The Homeless Guy with the Golden Voice Wasn’t Just Lucky: Five (5) Lessons He Taught Us about Finding Opportunities
Ted Williams has had quite a week.
No, I’m not talking about Ted Williams who played for the Boston Red Sox, who was the last one to bat .400 in a season and who is firmly planted in the Major League Baseball Hall Of Fame.
I’m taking about Ted Williams who was a panhandler at interstate intersections, who admitted to having drug and alcohol issues, who was discovered by a local reporter in Columbus, Ohio for his amazing speaking voice and who has thrust into the limelight for his 15 minutes (at least) of fame.
I’m sure some people were “proud” of him for getting this break of a lifetime. I’m also sure there are some people who are calling him “lucky” and wishing that their year had started off with such a wonderful bang!
But upon closer inspection, Ted taught us several things while we’re waiting to be “discovered” or to get our big break.
Lesson #1: Don’t allow circumstances to defeat you
Ted could have continued in a life of drugs and alcohol, but he chose to be more proactive. He chose to at least take the action of asking for money from others instead of MERELY wallowing in self pity. Regardless of any given circumstances, we have a choice in how we react to the situation. We can choose to feel sorry for ourselves or we can do something about it.
Lesson #2: See your situation as a way out of your situation
Ted’s homelessness was actually the condition that led to his being discovered. If he had not been a homeless guy with a great voice, he probably would never have been discovered. His homelessness helped him make it out of homelessness.
There is something in your current condition that will provide the conditions, the motivation or the financial resources that will provide your way out. So look for it.
Lesson #3: Put yourself in a location where you can be discovered
Instead of hanging out in a neighborhood or even on a downtown sidewalk, Ted chose to market his services at the busy intersection of a interstate highway. Being in such a well-traveled location certainly contributed to the fact that he was found.
Who knows about your talents and gifts? Who have you told about your career aspirations? Are there many people who know that you are in business? We need to shout it from the rooftops in order to be seen and heard.
Lesson #4: Continue to develop your craft
Ted didn’t just panhandle in the normal way. He was willing to differentiate himself from the other panhandlers and to offer to provide a service in exchange for the change. His cardboard sign mentioned his “god-given voice”, so that the givers would ask to hear him speak. And that’s how he maintained that rich, baritone voice of his.
Regardless of your current vocation, how are you keeping in shape? How are you staying sharp? How are continuing to nurture and develop that skill that is unique to you which will be the reason you’re well know someday?
Lesson #5: Don’t give up until your opportunity comes!
Ted said that he’s been clean from drugs and alcohol for the last two years. I assume he was struggling to make ends meet all of that time. But he kept asking for donations and offering to say a few phrases until his big break came.
You also must be willing to work through your current circumstances, look for the positive in your current situation, put yourself where others can find you, and continue to develop your craft. For how long? Until the inevitable opportunity comes. And it will.
What are you doing with what you’ve been given?
I hope you learned a lesson from Ted Williams, the homeless guy with the golden voice – I know I did!
Until next time…Go Boldly! ®
Dino Herbert
“Passionate about helping people reach their entrepreneurial potential”
http://www.dinoherbert.com
Author of the forthcoming
“Business Jump School: 15 Drills You Must Master Before Starting Any Business” (http://www.businessjumpschool.com/book)