Tuesday, September 6, 2011

If You Ain't First, You're Last *

I had an interesting conversation with my FedEx guy the other day.  We were talking about life, family, and goals and I let it slip that I don't want to work for other people the rest of my life.  It isn't that I don't enjoy my job or that I'm unhappy with it.  Rather it is this unbelievable sense of greatness I feel can be stifled if I don't do anything about it. 

Some people say I have a chip on my shoulder.  Some may even say I have a problem with authority at times.  I make decent money, I'm rarely bothered, and I get to go to some pretty wild events and locations as an employee of a pretty kick ass organization.  I have a gorgeous wife, 3 beautiful kids a great place to live, and plenty of toys. Even with all that I'm not truly happy simply because I have to use my talents to make some one else boatloads of money. 

I'm a dreamer.  I believe anything is possible and I tend to get agitated when I meet people that are OK with the status quo.  I believe whole heartedly that dreams should never be given up on.  That a job is a means to an end.  I won't ever become wealthy working for someone.  Heck I may not become wealthy working for myself.

This weekend I sat back and did a little bit of soul searching.  I learned two things.  First, my family is my priority.  I want them to have everything they want out of life and I won't rest until I can provide them with that.  Second, I can not be passive.  If I choose to go forth and make a name for myself then I have to get moving.  Dreaming without action is pointless.

My father has worked in a factory and maintained a part time job for close to 30 years because he wanted his boys to have everything he never had.  As a father, I too want my kids to have more than I ever had.  My wife and kids are my motivator. They are the reason I was in the office at 6:30 this morning, and the reason I'll work through lunch just to be able to wrap up everything today and make it to an event at the Lego store with them later this afternoon.

Life is short.  I can't waste it wondering "what if".  Entrepreneurship is not for the faint of heart.  Sometimes I think Vegas has better odds than the life of a start up founder.  But I'm OK with that.  My wife and kids are on board and they believe in me as much as I believe in my vision of the business I helped Co-found.  I'm rolling the dice on SquaQr and I think this time I may just avoid snake-eyes.

If you are seriously thinking about starting your own business then start now!  Don't let anyone prevent you from starting it.  Because, in the words of the great Ricky Bobby,  "If you ain't first, you're last"

*That there is trademarked, not to be used without written permission of Ricky Bobby, Inc.