I came across a quote a few days ago that really set me off.
Here it is:
“Success in life depends on who your parents were and what circumstances you grew up in.” – Ernest Gallo
If there’s one idea that undercuts the entrepreneur’s soul, this is it.
The idea that somehow, the circumstances of your birth determine exactly what you can or cannot achieve. That we aren’t really responsible for our successes or failures. That we’re all just rats running a race we’ll never understand.
I don’t believe that for a second.
Entrepreneurship is not the story of people who succeed because they had everything. We don’t celebrate people whose lives fall into place out of sheer dumb luck.
Success In Spite Of …
Entrepreneurship is the story of success in spite of.
Success in spite of adversity. Success in spite of who your parents were or were not. Success in spite of what circumstances you did or did not grow up in. Success in spite of what the “experts” tell you will or will not work.
Everyone faces challenges. Some people face harder tests than others. Some people are born with natural talents; others are not. It’s not an even playing field, and it never will be. And yes, luck plays a role. There is such a thing as sheer dumb luck and there is such a thing as unpredictable bad luck.
But so what?
Success finds meaning in the act of overcoming challenges. Of walking onto that uneven field and playing your heart out anyway.
A Lemonade Empire
That’s the challenge I set myself, and it’s the challenge I have for you today: that you succeed in spite of everything that says you can’t. That you leave the puffery to the pundits and let your actions speak for you.
Why? Because entrepreneurs aren’t just satisfied with lemonade. Entrepreneurs take the lemons they’re given and launch a lemonade empire.
Circumstances be damned. Succeed anyway.
12 Comments on “Succeed Anyway.”
says:
Jeffrey, I love this line: “…walk onto that uneven field and play your heart out anyway.” When you think about how short life truly is, why the hell would anyone hesitate to get in the game, have a blast in the process, and maybe even build a legacy and make a contribution to the world?
says:
You know your posts are starting to remind me of Seth Godin. Very, very good :)
says:
I completely agree with you here, Jeffrey.
(If what Ernest Gallo said was true, frankly I would have been screwed!)
says:
I'm a big admirer of Seth Godin, so thank you very much for the comparison! :)
says:
I think people get scared off by a lot of different things (unfortunately) … but you're so right. And I really believe that we're at our best when we get in the game and play our hearts out.
says:
“To hell with circumstance; I create my own opportunities.”– Bruce Lee
says:
I'd rather believe Walt Disney who said “If you can dream it, you can build it”
and Dr. Wayne Dyer who wrote the book “The Sky's the Limit”.
Success is something that we define for ourselves. It starts with our imagination.
says:
I totally agree. Opportunities (and “luck,” to some extent) are created by people. By action. And besides … who's going to argue with Bruce Lee? :)
says:
I would too, Isis. I think the only thing that really limits us is our ingenuity and dedication. It sounds cheesy, but it's still true.
says:
Good post! Whilst upbringing can be an advantage, the mindset can make a difference :)
says:
Thankx for the inspiration, Jeffery. I agree completely. My mother and I are from a poor southern Baptist preacher and his devoted wife. My mother grew up to win SALESMAN of the Year award before there were any such terms as Saleswoman or Salesperson by the time she was 30. I have a 6th grade formal education and have authored 2 books published by Thomas Nelson before I was 33 (teaching in colleges across the midwest, and am now the Grandma Moses of the American Southwest (photographic artist) and still writing. We can accomplish what we believe we can accomplish. Thank you for drilling that into us.
says:
Great post! I like that you emphasize that the playing field isn't level. It's unfortunate, but we can't expect to all get even chances. But who cares? You play the hand you were dealt as good as you can.