I’ve thought hard about writing this post. Not because of my search for deep meaning but more because of the “why.” Why do our stories matter? At times, our personal story is hard to tell. Yet, we unknowingly tell it daily in our words, actions, beliefs and acceptance.
My own story starts young with my first traumatic experience with the divorce my parents. It’s a little much to understand at the age of four! And while my story starts there, it wasn’t until the age of 10 and the house fire that took everything we had, that solidified my belief about a life of scarcity or abundance. Our beliefs, unexplained actions, and ways we think about the world are all imprinted by the age of 12 and only modified by a major life event thereafter.
I didn’t realize that over the next 35 years, everything that had real value to me (things not people), I kept somewhere outside my home; a shed, garage, cabin, etc. But not in my home. I mean, why would you keep the real stuff in a place that has been known to burn down?
Scarcity. It’s an amazing and powerful belief.
Today, I mentor achievers and strivers. I do it because, after a life of losing things and jobs, I keep getting back up and needing to do incredible work. I work with incredible people and great businesses and am privileged to lead top-tier teams of executives. I take all of my life experiences with me- the triumphs and tragedy- and share them with you. As people, we are the sum of our experiences, or stories. But maybe we shouldn’t lead like it. I mentor because I’ve walked the road. If you want to walk the road with someone, I invite you to come along on the journey.
My story matters. Yours does too. I fight everyday and thank God for the abundant life I have knowing that in the darkness, I am slaying the dragon of scarcity. Some days I win, other days I have to take a break from the fight.
I’m not alone. What’s your story? Let’s have a conversation.