When an expert says “No!”

Hello, I haven’t blogged in a while. Been taking these intermittent breaks because before this year, I gave myself a target of writing 30 blog posts, which I must admit, I am close to that goal hence “my no-show” of late. Are you looking forward to Christmas with excitement? What do you have planned?  Anyway…

One of our favorite TV programs to watch when I do have the time is Shark Tank. The last time I viewed was three weeks ago and that is the inspiration behind today’s post. The program is basically coming to meet a group of millionaires or business minds to pitch your business idea to them for money to invest in and in some cases, a percentage of your business for their expertise and connects, so there are these entrepreneurs- some aspiring and others, seasoned, who walk through the doors in the view of our living rooms (averages 5 million viewers) being scrutinized rigorously before one or more of the “sharks” invest. Like every good show, there is the element of suspense that makes it nerving to watch at times. Some succeed, others are turned away because they don’t have a good business plan or the business will not be viable according to those experts

I thought about this when my wife and I were rooting for this particular guy who got turned away. I immediately asked her, “what will you do when an expert says no?”. It was an interesting dialogue that day. There comes a point in our lives that nobody will believe in our dreams, ideas or business ventures we are planning to execute. We will be subjected to the scrutiny of an expert in a field we plan entering; his opinion will be less than unsavory and a big fat “NO”. What do you do when all odds are stacked against you, do you freeze like a cold turkey and abandon it?

What do you do?

Man has an innate desire to succeed and excel in life and most times, we wish our family, friends and even our mentors who could be the experts will join in on the bandwagon as we push forward to break boundaries. It is idealistic, but you and I know that in this world, it is not always realistic. Let us learn as we apply these pointers:

Am I passionate?– most successful entrepreneurs who have “made it” give this common advice. If you gather ten successful people from all walks- entertainment, fashion, politics, sports, business… and ask them to share their secrets to success. I bet you, this point will be the common denominator among the ten views. Do what you love. If you are passionate about it, then you love it. Don’t ask, “where can I make the biggest revenue?” but “what am I passionate about?” At least, that is a start to something. Some years back, I watched a Kevin Hart interview and he narrated how nobody believed in him. Prior to making it big time as a box office movie star and one of the bankable comedians of his era, he said he had 17 years of rejection and a whole bunch of “NOs”. The story that stuck out for me was when he auditioned for Saturday Night Live, the comedy sketch program responsible for launching out the careers of Eddie Murphy, Jim Carrey, Tracy Morgan, Alec Baldwin and Tina Fey, just to mention a few. In the middle of his audition, he was stopped by Lorne Michaels who told him he wasn’t funny, had the wrong height and was not going to make it as a comedian; he should look for another job. He said he left the place in tears and drove back to Philadelphia from New York. Well, the rest is history… If a “Lorne Michaels”, an expert, tells you, you are a long shot away, will you fold up? Lorne is an expert and an authority in the world of comedy. Let us choose the things we are passionate about. Passion kept Hart in the face of rejection. Had he not made it in the 18th year? Would he have given up? Personally, I doubt it!

Do I have the requisite knowledge and skills?- almost everything in this world is scientific i.e. systematized knowledge, where you can learn something and break it down to a technique or a science. Almost all endeavors have become technical. Thank God for the internet- because this is where it becomes an invaluable tool and resource for knowledge and education. In this present century, not having a degree or attaining formal education is not a limitation. There are books available and a wealth of information on the internet for anyone who wants it. Any venture you undertake requires knowledge and skill. The expert maybe right at times because you don’t have the skill set and based on your answers too, your shallowness was evident. It is said, 80% of graduates after school never pick up a book again to read or upgrade. Constant learning gives you a leading edge in your venture

Keep working– don’t rest on your laurels. Keep working and grinding. Work on your dream, that business and in due time, you will reap a harvest of your expectation. Sometimes, I wish the cameras could follow all those rejected on Shark Tank. I want to believe, some are doing well irrespective of the pushback. A passionate, knowledgable and skillful person who is hardworking has no limits. No need to prove people wrong because they didn’t believe in you, rather focus on being your best you – break every ceiling; visual or imaginary and rise to where you belong- the top

Don’t take “NO” for an answer from no one if it is possible and in sight. Personally, the most important “NO” is from God but if he hasn’t said it and there is a way around it, I am going all in! Best believe- it is possible!

Will like to read your take on this one and please share this article if you were encouraged

Till, I come your way again…

Peace & Love