Modern Prospecting 1.3



photo: Mount Rushmore is near Keystone, South Dakota in the Black Hills. Historian Doane Robinson is credited with conceiving the idea to promote tourism to the area.  I wonder how and why these fellows were selected?  And why in this order?  And why George is the only one with a chest and shoulder?

 

 

 

Who do you think is a successful person? 

And why?

Our personal answers to this question are insightful and reveal something about who we are and our own value systems.  The answers are not so very easy.  If you’ve never thought about this before, don’t be surprised at how long it might be before a hero arrives.

In my search, I wrestled with these questions:

[1] Does success also mean … Hero?   Role model?
[2] Why?  What is it about them that cause me to call them “successful”?
[3] Does it mean I like them?
[4] How well do I really know them?
[5] Would I trust them with my child … for an hour, a day or a week?
[6] Is it a holistic or specific thing?
[7] Is it based on what they achieved for themselves? for family? for others?
[8] In all of history, in all of time, through my filters, who was successful?

 A score card ...

Have I ever met them?
Have I read (a little or a lot) about them?  How well do I really know them?
Have I ever conversed with them?
Have they ever done anything to help me?
Would I trust them with my property?
What is the primary reason why I think them successful?  Be it 2 or 20, of the reasons listed, what is the first reason as to why?

Here are my heroes; my Mount Rushmore

	Abraham Lincoln	Robert E. Lee	Jack Nicklaus	Jimmy Buffett
Have I ever met them?	No	No	No	No
Have I read about them?	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
How well do I know them?	I honestly do not know these people very well.  But, based on what I do know, they are on my Mount Rushmore.  I reserve the right to replace them.
Have I ever conversed with them?	No	No	No	No
Have they ever done anything to help me?	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Would I trust them with my property?	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
What is the primary reason why I think them successful?	Overall demeanor and character   Open-mindedness, expertise with words and his moral compass.	Overall demeanor and character   Loyalty, respect and creativity	Overall demeanor and character   Focus and determination	Overall demeanor and character   Sense of humor and a way with words

“Overall demeanor and character”, I decided was a foundation to “success” and it precedes, permeates and exceeds the successful career.  It includes family, grace, humility, community and Intelligence and to the best of my knowledge and awareness, I think my heroes are well grounded. 

Are these my values?  Is this my definition of success?

Yes.  I admire these attributes.  These men are my heroes and role models and I consider them to be successful.  I continue to read about them, learn from them and be inspired by them. 

And so, who are your heroes?  Who would you put on your personal Mount Rushmore?  And why? 
Ask your spouse, your children, your boss, your co-workers and others with whom you associate, 
Ask your next job applicant? 
And as a job applicant, perhaps it is an answer to the “Tell me about yourself …” question?

Here's to your success, your heroes and your values.