Business

I’ve thought it over Boss, and I Quit!

Published

2 years ago

June 17, 2021

Jim Cathcart

That was the headline of my resignation letter in 1977. “I’ve thought it over and I quit!”

I was the Senior Program Manager of Individual Development programs for the 356,000 members of the U.S. Junior Chamber of Commerce, the Jaycees. My role was to develop, promote, train and manage these programs through a volunteer field force of 250 young men in all 50 states. It was a thrilling job that included much travel and many speeches to hundreds or thousands of Jaycees at conventions nationwide.

My job allowed me to collaborate with my heroes like: W. Clement Stone, who had been partners with Napoleon Hill, author of Think and Grow Rich, the most popular success book of all time; and Og Mandino, author of The Greatest Salesman in the World, and president of Success Unlimited Magazine. I visited The White House and met President Gerald Ford in the Oval Office for a one-on-one photo. It was the most exciting time of my 30 year life up to that point.

I will forever be grateful for the privilege of serving in this position, and for the profound lessons I learned while there.

And then I mastered my new job.

My boss was Don Varnadore and his boss, our Executive VP, was Al Simensen. Don was my mentor and my champion. He believed in what I could do. Al was skeptical. He thought I was “a bit much”, sort of a “Mister Motivation” and he questioned whether I was real or all show.

That was all the challenge I needed. For over a year, I worked long hours and gave way more to the job than was reasonable to expect. Many times I worked late into the night and occasionally fell asleep at my desk. My productivity was immense! I was producing high quality work (their opinion, not mine) and winning awards for my department. I wrote a new Leadership Dynamics program and Communication Dynamics that sold over 76,000 copies in the first couple of years. I worked with the Million Dollar Round Table to publish “Family Time, a Revolutionary Old Idea” for the Jaycees. I curated an audio album by W. Clement Stone called the “Personal Success Series.” These were just a few highlights of the many great projects I championed while there.

Try Try Again

But, despite my massive efforts and measurable results, I was never selected as “Staff Officer of the Month.” The reason that mattered to me was the awardees would have their name added to a permanent plaque that was displayed in the lunchroom at Jaycees Headquarters where we all worked. There were about 100 of us at the time. I had never been considered a true contributor in my life before.

I went to Don Varnadore and asked what I needed to do to be selected. He coached me, but still no acknowledgement came. So, I took on even more. I enrolled in night courses at the local community college. I joined a Toastmasters club. I volunteered to conduct before work and after work training programs for the HQ Staff for no pay. These were highly popular and focused on job related skills; public speaking, travel tips and strategies, speed reading, effective listening, and other topics. I also crafted a plan for merging the personnel management and training of our staff into the duties of the Individual Development programs office. I was not asking for a raise, just more opportunity to show my abilities. Still, no permanent acknowledgment. It mattered to me that I could achieve a lasting recognition for my contributions. Nada.

Miracles still exist

One day, as I was returning from a trip to Utah to study the Family Home Evening program developed by the Mormon Church, I said a prayer. “Lord, I’ve done all I know to do. Please take the wheel and guide me as to what to do next. And, please be bold, don’t hint. I want to know it was you.”

The following day I had an appointment to meet with Joe Willard, the general agent for Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company’s Tulsa, Oklahoma office. He offered me a full time job as his confidant and advisor, plus trainer for his 19 insurance agents. He also offered me a penthouse suite corner office and use of the secretarial staff for my professional speaking career. Gasp! This happened on the very next day!

I thanked God and wrote a letter to Al Simensen. The headline said, “I’ve thought it over Boss, and I quit!”

My departure was amicable and I still have friends from those days long ago. My new life with Mass Mutual led to six years of training, consulting and speaking for them nationwide and in their home office in Massachusetts. I went on to speak to most of the world’s leading insurance companies and was once the opening keynote speaker for the Million Dollar Round Table! My life was, is and has been blessed on so many levels. As of today I have delivered more than 3,300 paid speaking engagements in all 50 states, most of Canada and literally around the world. Joe Willard became one of my lifelong closest friends and my career has blossomed beyond my greatest dreams. I’m grateful, deeply grateful.

What this means to you is:

Sometimes your best efforts, even with great measurable results, are not going to generate the kind of acknowledgment you may desire. My goal was to leave my mark, to be counted among the people who mattered. I wanted to be able to see my name on the wall along with my predecessors. But it was not meant to be…at least not there.

Upon leaving the Jaycees, I commenced a career that has taken me around the world three times, having 20 books I’ve written published by the nation’s leading publishing houses, inducted into the Sales and Marketing Hall of Fame and I’ve served as President of the National Speakers Association. All of the great awards, certificates and acknowledgments that are bestowed upon professional speakers have been provided to me and my feelings of incompleteness from the Jaycees experience have long since been wiped away by rewards of “good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, poured into my lap.” Luke 6:38

The same principle applies to you.

What have you been pining for, dreaming about, and hoping to earn? Have you been giving more than enough but not receiving the outcomes you targeted? Maybe it’s time to give up…control. Just as the song says, “Put your hand in the hand of The Man who stilled the water…calmed the sea…” Pray for guidance and then look and listen. God doesn’t need to hint. You will know if it is right and from Him.

When people say to me, “I think God is trying to tell me something”, I say, “Really, you think the Creator just drops subtle clues and expects you to pick up on them?” Maybe your prayers have been more like pleading rather than placing yourself in His hands. Just pause, take a different look, get a broader perspective. It may well be that a slight change in direction could put you a path that will make all your dreams come true.

Do your best where you are, grow where you are planted. When you outgrow your current place, branch out and look for a new direction, but don’t stop doing more than you are required to do. Overfill your place. Give full measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over. Those who do this will be noticed and rewarded even if not from the direction they’ve been seeking. Be the best bargain of a worker that anyone could ask for, give your employer and your customers a raise through your performance and your compensation will surely come.

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This Three Pronged Plan to Overthrow America is Nearly Complete

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2 weeks ago

May 17, 2023

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The left has long worked to overthrow America and all that it stands for. They have been working at it since early in the 1900’s and it took up more speed in the late 60’s and early 70’s with the rise of the radical left. PolitiCrossing founder Chris Widener explains the three-pronged attack and how it is almost complete, as well as the only things we can do to save ourselves and this country we love.

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SAVE YOURSELF: Is This The Surefire Way to Protect Your Money in the Inevitable Financial Meltdown?

Decentralized finance (DeFi) has emerged as a revolutionary technology.

Published

3 weeks ago

May 9, 2023

Chris Widener

Don’t miss Rich Dad Poor Dad’s Robert Kiyosaki in this absolutely free webinar: The Coming Financial Tsunami. Learn how to protect yourself and your loved ones. Click here NOW to register!

CAN DECENTRALIZED FINANCE BE THE WAY TO SAVE YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY FROM MELTDOWNS AND TYRANNY?

Decentralized finance (DeFi) is built on the blockchain, which offers a wide range of financial services without the need for intermediaries such as banks or other financial institutions. DeFi has emerged as a popular alternative to traditional finance, offering a more open, transparent, and decentralized financial system. In this article, we will explore why DeFi can protect you from a coming financial meltdown and from tyrannical governments.

DeFi is built on the blockchain, which means that it is inherently decentralized. This means that there is no central authority controlling the system, and all transactions are verified and validated by a distributed network of nodes. This makes the system more resilient and less vulnerable to attack or manipulation. Unlike traditional financial systems, where central authorities have the power to manipulate the system, DeFi is designed to be transparent and immutable.

One of the main advantages of DeFi is that it offers greater financial freedom and control to users. DeFi allows users to access a wide range of financial services without the need for intermediaries. This means that users can transact directly with each other, without having to go through banks or other financial institutions. This gives users greater control over their finances and reduces the risks associated with centralized financial systems.

Another advantage of DeFi is that it is highly transparent. All transactions on the blockchain are public and can be verified by anyone. This means that there is no room for fraud or manipulation, as all transactions are visible to all participants in the network. This level of transparency is not possible in traditional financial systems, where transactions are often opaque and difficult to track.

DeFi also offers greater security to users. Transactions on the blockchain are secured using cryptography, making them virtually impossible to hack or manipulate. This means that users can trust the system, knowing that their funds are secure. Traditional financial systems, on the other hand, are often vulnerable to cyberattacks and fraud, which can result in significant financial losses.

Don’t miss Rich Dad Poor Dad’s Robert Kiyosaki in this absolutely free webinar: The Coming Financial Tsunami. Learn how to protect yourself and your loved ones. Click here NOW to register!

Furthermore, DeFi is designed to be more inclusive and accessible to everyone. Unlike traditional financial systems, which often have high barriers to entry, DeFi is open to anyone with an internet connection. This means that people who are unbanked or underbanked can access financial services that were previously unavailable to them. This inclusivity is important because it helps to reduce financial inequality and promotes greater financial inclusion.

Finally, DeFi is more resilient than traditional financial systems. DeFi is built on a decentralized network of nodes, which means that there is no single point of failure. This makes the system more resilient to attacks and more resistant to financial meltdowns. In traditional financial systems, a single point of failure can have catastrophic consequences, as we saw in the 2008 financial crisis.

DeFi is a new and exciting financial system that offers a wide range of benefits over traditional finance. It is transparent, secure, accessible, and resilient, making it an attractive option for people who are looking to protect themselves from a coming financial meltdown. While DeFi is still in its early stages, it has the potential to transform the world of finance, offering a more open, transparent, and decentralized financial system for everyone.

SEVEN BENEFITS OF DECENTRALIZED FINANCE

Decentralized finance (DeFi) has emerged as a revolutionary technology that enables individuals to conduct financial transactions without the need for intermediaries such as banks or financial institutions. DeFi uses blockchain technology, which provides a transparent and secure way of conducting financial transactions. In this article, we will discuss the benefits of decentralized finance, along with a brief overview of crypto and blockchain.

Overview of Crypto and Blockchain

Crypto refers to digital currencies that use cryptography to secure financial transactions and control the creation of new units. Bitcoin, which was created in 2009, is the most well-known cryptocurrency. It is based on blockchain technology, which is a decentralized ledger that records transactions in a transparent and secure manner. Blockchain technology provides a secure and tamper-proof way of recording transactions, making it ideal for use in financial transactions.

Benefits of Decentralized Finance

Lower Transaction Costs

Decentralized finance provides a cost-effective way of conducting financial transactions. Traditional financial systems are often plagued by high transaction costs, which are passed on to customers. DeFi eliminates the need for intermediaries, which means that transaction costs are significantly lower. This makes it easier for individuals to access financial services and reduces the barriers to entry for new players in the market.

Greater Accessibility

DeFi provides greater accessibility to financial services, particularly for individuals who are unbanked or underbanked. In many parts of the world, people do not have access to traditional banking services due to various factors such as lack of documentation, poor credit history, or living in remote areas. DeFi provides a way for these individuals to access financial services using only a smartphone and an internet connection. This has the potential to increase financial inclusion and reduce poverty.

Increased Transparency

One of the main benefits of blockchain technology is its transparency. Transactions recorded on the blockchain are publicly visible, making it easier to trace the flow of funds. This provides a level of transparency that is not possible with traditional financial systems. Decentralized finance leverages this transparency to provide greater accountability and reduce the risk of fraud. This makes DeFi a more secure and trustworthy way of conducting financial transactions.

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More Control Over Personal Data

Traditional financial systems often require individuals to provide personal data such as name, address, and social security number. This data is stored by banks and financial institutions, making it vulnerable to hacks and breaches. DeFi provides individuals with more control over their personal data by using self-sovereign identity solutions. These solutions enable individuals to control their own data and share it only with the parties they trust.

Greater Flexibility

Decentralized finance provides greater flexibility in terms of financial products and services. Traditional financial systems are often rigid, with limited options for customers. DeFi provides a range of financial products and services, including loans, savings accounts, insurance, and investment products. This gives individuals greater flexibility to choose the financial products and services that meet their specific needs.

Faster Settlement Times

Blockchain technology enables faster settlement times for financial transactions. Traditional financial systems often require several intermediaries to process transactions, which can take several days. With DeFi, transactions are processed directly on the blockchain, which means that settlement times can be as fast as a few seconds. This provides greater convenience for customers and reduces the risk of errors and delays.

Reduced Counterparty Risk

Traditional financial systems often involve counterparty risk, which is the risk that one party will fail to fulfill its obligations in a financial transaction. DeFi eliminates counterparty risk by using smart contracts, which are self-executing contracts that automatically execute when certain conditions are met. This provides greater security and reduces the risk of fraud and default.

Conclusion

Decentralized finance is a revolutionary technology that has the potential to transform the financial industry. By eliminating intermediaries, increasing accessibility, increasing transparency, providing more control over personal data, offering greater flexibility, enabling faster settlement times, and reducing counterparty risk, DeFi provides numerous benefits that traditional financial systems cannot match. As DeFi continues to evolve, it has the potential to create a more equitable and inclusive financial system that benefits individuals and communities around the world.

The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as financial or investment advice. Investing in decentralized finance (DeFi) and cryptocurrencies involves risk and may result in significant financial losses. Readers are advised to conduct their own research and seek the advice of a financial professional before investing in DeFi or cryptocurrencies. The author and publisher of this article are not responsible for any losses incurred as a result of investing in DeFi or cryptocurrencies.