I recently tagged along to my wife’s work convention in Las Vegas. She was busy. I was not.
Being that I’m not a big gambler, I decided to spend the majority of my time people watching,
which quickly evolved into people listening. Here are the three most common phrases I heard.
1. “The house always wins.” It’s this inherent understanding that serves as a backdrop to
all things Vegas. The high-rise hotels, the swanky malls, and 5-star restaurants are
evidence that this place has a financial engine. An engine that everyone acknowledges
and readily accepts. There is an uncomfortable reality that sits behind all the glitz and
glamour. In order for this place to exist, most of us have to lose. It’s a common risk we
feel the need to remind ourselves of. So, in the guise of educating those around us, we
utter those words out loud. “The house always wins.”
2. “I’m all in.” People in Vegas seem ready for Vegas. Maybe it just seemed that way
because I clearly was not. My limited experience and foggy understanding of the rules
created a hesitancy within me. I felt like a teenager trying to get his nerve up to ask out
a girl. This stood in stark contrast to the masses of people around me who dove in,
confidently put thousands on red, and spun the wheel. I’m not suggesting that their
approach was best. I’m just pointing out that these people understood they were there
for a limited time, and clearly knew how to take advantage of it.
3. “We’re back baby!” It seemed like there was an inordinate amount of people who were
there on a return trip. Extended family, neighborhood moms, and old college bar
buddies. Apparently, what started as a birthday or bachelor party years ago was now a
rhythm. I have to admit, this was nice to see. I was half expecting a multitude of lonely
people isolated at the slot machines. But instead saw more fist bumps and laughter
around bar tables and in the elevators.
So, what did I learn?
As a person who is obsessed with helping people find their personal mission, I am always
looking for examples of how those missions can be sustainable. So, as you think about that
passion God has put within your chest, let me leave you with these three questions.
1. Does your mission have a financial engine that everyone understands?
2. Have you clarified your mission to such an extent that outsiders know how to be all in?
3. Is your mission so appealing that people want to come back to it?
