I’m not sure where I got the idea from but as a young professional, very early into my career, I sat down and wrote out my Goals, Attitudes & Beliefs.
The truth was I was struggling. I had moved 3,000 miles from home after graduating from college. The world was changing (9/11/01), my company was going to a reduction-in-force, I was the last-in, expecting to be the first out, and I was all alone.
I needed a North Star. I needed to understand who I was and what I was about to overcome this adversity, so I looked inside and wrote.
When I reflect on my “Goals, Attitudes and Beliefs”, I’m struck by how “wise” I was at a young age. It’s interesting though, while I might of had an idea of the “right things to say”, I had no idea how to actually live it.
Very quickly I got swept up in the rat race of work. I was drinking the Kool-Aid and running the gauntlet and before I knew it my weekly sales number became the most important thing in my life. I was chasing the promotion and the accolades, and my performance at work dictated my happiness and self-worth.
While these “Goals, Attitudes & Beliefs” were pushpined directly in my line-of-sight in my cubicle - they couldn’t have been further away.
It wasn't until my wife, Molly, entered my life that I began to embody the essence of my aspirational ethos. However, this evolution didn't come easy. It demanded real changes in how I allocated my time and energy, accompanied by significant sacrifices along the way.
When I started Carver Peterson in 2014, my priorities were:
And now I am proud to say that my priorities are:
I am very thankful for my Vistage Group and our esteemed Vistage Chair, Cathy “Fitz” Fitzhenry, who introduced me to the transformative insights of Dan Sullivan & Dr. Benjamin Hardy’s book: 10x is Easier Than 2x. Through vulnerability, I've come to realize that my 10x journey has unfolded in unexpected ways. Instead of a tenfold expansion in my professional life, I've experienced a profound evolution in my life as a whole.
My journey has been marked by significant milestones, including a deepened spiritual connection culminating in my baptism on June 11th, 2023, with my friend and Pastor, Seth Trimmer, at Grace City Church in Corvallis, Oregon. [Here is my testimony if anyone is so inspired to watch, it starts at 20:45]. My relationship with Molly blossomed into a beautiful marriage and family with our 3 growing kids: Grady, Camden, and Mila. Relocating from the hustle & bustle of downtown Chicago to Cedarburg, Wisconsin, has given us a sense of community, connection and belonging.
Meanwhile, the transition from delivering work in-person to virtual has allowed me to narrow my focus on ideal clients while expanding my geographic reach, resulting in more precision and impact in my work. I am grateful for the flexibility that this shift has afforded me—a chance to trade the daily commute for moments shared with my children, grounding me in the beauty of a balanced life.
In its totality, this journey of self-discovery has rendered me a more dynamic, purpose-driven individual. To my 22-year-old self, who charted this course with foresight and determination, I extend heartfelt gratitude. And to the 34-year-old who mustered the courage to traverse this path (with the love & support from Molly), I am profoundly grateful.
As we discussed in our recent Vistage meeting, "comparison [can be] the thief of joy." I hope that my journey serves not as a benchmark for comparison, but rather as a source of inspiration, enlightenment, and clarity for those embarking on their own quest for 10x growth in life, not just in work.
***********************************************************************************
Goals, Attitudes and Beliefs
By Scott Peterson (~2001)
Goals:
Attitudes:
Beliefs:
***********************************************************************************
Go Deeper
Carver Peterson helps growth-minded leaders of B2B technical services firms build high-performing sales teams so that they can confidently grow & scale.
We are systematic and process-driven.
We value unique strengths.
We communicate openly and directly.
