I once knew a cashier that was super intelligent, fast, creative and overall very amazing.

The only problem is that she never stopped working at the grocery store where she worked as a cashier.  While there is nothing wrong with my now older friend working as a cashier in a grocery store, I have to wonder what her life would have been like if she tried a little harder to get a more challenging, higher paying job or pursued some other income making venture.

The person above was actually my friend’s mom, and I knew that she was very, very smart and creative.  I was always amazed with how she seemed to know so much about so many topics, and would make some of the most fantastic creations at her home.

Now as an adult, I realize that she would have thrived in a corporate setting, or perhaps as an entrepreneur if she would have pursued such options.  It got me thinking how many other brilliant people are in job that they may have fell into while in high school and never left.  That is what happened to my friend’s mom.  In the cartoon series “Dilbert”, one of the “smartest” characters is the garbage man.  Whenever Dilbert speaks to him, the conversation always seems to blow Dilbert away.  I wonder how many other in real life are like that?  Personally, I know a few people in such positions that I consider smarter than I am, but working in a job that doesn’t utilize their intellect nor pays that well.

For a current day example, look at many of the bloggers of today.  Many come from mundane job where their full skills aren’t utilized or even recognized!  The they start blogging and almost instantly make as much as they were when they were working at their pre-blogging job.  Some have even went on be to quite successful!  What a contrast!

The key is to wake up and put as much time into finances and income creation as we (as a society) put into watching TV or other time wasting activities.  Perhaps if we made making money a personal game, it would facilitate the exploration and expansion of our innate abilities?

My friend’s mom is set in her ways and seems content enough.  Neither she or I will ever know where she could have gone with her brilliance.

Thinking of my friend’s mom makes me want to try harder!

MR