by Angel Guerrero, A.S. Web Pros

What does a 10 year old boy and throwing out garbage have to do with your success in the wedding industry? Let me answer that question with a story. Once upon a time there was a knock at my door. I answered it. To my surprise there in front of me was a young boy about the age of 10. He was 4 feet tall, had long blond hair to his shoulders, wore an old tee shirt and over sized jean shorts and had a southern accent. He asked me "Can I take out your garbage for $1.00 per bag?" I replied "Son, why on earth do you want to take out my garbage on this hot day for a dollar?" He had a goal of buying a video game accessory.

I look at this event as a microcosm of the attitude and choices that we make every day in our life.

First we look at the circumstances that faced this young boy. What would you do? This boy at the age of 10 could not get a conventional job so he most likely went to the source of his income, mom or dad. They looked at him and said, "NO, you cannot have the money for the video game thing!" At this point I submit to you that the boy could have only responded in one of two ways. He could have whined, complained or thrown a tantrum about it. Or, he might have given up on the whole idea. Just totally forgot his dream about having the video game part. Too often we have been told, "You can't do this", "It's too hard", "Don't disappoint yourself" or "That's a dumb idea". We give up after hearing the nay-sayers only to later in life complain about how we wish things were or what if I would have or could have done it. We put aside our dreams and aspirations because we let someone else decide out destiny.   

Secondly, the boy came up with a plan that would require him to take many risks! He had to endure going door to door on hot summer days, alone, face adults, rejections, ask total strangers for money, getting permission and dealing with garbage. Sound familiar? This boy could have just tried. I submit to you the boy did not just try he just did it! Let me ask a question. Have you ever tried to go to the bathroom? No, you just did it. Sounds funny but it is all too true. I believe when you use the word try you really are using a 4 letter word. The word try conveys a message, lack of commitment, procrastination, hesitation, louche behavior or constipation. I say replace that word with "I can" or "I will" and now you see confidence, commitment, trustworthiness and a doer! In the words of the great Jedi Master from the movie Star Wars, Yoda said "There is not Try, just do or do not!"

The story does not end here. I had to give a response to the boy's question. I had to tell him that I did not have any garbage this day. He looked at me square in the eye and said, "What time can I stop by tomorrow to throw out your garbage?" Sure enough the next day he showed up at my door at the designated time and I had the garbage in one hand and the dollar in the other. Is this not a perfect example of determination and persistence?

What would you do? What have you done lately? What are you going to do? Whether you own a wedding business or work for someone else you do not have to listen to the nay-sayers. Do not drop your dreams. You are meant to be successful. Plan and execute your future despite the adversities ahead! Be determined and persistent in your journey because you deserve nothing but the best! My favorite short quote from Winston Churchill is "Never, never, never give up!"
 

Angel is an award winning business owner of A.S. Web Pros being recognized as a Mover and Shaker by Business Leader Magazine in 2009. He has served for several years as an Advisory Council member for the Salvation Army Boys and Girls Clubs of Greensboro as well as in various leadership roles with the Guildford Merchant Association. Angel is a professional speaker and state champion with Toastmasters International.