Boy Scout Troop 325
Scoutmaster Minute
Believe In Yourself
November 28, 2006
Larry Polyak, Scoutmaster

Last month, I did a Scoutmaster Minute about Abraham Lincoln, and how he failed many times in life before he went on to become one of the best presidents the United States has ever had. The message there was to believe in yourself.

Something happened just the other day to remind myself of this message again. I was cleaning out the garage. Well - not so much cleaning it out as I was making room for more scout stuff. Anyway, I came across a box of stuff that I had not looked at since college. In the box I found some letters I received from companies that I had interviewed with. When I was about to graduate from college 28 years ago, I went on various job interviews all around the country. I'd like to read you some exerpts of the letters I received.

Most start with "Dear Mr. Polyak..."

1) "We regret to inform you that you have not been selected for employment."

2) "Thank you for taking the time to visit. Unfortunately at this time we have no positions which meet your qualifications. We will retain your information on file and should we find that a suitable position opens up..." blah, blah blah

3) "We have selected another candidate with more appropriate related experience."

Here's one of my favorites:

4) "Although your qualifications are outstanding and you impressed everyone who met you on your visit, we have no openings at this time."

I think you see the common theme here.They didn't want me. I received seven of these rejection letters. I got several acceptances and offers too, but for some reason, I didn't save those. I only saved the rejections. I pasted these letters, one by one as I got them, on the wall of my room at school. It gave me the courage to keep trying. To show them that they were wrong. I knew that they were wrong for not wanting me.

The best advice in life that I can give you, is to find something you really like to do. Study it, learn it, practice it, and then believe in yourself. If you don't believe in yourself, chances are that no one else will either. But if you do believe in yourself you'll tend to be more succesful and happy in life.

Thanks for listening.