EXAMPLES
What you believe you can achieve is ultimately more important than what others think...
In business as in life, I’ve had from time to time what I believed were “brilliant” ideas. Ideas that I felt determined to pursue, that I knew in my bones were the right path for me. Oftentimes when presenting them to friends, colleagues, bosses, I would get responses that were quizzical. Feedback like…it’s not likely to happen, you don’t have the background or the education pedigree, and the classic….are you for real? I always listened, but being an Italian-American, and obstinate to the core, I rarely let it stop me from trying, with all my heart and might. Guess what…I succeeded at just about anything I set myself up against, no matter what the odds. When inspiration hits you hard, it happens for a good reason. My advice is to move on it. Tell everyone in your critical universe about your vision, research the possibilities and potential pitfalls, but don’t over think it. Even if it doesn’t work out, you will not be left wondering years later, what if I’d tried. Believe in yourself, move on your passion and make it happen.
~Lee - Media Industry, 30+ years
An industry is its own universe...
I wish people told me when I started my career…you will see these people for the rest of your (work) life. The industry (Cable TV) I joined was its own universe. I didn’t realize the people I worked with in those early years were on the same road as me. The paths seemed to all go in different directions but along the way our paths crossed – they intersected – they paralleled – sometimes they rose together – or fell together. We were all working our way up. Because most people stay in the same industry the relationships with the people are constantly changing. People I worked with over the years became my boss and other times I became theirs. They became my clients or I was theirs and some even became life long friends. I wish I had done a better job of valuing the relationships along the way. I learned that it’s important to keep in touch…even if it’s just a simple card once a year to say hello and give an update on your life.
~Mary Kay - CableTV Industry 25+ years
