A Lesson From A Penny

I’ve discussed here before that I’m very big on setting goals for myself. I set new ones each week. I know exactly how many auditions I’m going to submit. I know exactly how many jobs I hope to book. I know exactly how much money I’m going to try and earn.

My goals are in front of me all day each day of the week. A constant reminder of why I’m at the computer working my tail off all day long. My efforts are not in vain. My efforts will not go without reward. I have a purpose. Goals to accomplish. It drives me to keep going.

Some of you may be thinking that it’s ludicrous to set a goal for how much money I’ll earn each week. Can I really control that after all? Maybe I can. Maybe I can’t. I’ll tell you this much, I’ve earned more each week since I started setting the goal than before, when I didn’t. As they say, if you aim for nothing, you’ll hit it every time. So I set my aim on specific targets.

As they say, if you aim for nothing, you’ll hit it every time.

I spent a lot of time reading this weekend. In one of the books I read, the author shared the following poem. I found it very inspiring. For me, it confirmed that I’m heading in the right direction. I hope you’ll be encouraged by it too.

My Wage

I bargained with Life for a penny,
And Life would pay no more,
However I begged at evening
When I counted my scanty store;

For Life is a just employer,
He gives you what you ask,
But once you have set the wages,
Why, you must bear the task.

I worked for a menial’s hire,
Only to learn, dismayed,
That any wage I had asked of Life,
Life would have paid.