Enter Virgin Territory and Never Give Up

I just finished reading Sir Richard Branson's book Losing My Virginity. I found this book to be an incredibly inspiring look at a man who has literally risen from very modest means to one of the world's richest entrepreneurs. The book is an insightful look into the tenacity contained within this man to overcome incredible odds and many a obstacle to build Virgin and its long list of companies into a world powerhouse.

I love reading about people like Sir Richard because it offers insight and inspiration. It shows what is possible and what can be accomplished when you have the heart and the desire to see your actions through to conclusion.

In the pages of this book you find countless examples of his battles with cash flow and bank after bank threatening to call his loans due. For anyone who has ever been in startup mode, you know just how frightening a call from the bank can be because your know the life line of continued existence is a very, very thin one. I myself have experienced this on a number of occasions and let me tell you, it led me down a path of stress, frustration and outright fear that at the time seemed unfathomable.

What I realize now in reading Sir Richard's book is how much I identify with those positions he often found himself in. I can remember nights upon nights tossing and turning at two in the morning agonizing how I might make my next payroll and somehow keep my house. Bargaining with God to just let me make it one more month and to find some pathway to success. Those times, those stresses are not something I ever wish to go through again, but I appreciate them now because I know they were necessary for me to experience in order to grow and develop into what I have become today.

Bottom line if you have a dream and you think the odds are against you, push through that fear and enter "Virgin territory" and don't ever give up. It's easy to do it you know. Giving up is always easier and most people do it. Success, however for most, is virgin territory. Strive for it. Long for it! Desire it with every morsel with your being.

Take it from me or perhaps pick up Sir Richard's book for a wee bit more inspiration....the rewards on the other side are so worth the effort.

Ripple On My Friends!

Steve Harper

Ripple Question of the Week

So as most of you know, we have been hosting a connection event called The 8 Minute Ripple. This event is designed to be a distinct departure from traditional networking. It's all about helping people engage and connect as individuals rather than go through the often unproductive and unsuccessful motions of connecting solely for the sake of business and personal gain. The results have been amazing!

In the spirit of spreading the Ripple and inspiring people to connect in a different (and far better) way, I thought it would be great to feature a Ripple Question each week. Use the question to reach outside your comfort zone and connect with someone you know but perhaps want to know better. Use the question to connect with a complete stranger. Just use it to set yourself apart from the rest of the herd and have some fun with it. You will be amazed at what you might learn about someone simply by asking the question.

Who knows...the answers you get might start an entirely new set of Ripples between you.

So....with no further adieu....I give you

THE RIPPLE QUESTION OF THE WEEK

"We find you driving down a road with baited anticipation....where might we find you going and why would you be excited to be going there?"

We would love to hear how you might answer the questions so be sure to post your replies!

Weekly Quote

PERHAPS IT WILL BE THE NEXT TIME!

Before you ever let failure get you down and force you to quit, remember what Thomas Edison said about failure:

"I have not failed. I have just found 10,000 ways that won't work."

Thomas Edison (1847-1931)

I grew up with the philosophy that failure was not an option. No matter what kind of obstacle I have faced whether in life or in business, I have always refused to let failure win out. This way of thinking has enabled me to achieve things in life that I am certain most people who knew me (back in the day), would never have thought possible. Fortunately I listened to my way of thinking instead of theirs!

If you aren't succeeding at something you know in your heart you should be doing, don't give up! Just keep trying and perhaps yesterday's disappointment will turn into tomorrow's breakthrough!

Ripple On!!!

Steve Harper