On Valentine's Day I attended a "Get Motivated" seminar. It was a day-long event with an all-star line-up of speakers including Zig Ziglar, Steve Forbes, Rudy Giuliani, and Marty Shottenheimer and Ladainian Tomlinson of the San Diego Chargers. The speakers were all inspiring and motivating, but there were several moments that stood out to me above everything else.
One was during Steve Forbe's presentation. He was sharing the story of his grandfather, who started Forbes Magazine many years ago. But his story was about how his grandfather got started in the publishing business. You see, his grandfather tried and tried but could not find anyone to hire him as a reporter. He finally "put it all on the line" as Steve Forbes put it, and told a newspaper publisher that he would work for free for one month. If, after one month, he had done a good job, the publisher would agree to hire him.
After one month, his grandfather had done such a good job, the publisher did hire him. And the rest as they say, is history.
This story made me stop and think. Am I committed enough to my business that I would put it all on the line if I had to? I believe that I would, if I felt it was really necessary. Because I believe my work is my purpose. And I know my work is my passion. So I don't think I'd have any other choice but to put it on the line if I was forced to. How about you?