When ALL You Have Is Hope

In this post I wanted to start talking about business ideas but I think there is one more topic we need to cover before we go there. And that is the topic of whether YOU think you can actually be in business and whether you think you are actually capable of putting together an effective team.

The title of this post is actually the title of a book I am currently reading about a man named Frank O’Dea. He came from a rich family, got raped 4 times from when he was a young boy until he was a young man. His rapists included an Adult he trusted, a Police Officer and two Priests whom he also trusted.

He became an alcoholic at a very young age and eventually a young homeless man who was continuously beaten by young people looking for thrills and police looking to keep him out of places where well to do people would not be disturbed by his begging for food or money or the look and smell of his vomit and blood stained clothes.

Two days before Christmas, early in the morning while standing on a street corner he said to himself, “If I don’t change, I will die like this!” He did not want to die on the streets, freezing to death or being beaten to death. Die or Change was the only way he saw it. If he died, few would know he was gone and even fewer he figured would care.

Frank O’Dea made a decision that day to change that not only saved his life but saved and improved the lives of millions of people all over the world. Within 10 years he was a millionaire having co-founded The Second Cup, Canada’s equivalent to Starbuck’s in high-end coffee products. However, The Second Cup was way ahead of its time and even Starbuck’s had not come on to the scene when they started up.

When Frank O’Dea dies there will be many who will cry. Who will cry when YOU die? What difference have you made in the corner where you are?

This book is by far one of the most inspiring I have read in a very long time. I keep asking myself every time I put that book down the same question.

“If this guy who was severely abused, an alcoholic and a downtrodden homeless person and could then become one of Canada’s most successful businessmen and philanthropists can do it then why can’t you and I do it.”
Do human beings have to hit rock bottom to be able to Make A Decision to change their lives?

I hope not! If that is the case we would all need to go live on the streets and get beaten up a few times before we are capable of making that decision that will change our lives forever.

Can you make a decision, right now, right where you are at this moment in your life, to change? I really think you can! Maybe your change does not need to be that drastic. Maybe you just need to go from living pay check to pay check to living a life of financial abundance or at least a carefree financial lifestyle.

Frank O’Dea made that decision and then worked hard to stay off the alcohol. He worked hard at menial jobs where he made connections that led to him teaming up with people that led to business opportunities that he jumped on and worked hard at.

The story of Frank O’Dea if summarized in one paragraph might say that he made a decision, worked hard, had a great desire to be a success and looked for opportunity around every corner. He never tried to take the easy road! He didn’t hit the jackpot. His message is simple: Hope – Vision – Action!

Can you do it? Yes You Can!