The story is told that one night when Jim Carrey was a struggling young comic trying to make his way in Los Angeles, he drove his old beat-up Toyota to the top of a hill. This was in 1990. While sitting there broke, looking down over the city and dreaming of his future, he wrote himself a check for $10 million, put in the notation line “for acting services rendered” and dated it for Thanksgiving 1995. He stuck that check in his wallet – and the rest, as they say, is history.
By 1995, Jim had seen the wild success of Ace Ventura, Pet Detective, The Mask and my personal favorite, Dumb & Dumber. His per film fee at that point had escalated to $20 million. Was writing that check just a meaningless trick or did it really set the stage in some way for his eventual success?
In 1988 I took a crash financially. Much of that story of going down and back up is in No More Dreaded Mondays. When I had the IRS knocking at my door and we were losing our house, I kept a $100 bill in my wallet. No matter how broke we were, I knew I had that $100 in my pocket. I am convinced that little tactic helped me stay optimistic when everything seemed hopeless. As a reminder of that I have freely given that $100 away many times to others who were struggling for hope now that replacing it is significantly easier. Next time you see me, ask to see that $100 bill – unless I’ve given it away that morning I’ll have it in its place.
What are you doing to direct your mind for your future? Could you write yourself a check and believe it would happen in real life?
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Dan, I LOVE the “what is in your wallet” story. Seriously, this is so cool!
Jen – you can test me any time on the $100 bill in my wallet.
I really loved this story! Think I will write out a check to myself and put it on the corkboard right above my desk.
Kent – hey do it! You might be surprised at the events that start unfolding.
As usual just what I needed today! and the writing list as well. I might hit you up for a foreward one of these days……
So awesome! I loved the wallet story too.
I love this story:).
I am doing something similar. I wrote a short story about receiving money, $10 million. I am now ‘fleshing it out,’ to tell all the good I will do with the money and how it will improve my family’s and others lives. I fully expect it to be a blueprint for the next chapter of my life.
I will be back to let you know how it is going:).
Charlotte – that’s awesome! Can’t wait to hear “the rest of the story.”
Charlotte! I love that! So inspiring.
Very inspiring! Dan, I started carrying a $100 bill in my wallet as a result of your story. Next time I run up on someone in need, I’ll have it with me.
Clark – that’s been a practice that gives me a tiny sense of being okay no matter what. And having that $100 available for someone in need allows me to respond instantly rather than saying Well, maybe next time.
I remember listening to Tony Robbins say something very similar. That story has always stuck with me and made such an impact. My 18 year old son, Noah, recently heard the story about Jim Carrey and wrote himself a check! I love it! I was unaware until he opened up his wallet one day and showed it to me. Vision, hope and being a giver are powerful tools.
When I first heard this story, I wrote that check too. I look at it often 🙂 And keep an extra $100 in my Dave Ramsey envelope system. 🙂 What we dream about and take action towards CAN happen!