All I want from life is everything. -unknown
Brian was sitting in class trying to stay awake. Working full time and taking college courses on the side is grueling. As he was half paying attention to the lesson and half wishing he had done this earlier in life, the instructor announced they will have a guest speaker tomorrow. He finished yesterdays assignment as class was ending, making sure to hand it to the instructor. “This is the last time I’m going to let you turn something in late” the instructor said as he scrutinized the rushed assignment.
Clair left work late barely making the cut off time at Sunshine daycare. She was beat and didn’t want to make dinner so Brian stopped on the way home for something hot and ready. Brian got home just minutes after Clair. The twins where in high spirits, Becky was excited to show her dad the castle she drew. Joel, getting jealous that Becky stole the lime-light, shoved his drawing of the race car he drew over top of the castle explaining how fast it was. Brain loved how they always flocked to him when he walked in the door, but tonight he just wanted to eat and go to sleep. “How fast can that car get to the dinner table” he asked Joel. As Joel ran off he pinch Becky’s arm with a smile and said, “Your castle is beautiful, have you shown mom yet?”
After dinner they put the toddlers to bed and settled in for their normal routine. Brian reading a book about some mysterious apes from long ago and Clair turned on the TV and scrolled random videos on her phone. Both exhausted, each fell asleep twenty minutes after getting in bed.
The next day as Brian was walking up to the school building, he was relieved to remember they were going to have a guest speaker. Whenever there was a guest speaker there was never any accompanying assignments. Having a “Free day” was a much-needed rest. Brian can just sit back and listen.
The instructor introduced Frank with the usual pleasantries and list of accolades. One accomplishment got Brian ears to perk up and now he had his attention. Frank was retired at 27. He must have been born into a rich family, Brian thought. Brian eyed Frank skeptically as he walked into the room, looking for the tell-tale signs of generational wealth.
Frank is an unassuming middle-aged man in cargo shorts and a polo. He has a bit of a bounce to his step and a quiet confidence. Silencing his phone, he sits on the corner of the instructor desk as he thanks him for the generous introduction. Frank getting right to the point says, “I’m not here to tell you how I made millions of dollars in my early twenties. I’m going to show you.”
Frank instructs the class to take out a piece of paper and write down five things you would have if money was no object. “Really shoot for the stars” he says. He reminds the class this lesson is how to make money, he’s wasn’t asked to speak about all areas of life. “World hunger, ending all suffering, noble endeavors are not valid answers. You need to think selfishly, write down what you want. Tangible things, not intangibles like loving relationships, or great friends. Only write down things you can buy. You have 2 minutes, go.” Frank starts a timer on his watch.
Brian struggles with this at first. His mind went right to his family and what they would want. A big house, Clair would love a Porsche. What if the twins had an indoor pool. “Times up,” yelled Frank. “Everyone, hold up your papers facing them towards me. Just as I thought, some of you didn’t write anything down” Frank states as he walks around the room quickly reading some of the entries of the students who jotted down there most desired items. Walking back to the front of the room Franks says, “For those of you that wrote something down, think bigger. For those that didn’t write anything down, stop thinking about other people. This is about what you want, not what you think will make you look good or admirable or what you can do for someone else. What do you want? Narrow your field of thought to your desires. You have 5 minutes this time. Go!”
Brian smiled at the idea of being selfish and the ideas started to flow. He enjoyed letting his mind go. Brian wrote down more than just the five items. When he couldn’t think of anything else he crossed things off leaving just his top five. Frank was walking around the room observing as the students as they pondered and dreamed. Some student furrowed brows locked in thought, many smiling as they played with the idea, while others showed signs of frustration approaching angry. “Times up” announced Frank. “Hold them up towards me” he said as he sits back down on the instructors’ desk.
Everyone held up their papers, all had ink on them this time. Some more than others. Frank smiled as he knew what was going to happen next. “Start over” he said. The class collectively sighed followed by rude comments not meant for young audiences. “None of you thought big enough” he proclaimed confidently.
“Bullshit” someone whispered just loud enough for all to hear.
A few quick chuckles from different corners of the room. Frank, letting the class play into his hand said “who here can prove they can think big. Raise your hand if your list is reaching for the stars.”
Brain raised his hand. He really let himself go with the spirit of the exercise and was confident he could prove this guy wrong. What Brian won’t admit (even to himself) is he wanted to prove Frank wrong, get one up on the guy that is supposed to be teaching us something.
“What’s your name” Frank asked.
“Brian” he says.
“What’s your favorite color Brian” asked Frank.
Puzzled at the question, he thought for a moment. “Yell, I have a couple really. I like black, a really bright red, and burnt orange. What does this have to do with my list?” questioned Brian.
“Indulge me Brian. One more before we get to your list. What makes you excited. What gets your blood pumping?” Frank said enthusiastically.
“Speed, before I had kids my buddies and I would race this small circle track at the edge of town. We spent our weekends and paychecks on car parts and beer. It was great, but once the twins were born my paychecks bought diapers and formula. The racing just kind of faded out.” Answered Brian.
“Thanks for indulging me Brian. Let’s hear your list” Frank said encouragingly.
-A five-bedroom house with a study, indoor pool, and two waterslides.
-A brand-new Corvette for my everyday driver.
-1984 Ferrari Testarossa.
-1958 Panhead and a Helicopter.” Brian said proudly.
Frank quickly asked “Can you fly a helicopter?”
“No” said Brian “I just thought it would be cool to have a helicopter.”
“Fair enough, it’s your list.” Frank now addressed the class stating, “Remember I said from the beginning this is your list and the instruction was to think as big as you can. You see, a free range thought experiment tells me a lot about what people believe. People don’t see further than they believe they can, or as this exercise shows bigger than your limiting beliefs. Brian do you mind if I use your list as an example of this point?” he asked.
Brian feeling the balance of power shifting gave his nervous compliance allowing Frank to point out he wasn’t thinking big enough. Brian, becoming uncomfortable and a little offended at this statement challenged Frank. “What do you mean not big enough. Do you know how rare a Ferrari Testarossa is?” He joked trying to ease the tension he feels.
“Your right,” said Frank. “They are rare. Why do you just want one?” Frank paused to let that statement set in. “That’s a track car, money is no object, you should have a track to drive it on.” Frank now upping the ante even further. “You mentioned three favorite colors. You have a new Corvette in each color. Are you going to learn to fly the helicopter or have an around-the-clock staff of pilots to whisk you wherever you want to go? You could land your helicopter on your race track to drive your Ferrari, not the showroom Ferrari, the other one you have just for the track.” Frank said energetically.
Frank let a few seconds pass in silence watching as if study the students to see if the imaginary light bulb above their head turned on. He grinned ear to ear as he felt the mood in the room shift a little. Thanking Brian for sharing his list and for being the class guinea pig, he gave his closing remarks.
Limiting beliefs are what keeps you from being able to achieve your wildest dreams. You all have real obstacles to face, we all do. I promise, if you went after your dreams like a man with his hair on fire is looking for water, you will get there. If your friends and family are saying things like, that’s crazy, or your obsessed, you’re on the right track. If people think you are normal than you’re nowhere near the limits of what you are capable of. Being rich isn’t normal, so why do you think doing normal things will make you rich.