It All Started with a Fort

When I was growing up, forts were everything. They weren’t just a pastime—they were an obsession. Every play date began with the same question: “What do you want to do?” And the answer was almost always, “Let’s build a fort.”

These weren’t quick projects. They could take hours—or days—before my mom would eventually insist the masterpiece come down. Whether indoors or outdoors, forts were built from whatever was available: blankets, cardboard, string, tape, scissors, and, in one epic case, a refrigerator box. Of course, the creative chaos left a trail of debris, much to the dismay of our parents.

But forts weren’t just about construction; they had a purpose. For my friends and me, that purpose was treasure hunting. A fort required a treasure map, meticulously crafted on paper "borrowed" from my mom’s desk, complete with burnt edges (matches may have been involved). Those maps led to gold—well, the “gold nugget” that my best friend and I once hid at the bottom of a kitchen cabinet in my childhood home, which might still be there today!

Then there were the rules. Every fort had a sign posted at the entrance detailing who was allowed inside. Everyone in the neighborhood wanted in, but only a select few were granted access to the exclusive treasure hunt headquarters.

So, what does all this have to do with career acceleration?

For me, that childhood fascination with forts was the foundation of a lifelong passion for strategy, planning, collaboration, and the pursuit of treasure—whether literal or metaphorical.

What’s your version of the “fort”?

Think back: What captivated you as a child? What seeds were planted back then that have blossomed throughout your career?

Take a moment to reflect. You might discover that you’re already living your dream—or you might uncover something missing that you could reclaim.

Sometimes, career clarity comes from revisiting the past. That’s where your treasure may lie.

So go back. Find your fort. And let your career adventure continue.

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Lisa D. Magnuson, author of:

The Top Sales Leader Playbook: How to Win 5X Deals Repeatedly

The Top Seller Advantage: Powerful Strategies to Build Long-term Executive Relationships

The 48-Hour Rule and Other Strategies for Career Survival

Founder & CEO, www.toplinesales.com