The vast majority of people give up after being turned down just once. They rarely, if ever, ask twice. Let alone 7 times. In fact, some people give up prior to even asking once.
I am not one of those people. It may be because I don’t accept that I’m expected to just say thank you when being turned down; expected to move on to something else, something easier.
I never stop asking. I have had the most STUpendous life because I just keep going for it. When talking to an old friend about the films I created and the media company I started a few years ago he said to me, “The reason why you succeeded was because you didn’t know you weren’t supposed to!”
Based on the principles of physics a bumble bee shouldn’t be able to fly because their body mass is too large for their wing span. Why do they fly then? Maybe it’s because no one has told them that they can’t!
I know it’s cheesy but it’s a powerful thought.
Scott Stratton, who I had the pleasure of hearing speak a few years ago, shared a great thought. He said that no one is born hating anyone; hate is a learned behaviour. We also learn to place limits on our dreams from others. People say, “That’s a dumb idea. Don’t do it.” And most of us stop believing, dreaming and trying.
12 years ago I set out to connect with international author and leadership expert Robin Sharma. I had read his book, “The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari” which I highly recommend. I loved the concepts in the story.
I emailed every single employee in the company and after 6 very polite “no thank you’s” I got what I wanted; a phone meeting with Robin. I knew once we met we would connect on a great level. We did.
I admired Robin because of his authenticity. He lives his message. That’s HUGE for me; don’t tell me to take risks, face my fears, dream BIG, if you as the messenger doesn’t.
This brings me to my TITANIC experience. 11 years ago Robin invited me to be a part of an event he was running in Toronto. To be a facilitator in the room. It was great. Now we have done numerous events together. Each one better than the last.
In 2015, I was invited by my friend Robin to be a part of the third annual Titan Summit – A gathering of 140 of the most successful leaders on the planet. What an honour! It was awesome. I was standing beside Shaquille O’Neil and we were talking about kids, and how to create better leaders. It was at that moment I had another moment of clarity: I am here because I didn’t give up. It’s that simple.
I had the additional opportunity to meet Ian Lopatin, one of the minds behind Spiritual Gangster. This is a STUpendous company that you need to check out. He is a true Titan of giving. We sat together at dinner at the Chef’s Table in Toca Restaurant a The Ritz. I was again wondering to myself, why am I here? This is bizarre. Ian turned to me and put his hand on my heart and said, “You, you deserve this, you are here. You are supposed to be here.”
I said nothing, he just offered me this thought.
There’s a reason why most people don’t rise to a STUpendous life. They doubt the possibilities that are given to them, offered to them. It’s not that they can’t. Everyone can. Once you give up the excuses, the doubt and the cynicism, you can go to levels you never expected.
It’s not easy. You will get knocked down here and there, but if you believe you are supposed to be great, then I believe it’s more than possible for you.
In STUpendous gratitude for you and for my life,
