Happy Thanksgiving

When times get tough, business gets rough or things just are not going your way, just remember we have a lot to be thankful for. In comparison to many parts of the world, we are an extremely lucky group of people to have been born and raised in a society that admires a work ethic and rewards innovation. With some motivation, we can actually write our own success stories and no one stands in our way except maybe ourselves.I was reminded of this in a CNBC TV special with Warren Buffett and Bill Gates presenting their business strategies in front of Graduate students at Columbia University. One of the questions posed was what part did luck have in the success of the two wealthiest men in the Universe. I have heard Buffett say he won the “genetic lottery” to be born with his skills in the society that valued what he is very good at doing.

Gates echoed the very same thoughts when he said that he was born at a time when there was a void for good software and he loved making the software. He had early access to computers and plenty of free time to devote to his passion. But had he been born in a different place or a different time or to different parents, the results of his monetary success as well as his contributions to society might have been very different.

In my own case, I am most grateful for great mentors including my father that have helped me gain the knowledge I need to be successful in my furniture career. I am blessed to have a terrific family who are supportive of my entrepreneurial tendencies. I have developed a great many friends and acquaintances from factory personnel to retailers and fellow sales reps. All in all I am lucky to have found an occupation I enjoy and good people to share the journey.

So as you reflect in thanksgiving this week on what the good Lord has put you on this earth to accomplish, be sure and be thankful for all the luck of being born in this time and in this country. Because no matter how tough the last several months may have been for you, it is still a whole bunch better than if you would have been born in Africa. There’s not a whole lot of furniture sold over there no matter how good a salesman you are.

Happy Thanksgiving.