A PICTURE IS WORTH...BLOOD SWEAT AND TEARS
EVER HEARD OF GEORGE EASTMAN? He was a high school dropout, judged "not especially gifted" when measured against the academic standards of the day. He was poor, but even as a young man, he took it upon himself to support his widowed mother and two sisters, one of whom was severely handicapped.
He began his business career as a 14-year old office boy in an insurance company and followed that with work as a clerk in a local bank.
He was George Eastman, and his ability to overcome financial adversity, his gift for organization and management, and his lively and inventive mind made him a successful entrepreneur by his mid-twenties, and enabled him to direct his Eastman Kodak Company to the forefront of American industry.
But building a multinational corporation and emerging as one of the nation's most important industrialists required dedication and sacrifice. It did not come easily. (Excerpt from Kodak.com, The History of Kodak).
WHY IS HIS STORY IMPORTANT? George Eastman sacrificed greatly to invent his product. He poured his mind and money into his creation, often finding himself drained in both areas. He became the brunt of laughter, disgrace and humiliation because of his financial adversity and failure. However, nothing stopped this incredible man from manifesting what his genius and imagination compelled him to create. His own dedication and belief didn't fail him, even when friends viewed his efforts as ridiculous. He not only launched his Kodak camera, but made history as one the wealthiest, most remarkable, generous businessmen and philanthropists of his era.
WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM HIM? His story has always inspired me. I learn from his story that the elements of financial success are more than the need or greed for money. Can you imagine feeling something so deep on the inside, feeling so pregnant with an idea that you will never be satisfied until it gives birth to the world? That is what George Eastman felt, and he is still impacting the world because of it. If the truth be told, many of us would have to say "Yes, I have felt that, too". Well, what are you going to do about it? Maybe the world needs what you have, too.
WHAT'S MY POINT? The point is that our money-making idea may need to "get out". Some wealth comes easy, and some wealth is acquired by much effort, strain, stress, sacrifice, risk, blood, sweat and tears. For some, getting wealthy may fall somewhere between easy and not so easy. Since only about 5% of Americans are "wealthy", maybe this helps you understand why. It just ain't easy for everybody. Do-able, yes. Easy, not so much. That's what often stops us, but it shouldn't.
Keep in mind, you don't necessarily have to be a mega-millionaire to be financially successful. You'd settle for less, no doubt, as long as you could live as large as you'd like to, take care of your family, enjoy life. Regardless, to have big money, you often have to work hard, and work smart. That's just the way it is.
YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES. There are so many like George Eastman in the world. So many whose stories we know, and don't know. The lesson we have to gain from them is that if you want something bad enough, you have to be bold enough to work at getting it. His story is proof positive that you can. He didn't seem to have a special gift. No special education. No money to speak of, but he did have that quality that make us keep trying when everyone else thinks it's stupid to try again: he must have had great COURAGE.
So, my friends, let's get COURAGEOUS. Let's get AUDACIOUSLY COURAGEOUS. Let's get downright "nothing is going to stop me now" courageous! Let's get "I'm going to give this all I've got" courageous! Let's get "I will not give up until I make it" courageous! Yes, your gift, your company, your invention, your idea can benefit us, and maybe the entire world, just like George Eastman's did. Don't keep us waiting!
S.R.F.
He began his business career as a 14-year old office boy in an insurance company and followed that with work as a clerk in a local bank.
He was George Eastman, and his ability to overcome financial adversity, his gift for organization and management, and his lively and inventive mind made him a successful entrepreneur by his mid-twenties, and enabled him to direct his Eastman Kodak Company to the forefront of American industry.
But building a multinational corporation and emerging as one of the nation's most important industrialists required dedication and sacrifice. It did not come easily. (Excerpt from Kodak.com, The History of Kodak).
WHY IS HIS STORY IMPORTANT? George Eastman sacrificed greatly to invent his product. He poured his mind and money into his creation, often finding himself drained in both areas. He became the brunt of laughter, disgrace and humiliation because of his financial adversity and failure. However, nothing stopped this incredible man from manifesting what his genius and imagination compelled him to create. His own dedication and belief didn't fail him, even when friends viewed his efforts as ridiculous. He not only launched his Kodak camera, but made history as one the wealthiest, most remarkable, generous businessmen and philanthropists of his era.
WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM HIM? His story has always inspired me. I learn from his story that the elements of financial success are more than the need or greed for money. Can you imagine feeling something so deep on the inside, feeling so pregnant with an idea that you will never be satisfied until it gives birth to the world? That is what George Eastman felt, and he is still impacting the world because of it. If the truth be told, many of us would have to say "Yes, I have felt that, too". Well, what are you going to do about it? Maybe the world needs what you have, too.
WHAT'S MY POINT? The point is that our money-making idea may need to "get out". Some wealth comes easy, and some wealth is acquired by much effort, strain, stress, sacrifice, risk, blood, sweat and tears. For some, getting wealthy may fall somewhere between easy and not so easy. Since only about 5% of Americans are "wealthy", maybe this helps you understand why. It just ain't easy for everybody. Do-able, yes. Easy, not so much. That's what often stops us, but it shouldn't.
Keep in mind, you don't necessarily have to be a mega-millionaire to be financially successful. You'd settle for less, no doubt, as long as you could live as large as you'd like to, take care of your family, enjoy life. Regardless, to have big money, you often have to work hard, and work smart. That's just the way it is.
YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES. There are so many like George Eastman in the world. So many whose stories we know, and don't know. The lesson we have to gain from them is that if you want something bad enough, you have to be bold enough to work at getting it. His story is proof positive that you can. He didn't seem to have a special gift. No special education. No money to speak of, but he did have that quality that make us keep trying when everyone else thinks it's stupid to try again: he must have had great COURAGE.
So, my friends, let's get COURAGEOUS. Let's get AUDACIOUSLY COURAGEOUS. Let's get downright "nothing is going to stop me now" courageous! Let's get "I'm going to give this all I've got" courageous! Let's get "I will not give up until I make it" courageous! Yes, your gift, your company, your invention, your idea can benefit us, and maybe the entire world, just like George Eastman's did. Don't keep us waiting!
S.R.F.
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