So...What's Next?!?

Influence

You know, we go through our lives spouting off our ideas and opinions, taking chances, and overall just trying to push ourselves forward. We never really get to realize the impact of our actions and words, for better or for worse, on other people. I know, for me, when I get a compliment that I have inspired someone, I sometimes shake it off because I don't want to think about the impact of my actions on others. I already have enough to deal with the impact of my actions on myself.

However, the reality is what we do, how we live, what we say, has a ripple affect that extends much further than we can ever imagine. I want to take a moment and reflect on those who have had an affect  on me.

As far back as I can remember...my brother James who used to read books to me for a lot longer than he agreed to read books to me, who taught me how to make an air conditioner with a sheet and a window fan (we grew up in Miami without air conditioning, so this was a big deal) and who screwed up a lot, but always made it seem like it was just part of process, and everyone still loved him...sometimes I wonder if they loved him because of the screw ups. He also was always willing to do anything for anyone.

My brother Danny who inspired me to start writing, who taught me to love and respect history, who taught me to question everything, who really always saw me as having the ability to be more than perhaps the person I was being, and in various ways pushed and challenged me to be more, in spite of how much trouble I caused in return.

My husband who has the ability to see some of the most outrageous things in a very funny and balanced perspective. Who is simply one of the most patient and good hearted person you will ever meet. People tell me that all of the time when they first meet him. He has passed that on to my children. Every one of them is known for being simply wonderful, kind hearted people.

My boys - they simply inspire me constantly.

My 3rd grade teacher who was amazed at my ability to read with expression and told me my intelligence was a talent and in fact  got me to read in the talent show.

My 10th grade P.E. teacher who instead of putting me down for not dressing out, realized I was avoiding sports, and took the time to teach me how to throw a football. A skill I am still proud of today.

My computer science teacher, who taught me the importance of learning how to think systematically even if I did believe I would never work in computers.

My college writing professors, each and every one was great and I often refer to their lessons about how to look at life through the eyes of a writer.

My manager at Bennigan's, Tekla, who was my first mentor in regards to how to stand strong and face situations head on. She taught me  the idea that some people have challenging personalities, as opposed to the various other things I would say about people. She was incredibly patient and really knew how to manage those "challenging personalities."

My dad - for many many reasons - but the one memory that stands out is him teaching me my times tables in the 1st grade, long before I needed to know them, simply because he thought it was cool that I was able to learn them. He also loved to encourage me to debate with his friends.

My mom, the best thing I learned from her is if you want something done you have to do it yourself. Well...some of that I am now trying to un-learn, but overall it is a lesson that has served me.

My first boss when I started recruiting who taught me how to sell and be pushy. She used to tell me that my clients will not remember me for being nice, but they will remember me for getting things done and showing results, which sometimes means not worrying about being nice.

And another boss who inspired me when I saw him push forward with his ideas, to push pass limits, the way he expressed his enthusiasm and the way he took on the world, his compassion and even his composure. His presence was a huge influence in how I am pushing forward today.

All of these influences and many more I have not listed combine into the things that affect the actions, thoughts, motivations, and beliefs I have today. These people's lives touched mine and directed my path in such a way that I now touch the lives of others, for better or for worse.

When you really think about it...we do affect the world, each one of us individually, with a lot more impact than we can even begin to imagine.

Inspiration for an Entrepreneur

To say that Entrepreneurs are a unique breed is a huge understatement.

On Friday, I met with a young (younger than me) bright man who is launching a new social network. I was somewhat skeptical going into the meeting. Why do we need another social network? What problems will he be solving that actually exist and that no one else is solving right now? What is his revenue model? I also had a few issues with the structure of the social network, based on what I looked at prior to the meeting.

I left the meeting wanting to be a part of what he was building.

He was by far one of the brightest people I had ever met. I was blown away by the details that he had already considered.

We talked about how he ended up launching this company. How he was in a very well paid job, but as soon as this idea hit him, he knew he had to give up the cushion job and launch a very risky and unproven business plan that he was making up as he went.

We talked about my similar experience. I had just landed a well paid job with Robert Half, Inc - but could not focus on the job, I wanted to be doing this. But I had very little understanding of what 'this' was, or where it would take me. The added pressures for me was that I had a family depending on my income.

The past three years has been the longest and most unpredictable roller coaster ride imaginable.

Some of my biggest frustrations have been working with "wannabe" Entrepreneurs who want the benefits of being an Entrepreneur without any of the risks and oftentimes not wanting to be responsible for generating the revenue.

Also having a "new born" company is like having a "new born" baby in that everyone wants to give you advice, oftentimes without knowing anything about what your goals and dreams are for this new entity. That in itself has strained or damaged a few friendships.

Learning  to manage the way I want to manage has been a huge obstacle. I have an idealist view of what kind of culture I want to build, but at the same time I sometimes have little patience and a fast temper.

Since I am in an industry that is very new and what I am doing is new for everyone, I find my creative energy stretched to the limits on occasion.

Finally as a small business with limited resources, I have to wear every single hat. Recently I went through the exercise of developing the business plan in it's grand vision. For each offering I listed what team will we need to deploy. The org chart consist of 12 positions, not counting operations. Although I have had a great team with me on many of the projects, I have had to wear each hat at least once as well as understand the details of the jobs that were being outsourced.

My biggest responsibility, beyond creating our offerings and making sure we deliver what we say we will deliver, is getting the clients. That in itself is a full time job. It is like a conveyor belt where I am responsible for every position on the line and I am running back and forth to get things done.

I do not think anyone reading this would ever hold it against an Entrepreneur for having the occasional day of needing some encouragement to keep going.

So, how do I keep going on the occasional days when the weight feels too heavy?

I go to a coffee shop (I get inspired at coffee shops) and I put my headphones on and I make lists.

I list out my problems and complaints as well as all the ideas that come up.

Then I listen to all the various people who have greatly inspired me throughout my life.

I think of my clients who believed in me, guided me, endorsed me, and referred me to others. I must be doing something right!

I hear my dad telling me "can't never could do anything" and reminding me that "God only helps those who help themselves."

I hear my mom telling me that "I do not need to take such abuse from...or that I'm just as good as..."

I hear my husband encouraging me to not give up and supporting me no matter what crazy idea I come up with (from wanting to join the Air Force(didn't do that one) to double majoring, to launching my own company - for the second time after the first one hurt us a bit financially)/

I hear my coach telling me to pick up the phone and make more phone calls. I also can "hear" his ideas to promote our offerings or to get help from others.

I tap into the relationship I have with my older son who has been with us through various financial ups and downs and never once complained about the lows.

Finally I tap into the energy of my youngest son, which I wrote about in a poem;

I Want It

My son,

climbed mountains
created introspective pieces of art
and performed in electrifying concerts

all before the age of 3

His vocabulary is dominated
with the words "I want it!"
shadowed only by his will to get it
Ask him why?
and he'll tell you,
"because I want it!"

That is what I want
To take risks - unaware of the consequences
To perform without inhibitions
To achieve greatness
and when asked why?
the simplicity to answer
"because I want it!"

My son,

climbed mountains
created introspective pieces of art
and performed in electrifying concerts

all before the age of 3

His vocabulary is dominated
with the words "I want it!"
shadowed only by his will to get it
Ask him why?
and he'll tell you,
"because I want it!"

That is what I want
To take risks - unaware of the consequences
To perform without inhibitions
To achieve greatness
and when asked why?
the simplicity to answer
"because I want it!"