What special skill can you spin into gold?
Last night I flew back to Milwaukee from San Francisco. I rarely watch movies on flights. But last night there was a movie that was calling my name. It was a documentary called The Biggest Little Farm, about a young couple in Los Angeles who decide to become farmers. #nonotcannabis
The couple, John and Molly Chester, know nothing about farming. But they find an investor willing to help them buy a 200-acre farm an hour north of L.A. However, the farm they buy is terrible. Like Charle Barkley would say. The soil is lifeless, nutrient-less, moisture-less and generally worthless.But they try anyway. And as so often happens in the movies, they made it work, and end up living into their dreams.
The Golden Quote
90 minutes into the 91 minute documentary I found a golden nugget. John Chester, the farmer and movie director, talks about the critical importance of the microorganisms that were reintroduced to bring the soil back to life. He says,
‘On our farm there are 9 billion organisms churning away at decaying life forms -purpose driven organisms, alchemizing death to life.’ -John Chester
Circle that last part: Purpose driven organisms, alchemizing death to life?!?
The idea of organisms alchemizing death to life is incredibly inspiring.Those scrappy little microorganisms have found their powerful micro purposes: To help create life out of death. That is, to break down what had been living (plants/insects/manure), and prepare it for use by the next lifeforms to hit that patch of soil.
Alchemizing is perhaps the most powerful concept on the planet. It refers to transforming the nature or properties by a seemingly magical process. Which is certainly what was happening in the soil of the Chester’s farm.
True of False?
However, in chemistry class we were taught that there is no such thing as alchemy. My high school chemistry teacher made it very clear that you can’t turn ordinary metals into gold. Or go Rumplestiltskin and spin straw into gold. Or turn your lab partner’s Chuck Taylors into gold.
But I have learned through real life experience that you can indeed alchemize the abundant elements that surround you into gold. Because through passion, skill and hard work you can turn anything into into gold. Anything. Just ask Brian Scudamore who started 1–800-GOT-JUNK.
Things of yours that can be spun into gold.
- Creativity
- Sense of Humor
- Charisma
- Personal network
- Mechanical ability
- Photogenicity
- Culinary skills
- Work Ethic
- Writing skillz
- Organization skills
- Discipline
- The body of a God or Goddess
- Public speaking
- Courage
- Analytical skills
- Personal energy
- A great smile
- Social skills
- Problem solving abilities
- An ability to write lists like this one
I have seen people turn their abilities in all of these areas into a great deal of money. The investment it takes is personal. Not financial. But the payout comes in every form you can imagine.
Key Takeaway
Purpose and passion are powerful forces that enable you to turn your natural assets into gold. Understand your innate skills and abilities. Hone them. Focus them. And use them to turn all that you have into all that you every wanted. It’s easier than you think. While you can certainly do this by starting your own business, you can use the same approach to drive great wealth or freedom as an employee or hired gun. Make your own magic. Spin your own gold. You don’t even need a pile of straw to get started.
*If you know someone who could benefit from this story please share it with them.
Originally published at http://theperfectagencyproject.com on July 18, 2019.