Eric was desponded; 15 years now he had labored on building a small business. Sweat, blood and tears he had given to his dream. Time and again he spent long grueling hours trying to get his business up and going. His friendships, even his marriage all suffered under his relentless desire to make something of himself.
Rubbing his hands through his hair he sighted as he look down on the letter on his desk. First there was his business partner who took him for a ride. Then several of his employees stole his best customers and his inventory. After that his secretary accused him of sexual harassment and now this….
When would it end? When would he finally have all that he deserved? He worked so hard. All he ever wanted was to have a successful small business and a comfortable rewarding life. Instead, all he got was anguish and suffering.
Sitting there at his desk, Eric didn’t realize his best friend had stepped into his office. “Hmm; hey man!” The sudden strong voice abruptly broke the eerie silence. Slightly bedazzled, Eric lifted his head and gazed into his friends smiling face.
“Oh hi” came the barely audible response.
“Eric? What’s up man? You look white like a ghost and what’s with the attitude?”
“Here, see for yourself” Eric responded as he handed the letter to his friend.
Quickly gazing over the paper his friend shouted: “What? Oh man, that’s nuts. $400,000 to the IRS? What the hell? What are you going to do? Man, that sucks!”
“Nothing” Eric sighted “I am going to do nothing. You and I both know I don’t owe this but I don’t have money to fight back. And even if I did I am tired. I just can’t do it anymore. I’ve tried, I really did but I got enough of the misery. It seems like the harder I try to make something of myself the more trouble I'm getting. I can't take it anymore. I am closing down the business, find myself a job and that’s the end of that.”
As he said, Eric did. He notified the IRS that his corporation went belly up, closed the front door to his business, found himself a job and that was that; until …..
A few months went by and Eric met up with his friend.
“Hey Eric, how are you doing man? How’s the new job working out?”
“Don’t like it. I absolutely hate it. I am miserable, depressed and frustrated. But what can I do? I got no money. I got no choice.” Eric uttered.
“I know Eric, working for someone is not you. I know you too well; you like to be your own boss. That’s tough. What are you going to do?”
Eric looked at his friend and said: “I don’t know. I just don’t know.” Then he bowed his head and stared down on the pavement as he shuffled some dirt with his right foot.
For a brief moment there was dead silence between the two friends. Then suddenly a loud roar broke the tension. Eric jumped.
“Man, what was that? You scared me half to death.”
“Eric, I got it! I know what you can do and I bet you are going to be enormously successful at it. And the best part is, you can start right now, from your house, still keep your job until you get ready to do this full-time. Man, why didn’t I think about this years ago?”
“What? What is it? Tell me!” Eric eagerly inquired.
“Eric, I think you should start a consulting business that specializes in educating employers what not to do in their business. You know, all the trouble that happened to you. Teach other business owners about these things and how to avoid them.”
“What? What are you saying?” Eric gave his friend a confused look.
“I am telling you man, that's it. Look, for 15 years you’ve struggled and you’ve learned a lot of stuff about business the hard way. If anyone knows all the traps and trouble you can get into owning a business and how to avoid them it’s you. Don’t you see? You got all this experience about what not to do when you own a business. I bet you anything that other business owners are more than happy to pay for that information. Nobody wants to learn the hard way and if they can avoid all the hardships and potential troubles a business can bring they will certainly become more successful because they know upfront how to protect themselves! I am telling you Eric, you should seriously consider this. I really think that’s what you need to do.”
Eric looked at his friend bewildered yet excited. “You think so?” he finally said.
“Yes Eric, yes I do!”
“OK! Come, let’s grab a beer. I'm buying!” Eric tapped his friend on his shoulder. Together, side by side they strutted to the nearest pub.
Five years went by since that conversation. Eric took his friend’s advice seriously and in his spare time started writing employer’s manuals. Today, writing employer's manuals is Eric's full-time primary business. His books are so successful they are a standard part of the package you get when you register a new business.
“The last five years have been the best and most successful years of my life. Never in my wildest dreams did I think my struggles as a business owner would become the stepping stones for many enterprises to build a successful business from. That just goes to show you that sometimes what seems to be your darkest hours is really an opportunity for you to look at your life from a different angle and discover your real potential. It most certainly did for me.”
Sometimes, actually, most of the time, what you think is misery is an opportunity for you to create a new fortune with. Next time, tough times come knocking don't get angry, upset or frustrated. Instead, consider the possibility the tough times are trying to teach you something, like taking a different approach or a new direction. It did for Eric.
