By What Measure…

Whenever someone asks me about my story, I humbly reply something like “I’m just my mother’s son” because I really don’t see the big deal. While I’ve always understood and appreciated my above average aptitude and intuition, I also understood there were people that are much smarter and much more successful than I could ever imagine. For everyone in my family and circle of friends, I represented the possibility of what could be if they applied themselves but I have always felt that something was missing and I have so much to achieve but I had no idea what that something was…

I remember the day when I started to realize that I have been playing the wrong game with the wrong rules and the wrong players. I had just began working in New York and a coworker asked my thoughts on a new house he was considering. I thought it was a good looking house but I sure wouldn’t be paying $250k for a house. See, my reference point was from a first generation African immigrant family with many people marred in bad credit and low incomes and making ends meet was a luxury. My aunt purchased a home for $250k in an Atlanta suburb on six acres but she and her husband struggled for a few years to keep up with it. So imagine my utter shock when my coworker said that he’s looking to “pick this up as a summer home”!!! I was in disbelief and amazement at the same time. This wasn’t the time for envy but rather time to take stock in what I wasn’t doing. I’ve said to him and others how much I appreciate them being my life and giving me a better perspective.

These guys have 10–20 years on me so I had to really understand that I’m looking at the end result of a long journey of hard work, smart decisions, and dedication. No short cuts. but I couldn’t continue to waste time playing the wrong game either. Then I randomly saw a video of Will Smith speaking about greatness and that was the final piece I needed to make the necessary mental adjustments. I realized that the problem was my measuring stick. It was too short. When compared to people I knew in family or friends and even former coworkers, I always came up around 8.5/10 so I had every right to feel good about my “successes” in life. But when I changed the perspective and realized that my measuring stick should really be 100 and I’m still at 8.5, I had a lot of work to do. The journey continues today and the pies are in the oven. I’m excited to share the evolution of my story with you over the upcoming months and years.

I tell this story because I believe it’s important for everyone to take the time to really assess how you measure your achievements, your life goals and aspirations. Are you selling yourself short? Don’t fall for the crutches that are easy and readily available… Yes there’s racism, illegal immigrants, your left leg is shorter than your right leg… so what?!? Your greatness is waiting. Take Bob Marley’s advice and “emancipate yourself from mental slavery”… Start that company, launch that product, get that promotion, disrupt a stale industry… Why not you?!?

I can’t say what I’m doing next but I can definitely tell you that it’ll be great. At least until my measuring stick grows to 1000!!! :-)