my time with Lead the Field, a book on the [Personal MBA][] [Quick Start][] reading list. To read all posts related to this book, see Lead the Field on JustAJot.
Chapter 2, Acres of Diamonds
If we’re talking about acres of diamonds, then we must look to Russell Conwell. Russell Conwell is responsible for the well-known speech entitled Acres of Diamonds. In Lead the Field, Earl Nightengale sums the moral of the story well. I’ll provide a summary too, but this is the type of lesson most people need to listen and think about many times before they finally fully understand. I know I’m one of those people.
The grass is always greener on the other side, right? Has it ever crossed your mind that it’s because that grass is getting better care? We must fully explore what opportunities lie right before us, else be lost in this world, continually chasing one opportunity to another. We need to take the time to thoroughly explore the working in what we’re now engaged, and to explore ourselves — we may find everything we’re looking for right there.
You can download Acres of Diamonds on Project Gutenberg.
Lead the Field
This is part one of my time with Lead the Field, a book on the Personal MBA Quick Start reading list. To read all posts related to this book, see Lead the Field on JustAJot.
Introduction
Lead the Field by Earl Nightengale is an audio program about human potential, a how-to on developing yourself into a more successful person with a more fulfilling life. The audio program is part of the Quick Start section of the Personal MBA.
Chapter 1, The Magic Word
Attitude. The magic word is attitude. It is our attitude towards life that determines how we experience the world in which we live. Success or failure is not a matter of luck, fate, or who you know. You determine your own success from your attitude.
Unfortunately, most people act as chameleons. They respond to external stimulus, waking up in the morning with a neutral attitude, only to be swayed from good and bad moods from daily events experienced throughout the day. If something bad happens, they respond with a good attitude. Something bad happens, and they respond accordingly.
But does it really have to be this way? Can’t we just control our own attitude? It should be possible to work through bad events with a good attitude, shouldn’t it?
According to Earl Nightengale, yes, we can control our attitude. If the world you experience is a reflection of your good attitude, then bad events aren’t all that bad, and good events are even better. But how in the world are we supposed to control our own attitude?
Mr. Nightengale gives us an interesting test at the end of the chapter: treat every person with whom you come in contact as the most important person on Earth.
Thoughts
How do we control our own attitudes? How do we accomplish anything that requires skill? I believe the answer is in Mr. Nightengale’s test. Practice!
Ever since I can remember, I’ve never believed much in luck. If luck is what happens when preparedness meets opportunity, then it’s no wonder that I’ve never believed in sitting around, just waiting for things to happen. What I do believe: you are ultimately in control of your life — so get to work and make great things happen.
If we ultimately get what we expect, expect great things. Expect to be successful. Expect to be whatever good thing you want to be. It can’t hurt — not with a good attitude.
