If You Build It…

In the whimsical 1989 blockbuster Field of Dreams, Kevin Costner plays an Iowa farmer who hears a voice telling him that if he builds a baseball diamond in his cornfields, the great ghosts of the game will come and play ball. It’s a delight, and all of us put aside skepticism, wanting it to be true.

Sometimes the careers of the great professionals are like that. You know you have the talent, you know that you’d rather practice the art than eat or breathe, you know you can be the best, but, but, but…. what if they never come? Maybe it works in the movies, and maybe things always work out in the fairy tales, but what about real life?

Well, the truth is there is no guarantee. But the truth also is there’s no guarantee that a space rock won’t hit you on the head, or that your Amazon package will arrive on time. The only certainty in life is uncertainty.

What we do know is that the world craves expertise and the world loves artistry. We recognize those who are head and shoulders above the crowd, who shine at their crafts. Be it the corner baker or the legendary actor, the rock diva, or the guy who keeps your old beater car on the road, we know stars when we see them, and we want to be in their corner.

Professional careers stand or fall on reputation. There is no other variable that comes close to creating a towering professional practice as does reputation. And you can’t build a reputation until you do something. The greater, the more unique, and the more satisfying your “something”, the more powerful will be the outcome.

Should you build a baseball field in the Back Forty? Well, that’s up to you and your spouse and your banker, I suppose. But should you get very clear about your unique Giftedness, then begin to invest serious time and money and blood and sweat and tears in showing the world you are the best?

You bet.

(This message is of critical importance to early stage professionals. Please forward it if you know and care for such a person.)