Ambitions

"You can do anything you put your mind to," were the words of my mother and I am certain the words also spoken by many others. But what is it that drives an individual to succeed? Why are some more successful than others? And are you born with ambitions or bred with them?

When I was working my former, monotonous, and conforming job, I often dreamed of what owning my own store would be like. In fact, those fantasies are usually what got me through my toughest days. Sure, any other person might be thankful to have a job like I had; insurance, 401k's, salary...and as ungrateful as I may sound, it was a good job, just not for me.

I am not a rebellious person nor one who necessarily hates authority; I was a really good student and a pretty good kid, I just don't like being told what to do. Art class was always my favorite because there were no restrictions;I could create anything and nothing inhibited my imagination.

As kids, my mom would listen to cd's of motivational speakers, and being that we couldn't drive ourselves, we listened to them too. I remember how much my siblings and I taunted her for making us listen to them. Looking back, I begin to wonder if they really did help me to have a much more positive and ambitious outlook on life. That wasn't the only influence my mom had either. If we said the word 'fat' we had to put a quarter in a jar. When complaining about time, we learned that patience was a virtue. And most importantly, our visualization exercises.

Prior to every athletic event my mom would have us close our eyes and 'visualize our success'. For my brother and I, that was scoring or defending a goal and for my sister it was nailing that standing back tuck. If we did succeed by scoring a goal or flipping without falling...then we got a beanie baby (all the rage in the late 90's). So, as hilarious as it may be, I have always practiced my visualization exercises so that I can hone in and focus on my goals; whatever they may be.

It has been 4 wonderful months that my store has been open. It doesn't pay me nor does it really make that much money as of now...but the simple fact that I took a dramatic leap and invested into a risk that will forever change me; well that is pretty successful in itself I must say.

Am I scared? Hell yeah, but dwelling on fear won't help me to get ahead.

:)