Good morning! I hope today’s message finds you totally on the right track. And just in case you’re not, gosh, do I have a message for you today!
I was on my way to the airport after speaking for 3 days and 2 nights in front of 1,500 people at First Steps to Success in Fort Worth, Texas last weekend. I got off the stage and jumped into a car that was taking me to the airport.
The driver was a really precious man. As soon as I got into the car, I began to talk to him. I feel that it is incredibly rude when somebody gets into a taxi and the driver is totally ignored. When people do that – especially if you are a business person - you are missing a huge opportunity to build another relationship with someone and expand your influence with that individual. So I always make a point to talk to the driver and really get to know them.
So as he and I were talking that evening, he told me that was his very first day on the job. He apologized right away, saying, "I don’t even have my GPS yet. I’ve lived in Dallas for 16 years, but I’ve never been to Fort Worth. I showed up to the office for training today, and they said they didn’t even have time to train me because they needed me to come pick you up."
So he was a little nervous, but I said, "Don’t worry about it! Everyone has had their first day doing something. I’m sure we’re going to be fine!"
I continued asking him questions and getting to know him. I asked what he did before he was a driver, and he told me he was an account rep for a technology company. He was there for 6 years, until he lost his job. He said that after 6 months of searching, this was the only job he could find.
Before that, he owned a dry cleaning business in 6 different locations. He had made 1.5 million dollars profit when he retired and sold his business. He had put all of that money in the stock market and ended up losing it all, so he was forced to go out and get a job.
But did that really force him into getting a job? NO! He was an entrepreneur. He had 6 dry cleaning businesses and had done very well as a business owner.
So what about now? Is dry cleaning not popular anymore? Is that business not profitable anymore? Does that business not work anymore? Of course it still works!
I told him, "I don’t know why you’re driving this car or why you went to work for that technology company. You are an entrepreneur. We need more people like you in the world. If you are going to drive cars, please consider owning a whole fleet of them! Become an entrepreneur again. It worked before and it will work again. Our nation needs you to do what you were born to do!"
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You should have seen him light up. He said, "Dani, I guess I just never got over the money I lost in the stock market."
I looked at him and said, "It’s time. You lost that money 13 years ago. It’s time to step up and become the entrepreneur you are called to be. Just because you had a setback does not mean that you have to keep going back."
Listen, Hans and I have had setbacks. In fact, back in 2000, Hans put $100,000 (our entire life savings) in the stock market and we lost it all in one day. But he didn’t quit. He is still in it, still making investments – much wiser this time, however.
My point is this: We’ve all had setbacks. We’ve all had failures. Hans and I have had so many business failures. But the difference between us and that precious man I rode in a car with is that he continued to step backwards in the midst of his setback.
If you have a setback, do not take an additional step back! No! It’s time to push ahead and step forward. You must step forward!
You may know a lot of people who’ve had a setback in their marriage, health, business, family, or finances. You may have even had a setback or two yourself. But if you know someone who has had setbacks and could use some help moving forward today, go ahead and pass this along to them. Please get on Facebook and Twitter and share this post with them as well.
I took time to write to you today, so please take a minute to spread this message to everyone you know. There are people you and I know who desperately need to read what you just read. I’d also love to read your comments about today’s message.
Other than that, I hope you have an awesome day, and I can’t wait to talk to you tomorrow! Until next time, God bless!
In great faith,
Dear Dani,
I have been a follower of yours for a long time.
My faith in God coupled with your powerful life journey, your dedication, inspiration of hope, widsom and skills to help others change their “ways” are a blessing to many. I too have been to the top financially, lost a 25 yr. marriage. Worked my way back up, then RE market tanked (one of my professions of 25 yrs.) got back up again only to go down again when the RE/stock market tanked. Lost everything. At 60 yrs. young, I’m again, unemployed, unable to get healthy insurance and now facing breast cancer. I will face this new “cancer journey” and be a victor not a victim!
I want you to know, Dani, the stories you send me via email help inspire me to never give up until the day the good Lord takes me home.
God bless you and yours for all you do to help others! Corie
This spoke volumes to me. Thank you for your thoughts!!
Never give up, as the old saying goes.
Dani I am so excited you help push me out of my comfort zone all the time you poke me in the eye and I cant get enough you are incredible and the lord is blessing me for taking steps of faith like walking out and seeing you when you came to California. I went from having nothing living at my sons home to now being asked to go inform the students at Cal State Northridge about the business and give them advice on what they can do to live in a better tomorrow.
God is so good and he brought you to me to be my mentor Thank You tearfully Love always Rosalene Rhoades
I like that story. Keep moving forward and don’t look back. You might face some obstacles in your journey but don’t let that stop you from accomplishing your dream.
Thanks so much Dani,this inspired me so much and made me realize no matter what setbacks may come in my life, always to keep pushing myself forward to take more steps up my ladders to accomplish my goals in life.You’re so awesome and inspiring.
Dani,this is awesome!Even my self I have experienced a lot setbacks and I Keep moving on.Thanks for your inspiration and God bless you.
Im sitting here thinking about why im procrasting. I am so pleased to get this story…it was just the boost that i needed.
Thnks and blesss you.
Dani,
I have had my setbacks- bankruptcy, foreclosures, failed business attempts, being scammed, etc., etc. Thank you for the reminder that I should not let them keep me back. I realize that to the eyes of others those were “bad” things, however I now see them as another chance/opportunity the Lord has given to us, to do better the next time. I have the entrepreneural spirit, and am trusting that the second time around will be much better than the first. Thank you.
Dani, I just wrote a piece today called, The Power of Purpose. When I read your statement to this gentleman to do what he was born to do, it really hit home because in essence this is what my article was about, how purpose can propel you through setbacks and difficult times. You reminded this man that he was born to create and to be an entrepreneur. So powerful!