Gary Christensen Has a Story to Share...And Some Great Advice For Entrepreneurs!
By Gary Christensen
The group Kingston Trio sang a song about an old gold prospector named "Desert Pete." The story goes that Pete had sunk a water well in the middle of the desert and hooked up an old water pump to it. He soon realized it would be out in the sun all day and its leather suction fitting would dry out. So he put a jug of water under a nearby rock, tied a small can to the handle, and placed a note in the can.
The note said, "You've got to Prime the Pump. You must have faith and believe. You've got to give of yourself before you're worthy to receive." The note went on to tell the reader where to find the jug of water, but cautioned him, "Don't go drinking it first." Rather it encouraged people to "give it up" and commit it to the Pump. You need to "pour it in, then pump like mad, and buddy you'll quench your thirst."
The readers of the note needed to follow the instructions and not drink the water first. They had to pour the water into the pump, wet the leather, thereby priming the pump. They'd get plenty of water, so they could "Drink all the water you can hold, wash your face to your feet, leave the bottle full for others, thank ya kindly, Desert Pete."
However, if the next guy only thought of himself and his immediate need, drinking the water from the jug, he would leave the jug empty. The message would be useless, there would be no water for the next fellow, no "pumping like mad," no one else could drink their fill, and no bottle would be left full for those who followed. Just one guy coming along who DIDN'T read it and do it, could mess the whole thing up, and everyone else coming along after him would only find a dry pump.
I saw in that story the unique plan of Desert Pete, to be able to supply enough water to anyone who came upon that pump. But the success of his plan depended upon the wisdom and obedience of all those who followed him. So even today, some 30 years after I first heard that song, I'm still trying to be careful to:
1. Follow the Instructions--Pay attention to those who have gone before. Many other people have passed this way before me and many others will come along after. In the world of Business, I believe I need to learn to do what was done by those who have been successful before me. I need to follow their example and copy their success in order to succeed myself. There's no need to make a new road, no need for me to reinvent the wheel. I should use the wheel that another has already invented, follow the road that another has already paved.2. Understand the Future--My actions can affect others. What I do today could mean the success or failure of many other people who follow for years to come. Am I careful in what I do today? Do I put MY needs first? Maybe I need to do what I can to help those who will follow along after me. After all, no one is an island.
3. Have Faith and Commitment--A little faith, not only in myself, but also in the "words of those who went before me." I need to ACT in faith and to do what others have suggested. I surely don't have all the answers. I need to "give up" (commit) some of my money, time and energy, to take actions that will both help myself and those who follow along after me.
4. Give Before I'm Worthy to Receive--Do I really expect to find nuggets of gold without any time and effort on my part? Do I think those gold nuggets are laying on top of the ground? People aren't automatically going to come knocking on my door, to buy my products, without me investing my time and work, to get the word out.
Am I willing to "Help others achieve their dreams," so that as others wiser than I have said, "My own dreams will come true in the process." I should give freely of my time and possessions to help others who need my help because others helped ME when I was just starting out.
The messages of "Desert Pete" have LONG been with me. I try to think about the next person who will come along. I think about what I can do, what I MUST do, to ensure that everyone gets a chance to "drink his fill." The whole thing could fall apart if I don't do what I should do. I might be the cause of a lot of pain and suffering by others. If I don't believe, if I mess up, if I think only of myself and my immediate needs. Because if I don't follow the instructions left by those who have gone before, what I do NOW could affect hundreds or thousands of people.
Don't get me wrong. I'm NOT always thinking of others. I'm still caring for myself--I work and eat to stay alive, to protect my family because I'm important to them and to myself. I do NOT completely "give up" on taking care of myself and meeting my needs. I think what Desert Pete says is that I should try to do what I can, to help other, whenever I'm able. And that's good advice.
Gary Christensen is a Self-Published Author of eight books and more than 100 full-page reports. Gary's latest book is 88 SHORT CUTS TO MAILORDER PROFITS, which contains 88 of his 100+ reports. A copy is yours for just $18. Gary's latest Free Report, MAKE MONEY BY DOING FOR OTHERS WHAT YOU ALREADY ENJOY DOING ALONE is Free for the asking at:
garch6@aol.com
You may also contact Gary by regular mail at
Gary Christensen 2601 NE Jack London St #138 Corvallis, OR 97330
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