Looking In The Mirror

   

August 4, 2011, Post One:

During Bill Clinton’s Presidential Campaigns, they took a program that would cost hundred’s of millions of dollars and ultimately lead to a single person in charge of the largest free market in the world and dumbed it down to one simple statement: It’s the Economy, stupid!


If a man can be elected President of the United States off of a simple strategy like that, then adopting a new strategy which is a summary of any, and every, success you hear ("It’s the grind, stupid") shouldn't be too far fetched to agree with. I hate to use the word stupid, but if you don’t put in the work, then put in some more of it, then stop, catch your breath, and go back to work, you won’t get there, its really that simple.


I know this is a bold statement for a Motivational site/blog, so know let me introduce myself and give you some insight as to where this all comes from. I am Brendon Walsh, self proclaimed Entrepreneur and moderately successful business man. I’ve been called many of other things by many of other people, none worth mentioning (the names of the people) but my favorites are as follows: “Unrealistic, a dreamer, (and my favorite) a fool.” But, in my attempts to create new paths and new journeys with an entrepreneurial vision, I’ve seen, done and learned so much more than any title that any person could give me. I’ve graduated from a business school of a major University, but it’s the School of Hard Knocks that has formed me into who I am. From a single parent household to dead broke and rock bottom, I’ve experienced enough in 30 years to write my own book.


I’ve been on the Subway in 90 plus degree weather during a glorious August heat wave in Manhattan with a briefcase full of resumes and 15 buildings across the city to visit. Hustling from subway to subway and block to block, up elevators to receptionist’s desks, literally cold calling companies that I thought might want to hire me, only to hear my resume and portfolio hitting the bottom of the waste basket as the elevator doors closed and I began my descent back to the lobby of the building I would likely never walk into again. I ultimately got a job out of the trip, but I contemplated quitting the search that day many times prior to the (yes of course it will be this kind of story) last stop, to beat the traffic on my 4 hour ride home, to quit because my suit was ruined, wrinkled and sweat was continuously dripping down my face. But had I quit, come up short and not hit stops 11 through 15, I wouldn’t have met the Vice President in the last lobby which ultimately landed me a management position with a Fortune 500 company in Mid Town Manhattan.


Benjamin Franklin, one of the best known inventors and political figures of our Country, said that he generally failed 1,000 times before being successful on an endeavor, but it only takes one success to erase all those failures.


I’ve had to go through the painful process, as a new Father and Husband, of looking myself in the mirror and asking, “how the hell are you going to pull this off?” Never answering myself, partly because I wasn’t sure of the exact answer, and simply waking up and doing the only thing I know how to do best; work as hard as possible and something good will come of it.


I’ve played A Tribe Called Quest’s “Stressed Out” more times than I care to remember as I tried to collect my thoughts, my emotions and my clarity and pick myself back up and fight through the challenges that face me.


Three weeks ago I was given another challenge, naturally it came from Fearon Wright and he asked me to write some entries for his blog. I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Fearon for more than 10 years now. We met in college and we’ve taken many journeys together over the years and he has always selflessly allowed me into his world to see things from another perspective, a different point of view, and a different set of eyes very much like he does here with this blog for all of you. He’s as transparent a person as I’ve ever met, once telling me that if someone, anyone is willing to go along for the ride, he’s bringing them, thankfully I have had the pleasure of going with him for 10 years now.


But as all good teachers do, it’s now the student’s turn to drive and this journey will be based mainly on the grind. I can tell you the tales my journies with Fe, the stories of the seven start up’s I’ve been involved in, the 3 major corporations I’ve worked for, my feelings on the current affairs, sports, music, etc. but I’d rather you tell me what you want to hear. If you don’t respond, I will still be here, posting something that I feel to be useful, something someone greater than me taught me, or shared with me and that I feel is worthy of a post on this Blog.


Until then, seek the word’s of the richest man who ever lived, King Solomn. “He that refuses instruction hates himself: but he who listens to reproof acquires understanding.” (Proverbs 15:32)


Brendon Walsh