Words are powerful. Words can change your day. Sometimes they can change your life in unexpected ways. Our friend, Rich Razgaitis, is a gifted professional and he posted this on his Facebook account today and it is worth sharing with our followers.
“Two years ago I was working in my home office on a Saturday. This guy came by to deliver some firewood, and his wife and 12-year old son were helping stack it.
We talked for a bit. He was one of those guys you instantly like and trust. “Fabric and backbone of America” type of guys. Hard working, honest, and was proud of what he did.
I went back inside and in between emails I watched them stack wood for 20-minutes, and was really mesmerized by their hustle, work ethic, and even cheerfulness.
On that particular day, I was really discouraged and stressed. I don’t think most people (who haven’t done it) realize how low the low’s can be starting and running an angel or VC-backed company–or starting any business for that matter.
However it looks from the outside is not how it is on the inside. It can be amazing. And it can be hell. That day happened to be hell.
So when I went outside to pay this guy for the firewood he asked what I did, and how it was going, etc. And either he was really good at reading people or I was really crappy at hiding my discouragement (probably both).
He looked me right in the eye and put his arm on me and said “Just keep on going, man. There’s gold in those trees. Just keep moving forward, I have a great feeling things are going to work out for you. Believe me when I tell you that, I can tell you’ve got it.”
Wanna know how much it hit me?
After he left (ugh this is embarrassing) I started crying.
It was, for me at that moment and time, the most incredibly uplifting moment. And also humbling. I was beyond inspired.
What’s so awesome to me is that, at least monthly since then, I’ve thought about this guy and his words of encouragement. It was probably one of the most uplifting moments of advice/encouragement (from a work perspective) that I’ve had from anyone in years. And it’s stayed with me.
Out of all the people that I know and am in contact with…mentors, advisers, other CEO’s, founders, executives, investors, peers throughout the Country, friends, and various colleagues–from NYC to San Francisco and right in the heart of Silicon Valley–here some random dude STACKING MY FIREWOOD made one of the most memorable impacts on my professional life over the past few years.
So. Insanely. Awesome. So. Inspiring.
I share this story because it’s had such a great impact on my life, and is such a powerful reminder to me about what a few authentic and encouraging words can do to someone.
One of my goals in life is to, at least on occasion (if not more), be as encouraging to someone else during a moment of despair as that random guy was to me.”
An inspiring message to be sure! Thank you, Rich.