23 Comments
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Seth Barnes's avatar

What a gracious and encouraging post this is, Jeff. The truth is, I was lucky to run into you. You were hungry and sharper than you realized. And together with the team that gathered around us, we changed a corner of the world. Those were good years.

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Jeff Goins's avatar

Good years, indeed. I would choose them all over again. Thanks for choosing me, Seth, to be a part of your team.

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Tim's avatar

The job-hunting experts like to stress “transferrable skills”. I had plenty of those from previous work in being a school director and talked myself into a management trainee job at a bank. I hated it, but the principle still remains: skills you hone in one job can contribute to your success in the next ones.

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Jeff Goins's avatar

Yeah, it's true. Living, it seems, is a transferrable skill. ;)

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Mo Issa's avatar

Great post and insight as always. Thanks, Jeff.

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Diana M. Wilson's avatar

Loved this....My biggest break changed my life--and it really wasn't any big thing....but where it ended leading me was the "big thing" that mattered--and perhaps what REALLY mattered was having someone who was willing to believe in me.

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Jeff Goins's avatar

Ooh! I can't wait to hear more about this, but hold onto it for now. I'm going to be doing an open thread later this week asking folks to share their own stories of big breaks.

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Dana Robinson's avatar

Thanks for the mention Jeff!

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Jeff Goins's avatar

Thank you, Dana, for your story, and the tale of the King's Flyswatter, as well as giving definition to something very important that we need to better understand. I shared the concept of flyswatting with a friend who just recently stepped into a new field, and it totally resonated with him.

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Wella's avatar

This is awesome. Thank you again for inspiring me this morning on my short bathroom/coffee break at work.

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Jeff Goins's avatar

Heh. You bet, Wella. Sounds like you're swatting flies. ;)

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Wella's avatar

You know I am!!

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Linda Stoll's avatar

'The biggest break I ever got was the first time someone saw something in me that I could not see in myself.'

What a gift to have received ... what a gift to keep on giving.

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Jeff Goins's avatar

Indeed.

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Sushila Wood's avatar

Great story. I hope we can revive the pathways of apprenticeship, I think more than not we don’t have a clear vision for ourselves and learning as we go is the best reality. Thanks for sharing your story Jeff.

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Jeff Goins's avatar

You're welcome, Sushila. I agree. I always loved the metaphor of apprenticeship and think it pays off for us all to think and act more like apprentices than masters. In general, it's a better disposition to adopt.

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Sushila Wood's avatar

absolutely!

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Wayne Stoner's avatar

Thanks Jeff! I too had a older mentor in my life that saw something in me that I did not. At a key low point in my life when I was severely doubting my worth and future, he called forth my destiny. I love your take on finding our dream. My story resonates. I have discovered that aligning our life with timeless principles that create a pathway in the direction of our dreams, is a pathway worth traveling! Blessings!

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Jeff Goins's avatar

Well said, Wayne. I think this what all great mentors do. Sounds like you had a good one, too. Not everyone is so lucky, but I am truly grateful for men and women like Seth who have paid a critical role in my life.

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Cali Bird's avatar

Great story. I only know you from your writing business. Fascinating to see what came before

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Jeff Goins's avatar

Heh. Well, I would love to share more, so thank you for the encouragement!

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Michael Young's avatar

This is such important advice. The younger me could have benefited greatly from this.

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Shauna Occhipinti's avatar

What an insightful and encouraging post. May our own young adults be so blessed with a mentor who speaks into their lives and May we be open to being that for others. Thanks for sharing.

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