Frank Abagnale Jr.

I don't know what you know of Frank Abagnale Jr. The name may sound familiar to you, that is probably because you are a Tom Hanks fan, or Leonardo DiCaprio fan, or you just like great movies. The movie "Catch Me If You Can" is loosely based on the life of Frank Abagnale Jr.

If you aren't familiar I first recommend that you become so. But just for sake of time. Frank was only 17 when he started counterfeiting and conning. In his lifetime he forged over $2.5 million dollars in checks. He also successfully pretended to be 8 different people. And also successfully lived life as a airline pilot, a doctor, a prison inspector, and a lawyer. And just in case you were curious about this man or impressed yet, he escaped police custody two times. Once was while aboard a taxing airplane, and once from a state penitentiary. This was all before the ripe old age of 21. Oh yeah he now teaches the FBI about counterfeits and runs a counterfeit consulting company. Just as icing on the cake.

Frank Abagnale Jr. is a  role model of mine. Now just wait before you pick on him for all the bad things he has done. That's not why he is  a role model of mine. Frank had a dream and a goal. He is a role model of mine because he showed confidence and poise and that is why others believed that he was all the people he claimed to be. He did not let where he came from or who he was growing up hold him back from becoming what he wanted to be. And once he did get caught and spent time in jail. He still didn't become just some dead beat criminal he used the skills he taught himself to start his own company and work for the FBI (the same people that put him away).

I think a quote from Dennis Waitley suits this well, he says, "It's not what you are that holds us back, it's what we think we are not."

And I think Frank's story exemplifies that perfectly. So just because you weren't born into money. And your family doesn't have all the best stuff. Or your boss didn't like or approve your idea. Don't assume you are a failure. Be confident, be committed and become what you think and know you can.

P.S. Another one of my favorite quotes comes from the movie mentioned above. It is actually a quote told to Frank Jr. by his father. It goes, "You know why the Yankees always win? Cause the other team can't stop staring at those pinstripes."

Now I like it, because I take as if you show confidence and can play the part of what you want to be. People will buy into it every time.


Happy Father's Day to all you dad's out there.