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There is a famous story told about a poor African farmer. According to the story, this poor farmer was scratching out a meager living on the land that he owned. However, the possibility of finding diamonds in other lands took over his thinking to the point that he sold his little farm and went off in search of diamonds.

He wandered throughout the African continent, fighting insects and wild beasts. Sleeping in the damp and cold, he searched day after day, week after week, but found no diamonds. He became sick, penniless, and utterly discouraged. He felt there was nothing more to live for, so he threw himself in a raging river and drowned.

Meanwhile, back on the farm that the poor farmer had sold, the farmer who brought the land was working the soil one day and found a strange-looking stone in the small creek that ran across the farm. The farmer brought it in to his farmhouse and placed it on the fireplace mantle as a curio.

The next day, a visitor came to the farmer’s home and noticed the unusual stone. He grasped the stone quickly and shouted excitedly at the farmer, “Do you know this is a diamond? It’s one of the largest diamonds I’ve ever seen.” Further investigation revealed that the entire farm was covered with magnificent diamonds. In fact, this farm turned out to be one of the richest and most productive diamond mines in the world, and the farmer became one of the wealthiest men in Africa.

How sad that the poor farmer had not taken the time to investigate what he had right at his own fingertips. Instead, he gave up everything he had in search of wealth that was right under his nose.

 The seeds of opportunity usually are right in what we already know and possibly in what we are already doing. Don’t think “the grass is greener on the other side of the fence” or that you must start something totally new and different to become successful. Just do what you already know 10% better or provide added value. You may just to see what you are doing with “new eyes.”

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Want to go directly to a tip? Click one of the following: (The page numbers listed on each page are the corresponding pages numbers in 48 Days to the Work you Love book.)
What is Work? Is work a curse from God? Why do we look forward to retirement? What’s the connection between work and extraordinary wealth? So why do we work? How do we choose a career path? Where will the best opportunities be in the next 4-5 years? When is it too late to find the right path? Where can I find security? Are “electronic immigrants” stealing the best jobs? What is a “Vocation?” How is “Career” different from “Vocation?” You mean changing my “job” shouldn’t change my life? Can my ordinary work be my ministry? Who are you becoming? What are areas other than work that make my life fulfilling? How can I break a pattern of indecision? Don’t goals just take the fun and spontaneity out of my life? How do you set “the rudder of your day?” What is the 85% factor? What are the 3 areas that need to be blended for meaningful work? Whose dream are you living? Can my creative passion really be part of my work? Won’t my resume get me a job?	25. Isn’t my education the biggest predictor of my success? 26. Isn’t Luck a big factor in finding the right job? 27. Aren’t companies impressed with my “objective” to do good work with a good company? 28. Am I a “production worker” or a “knowledge worker?” 29. Is the Internet the best place to find new jobs? 30. How do I find the best opportunities? 31. How can I deal with discouragement and resentment? 32. Can’t I just use an employment agency? 33. What happens in the first 3-5 minutes of an interview? 34. What are the 5 fatal flaws in interviewing? 35. Won’t they just love me for my IQ? 36. Aren’t brilliant answers enough? 37. Why do I have to ask for money? 38. Can I ask for more than money? 39. Don’t they know I’ve got 4 kids and a bass boat? 40. What if I want the boss to be me? 41. Do I have what it takes to be successful on my own? 42. What are “multiple streams of income?” 43. What if I’m not creative? 44. Aren’t all work-at-home ideas scams? 45. Can I be successful even if I don’t understand computers and technology? 46. Where are my “acres of diamonds?” 47. Can I really change my life in 48 Days?
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