"During a gold rush, sell shovels."

During the California Gold Rush, the wealthiest weren’t the miners—they were the ones selling picks and shovels. Today, I can't help but see the same story repeating: we’re surrounded by tools promising success, but are you digging for gold or just collecting more picks and shovels?

Let’s uncover the real path to striking gold.

Why action outweighs endless preparation and how faith, focus, and execution lead to results.

Modern Picks and Shovels

The picks and shovels of our time are everywhere: self-help books, YouTube gurus, online courses, coaching programs, and shiny new apps.

In today’s world, the “gold rush” hasn’t ended—it’s just evolved. The tools we chase are no longer pickaxes or shovels; they’re digital courses, productivity apps, coaching programs, and self-help books. Everywhere you look, someone is selling their version of success, wrapped in a promise that this tool or strategy is the one you’ve been waiting for.

My dad always use to say

"The plan isn't the plan, the plan is to sell the plan"

Here’s the truth: these modern “picks and shovels” are only as good as the person using them.

• Self-help books stack on shelves, unopened, gathering dust. "Shelf-Help"

• Online courses are half-watched, with notes that never turn into action. "Get Rich Quick"

• YouTube rabbit holes promise shortcuts, but hours later, we’re left with nothing but inspiration fatigue. "Motivation Overload"

• Mastermind groups overflow with potential, yet some members never move beyond the networking phase. Most mastermind groups are masters at getting your money, and most people never get a single deal going out of those groups.

Self-Help Book Consumption: The average reader of self-help books purchases approximately three such books per year, suggesting a consistent demand for new content in this genre.

Braving Boundaries

These tools aren’t always the problem—many are incredible resources.

The problem arises when we become collectors of tools rather than users of them.

It’s easy to fall into the trap of believing that the next tool will be the one to make everything click, only to find ourselves in the same place, weighed down by unused potential.

A Warning from Ecclesiastes

This endless chase isn’t new. Ecclesiastes 1:18 reminds us: “For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief.” The pursuit of knowledge alone can lead to frustration if it’s not paired with purposeful action.

Today’s “gold rush” is no different from the past—there’s no shortage of picks and shovels for sale. The question is, are you using the ones you already have?

I know people that are huge advocates for Masterminds, attend them, promote them, wears the shirts, hats, everything. Yet, they have to pay for them on credit with money they don't have, and to my knowledge they've never made a single dollar from the groups content, courses, gatherings, or calls.

No partnerships, no deals made, no business produced.

Now you might think it is about networking and growing a relationship, but if it cost you thousands of dollars per year EACH group, and you are struggling financially, and you are not gaining any traction from the groups.

WHAT are you actually doing?

My experience has been split 50/50 with a lot of these so called "masters". A lot of this depends on if you actually apply the resources and information from the group versus using it as an ego stroke or a hideout from responsibility. I myself had joined a mastermind in the past, just one, and the information I gained paid me back 4x the cost of the group in 7 months. I have also taken dozens of cohorts and courses over the years.

AGAIN, I am not anti-tools, or groups, or courses, or bloggers, vloggers, or anything. I mean it, good grief, I am a consultant myself, it would be hard to bash groups then offer my own coaching services in the very next sentence.

I'm simply saying that not all tools are created equal, but they are ALL equally useless if you never apply what you learned from them, or worse what you learned never paid for itself.

Here's another example of "Selling Shovels"

Russell Brunson proudly declares he has made over $1,000,000,000 in funnel sales, the craziest part is that HE SELLS FUNNEL BUILDING SOFTWARE "ClickFunnels".

Now, that doesn't disqualify him, and that doesn't even make him bad or evil, or misleading. In fact I like Russell's brand and his content. I have purchased from him, and his companies. I know countless others that have too. I just wanted to point out that the person promoting the use of funnel building, sells funnel building tools, "Picks and Shovels".

Russell Brunson, co-founder of ClickFunnels, has publicly stated that his business has generated over a billion dollars in sales through simple sales funnels. In a Q&A session on his "Marketing Secrets" podcast, he mentioned, "Even my business has done over a billion dollars in sales so far. My funnels are simple, simple sales funnels."

Marketing Secrets

The Trap: When Preparation Becomes Procrastination

Imagine a miner, fully equipped with the finest picks, shovels, and maps, standing at the edge of a gold-rich field. But instead of digging, they spend their days polishing their tools, buying new ones, and studying the terrain from afar. Days turn into weeks, and while others are striking gold, they remain stuck in perpetual preparation.

This is the trap so many of us fall into. We confuse preparation with progress.

The Modern Trap

Today, preparation looks like:

• Watching endless hours of YouTube tutorials without applying what you’ve learned.

• Buying another online course because “it feels like the missing piece.”

• Joining yet another mastermind or community in search of external validation.

Instead of moving forward, we stay in a loop of consuming, collecting, and analyzing, often driven by:

• Fear of Failure: Preparing feels safe, while action feels risky.

• Perfectionism: Waiting for everything to be “just right” before starting.

• Overwhelm: Too many tools and strategies lead to confusion, not clarity.

Faith Perspective: Boldness in Action

The Bible offers wisdom here: James 2:26 says, “Faith without works is dead.” Even the strongest faith requires action to bring it to life. The same applies to your dreams. Trusting God with your success doesn’t mean sitting still—it means stepping out with the tools He’s already given you.

My Own Experience

I’ve been there—overwhelmed by possibilities and paralyzed by the fear of making the wrong choice. I remember investing in course after course, hoping for the perfect roadmap, only to find myself further behind than when I started. It wasn’t until I committed to taking action, even imperfectly, that I began to see progress.

Preparation is valuable, but only when it’s paired with execution. The miner doesn’t need the perfect shovel—they need the courage to start digging.

Online Course Completion Rates: Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) often experience low completion rates, with averages around 15% or less. Some courses may see rates approaching 40%, but these are exceptions rather than the norm. - EliteContentMarketer

Digging for Gold: Practical Action Steps

Tools are only useful when they’re put to work. The same pickaxe that gathers dust in the corner can uncover a fortune when it’s finally used. The question isn’t what do you have?—it’s what are you doing with it?

Start Where You Are

Russell H. Conwell’s iconic lecture “Acres of Diamonds” offers this timeless reminder:

“Your diamonds are not in far distant mountains or in yonder seas; they are in your own backyard, if you but dig for them.”

So often, we look elsewhere for answers, success, or opportunity, but the truth is that the gold we seek is often already within reach. The tools you need to succeed are likely right in front of you—it’s just a matter of digging.

How to Start Digging Today

Here’s how you can start using the “picks and shovels” you already have to uncover your own gold:

1. Audit Your Tools:

   • Take inventory of everything you’ve bought, subscribed to, or invested in for your success.

   • Ask yourself: Have I used this to its full potential?

   • If not, choose one and commit to using it this week.

2. Pick One and Focus:

   • You don’t need 10 tools; you need one good one and consistent action.

   • Choose one strategy or resource and stick with it for 30 days. Evaluate your progress before moving to the next.

3. Set Small, Measurable Goals:

   • Avoid the overwhelm of massive goals. Break them into smaller, actionable steps.

   • Example: Instead of “Build my business,” start with “Spend one hour a day implementing my online course.”

4. Track Your Results:

   • Keep a log of what’s working and what isn’t. Progress doesn’t have to be perfect, but it needs to be measurable.

5. Learn as You Go:

   • Imperfect action teaches more than perfect planning. Each step forward equips you to handle the next challenge.

The Cost of Inaction

Consider this: every day you don’t dig is another day closer to watching someone else strike the gold you were meant to find. Proverbs 21:25 offers a warning: “The craving of a sluggard will be the death of him because his hands refuse to work.”

The tools are already in your hands. The gold is waiting. The only thing left is for you to start digging.

It only works if you do

Applying Faith Through Action

Here’s how we can align faith with purposeful action:

1. Pray for Guidance: Start with God, asking for clarity on your path.

2. Use What You Have: Trust that the tools you already own are enough for the next step.

3. Step Out in Faith: Take action, even if the outcome isn’t guaranteed. Faith doesn’t eliminate risk; it transforms it into trust.

4. Stay Focused: Avoid distractions disguised as opportunities (like buying another unnecessary tool). That dreaded trap of shiny object syndrome.

My Own Journey

I’ve often found myself saying things like, “I’m waiting on the right time.” But in hindsight, the “right time” was when I had the tools in my hands and a God-given purpose in my heart.

Note: Too many people fall victim to their own understanding of faith, and the twisted words of others, convinced that when it is "God's Timing" and "God's plan" that is when it will happen. That's not actually what the Bible says, and I can't help but try and speak with those individuals about their role in progressing God's plan in their life.

"If you go to bed praying for God to move a mountain in your life, don't be surprised if you wake up next to a shovel"

Progress came when I moved forward, trusting that God would guide me as I worked.

Faith and action aren’t separate paths—they’re two sides of the same coin. When we align the two, we begin to dig for our gold, confident that we’re working toward something greater than ourselves.

Faith and Action: The Biblical Perspective

Success isn’t just about the tools we have—it’s about how we use them. This truth isn’t just practical; it’s deeply spiritual. Faith alone, without action, won’t produce results. The Bible puts it plainly:

“Faith without works is dead.” (James 2:26)

Faith calls us to act with courage, to trust that God has already equipped us with the tools we need to fulfill our purpose. Yet, like miners afraid to dig, many of us hesitate, wondering if we have the “right” tools or if the conditions are perfect.

The Lesson of Nehemiah

Take Nehemiah as an example. When he saw Jerusalem in ruins, he didn’t wait for a perfect plan or ideal resources. He prayed, acted boldly, and started rebuilding the walls with whatever materials were at hand. His faith guided him, but it was his action that made the vision a reality.

The Trap of Overthinking

Overthinking and inaction can disguise themselves as faith. We say we’re “waiting on God,” but often, God is waiting on us to take the first step. Proverbs 14:23 reminds us:
“All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.”

The Reward: Striking Gold

The beauty of finally putting your tools to work is that the rewards go beyond what you initially imagined. Striking gold isn’t just about wealth, success, or recognition—it’s about the transformation that comes with the journey.

"Become a millionaire not for the million dollars, but for what it will make of you to achieve it."

-Jim Rohn

The Real Gold

When you stop collecting tools and start digging, here’s what you uncover:

1. Clarity: Action clears the fog of doubt. By using what you have, you learn what works and what doesn’t, bringing you closer to your goal.

2. Confidence: Each small win builds momentum, reminding you that you’re capable of turning effort into results.

3. Fulfillment: The joy of progress far outweighs the comfort of preparation. There’s nothing like the satisfaction of seeing your efforts pay off.

Biblical Perspective: Reaping the Harvest

Galatians 6:9 reminds us: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Success doesn’t come overnight, but faithfulness and perseverance always lead to a harvest. God honors the work of your hands when you step out in faith and act on the tools He’s given you.

Stories of Striking Gold

Take a moment to reflect on stories of those who stayed the course:

• The business owner who, after years of trial and error, finally scaled to six, seven, or even eight figures by sticking to a single strategy.

• I struck gold when I learned the power of systems that automated my business and finally gave me the time to focus on having a life outside of an office.

• The writer who turned one book into a life-changing movement.

• The entrepreneur who stopped chasing trends and focused on serving their audience, striking gold by meeting their needs.

Your Gold is Waiting

The gold is there—it’s been waiting for you all along. But it won’t come to you while you stand at the edge of the mine, polishing your tools. It’s waiting for you to dig, to fail, to adjust, and to keep going.

The reward isn’t just in the gold itself—it’s in the journey of becoming the kind of person who can uncover it.

Closing Challenge

Now that you’ve heard the stories, seen the principles, and reflected on the lessons, it’s time to take action. The tools are in your hands, and the gold is waiting—but the next step is yours to take.

Your Challenge

1. Audit Your Picks and Shovels:
   Take stock of what you already have—courses, books, tools, or strategies. Write down the top three you’ve invested in but haven’t fully used.

2. Commit to Digging:
   Choose one tool or strategy to focus on this week. Commit to taking at least one measurable action each day, whether it’s applying a lesson, implementing a strategy, or reaching out to a mentor for guidance.

3. Reflect on Your Purpose:
   Ask yourself: “What is the gold I’m digging for?” Define your ultimate goal and remind yourself of the deeper purpose behind it. Is it to provide for your family? To fulfill a God-given calling? To make a difference in your community? Keep this vision front and center.

4. Share Your Progress:
   Growth thrives in accountability. Share your commitment with someone—a friend, coach, or your community. Let them know what tool you’re using and what actions you’re taking.

Parting Wisdom

Remember, it’s not about collecting more picks and shovels—it’s about digging with the ones you have. As Jim Rohn said, “Become a millionaire not for the million dollars, but for what it will make of you to achieve it.” The real reward lies in the transformation, the faith, and the fulfillment that come from putting in the work.

What step will you take today? The gold is closer than you think—it’s time to dig.

Interested in learning more about using tools, systems and coaching to grow your business.

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