It's All Good

Make the worst case your best case: If you are unattached to the outcome, you will always succeed at some level.

"Success, like happiness, cannot be pursued; it must ensue, and it only does so as the unintended side effect of one's dedication to a cause greater than oneself." -- Viktor Frankl, Auschwitz survivor

When I write, I lose all track of time. I feel as if I'm in another world. I don't know if my words will merit any substantial market acceptance. But I do know that time spent writing is time well spent. Though I can't control the outcome, I can control the joy of the effort.

Nick Gleason, CEO of 3-year-old CitySoft, offers this definition of "success" at his $2 million Web-services firm: "Each day I deal with problems like quality control, personnel, and payroll. It's exhausting. But no matter how bad it gets, I know that we are doing something really important. We are hiring people who have not had access to technology or good jobs. For us, it's an untapped labor pool. For them, it's a chance to join a high-wage economy. Together, we can shatter prejudices and stereotypes about who can participate productively in the new economy. Whatever happens to CitySoft, in our minds we will always be a success."

Believe: If you don't, no one else will.

"No amount of money will induce someone to lay down their life, but they will gladly do so for a bit of yellow ribbon." -- Napoléon Bonaparte

A few months ago, a senior executive, one of the five most important people in a multibillion-dollar global company, attributed a major sales problem to her waning faith in how the company was conducting business.

In front of a dozen other company presidents, she bravely explained her revelation: "I have been waking up for 17 years believing in what we are doing. When I believe, I can rally everyone else to work together as one team dedicated to having a great time serving our customers. But today, I don't believe. And unless I believe again, it's over."

To some degree, work should be fun. And when you don't believe, the fun is lost. That executive is now rebuilding the "why" for herself and her group. As she does, more smiles, more joy, and greater sales success accompany the return of her passion.

Mike Gallagher hopes to get out to Colorado this spring and join the mountains. Maybe he'll teach climbing or mountain biking. Whatever he strives for, Gallagher will make it happen. He's launched his career and built his brand on fun and passion -- two attributes that amplify his unique light.

Passion is catchy. It will take you to places you'd never expect, in ways you'd never imagine. Wherever that is, it doesn't matter. After all, it's all good.

"And when you have reached the mountain top, then you shall begin to climb." -- Kahlil Gibran, artist

To read more about Alan Webber, see Finding Your Voice. To read the life stories of Alan (Chapter 11) or Nick Gleason (Chapter 10), see my New York Times best-selling book, Making a Life, Making a Living -- now also in paperback, e-book, audio cassette, and audio download.

Copyright © 2001 Dr. Mark S. Albion. All rights reserved.

Read more columns by Mark Albion.