…The first thing you need to know about learning to identify opportunities is that the secret lies in hope.
I was once told that there are rich people and poor people in the world – but not in terms of financials (although yes, that way too). Rather, we can measure someone’s wealth in terms of hope. There is nothing sadder than a person “poor of hope”. But, if you take a look at this interview with Frank O’Dea, co-founder of Second Cup, you’ll see that it is a possible theory that everyone has some hope. The success lies in the ability to expand our own horizon of hope.
Pay close attention to the section time stamped 1:35
So, if one day, someone hopes for 99¢ - that’s what they work toward. Then, the next day, maybe they’ll hope for $1.50 and work toward that. Who knows where the next bit of hope can lead! Heck – you’ve heard of the guy who traded one red paper clip up to a house, right? Now, that’s some serious horizon expanding hope!
What does all this have to do with the Lemon Tree idea? Well – I guess I have 3 hopes – aka: 3 objectives. (Nah – I don’t have a business background, lol.) There is a short-term, a medium-term, and a long-term “hope”.
Short-term
Get people talking! Poverty, though not the cause of every social symptom, is the springboard from which a lot of people jump into an empty pool. If you can imagine that – it hurts. So, let’s all start by being aware.
Medium-term
Get people teaching! Since everyone needs to learn something, then everyone should teach something. Nope – I’m not suggesting that we all need a Master’s degree or a PhD but think back to your lemon stand. Someone taught you something, and you probably made a little cash. So, teach someone something… Pay it forward!
Long-term
Get people creating! If we’re all teaching, then we’re creating learners. But how can we create the biggest impact? In the long-term, I hope we can create places where the people who need it can come and learn. Not just “programs that are available to you”, but learning experiences that are accessible, motivating and maybe even hope expanding.
Can we save the world? I hope! (…but, probably not in one sitting.)
I was once told that there are rich people and poor people in the world – but not in terms of financials (although yes, that way too). Rather, we can measure someone’s wealth in terms of hope. There is nothing sadder than a person “poor of hope”. But, if you take a look at this interview with Frank O’Dea, co-founder of Second Cup, you’ll see that it is a possible theory that everyone has some hope. The success lies in the ability to expand our own horizon of hope.
Pay close attention to the section time stamped 1:35
So, if one day, someone hopes for 99¢ - that’s what they work toward. Then, the next day, maybe they’ll hope for $1.50 and work toward that. Who knows where the next bit of hope can lead! Heck – you’ve heard of the guy who traded one red paper clip up to a house, right? Now, that’s some serious horizon expanding hope!
What does all this have to do with the Lemon Tree idea? Well – I guess I have 3 hopes – aka: 3 objectives. (Nah – I don’t have a business background, lol.) There is a short-term, a medium-term, and a long-term “hope”.
Short-term
Get people talking! Poverty, though not the cause of every social symptom, is the springboard from which a lot of people jump into an empty pool. If you can imagine that – it hurts. So, let’s all start by being aware.
Medium-term
Get people teaching! Since everyone needs to learn something, then everyone should teach something. Nope – I’m not suggesting that we all need a Master’s degree or a PhD but think back to your lemon stand. Someone taught you something, and you probably made a little cash. So, teach someone something… Pay it forward!
Long-term
Get people creating! If we’re all teaching, then we’re creating learners. But how can we create the biggest impact? In the long-term, I hope we can create places where the people who need it can come and learn. Not just “programs that are available to you”, but learning experiences that are accessible, motivating and maybe even hope expanding.
Can we save the world? I hope! (…but, probably not in one sitting.)
Posts
Now I've greatly enjoyed the first two editions of Once Upon a Lemon Tree ... growth of a healthy seed takes time, patience, persistence, pizazz ... and tender loving care ... thanks heaps for the first promising editions ...
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