One chapter ahead

12 April 2021

This is Eric writing to you.

How in the world did you teach that class? You didn’t know anything about advanced sociology. All I had to do was read one chapter ahead of the students.

That’s from the book, and movie, Catch Me If You Can. In that excerpt, con artist Frank Abagnale, Jr., was telling the authorities how he managed to teach a class at Brigham Young University on a subject that he was completely unfamiliar with. 

All I had to do was read one chapter ahead of the students.

Ain’t that brilliant, and yet so simple at the same time?!

Frank didn’t wait to get a PhD, or get certified, or any of that. He just read one chapter ahead of his students.

Clearly, I’m all for getting college degrees and the like (between my wife and me, we’ve got 5--and certifications, too!) if that’s what you’re supposed to do.

But, if it’s not, then what are you waiting for? You could be helping people right now. People need the wisdom, knowledge, and expertise that you’ve got. 

You think that you’ve got to know everything. You don’t.

You’re an expert when it comes to your experiences. If you’ve got the degrees, and certifications to boot, that’s great, too!

But if you don’t, it’s all good. 

You just need to be one chapter ahead of the folk you wanna help. 

Go listen to the first 30 seconds of Follow God by Kanye West. His dad paints a good picture of what it means to be one step ahead.

The song is a jam, by the way, so don’t be surprised if you start noddin’ your head a lil’ bit!

Speaking Life Into Your Existence, 

Eric