Today I’d like to tell you the story of two very different people. The first we’ll call Jack.
Jack decided to leave college after one year because he was smart enough. He soon learned just how limiting that was.
He worked for a few companies, working his way up to be a manager, only to find himself out of a job when the economy shrunk.
Despite his better judgment, he finally took a job that ended up taking him all over the world.
He spent most of his life overseas and was able to put money aside into investments and finally retired in his 50s.
Peter, on the other hand, graduated from a 4-year university, then went on to get an MBA but decided that the standard 9 to 5 job wasn’t for him and decided to open his own company.
He struggled for years. Never able to get any traction in his field, he finally decided to call it a day after 20 years and apply for a regular job.
So why have I chosen to talk about Jack and Peter today?
Because there are many people today that feel the only way to “make it” is to work for themselves.
That’s simply not the case.
Each of us is unique.
Some of us like music, others magic.
There are athletic people, and those good with numbers.
Some just can’t get enough knowledge while others are content knowing what they already do.
As such, some of us are cut out to be entrepreneurs, others aren’t.
I do believe that each of us brings something different to the table and it is our job to figure out what that is if we are to be successful in life.
When it comes to entrepreneurship, we often think of freedom, success and wealth.
But what people don’t tell you are the sleepless nights, the endless pressure and the planning that goes into making a company strong. (especially in the beginning)
I’ve found that some people make great business owners, others don’t have the first clue of how to run a business.
The truth is each of us can become successful in whatever field we choose.
But not all of us will.
Just today I was reminded of this fact when a client told me a moving story of Fujiko Hemming, the famous Japanese pianist.
Despite having incredible talent she struggled for years due to numerous circumstances now, in her 70s, she plays to sold-out concert halls.
Having talent does not guarantee anything as she will attest to.
We are all meant to do something – a doctor, a teacher, an entrepreneur, a gymnast, an engineer or maybe an author.
But each job requires very different skills.
Don’t try and be someone other than who you are. Instead, figure out where you’ll be most successful, then do that.
Me, I’m an educator. I’ve known that for years and slowly, but surely, everything’s falling into place for me.
I wholeheartedly believe that when you do what you’re meant to do, success will follow.
It’s just a question of time.
Adrian Shepherd