What would you do if you were walking along an abandoned stretch of beach and stumbled upon what appeared to be a gold coin?
One option would be to smile, pocket your prize and go about your day with a little extra bounce in your step.  And why not?  It is not every day  one stumbles upon a gold coin, so you might as well enjoy it!
There is another option, however; another way to react to such an unusual and rare find.  Some people, upon discovering such a treasure, will find themselves pumped with physical and intellectual adrenaline as questions, theories and speculation pop into their heads regarding the gold coin’s origin and how it came to surface upon that abandoned stretch of beach.
Such inquisitive people would view finding a gold coin as more than happenstance. These people would instantly recognize the coin as a sign — one that shouts, “There must be a treasure buried somewhere nearby!”
Yes, it is true.  If one rare coin found its ways underfoot, there would be good reason to take a step back, survey the situation and formulate a hypothesis.  With passionate and thorough research, the evidence of a buried treasure nearby might begin to reveal itself and, no matter how substantial the evidence may be, it would fuel the fire to keep searching for more treasure.  In their quest to unearth the buried treasure, they would gather shovels and volunteers to dig and test their hypothesis of the treasure’s location.
Imagine you are the lucky coin finder.  Coin in hand, you stand face-to-face with your group of volunteers and begin to explain your hypothesis of the buried treasure; first, proudly showing your group of volunteers the rare gold coin you have found.  Then, you present your extensive, detailed research data.
During the presentation of your data, you are distracted by what are first the soft whispers of ridicule, but then crude heckling from your volunteers.  Collectively, they pepper you with reasons to be doubtful that there is a treasure and offer advice on why your hopes should not be high about finding more gold coins.  The doubt and pessimistic “advice” from the belligerent crowd tests your resolve and causes you shake your head with disgust as you wonder why other people are not like you; why other people cannot see what you see.
It is unfortunate, but true.  Some people do not see a gold coin as anything more than a gold coin.  Their perception — their thinking — is “linear.”  They see nothing more than what is directly in front of them.  Yet, it is also true that some people see things that are not obvious to others.  These are the people who see every little nook and cranny in a brick wall; the thinkers.  Call them what you will; these are the people who drive the American Dream.  What you must understand is that the important question is not why we see things differently, but:  “What do you see?”  This is something that you — and only you — can control.
When you are looking for your buried treasure, whatever it may be, its signs will be winking at you throughout each and every ordinary day.  Whether you meet someone new, receive a party invitation or are presented with an innovative idea, ask yourself, “Where did this come from?”  “How did this find its way here?”  “Am I seeing the full potential of this situation?”
Remember your vision is your strength and it is being constantly changed through everyday occurrences.  You will find yourself surrounded by naysayers, but be wise and dare to see what others do not.  Freely share your vision with others; then hand them a shovel and, together, dig for the buried treasure hidden right beneath your feet.
Find unique ways to dig for treasure by going to www.BoltfromtheBlue.com and entering the word COIN in the blueprint box.

Tom Richard is a Toledo-based sales trainer, gives seminars, runs sales meetings and provides coaching for salespeople. For more information, visit www.boltfromtheblue.com, call (419) 441-1005 or e-mail him at tom@tomrichard.com.