Sad story, but true. I wish they were both winners but one young man worked himself into a winner. While the other simply would not use an advantage and lost much more than he realized.
I’m bringing this story to this blog in the hope that no one reading it will have to turn away from a dream and become the loathesome person. And that is the perennial loser. I’m frustrated and so, so sad it happened to the one who turned away.
But at the same time, the winner made me extremely glad I was there for him. In retrospect, I am glad that I was there for them both despite the vastly differing outcomes.
The Starting Gate
Winner and Loser
And they’re off! Well, one had a headstart in a business I knew well and decided to guide him. This young man was all fired up and ready for battle in a brave new world, away from the drudgery most people starting out endure. The second one began the same venture staring at the possible rewards rather reluctantly initially.
Many leave school and are left unprepared. Worse, without a mentorship and the willingness to apprentice with someone or an organization, failure is usually imminent. Even with the most powerful desire to win, they seldom do, the first or even the second time on their own. Yet, that was what they seeked, and I offered to.
Do and Won’t
They say never pre-judge anyone. The one you assume will win may not. And so the prophesy comes true.
You bring to light their visions for them and teach and show and bring more mentors of the varying aspects and degrees of the business. If an idea appears to chaffe, bring another who provides better clarity depending on each person’s understanding preference.
Then a very clear pattern emerged between the two. One developed the desire to learn, earn and do what the best earners’ system. The other began to refuse to follow the success trail and do things his way. This folks is the arrogant, give me attitude, and lazy way to total failure.
And the Winner Is
The work ethic is missing these days in too many people. Blame it on everything else they will. But the truth is, it is really up to the individual. We are mostly filled to the brim with the wrong messages and examples but it is our character that builds us or we fail.
The second one, the reluctant young man learned things step by step, listening to the mentorships one at a time and started to do things one small step at a time. Each day that passes saw him accumulate experience and gather momentum. Eventhough he started behind the first guy he quickly progressed to a much higher plane of proficiency within only a few weeks. I’m glad to say his progress and his eye on the prize still keeps him going despite typical apparent setbacks. This young man demonstartes the mark of a winner.
The first became last in this race simply because of a term some great motivators use. It’s a disease they call ‘excusitis’. Someone hurt them, I can’t because, because I can’t, I don’t have this, I don’t want to do that and everything else that the mind can conceive and that’s what this young man got. What he lost sight of were the mentorship support, the friends, the dollars, and his shot at a better life he dreamt about. Well, until the next time, if he ever will.
