Have you heard of 'Acres of Diamonds'? It was the title of a talk delivered by Russell Conwell. The inspirational talk became so popular that Conwell ended up delivering it over 6000 times. At the heart of the talk is a little story that's as relevant today as it was a hundred years ago.
 
The story goes that many years ago there lived a farmer. He was a wealthy and contented man, who would often play host to visiting traders and explorers. And it was while talking to one of them one fateful evening that he learnt about their expeditions. They were there in search of diamonds. Diamonds that would make them rich, and make their dreams come true. He was told of how if he had a diamond the size of his thumb, he could buy up the whole country.

The farmer couldn't sleep that night. He kept thinking of the diamonds, and how wealthy they could make him. Sensing an opportunity, the farmer too decided to go out and join the hunt for diamonds. He sold his farm, and set out on his search. He went far and wide but, unfortunately, even after spending six months - and a lot of money - the farmer couldn't find any diamond. He died soon after, broke and heartbroken.

Meanwhile, back on the land the farmer had sold, the new owner was watering the plants in his garden, when he suddenly saw something glistening. He picked up the stone - and then as he put his hand in the sand, he found another, and then some more. Diamonds all!

Yes, there were acres of diamonds in the plot of land which the farmer had sold and gone away from, in his search for diamonds. It's an old story, but the lessons are as valid today.

The goals we are looking for, the wealth we are lusting after, they are all there, right beneath
our feet. It's up to us to find them. We are all blessed with unique gifts and talents. Some can sing, some are compassionate, some of us can build bridges and some can make the tastiest snacks. Yet, in our quest for success and happiness, we all end up looking for skills we lack, or chase supposedly hot careers, disregarding our talents. And so we all enrol for a computer class, or look for an MBA degree, completely ignoring our real talents and interests. As someone once said, the Lord made each of us with great care and thought. Let's not waste time trying to put in what He left out. Let's just try and bring out all that He left in!

Why do we fail to recognize the diamonds in our own backyard? That's probably because diamonds usually appear in their rough, uncut form. And polishing those uncut stones is hard work. Rather than work on polishing those diamonds and honing those precious God-given talents, we join the bandwagon that moves from job to job, career to career. In search of those acres of diamonds.

Theo Roosevelt was right when he urged us to "what you can, with what you have, right where you are." That's terrific advice.

There's one little nugget in the story I just love. Notice how the farmer is a wealthy and contented man &ndash until he hears about the diamonds. He can't sleep the night he hears about them. Imagine! We all let our lives and our joy be disturbed by a chance remark about an illusory pot of gold that someone else is chasing.

Learning to be happy with what you have can make you wealthier than you'd ever imagine.
So what are your acres of diamonds? What are your unique strengths? What can you get to work on today, right where you are, that could bring you happiness and prosperity? Whatever it is, remember the secret to your success lies inside you.
Your acres of diamonds are right beneath your feet. Just look! 

( Prakash Iyer is CEO-Cards, Future Group and executive coach )