“It was devastating. My teacher started crying, the girls were crying…”
Jim Johns, Houston; remembering the assassination of JFK
A Jamaican woman stopped. Legs buckled under her. Clasped her hands and cried, “My son in one building… my daughter in the other.” Jenna, New York… remembering 911
Business strategists loudly proclaim the merits of repetition.
Yet, from the pages of time, the voice of late author Tryon Edwards whispers an inescapable truth;
“We rarely forget that which has made a deep impression on our minds.”
Neil Armstrong landing on the moon. Bob Hope’s smile. September 11th. The assassination of JFK. Our first love, first kiss. Moments forever etched in our memories. Not by repetition, but by emotional impact.
Ninety percent of websites fail. Eighty percent of new businesses fail.
They fail, not by lack of desire, but by lack of impact. Most business owners are afraid to walk the edge. Afraid to stand up, or stand out, or take a stand. Afraid to be too different.
Sadly, the best results the timid get is to stay forever invisible.
Anita Roddick’s vehement protests against animal testing in the name of beauty rocketed The Body Shop to success despite an advertising budget of zero. And Seth Godin’s Purple Cows, Tom’s Shoes, and the Starbucks experience.
And who of the Coke generation can’t sing along with the tune “I’d like to buy the world a Coke…”
If you long to be remarkable, but you’re a little short on courage, ask yourself this; What do you stand for? What stirred your heart and led you to the path you walk?
Harness the power of what you stand for, what you believe in, what you love – and in the words of a humble Jesuit priest – you shall have discovered fire.