The Gold in Your Own Backyard

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Did you know that you probably have gold in your backyard? Let me explain...

The gold in your backyard is likely just sitting there, waiting to be discovered and used for your benefit. How much would your life change if you found this gold? Yeah, mine too.

Let me share with you a story about the gold that I discovered and it was right in my own backyard ... I just didn't see it.

I recently returned home from attending a mastermind in Dallas, TX. I was one of the keynote speakers for the event which was amazing. But let me back up for a second - when I was first talking with my friend Robert (the COO of the organization) about coming in to speak, I wanted to do a presentation about the virtues of a warrior that I have discovered by interviewing 115 protectors from across the industry. But Robert saw a different gold nugget that I hadn't seen.

He suggested that I talk about the PROCESS of how I was able to acquire so many interviews with so many industry leaders - most of whom had never met me before. Interesting. I had been so focused on the CONTENT I had discovered that I failed to see the gold of the PROCESS. 

Fast forward to my speech which was titled, How to Become Connected and Credible in Any Industry in 1 Year of Less. Sounds cool right? It was and is. Lots of the mastermind members approached me later and told me how cool the topic was and that this fit right in with what they were looking to do in the future. One man even said he had been wanting to write a book for some time but now he knew how he would approach doing it (the process). Awesome!

Think to your own life now - is there something that you've done really well for a long time (a process) that could add a lot of value to other people's lives? Maybe you cannot see this gold in your own backyard, so here's a tip: ASK SOMEONE ELSE THIS QUESTION! 
Ask a trusted friend or advisor, “Hey, is there something that I’ve done or am still doing that could add a lot of value to people’s lives?” Make sure this person knows you well enough and your background to be able to answer the question.

You may be like me and be unable to see the gold in your own backyard. My friend Robert pointed out the gold to me. Do you have a Robert who can see the bigger picture of what you do? 

Robert reminded me of a warrior principle that I know and yet didn't apply to myself - oftentimes, the PROCESS is more important than the thing itself. Sometimes, the process has even more value than the object in question. Take a step back in your life and focus on your processes to all the things you do. 

Maybe you have a process that allows you to catch more fish in less time when you go fishing. Maybe you know a unique process that allows you to sew more clothes in less time. I don't know what the gold in your backyard is for you and maybe you don't either. That's ok. Ask someone else to see if they can see it. Had I not talked to Robert, I never would have discovered this unique gold in my own backyard.

Live in the battleground warriors and keep your eyes open for the gold in your own backyard.

​Lanshe Sensei