Who and what is worth taking a chance on?

Each person acquires their own character, but their official roles are designated by chance.

Author

Clint Betts
August 27, 2024

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“Character is higher than intellect. A great soul will be strong to live, as well as to think.”

― Ralph Waldo Emerson

In today’s email:

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DAILY MEDITATION

Each person acquires their own character, but their official roles are designated by chance. You should invite some to your table because they are deserving, others because they may come to deserve it.

Seneca

QUESTION
Dear Clint,

I’ve been listening to the CEO.com podcast for a while now and noticed you end every interview with the question, “I believe the chances we give are just as important as the chances we take. When you hear that, who gave you a chance to get you to where you are today?”

It’s been fascinating to hear each CEO and leader answer this question. What makes you end each interview with this question?

Sincerely,
Thinking About Chances

ANSWER
Thinking About Chances,

Yesterday, I told you that I lived the first few years of my life in foster care. I didn’t go into much detail about what happened after that. I didn’t tell you that I lived my post-adoption childhood in constant fear of being abandoned.

I was angry. At my biological parents for putting me up for adoption, and at myself for not being worth keeping around. When I was 15 years old, I met my biological mother. I was determined to ask her why she’d given me up, but for some reason, I didn’t. In fact, I never did. Somewhere along the way, through conversations with her about her own journey, I’d come to learn life is as much about the chances one gives as the chances one takes.

When she passed away in 2015, with my brother and me at her side, I no longer felt like she’d given me up. The last thing I said to her was, “Thanks for the chance, Mom.”

She gave me a chance.

That’s why I ask that question at the end of every interview.

Yours,
Clint Betts

Contact Clint
Email: dear[email protected]
Phone: (385) 217-0670

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