There are three types of individuals.

First type I'll call The Moths. These individuals jump from one assignment to another like moths to a flame. The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. These individuals are always looking for the quick hit. A new tool or process or methodology is on the street and these individuals jump to a job or assignment to make sure they use it. The responsibility towards the team or company comes second to making sure their resume has all the right measures to be selected by the search engines. They have proof because the tool or technique is actually used by the company they temporarily attended.

Second type I'll call The Squatters. These individuals stay put. They come to work each day and do exactly what they are told to do and nothing more. Their only drive is to earn a paycheck. They have no burning desire to move up the ladder in their company...except to make a few more dollars. More often than not, they are also part of the whiner community. They complain and gossip about everything but rarely contribute to correcting or offering help to solve business problems.

The third type of individuals are those that add value any way possible. They offer to help their internal customers (business users), management, and colleagues. They often become mentors to new hires. When looking for a challenge, these type of individuals look within their group and company. Let's call them, The Value Seekers.

Nightingale tells a meaningful story in many of his lectures. The story surrounds the tale originally told by Russell H Cromwell titled Acres of Diamonds. Acres of Diamonds originated as a speech which Cromwell delivered over 6,000 times around the world. Earl Nightingale continued the delivery and is part of The Strangest Secret and Lead The Field recordings.

The central idea of the work is that one need not look elsewhere for opportunity, achievement, or fortune -- the resources to achieve all good things are present in one's own community. This theme is developed by an introductory anecdote, told to Cromwell by an Arab guide, about an African man who wanted to find diamonds so badly that he sold his property and went off in futile search for them. In the end, he threw himself in the river and drowned. The new owner of his property took a walk and found this beautiful shiny rock in his stream. He placed it on his mantle. When a visitor explained that the rock was one of the largest diamonds found in the area, he discovered that a rich diamond mine was located right there on the property. Cromwell elaborates on the theme through examples of success, genius, service, or other virtues involving ordinary Americans contemporary to his audience: "dig in your own back-yard!"

The Moths act more like the African who sold his property to start a search elsewhere. Without exploring within the company for an opportunity to excel and ADD VALUE, the individual searches what he or she believes are greener passages elsewhere. His antenna is searching and listening for opportunities is set always outside the organization. When opportunities are presented, his thoughts never go to "How can I help the company?" but rather "what's in it for me?"

During an economy like the current one, opportunities are minimal. Unemployment fears force the idea that jumping is just too risky. While waiting for outside opportunities, the Moths act more like a Squatter. He or she whines about the current place of employment. His or her attitude may be expressed in terms of "this place doesn't appreciate me." His or her attitude is closed- minded...representing narrow- minded thinking. Who would want to work with someone like this? Who would want to offer internal opportunities to someone so closed- minded with what's in it for me attitude? This is why internal opportunities, if available, aren't presented. Close-minded closes the door to be offered. The bad attitude gives off signals to others to not even bother as you will not have anything of value for me. The scary part of this scenario is that the Moth, when he or she does takes another outside opportunity, shortly becomes disenchanted again...and the process continues...from one opportunity to another. The Moth is never happy.

"The Acres of Diamonds" story doesn't have a Squatter- type person. If the story did, the part would be played by someone that wants just the status quo. The African would go about his day doing minimal work. He or she would not have a dream, a goal, or an antenna set to hear anything but bad news. He or she wouldn't even notice anything shiny was in the stream because it doesn't effect what he is currently doing. The Squatters would be too busy whining without keeping their antenna up to notice any opportunity to offer value. He or she is "me" focused. Often feeling under paid and offering little loyalty. During an economy like the current one, these individuals are almost invisible. He or she is trying not to make waves, takes no risks, offers no help or concessions. He or she is trying to not be noticed in hopes he or she keeps his or her job. Unfortunately, this approach doesn't offer the company any value and such individuals are laid off more often than not.

What's interesting about The Value Seekers is that they always have an open mind. Their antennas are set in search and listening for opportunities (aka 'antennas up' phrased by Jeffrey Gitomer) to add value anywhere within and without the corporation. They will listen to multiple solutions understanding that change never takes a straight path. The Value Seeker is thought of by those he or she has helped first with new opportunities. In this economy, they are the last to go. If he or she does get laid off, people he or she has helped in the past eagerly offer recommendations and leads for other opportunities.

To achieve such loyalty from others, the Value Seeker has an antenna up for opportunities to help everyone. His or her primary goal is to learn while helping others. What others may view as luck is actually opportunities that were found by the Value Seeker looking for something. He doesn't know that he found a diamond. He was just looking (antenna up) to add value and found it.

Are you standing in your own acre of diamonds?

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Pat Ferdinandi, Chief Thought Translator