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:
Work
Work
Work
And now I am proud to say that my priorities are:
God
Family
Work
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:
See how many times you can laugh each day.
Challenge yourself (physically, mentally and emotionally).
Break the box.
Travel.
Spend time by yourself.
Learn.
Talk with God.
Read.
Find your inner-self.
Keep in touch with friends.
Attitudes:
Always try your hardest.
Be good at whatever you do, but don’t be afraid to fail.
Think.
Reflect.
Dream.
Do things you enjoy.
Enjoy what you do.
Never lose your competitiveness.
Get better at something everyday.
Learn something new everyday.
“Tough times don’t last; tough people do.”
“Suck it up and deal with adversity.”
“It’s alright to be Goliath, but always act like David.”
Never give up on any one…miracles happen every day.
“It’s not the size of the dog in the fight. It’s the size of the fight in the dog.”
Beliefs:
Say “I Love You.”
Take good care of those you love.
Tell the truth.
Be yourself.
Say “Please” and “Thank You.”
Be there when people need you.
Have role models.
Be someone’s hero.
Remember other people’s birthdays.
Live life to the fullest.
Be forgiving of yourself and others.
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.
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