Declare Your Independence
Thursday, July 7th, 2011Five years ago – I made a very important decision.
I had no idea what laid ahead of me. I found that it wasn’t always a walk in the park. I’d also make my share of mistakes along the way.
But you know what? I wouldn’t trade a second of it because I’ve learned more about myself and business in the last five years than during my entire adult (working) life combined. I have a much better understanding of my strengths and weaknesses. I know what fires me up, and what bores me to tears. I’ve also expanded and grown farther than I’ve ever thought was possible before. My self-worth and self-confidence in what I’m truly capable of doing has awakened from its long overdue hibernation.
I dream like a little kid again.
It’s been a wild ride that’s far from being over. There’s still far more I want to be – do – and have.
When I made this declaration public, the support which opened up was incredible. Teachers, mentors, and friendships came out of nowhere to offer insight and leadership. People who actually cared – actually offered something worthwhile – actually wanted me to succeed.
That’s not to say that critics didn’t show up along the way. Those who tried to intimidate of shame me into submission – back to the old way of thinking. Fortunately, I’ve found that most critics are also cowards. The vast majority never revealed enough about themselves or provided any value to be any real significance. Always telling me what was wrong – never how to correct it or solve it.
Being independent requires being solutions oriented – not problem oriented.
This past weekend, Scott Tomer released a video on what Independence Day means to him and why we should all declare our own independence. I didn’t actually catch the video until after the July 4th holiday, but it struck a cord with me – and I agree with him one hundred percent.
I remembered the freedom that declaring my own independence meant to me five years ago. How liberating and strong it felt. How it gave me new life and renewed confidence in myself.
There’s one little caveat here that may help you put this declaration of independence into the proper perspective. Neither, Scott nor myself will tell you that making this declaration means that you walk into your bosses office tomorrow and quit. It took me a year and a half to feel comfortable and place myself in a position of telling my former employer I was out of there. What I did do however was work extra hard (much like a second full time job) to replace the income I was making during my “day job” doing what I really wanted to do.
See, your declaration is merely the beginning.
Think of it this way. Our Founding Father’s signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776 – but the declaration was only the beginning of the Revolutionary War. True independence from Great Brittan wasn’t achieved until 1783. Nor did the Colonies go at this alone. They had help from the French, Spain and the Dutch Republic.
Your own declaration will also take some time and some help from others to come to fruition. You may not know how or where it will come from – but you’ll never know until you make a declaration of your intentions – your own independence.
Then the answers and the help from others will come.
Sure, you’ll experience some defeats. You’ll also question yourself at times. You may even feel like giving up. True independence takes sacrifice and determination. A new way of thinking – doing – and being. But if you really, truly want it – it’s there for you.
Deep inside, you know you really want it. What’s stopping you? The truth is – nothing other than your own “stinkin’ thinkin”. What you don’t see now will be revealed to you. What you don’t have now will be given to you. But you have to first make the decision – a declaration to yourself and others that this is the direction you want to go.
I still make this declaration almost daily, even five years later. Some day’s it’s easier and more meaningful than others. Because I know and trust that it works if you do. I’ve seen and experienced too much after all this time.
So what do you say? When are you going to get up – stand up – and never give up? It all starts with one simple step.
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