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Back during the Gold Rush (1848-1855) on the Western Coast of the United States, there are plenty of well worn tales of individuals who sold the majority of their belongings to buy just enough food and equipment to make the LONG trek by horse across the hardened terrain of the country in the hope of finding their personal fortune. A few actually had the perseverance, courage, strength and determination to make dreams a realty! Unfortunately, the majority of them eventually ran out of money, food, supplies , or a combination of the three and said goodbye to the Left Coast to go back to the lives of poverty that awaited them.
However, the lessons those fervent few left behind them have become things of LEGENDS. Those who read The New Age Nerd frequently know I have a big 'ole man crush on Napoleon Hill. And in his quote filled book, ‘Three Feet From Gold,’ he actually tells the true story of a man named R.U Harby who lived during that time.
Harby’s uncle had gold fever, so he staked his claim and started digging. After a lot of hard work, the uncle found a vein of ore, so he covered up his find and returned home to raise the money for the machinery that he would need to bring the ore to the surface.
They raised the money and Darby travelled with his uncle back to the site to make their fortune.
Things started well and before long, they had enough to clear their debts. They were excited, everything from here on would be profit and things were looking good.
Then the supply of gold stopped. The vein of ore had disappeared.
They kept on digging, but found nothing.
After a while, they quit in frustration and sold their machinery to a junk man for a few hundred dollars.
After they went home in disappointment, the astute junk man called in a mining engineer who checked the mine and calculated that there was a vein of gold just three feet from where Darby and his uncle had stopped digging.
The junk man went on to make millions from the mine.
Darby returned home, paid back everyone who had lent him money and was determined to learn from his mistake in giving up too soon.
He went on to become a phenomenally successful insurance salesman, more than recouping what he would have made from the gold mine.
He learned the lesson that you need to persevere through difficulties and stay focused if you are to become successful.
Whenever you feel like giving up on your dream, remember that you may be just three feet from gold!
~~ Napoleon Hill (Three Feet From Gold)
I first read that story over 20 years ago and it continues to have a Gi-normous impact on my life. In fact it is a MANTRA that I live by. My inner monologue often saying, “Come on Jeff, don't quit! Can't give up now! We are just THREE FEET FROM GOLD!" Of course the gold I am referring to could be a job, a weight lifting goal, or the starting of a new business. Sometimes, IT IS even about money!!
But it is that particular story that still informs my own beliefs, values, and sensibilities about the fine line between success and failure in life as much as any other I have ever heard. It's infused in my favorite stories of amazing Hero's Journey's such as Rocky, Rudy, even The Lord of the Rings. NEVER GIVE UP. NEVER. As they say, the night is ALWAYS darkest just before the dawn.
Hill's book is so full of piercing life NUGGET'S, I have pulled several of my favorite in the hope that they leave an indelible mark on your will power during adversity too!
Three C’s:
Congruency: Be authentic in your words and actions. In other words, do as you say, and say as you do. Others are watching, and even more importantly, this is what makes up your character.
Clarity: Have a crystal clear vision of what you desire.
Certainty: Know within your heart and soul that what you are doing has purposes.
Congruency: Be authentic in your words and actions. In other words, do as you say, and say as you do. Others are watching, and even more importantly, this is what makes up your character.
Clarity: Have a crystal clear vision of what you desire.
Certainty: Know within your heart and soul that what you are doing has purposes.
Sometimes the worst situations turn out to be the best opportunities.
When you call upon your subconscious mind you must conduct yourself just as you would if you were already in possession of the material thing that you are demanding.
Never let mistakes define who you are.
Collaboration is essential to creat miracles.
The knowing – there is a big diference between believing in something and knowing it.
Tell the world what you intend to do, but first show it.
Stop overplanning.
Dream big, and never stop short of reacing the top.
There is a difference in being interested and being committed.
Whether the glass is half full or half empty depends on where it began.
~~ quotes from Napoleon Hill (Three Feet From Gold)
At one time or another in each of our lives, we are going to be met with adversity and temporary defeat. But 90% of how the experience turns out is in HOW YOU SHOW UP TO MEET IT! So never quit, you never know, you may be ‘ JUST THREE FEET FROM GOLD!’
Nerdmaste,
Jeffrey Louis Martinez
