Opportunities are like biscuits.
No one is going to just hand them over – you need to go out there and get them yourself.
Think about the best things in your life… did they fall into your lap? Probably not. Odds are, you had to work hard to earn them.
Progress takes place outside the comfort zone
For better or for worse, I’ve always found myself in some crazy situations growing up. Tempt me with a good time and you better believe I’m going for it – the way I see it, if it’s not me, it’ll be someone else.
So when I see an opportunity, I want the first crack at it.
More often than not, I don’t know what got me into those crazy situations, other than my strong sense of curiosity.
Proost!
I was a junior at Hofstra University when I earned a scholarship to study on exchange at the University of Amsterdam. I had no idea what to expect, as this was my first time leaving the country.
This adventure was a true blessing — I learned more about myself during those short six months than the 20 years I had experienced prior.
The reason why?
I was so far outside my comfort zone; I had no choice but to accept trying new things by putting myself out there and facing my vulnerability. Never turning down an adventure led to some of the most fun I’ve ever had.
Lesson learned: If you’re comfortable, you’re doing something wrong.
Planting the Seeds For Tomorrow’s Needs
That was the slogan for GreenWay Ventures, my first shot at building a business. Check out the video that got us accepted into a clean tech start-up incubator program. Don’t laugh when I run out of breathe towards the end of the clip, that was my 10th take.
*GreenWay Ventures was a bike share operator specializing in college campuses*
Explaining to someone and how you poured three years worth of your time and money into a business that never got off the ground sounds like something straight out of a nightmare.
Everyone’s first reaction is to feel sorry for me when I talk about GreenWay.
If they only knew the whole story…
GreenWay was one the best things that ever happened to me. I learned more about success by experiencing failure than I ever could have in the classroom reading textbooks.
And you know what? I can live with myself.
I went out on a limb and worked towards achieving something that I wasn’t even sure was possible. Sure, sometimes it doesn’t work out – but guess what?
Life is tough, learn from your mistakes, and take advantage of the knowledge you’ve picked up along the way.
Lesson: Never regret the shots you take, even if they missed the target.
The Fourth Dimension
There is never a dull moment at Jump Suit Group.
Dan, Connor, and I are always pushing one another to grow each every day – working with those two allow me to stir up all sorts of wild ideas.
Some days I’m the crazy one; other times they are the ones pushing the envelope.
One thing is for sure – we force each other take risks to better the team, even if those risks scare us.
The best part about it – when one of us takes that risk and we fall on our face, the other two are there to pick him up and dust him off for the next round.
Reflect
It is all too easy to look back and play the “what if” game.
I’ve been there and done that.
You will find that is the quickest way to beat yourself up over something you can’t control.
Opportunities disappear as quickly as they pop up – don’t let the fear of the unknown stop you from taking advantage of an opportunity to grow.
Lesson: You gotta risk it to get the biscuit.
