Classic gold mine

I recently learned a startling fact about gold mining in the 1800s that I think is equally as applicable today.  It is a lesson that if learned will improve your income or if you’re unemployed, help you find a good job.

When you think of the “great gold rush”, what comes to mind?  If you’re like me, you think those old salty miners who traveled from the east coast to California and Arizona to search for gold.  They caught “gold fever” packed up their families and took off.

It makes sense in a way; to pack up and go to where the gold is.

However, thousands of people overlooked one crucial point.  They forgot to look in their own back yards for the gold they sought.

Due to ignorance of what gold looked like, how to mine it or perhaps the wild stories being passed back and forth, these miners took unnecessary journeys west when gold laid right under their feet.  They faced harsh wilderness, starvation and cold in the new location when all along, what they desired was back at home.

Some did find gold out west, but more did not.  Fast forward 100 or so years and you’ll see that many of the most productive mines were not on the west, but on the east coast!  Just last month, the Haile-Brewer gold mine in South Carolina was estimated to contain 2 to 4 million ounces of gold.  At today’s prices, on low end, that’s $2.7 billion!

By the way, you may remember me telling you way back in 2008 you should buy gold.  Hope you were listening!

I too have often dreamed of panning for wild gold riches.  Actually, treasure hunting is just a hobby of mine – but who knows?  I may hit the mother lode.  In the past, I admit dreaming of the day when I retire I can go out west to find my lucky strike..

But in recent months I did a quick search of mining maps and found no less than 11 lode bearing gold mines within 20 miles from my house.  I’ve actually panned in some of the nearby locations and found gold.  Not enough to live on, but it shows a move out west would have been a waste if I wanted to find gold.

Applied to our current employment, I think gold mining is a good metaphor.  How often do we search wide and far for something outside when we already have what we need close?

We are all masters at something.  Maybe you are a computer wizard, maybe you are great at painting.  You tell me.  But once you’ve developed a special skill, you don’t have to travel 1000 miles away.  There are people right where you live who need you.

Happy digging!

Set powerful goals online with our new online goal management tool

Note Taking for Dummies

by Brad Isaac on September 4, 2010

Taking notes can be very difficult for people like me. My attention is always torn between the speaker and what I am writing. Often times, I write too much of the not important stuff and miss the important stuff while I write the unimportant. 

“Uhh… what did she say while I was writing ‘The restrooms are up the hallway to the left’ ?

It’s frustrating to me and apparently many others out there. I found out that for me a better technique is Mind Mapping. By simply jotting one word thoughts and branching them out, I could write faster, keep the ideas straight while also maintaining attention.

Below is my interview with my friend Gina Trapani over at Fast Company where Gina gives her method and I describe mine. Which one works best for you? Let us know in the comments.

 

Set powerful goals online with our new online goal management tool

10 Brainstorming Techniques that Help Stimulate Your Individual Creativity

by Brad Isaac August 19, 2010

Editor’s note: This is a guest post by James Adams whose ideas on building a better brain are top notch. Brainstorming is a valuable method for rediscovering your creativity. Some days, you are drowning in an ocean of ideas. Others, you are looking at the desert and hoping for an oasis. You are creative, your […]

Read the full article →

The First Step To Successful Goal Setting

by Brad Isaac July 16, 2010

Do you know what you want? If you don’t know what you want then how can you get what you want?  Seems painfully obvious doesn’t it? Unfortunately, I’ve been in enough goal setting consultations so know that most people don’t have a clue what they want. It may seem obvious, but the first step to […]

Read the full article →

Read for Maximum Effectiveness

by Brad Isaac July 5, 2010

A reader asks “Brad in your blog post 26 Major Advantages to Reading More Books you make a strong case for reading more. But what type of books should I be reading?” I believe your first choice in reading material should be books that will improve your work. A chef will become a better and […]

Read the full article →

What Motivates You? You Will Be Surprised.

by Brad Isaac June 3, 2010
Dan Pink motivation video is excellent

What motivates you?  What motivates your family?  What motivates your employees and coworkers? You might be surprised. After watching the video, what changes to your personal plan will you make?  Do you see how you can get leverage on yourself?  Post ideas in the comments below:             Get Shareaholic

Read the full article →

My Review of Vibram FiveFingers KSO Multisport Shoes – Men’s

by Brad Isaac April 30, 2010

Originally submitted at REI Wander free in the men's Vibram FiveFingers KSO multisport shoes, which offer the freedom of bare feet with the grip and protection of a Vibram sole. Vibram FiveFingers KSO Multisport Shoes – Men’s Great to toughen up your running… By Brad I. (Trailrunner, esq.) from Greensboro, NC on 4/30/2010   4out […]

Read the full article →