Lesson #1: Find Something That Gets You Excited
Lesson #1: Find Something That Gets You Excited
Gardner is the first to admit that in the early days of his career, his major motivating force for finding work was money. He needed to pay the rent, he needed to be able to afford food and clothing, and he needed to look after not just himself, but also his young son. Nevertheless, it was only by choosing to focus on a career that truly got him excited, that Gardner was able to rise to the top of his field.
“Do something that you love,” says Gardner. “Whatever you’re going to do is going to be tough enough. Find something that gets you so excited that the sun can’t come up early enough in the morning because you want to go do your thing.”
For Gardner, that thing was becoming a stockbroker. Being a poor black man with little education and no experience, Gardner knew that the odds were stacked against him. Of his childhood, Gardner says, “I didn’t grow up in a household where dinner conversation was ‘How did the market do today?” Nonetheless, Gardner had finally found something that he could get excited about and he wasn’t about to let his chance at happiness pass him by.
“You have to be bold because there will be folks who will say ‘You can’t’ or ‘You shouldn’t’ or ‘Why?’” says Gardner. “There is a certain boldness to saying ‘Well, I really don’t want to be a high-powered corporate lawyer. I’m really passionate about painting.” Gardner had struggled through years of hard jobs that had left him unfulfilled. In dreaming of becoming a stockbroker, Gardner was finally excited about his future.
“The first things kids want to know is how much money I make,” says Gardner. “For them, that’s a validating question because it means: ‘Why should I listen to you?’ My answer is always the same. If I were in the NBA, I might not be making as much as Shaq, but I wouldn’t be on the bench, either. I tell them forget about money; money is the least significant aspect of wealth. It’s more important to do something that makes you happy.”
Gardner does not purport to be an expert on making money and achieving success, but the fact that he has come from where he did to where he is today, invariably makes him one. “No matter how much money is involved or no matter how easy it is for you to do, if you’re not happy, you are nothing more than a slave to your talent and money,” he says. “Do something that makes you happy and makes you feel good about yourself. Do something that makes you feel your work is significant and meaningful. If you just want to make money, that’s a whole different trip. I can’t help you with that.”
Lesson 1 Find Something That Gets You Excited
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“You have to be committed, and you have to find something that you are passionate about,” says Gardiner. “And forget about money. I’ve learned that money is the least significant aspect of wealth.”
Gardner is the first to admit that in the early days of his career, his major motivating force for finding work was money. He needed to pay the rent, he needed to be able to afford food and clothing, and he needed to look after not just himself, but also his young son. Nevertheless, it was only by choosing to focus on a career that truly got him excited, that Gardner was able to rise to the top of his field.
“Do something that you love,” says Gardner. “Whatever you’re going to do is going to be tough enough. Find something that gets you so excited that the sun can’t come up early enough in the morning because you want to go do your thing.”
For Gardner, that thing was becoming a stockbroker. Being a poor black man with little education and no experience, Gardner knew that the odds were stacked against him. Of his childhood, Gardner says, “I didn’t grow up in a household where dinner conversation was ‘How did the market do today?” Nonetheless, Gardner had finally found something that he could get excited about and he wasn’t about to let his chance at happiness pass him by.
“You have to be bold because there will be folks who will say ‘You can’t’ or ‘You shouldn’t’ or ‘Why?’” says Gardner. “There is a certain boldness to saying ‘Well, I really don’t want to be a high-powered corporate lawyer. I’m really passionate about painting.” Gardner had struggled through years of hard jobs that had left him unfulfilled. In dreaming of becoming a stockbroker, Gardner was finally excited about his future.
“The first things kids want to know is how much money I make,” says Gardner. “For them, that’s a validating question because it means: ‘Why should I listen to you?’ My answer is always the same. If I were in the NBA, I might not be making as much as Shaq, but I wouldn’t be on the bench, either. I tell them forget about money; money is the least significant aspect of wealth. It’s more important to do something that makes you happy.”
Gardner does not purport to be an expert on making money and achieving success, but the fact that he has come from where he did to where he is today, invariably makes him one. “No matter how much money is involved or no matter how easy it is for you to do, if you’re not happy, you are nothing more than a slave to your talent and money,” he says. “Do something that makes you happy and makes you feel good about yourself. Do something that makes you feel your work is significant and meaningful. If you just want to make money, that’s a whole different trip. I can’t help you with that.”
Lesson 1 Find Something That Gets You Excited
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Leanne Hoagland-SmithAre your sales where you want them to be? Will you be one of the few who achieves sales or business success or one of the many who have failed to change? Are you tired of being told you are like everyone else? Then you may find my first book on sales of interest. Be the Red Jacket in the Sea of Gray Suits, The Keys to Unlocking Sales available at Amazon or at http://www.processspecialist.com/red-jacket.htm. This book is a reflection of my no-nonsense approach to improving sales to overall business results. If you are truly committed to making sustainable changes, then I can help you secure a positive return on your investment because I focus on executable solutions not telling you the problems you already know you have. From training to corporate (group) coaching to executive one on one coaching, my approach is to assess, create awareness, build a goal driven action plan and then execute. The bottom line question is "Not do you or your employees know it, but do you or they want to do it?" Please call for a free strategy session at 219.759.5601. - Visit Leanne Hoagland-Smith's Website |
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Anne BarrAnne Barr has over 26 years experience in sales and marketing, six years as a franchisee. She has assisted over 367 business owners and purchasers to achieve their goals in career change, transition and exit strategy. She holds the designation of Certified Franchise Executive from the International Franchise Association, Certified Business Intermediary from the International Business Brokers Association and Board Certified Broker from the Texas Association of Business Brokers. Anne is active in professional organizations, networking groups and volunteers for non-profit entities. As owner/operator of four successful businesses, Anne has proven people skills and enjoys helping clients find the right "fit" in business ownership. Visit www.FranchiseOpportunitySpecialist.com for more information about me and my company. - Visit Anne Barr's Website |
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Cheryl MatthynssensCheryl is a life skills coach, licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor and a 20 year entrepreneur. Cheryl's dedication to achieving a life of balance led to her expanding her teaching from the simple managing of life's daily challenges to adding financial well being as well. A direct marketer with DrinkACT, she is gaining ground in the online community with her concepts of making sure business owners, entreprenuers and employees have well rounded life styles. She opened up a small affiliate site - The Balance Guide- to help others find resources for mental and emotional well being. Visit Cheryl's blog to see more of the diversity beyond business she has began offering online at www.thebalanceguide.blogspot.com - Visit Cheryl Matthynssens's Website |
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