Do you remember the scene from the movie Forrest Gump when Forrest first comes face to face with the reality of following his dream of being a shrimp boat captain?
The euphoria of buying his new boat, the gas, the ropes, and the new nets had worn off. Forrest is now faced with the reality of his choice. He pulls up the nets, and finds they are mostly empty except for some ocean-bottom trash and five measly shrimp … not even enough for a shrimp cocktail. Forrest states, “Now, Bubba had told me everything he knows about shrimpin’, but you know what I found out? … Shrimpin’ is tough.”
Similarly, the last few years have been a wake-up call for most of us as the economy has changed dramatically. What used to work without much effort no longer produces positive results. The choices we made a few years ago have produced consequences that require tough choices today. Individuals, small businesses, large companies, local governments, and even our federal government are all re-learning how to make choices for today and for our future. These choices are tough!
When Forrest said, “Shrimpin’ is tough” … he didn’t say it in a defeatist or giving up type of way, he said it more matter of factly. What did he do next? He continued to work hard and persevere. He no doubt experimented, tried different locations, and learned from his mistakes and setbacks. He didn’t give up on his dream. He didn’t complain or dwell on feeling sorry for himself … he persisted.
Likewise for me personally, the transition from being strictly an entertainer/marketer to being a speaker has been tough. I’ve faced multiple challenges the past few years. What I continue to do is work hard and persevere; I experiment, try new ideas, and continue to learn from my mistakes. But what I won’t do is complain or give up on my dream. I feel like I’m at mile 22 of a marathon … just a few more steps.
Forrest learned that shrimpin’ is tough!
We’ve all re-learned that business is tough!
Life is tough!
Do you accept that life is tough?
Are you mostly working hard or are you mostly complaining?
How many more steps for you to reach your dream?
Next Blog Title: What I learned at InfusionCon
Next Blog Date: March 28, 2011