Where You Are vs What You Know

It was the fall of 2004. I was sitting in a coffee shop in Oklahoma City, getting a little work done before heading into the office, when he walked past.

At first I did a double-take. J.C. Watts had just walked in and headed into a back conference room where he would soon be speaking to a group of businessmen & women.

I grabbed the only piece of paper I saw - an advertisement from the table next to me - walked over to him, told him how much I admired & appreciated him, and asked for his autograph.

While cleaning out some storage in our home, I found the paper with his signature, and it reminded me of several other, more momentous, encounters - moments that changed the path I was traveling and moved me in a completely new direction.

I’d like to say that these moments were of my own doing - that because of hard work, perseverance, and planning, I was able to create opportunities that shaped my very future. The truth is that, while all of these things were contributing factors, I’d have to admit that many of the moments presented themselves because of where I was at the time.

I’ve heard it said that it’s as important ‘who’ you know as much as ‘what’ you know. I’d agree with that. I’d take it a step further, though, and add that ‘where’ you are is equally as important in determining the course you’re on and the opportunities you have.

We place an inordinate amount of attention, time and energy into building up the ‘what’ in our lives - as we should. How we interact and work with others will have bearing on the ‘who’ as well. The ‘where’ is something we have as much of a say so in as both of the others, though.

Where are you right now? How does it contribute to what you want to be doing or what you want to accomplish?

If you’re in a mismatched place - one in which you have little chance of being able to do those things you desire - it may well be time for a change.

Posted 10.13.2009

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