What is My "Why?"

When I was a teenager, my father invited a friend of his over to our house. At the time, I had a picture I had drawn taped to my door. My father showed the picture to his friend, expressing his pride in the talent that we shared (my father is a much better artist than I). His friend looked at the picture, turned to me and said, "You're going to make someone rich one day."

That statement cut me to the quick.Why did I have to make someone else rich? Why did someone else have to benefit from my talents? What about him made him look at me and form the thought that I wouldn't be able to create greatness for myself?

Obviously, this statement has stuck with me for years, pushing me to prove him wrong. And it is this very statement that marks the beginning of my "Why?"

Now, I could say that every day since then has been about me working to prove him wrong, but that couldn't be further from the truth. I did go to college and once I graduated, I went to work for the "Man."

Or maybe it's better to say "Men."

I've had several career reboots, bouncing between accounting (not what I expected being a finance major) and hotel jobs with a smattering of various other positions in an assortment of industries. I couldn't sit still long enough to really make much progress. Sure I earned a promotion here and there, but all I could think of was, "You're going to make someone rich one day."

This statement created a pool of anger to gather in the pit of my stomach as I would look around each new employer thinking that the higher-ups were living the good life on the sweat of my brow. I became frustrated and my frustration led to an unstable career path. I began to think of starting my own business early on, but had no idea of where to start or even what business I should start.

Thank goodness for the natural maturation process that comes with age. What would frustrate me now is a means to an end. I'll help the "Man" make a few dollars while building my own business. And while helping the "Man," I discovered the business I wanted to start.

It took time to calm myself and understand what, to some, may appear obvious. My frustration blinded me from recognizing the path I needed to take, hampering my ability to think and grow properly. While my progress was delayed, I know now that I can still accomplish what I set out to do.

A friend of mine once told me that she knew she was destined from greatness, but that she wasn't sure how that greatness would manifest itself. When I was mentally and physically all over the place, I felt the same way.

Now, while I don't know really how my greatness will come about, I know I have a starting point and that's my business. I work on my business daily because I want to create something that shows what I'm capable of now and what I'm capable of becoming. I work on my business daily because I want something to call my own, something I can nurture and watch it grow through my efforts (besides my beautiful daughter).

I also work on my business daily because I want my daughter to see what she can accomplish if she really wants to accomplish something and gives it her all regardless of what obstacles stand in her way.

And last, but certainly not least, I still want to prove my father's friend wrong.

Tell me, what is your "Why?"