One Ball At A Time

by Jac Arbour

A few years ago, I took a trip to Denver, Colorado to visit my friend Roger, a sixty-two year old business associate and mentor. I understand that I am, to some degree, a clone of the people with whom I associate. Therefore I place myself around people who are positive influences and can shorten my learning curve toward higher achievement.
​

“Welcome to the Mile High City,” Roger said cheerfully. He began to discuss the plans he had made for the week. It was then that I first noticed one of Roger’s dominant personality traits: he pays strict attention to detail and applies a methodical approach to everything. However, Roger did not tell me what we would be doing the next morning, he simply told me to be up and ready at 6 a.m. “For what?” I asked. Roger just laughed and said, “You’ll see!”
​

In the morning Roger was pounding at my door, “Let’s go, let’s go, let’s go!” I asked again what the plan was. He looked at me, laughed, and said, “Jac, we have balls to find!”
​

Roger explained that right behind his backyard was a golf course, and every day he loved to walk the course for his morning exercise. He took me out to his garage, opened the door, and—wow! I couldn’t believe my eyes. There were boxes upon boxes full of golf balls.

​

Have fun reading, learning, and taking notes from this guide. It's easy-to-read and packed with keys to help you set clear goals and achieve them during your retirement.

​

“I pick up every single one of them,” he said with a smile. It became clear we were on a mission. That day Roger found the first ball, and he was sure to let me know. “There’s one,” he called out enthusiastically, raising it high in the air and handling it like pure gold.
​

The next morning we were back at it, and all of a sudden, he had vanished. I began backtracking, and as I came around a set of thorn bushes, there he was, digging through trash cans on the golf course.
​

“Roger, what are you doing in there?” I yelled. Roger explained, “People are crazy. They throw money away all the time.” as he walked toward me holding discarded golf-ball sleeves. I asked Roger about his plan regarding all of these balls. “I am going to sell them,” he said with great enthusiasm.
​

“Roger, every ball you find and every container you dig out of the trash excites you so much. Each one is only a ball, and each container is just a worthless paper and plastic sleeve.”
​

“Jac, I have over 50,000 balls in the garage, and they were all found one at a time. If I didn’t find this ball I would only have 49,999 balls. And that is the principle behind why I do it....All great things take time. Every ball is special, and every ball is a part of the bigger picture.”
​

At that moment, there stood in front of me a man who is worth millions, who would not have to work another day in his life, and yet he was digging through trash cans for containers that are worth a dollar each. However, a dollar each did eventually become $50,000. Roger’s mindset and consistent work ethic has resulted in the freedom to live his life exactly as he chooses.
​

Be methodical and consistent in your approach toward your goal. Consider that you may have to do the same things over and over to build the larger picture. Consider approaching life in this manner, attacking your small tasks and large goals with this level of tenacity, and I promise you will attain whatever it is you desire.​​

​Get Exclusive Financial Tips That I Only Share With Email Subscribers​