Are you in the 1% of the 1%? No not the 1% that Bernie is always yelling at I’m talking about the steadfast spirit 1%. Last fall was really amazing for D.C. Hopefuls. I had the opportunity to speak seven times at five different college campuses. I spoke to various groups of both undergraduate and graduate level young people.
I’ve run some rough numbers and based off the email listservs and facebook groups my presentations were advertised to I would say no less than 5,000 people (entire student bodies and departments were emailed so this number may be much larger). Based on the notes I kept around fifty people attended….total! So off the bat anyone in attendance was in the 1%. Of those fifty people who attended less than ten have followed up on my promise to speak with them about their career and join this the D.C. Hopefuls newsletter. Less than 10 of the over 5,000 have taken the time to get free career advice!
In the past I would have been devastated by these numbers and begin telling myself I was simply wasting my time. There have been countless occasions were I thought about closing all of this down because such a small number of people seem interested. This is why I’m so thankful for the members of the D.C. Hopefuls Fellowship. I have been able to watch them take this information, put it into practice, change their lives and the lives of their fellow members.
There are plenty of young people who are determined to succeed and willing to put in all the work necessary and I’m optimistic they will eventually be successful but I have serious doubts. This isn’t about how hard someone is willing to work it is about how smart they are willing to work. I can go fishing for 10 days straight but if I’m using the wrong type of bait and scaring the fish away with my music it doesn’t matter how determined I might be.
It really is the 1% of the 1% of young people who are willing to admit what they don’t know, humble themselves, and learn the necessary skills to reach their dreams the right way. The right way doesn’t usually have immediate payoffs but always ends up being far easier and much less painful than sheer will of ignorant force (aka me for the first 5 years of my career).
So take some pride if you are in that small group who cared enough about your career to sign up for a newsletter like this and if you haven’t I encourage you to sign up right now. I also challenge you become part of the 1% of the 1% by seeking the guidance and skills necessary. Obviously I am biased and think D.C. Hopefuls Fellowship and D.C. Boot Camp is the best place to do that but if this not for you then please go surround and immerse yourself with people who can help you, guide you, and growth with you.
Stay Steadfast,
Tommy Pevehouse