خاتمه

EPILOGUE

Giving is better than receiving because giving starts the receiving process. -Jim Rohn

Several months ago, an old childhood friend of mine from the Bay Area was in town on business and asked if I was available to grab breakfast. Mike wanted to catch up, but he also needed some advice. He was thinking of leaving his long-time corporate job and starting a mobile app design company. He wondered if I had any insights, concerns, or even book recommendations as he started this new (and slightly terrifying) journey.

We agreed to meet at my favorite beachside café where the dining room walls are all windows and the view is all ocean. There, we would watch the waves roll in while discussing his plans for his tech world domination.

In preparation for Mike’s arrival, I began scanning through my home office library of business books (and trust me, I have a lot of them). I’ve always found value in these texts—a pearl here, a quote there. They’re part of what has helped me become the businessman I am today, and I’ve always enjoyed gifting them to those who need them.

But on this day, standing in front of my shelves, I was struggling a little.

None of the books were right for Mike.

None of them addressed the exact crossroads at which he stood.

What’s going on here? I thought. What am I missing?

Surely, one of these books had to be appropriate. I ran my finger over every single binding on my bookshelf to make sure I hadn’t missed one.

One book talked about leadership but ignored the fact that modern leadership has fundamentally changed.

One discussed start-up strategies but completely left out assessing whether or not you have the emotional fortitude to do it.

One talked about sales techniques that were so old I wondered if they simply redesigned the cover of a textbook from the early 1900s.

The most glaring omission was that none of them would give Mike the three things he needed most: First, a warning about the emotional ups and downs he would surely face. Second, the essential skills that would make the difference between success and failure. And finally, a powerful belief in himself and his capability to pull it off.

Refusing to give up, I began to pull books off the shelf and drop them to the floor. No. No. No. No. None of them were going to tell my friend Mike what he really needed to know. Not a single book would properly prepare him for the wildest emotional ride of his life.

The following Saturday morning, I sat down with my old friend. Over coffee (him) and a Mango Madness smoothie (me—don’t judge) we caught up on old times until the conversation shifted to Mike’s big move—becoming an entrepreneur.

“Tell me what I need to know. What conferences should I go to, what videos should I watch, what books should I get?” He was focused and determined.

“Yeah. About that…” I hesitated. It was obvious I had come to our meeting empty handed.

“Or…” He butted in sensing my awkwardness, “How ‘bout you just tell me how you got started?” he said.

And so I did.

I told him about flooding my grandparents’ home—how embarrassed I was and how hard it was to pick myself up, squeegee myself off, and keep selling. I told him about the lady who considered investing the last of her savings into starting a business with me—a business I knew wasn’t right for her—and how when she asked for my guidance, my integrity not only caused me to turn her away, but to walk away from a fortune myself. I told him about my conversation with Maria Shriver and the time I got escorted out of Nordstrom. I told him about buying my dream home and how badly it hurt when all my father noticed was the tiny water stain in the corner of the ceiling. I told him what Coach told me the last time I ever saw him and even about my blueberry-snow cone-stained tank top coaster ride. I told him about the many, many, many mentors who helped, pushed, and encouraged me as I went. I told him everything.

There we sat, and over the background roar of the ocean, I shared stories I had never really told anyone before. The good, the bad, and the really ugly. Not just the typical “best leadership skills” or “strategic start-up tactics,” but the real-life ups and downs, the emotional highs, and the crushing lows.

Mike laughed and nodded, and even scribbled a few notes. But after a while, he became quiet. He looked down, stirred his coffee slowly, and finally asked the question that haunts the mind of every would-be entrepreneur: “Do you really think I have what it takes?”

I looked at my friend Mike. He wore an expression that I recognized—his eyes were simultaneously scared and hopeful, the corners of his mouth twitched slightly, like they couldn’t decide if they should smile or scream.

It was the face of a man standing at the entrance of the biggest, grandest, scariest roller coaster he’s ever seen, wondering if he should try the ride.

So I told Mike the only thing left he needed to know:

“I believe in you.”

That Saturday morning breakfast turned into lunch and before we knew it, it was almost happy hour when Mike finally let out a sigh.

“Man. I just wish I would’ve recorded this or something. I know a few guys who could use this dose of perspective. And even more they need someone to say to them what you just said to me….” He stopped as an unexpected lump got caught in his throat.

And that’s when I knew.

That’s when I knew this book had to be written.

I BELIEVE IN YOU.

I know that inside everyone is a great entrepreneur. I know we’re all entrepreneurs at heart—it’s in our spirit, our heart, and our dreams. It’s in our blood. But I also know that running a business is a scary prospect. So scary, in fact, that millions of people are too frightened to even try. And for those who do? It’s hard. Without help, training, and guidance, a lot of people don’t make it—I know I wouldn’t have.

Every entrepreneur needs to know that someone believes in him or her, and I will be forever indebted to those who believed in me and shared the insights that empowered my success. The only way I know to pay down that debt, is to pay it forward—to tell the whole story, to let you know that the crazy ups and downs you’re experiencing (or will experience) are normal, and that you have what it takes. That’s the main reason I labored to write this book.

If there is one last thing you need before you get on this ride, it’s to know that someone believes in you. That someone knows you can do it. And trust me when I say, I do.

I, Darren Hardy, believe in you.

You can do this.

Even if we’ve never actually met, even if I never get the chance to hear your story, if you’ve read this far, then know this: You have what it takes.

You wouldn’t have gotten this far otherwise. Like many books before, you’d have put it down or never found it in your hands to begin with. It’s no accident you are reading these words right now. They were written for you.

You were meant to take this ride.

All I ask of you… is to pay it forward, too.

Now. Today.

Who do you know who needs help?

Who do you know who needs to find their entrepreneurial spirit? Who do you know who needs their business confidence boosted or skills strengthened?

Who do you know who needs this book so he or she can handle the ups and downs of this incredible ride?

Who do you believe in?

We all know someone. The family member who always dreamed of starting something of his own. The friend who’s struggling with a business. The colleague who’s been punching the clock, too afraid to make the leap and follow his dreams.

Some of them are standing nervously just outside the entrance of the roller coaster, wondering if they can handle the ride.

Some are standing at the ticket booth and need just a last bit of encouragement.

Some are climbing, slowly, toward the first summit and starting to feel the panic.

And some are in the death drop and heading toward the corkscrew, wondering if they are going to survive.

They all share one thing: They need help and someone to believe in them.

That someone is us.

Together, we can be the ones to help and believe in them.

I believe this book is an essential missing piece for entrepreneurs, and I need your help to reach more of them—to inspire those who haven’t yet begun, and help those who have.

Help empower the entrepreneurial confidence, hope, and dreams of just a few other people, and the one who will become most empowered will be you. For, as Gandhi said, “The fragrance always remains on the hand that gives the rose.”