The Goonies Close
I spent Monday and Tuesday with an organization in Minnesota that’s been trying to get a campaign going for the better part of two years. They’ve engaged volunteers, built committees… done a feasibility study… All the traditional prep stuff but can’t seem to get any momentum.
After visiting with them, I’m convinced they have prospects and a decent case. At this point – two years into project, – everyone is loathe to commit because there is no momentum.
Someone needs to be a leader. Someone (in this case the executive director) needs to stand up and say, “Ms. Prospect, now is the time. We’ve talked about this. It’s our time. I / we are drawing a line in the sand. I’m going to be leading several other conversations just like this and I’m asking you to follow me. We have a choice to make and I need to say – this is our time.”
I call this The Goonies Close.
Sadly, I’ve convinced 4 out of 5 people age 35+ have not seen the Goonies. (How? I don’t know. ) It should be a right of passage for every American. Spielberg + 80’s = ET and Goonies.
I encourage you to watch the Goonies for it’s own sake.
I encourage you to watch for the scene in which the Goonies (the geeks featured in the movie) have a choice to make. Mikey, the lead character, emerges to take a leadership role. The team is on a treasure hunt. They are at a crossroads, they can abandon the hunt – saving their dreams for another day – OR, they can go for it… now… a no-turning-back all-in commitment to the opportunity ahead.
Mikey:
Don’t you realize? The next time you see sky, it’ll be over another town. The next time you take a test, it’ll be in some other school. Our parents, they want the best of stuff for us. But right now, they got to do what’s right for them. Because it’s their time. Their time! Up there! Down here, it’s our time. It’s our time down here. That’s all over the second we ride up Troy’s bucket.
I know my friends in Minnesota aren’t the only ones in need of a leader to step up and say, “It’s our time!”
Note: I tried to embed the youtube clip but can’t – presumably because it’s copyrighted material… fair enough.
