Good Friday morning to you. This is the last day of our week on struggle. I started this week’s topic because of something I read a few weeks back that now has gotten even more play in the news.
A few weeks back I read an article about the man who wrote an email to the employees of his company. He told those who work for him they needed to know the facts about this coming election. He wanted to inform them of what their votes would mean.
Before you read it, let’s put the disclaimers in. This post is not about the political right or wrong of this letter. It is not about whether or not he was telling his employees who to vote for. It’s not saying if the Democrats win we need to move our companies out and lay off workers. And last it’s not about the rich not giving back to the poor because they are greedy, just keeping everything to themselves. Now that is out of the way…
One of the things in that email that got my attention was how the man went through many struggles in his life to create such a wonderful company. He spoke of how he lived for years in a modest home; his kids did not attend special schools; they drove used cars; and he spent many hours per day working to build the very company they now own.
Reading that letter helped me see the value of those who have sacrificed and struggled in this world because they wanted to make a difference. They had a mission they wanted to accomplish. They found a need or want in America and struggled to make the business that filled that need.
While many will say, “Yeah, but that is not true of all those one-percenters.” No, it’s not. But many of us have heard of people who were scammers in our chosen field. That’s true in every industry; there are often a few bad apples. Well, I believe we have more good ones.
This man wanted to let those who work for him know that just a few years ago, when the business was on hard times, he cut his lifestyle back. They tightened their belts and found ways to cut their budget to pay off debts and meet other responsibilities the company had.
Now he is at a level where he could easily retire early and sell the company or close its doors and spend the rest of his life taking it easy. So he said in his email that if certain people change the laws and put different taxes on him, he will be forced to reduce his workforce or close the company.
That was a lesson to me. I need to accept my struggle and not ask someone else to give up something for me to have more. Yes they struggled; they sacrificed. Now it’s time for us to do the same.
If you want more out of life, you need to sacrifice more to get it. We all need to plan for our own futures and not elect someone just so they can change the laws for us to get more without working for it. I know my wife and I have struggled and sacrificed while we build a better future for ourselves. She has been one great trooper to help me build this business to encourage you each day.
So we will end our week of struggle with this question: What are you willing to give up for a period of time to have a better life in 2013 or 2014? Go through the struggle and see if you are rewarded for it. Have a great weekend.
I’m Tim Gillette, the Rocker Life Coach; it’s time to live your dream, to love what you do and those you share life with. Are you ready to face the struggle that makes you the RockStar in your world?
