Hello all,
Today’s motivation comes from a man who has the right recipe for success, the founder of Starbucks:
“I believe life is a series of near misses. A lot of what we ascribe to luck is not luck at all. It’s seizing the day and accepting responsibility for your future. It’s seeing what other people don’t see And pursuing that vision.” — Howard Schultz: CEO of Starbucks
As I go about life, it never ceases to amaze me at the number of superstitious people I encounter. Working for a professional baseball team, I’ve grown used to the things that baseball players do when their playing. I’ve seen some men fuss with their batting gloves, some will cross the diamond a certain way and some won’t, and some players will even use a certain bat all through the game. We all know someone who carries a rabbit’s foot or hang a horseshoe over the front door. Why do people do this?
In their minds, they’re convinced that all of these methods will amount to luck. Despite the skill sets many possess, they seem to believe that luck will overcome their skills. However, I disagree with them. Personally, I don’t believe in luck. I refuse to believe or accept that if I do something in a certain way or carry charms and talismans, that it will bring me luck. However, I do believe if you seize opportunities or in some cases, create them and take action, you can create something that’s better than luck.
Mr. Schultz has the right recipe for success when he states, “seizing the day and accepting responsibility.” When Starbucks began, it was a small coffeehouse in downtown Seattle, Washington. No one outside of Washington State had never heard of it. Suddenly, in the 1990’s, the nation began to rekindle its love affair with coffee. Starbucks seized the day by stepping up and becoming the coffeehouse for millions of coffee drinkers. Before long, there was a Starbucks on every corner. How could a small coffeehouse become a juggernaut in such a short time? By seizing the day.
As we travel down life’s road towards success, we must realize that luck is just an idea that’s as old as the world itself. What we think is luck is really an illusion that many people use as an excuse when they don’t produce the results they desire. Not only must we seize the day and make things happen but we also must take responsibility regardless of the results we create.
In addition to seizing the day and taking responsibility for our actions, we also must have the courage to pursue our visions and dreams. I’m sure that many times, there were some who thought Mr. Schultz’ vision of expanding the markets and having a coffeehouse on nearly every street corner across the country was the most crazy idea ever. Prior to Starbucks, most people were just satisfied with any old coffee. Afterward, all of sudden people were speaking in coffee speak…cafe lattes and cappuccinos became a part of our lexicon. Not only that but prior to Starbucks, coffee was one of the cheapest beverage in many restaurants. Now, its common to spend more than $5 for one cup of coffee. Amazing…
Are you the type of person who believes in luck and chances that are beyond your control? Are you taking responsibility for your own destiny, seeing beyond the horizon, and are you seizing the day? Take a page out of the book of Howard Schultz and have the courage to seize the day! Oh, and when you do, leave the rabbit’s foot and the horseshoes at home.
