"Why do we fall, sir? So that we might learn to pick ourselves up."
-Alfred Pennyworth, Batman Begins
For those of you who did not have the opportunity to attend E2Detroit missed some really good stuff. But don’t fret I will hook you up with some of the gold nuggets that I came away with. One of the opening speakers was Mary Ellen Sheets, President & CEO of Two Men And A Truck International.
Mary is one of those people who seem very modest yet persistent. Modest because like most entrepreneurs we don’t know half of the things we should be doing when we start out on our new venture. Persistent, because the growth and success of this little idea of hers is absolutely incredible – it inspires me to keep going with my own personal venture.
Her story was very funny and I enjoyed all of the pictures she shared. My favorite joke is when she said, "I always tell people that my husband went to the grocery store and never came back. He left me for a loaf of bread. And that loaf of bread was 23 years old."
After her husband left – she was forced to create a way to produce an income for her family of 2 boys and a girl. Isn’t this how it always works? It’s not until something terrible happens that forces us to think outside of the box. And due to the circumstances we have no choice but to move forward committed to our venture. Those who don’t commit are those who become unsuccessful.
As the wise Napoleon Hill, author of Think And Grow Rich once wrote – "allow yourself no retreat".
It reads:
"A long while ago, a great warrior faced a situation in which he had to make a decision that ensured his success on the battlefield. He was about to send his armies against a powerful foe whose men outnumbered his. He loaded his soldiers into boats, sailed to the enemy’s country, and unloaded the soldiers and equipment. Then he gave the order to burn the ships that had carried them. Addressing his men before the first battle, he said, 'You see the boats going up in smoke. That means we cannot leave these shores alive unless we win! We now have no choice – we win or we perish!' They won."
As a fellow entrepreneur I beg of you to burn your ships, commit and never look back. It is this very principle of sheer determination and fortitude that ensures success.
As I sat there listening to Mary Ellen Sheet’s story of Two men and a truck, I was so inspired. Each and everyone of us experiences times of difficulty and tribulation – it’s how we choose to respond to these experiences that separates the good from the great.