There comes a point in every man’s life when the noise from the outside world gets drowned out by the noise coming from within. When this happens, every man needs another man that he can turn to.
The restaurant is pretentious and smells of old money. As I enter, I can’t help but think back to five years ago and the first time I met him here. I must’ve looked nervous because the first thing he said was: “Own each room that you enter. They don’t know you don’t belong here, until you tell them.”
He’s the one who taught me why it’s important to master your emotions and stay calm. To always be honest and direct. And that if you want to wear the crown, you had better be ready for the weight and attention that it brings.
I look up to him as a father, although I’m sure he views me as his little brother.
When he speaks, I listen. When I speak, he does the same.
Tonight is no different. After listening to me try to justify myself and decide what to do next, he takes a drink from his scotch, leans back and then forward, and while folding his linen napkin into a perfect square, here is his advice.
Jeff, at some point, you’re going to have to realize that life is messy, especially if you’re brave enough to take action.
Imagine that you’re at the bottom of a beautiful crystal staircase. At the top of this staircase is where your life goals are, and on your feet are filthy, muddy boots covered in spikes.
Life is you wearing these muddy spiked boots, climbing that staircase, and making a mess.
A man is born into this world alone, and exits the very same way. There are over eight billion people living on this planet; you’re never going to be able to make them all happy.
If you’re going to truly leave your mark in this life, then you are going to have to step on some toes. You’re going to have to be outlandish, and you’re going to have to be willing to leave behind marks on this crystal staircase that others aren’t willing to.
Along your journey, there will be people that judge, gossip, and point out every flaw that you leave behind, and that’s okay, as long as you’re aware that it all comes from a place of you having something they want, but they didn’t have the balls to take.
One day, when you look back at your once clean and perfect crystal staircase, you won’t see a mess. What you’ll see is a beautiful disaster, and what it took to accomplish something great.
* Parts of big brothers incredible advice are from Motivational Speaker Jaret Grossman.
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