As an entrepreneur, I enjoy reading about how other entrepreneurs manage their businesses and lead their lives. I read about their failures and successes. I share their joys and I learn from their mistakes. I can relate to their struggles and triumphs. Every business has its ups and downs and we all know that.
Every entrepreneur has one thing in common. They all started with making the first step… the courage to go into business.
From the first step, they make the next step. Sometimes it works and the business flies. Even if the business flops, the owner must take the next step…
Just like the song? “You’ve got to know when to hold up, know when to fold up, know when to walk away, know when to run.” (though that’s talking about the gambler)
Life is all about taking steps. You take small steps, big steps. Sometimes you side step or back track. You never know how it’s going to turn out…
The Lonely Planet owners published their first scrawny book Across Asia on the Cheap in 1973. They were almost penniless. Today they sell more than 6 million guidebooks annually. Never in their wildest dreams did they think they would become the largest independently owned travel guide publisher in the world.
Subway Sandwich owners started with their first shop in New York in 1965. They had a goal of opening 32 submarine sandwich shops within 10 years. The latest count? 27,228 restaurants in 85 countries today!
We don’t have to look very far for inspiration. It is everywhere around us.
Five years ago, my best friend took the bold step of leaving a cushy job for a more challenging one. It was the best step she had taken. The company has given her abundant opportunities to grow, both personally and career wise. Today, this highly confident lady is very well respected in the industry.
My dear friends Viv and hubby moved from Singapore to the beautiful city of Bend, Oregon two years ago. From time to time, they worry about job security. Still, it was a good move. They now enjoy a better quality of life. They wake up to fresher air and picturesque views every day. And they have more time to enjoy outdoor activities together.
Yet I know of people who wallow endlessly in self-pity. They discourage themselves from making any positive steps. So year after year, their situations remain status-quo or even worse off.
Well, it is all up to us to make that first step.
2 comments:
Well said, very well said. Sometimes when I'm in it, I actually don't know if it's a bold step or a bad decision though. It's only years later when I look back, good/bad started to appear. And by then, even if it is a bad step, I refuse to acknowledge it due to EGO! Ha! :)
You're right. You often won't know it until you start to look back. Then everything becomes so clear.
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