Every so often – I tend to sit in my office and think about this concept called “business”. I look at ordinary people who have made an impact or succeeded in following their dreams and often wonder why them – what makes them different?
Christopher Gardner (The focus of the movie – The Pursuit of Happyness) went from homeless to a successful businessman by following his passions and not giving up. Steve Jobs, Oprah Winfrey and John Paul DeJoria are three more people who come to mind who had visions that became household names in their perspective industries. These individuals started out from humble beginnings, but one thing they each have in common is they took a chance on themselves. Now be that it may – one can argue that they were at low points in their lives and the risk may not have been as significant because they had nothing else to lose.
These were ordinary people who had passion, drive and a no quit attitude to see their dreams become a reality. They were not born with some extraordinary gift – they were not provided a “halo” and given everything that they have today. Working hard at something like your dreams has its merits – sooner or later you will either become successful or walk away learning something that you did not know before. Its about growth and evolving – constantly being aware of what you are doing, discovering what you have not done and working on what needs to be done.
“…Life can be much broader once you discover one simple fact: Everything around you that you call life was made up by people that were no smarter than you and you can change it, you can influence it, you can build your own own things that other people can use. Once you learn that, you’ll never be the same again.”
~ Steve Jobs
It does not take anything that a person does not already have to be successful at business. Taking a vision, passion or a talent – developing it and constantly working on your craft is what makes a person successful. Ordinary people who worked diligently are the ones we read about, see on the magazines and talk about in business schools. Like the Steve Job’s quote above, a person does not have to have rocket scientist level genius to take an idea and make it become a disrupter that changes peoples lives. You need to have the inner drive and determination to see your goals through. Sometimes that drive is ignited by a circumstance that is experienced – like losing a job or it is ignited organically because you want to see your goals develop to something tangible. The most important aspect about success is to be relentlessly focused on the development, growth and sustainment of your company…
“To be successful your focus has to be so intense people think you’re crazy…”
~ Walt Disney
