Individual Accomplishment

Reading Atlas Shrugged and attending a lot of these networking functions has drawn my attention to something: I greatly respect and appreciate individual accomplishment. It’s not some sort of love for the underdog or interest in a moving tale…it’s just the way people go from an intelligent idea to a thought-out action; it fascinates me.

Before I started getting into my own business, I’d heard about people like Bill Gates and John D Rockefeller. They’re both brilliant people who capitalized on an idea when the time was right. But they’re not people I can easily relate to: they’re more superheroes than men of achievement. But the people I meet and learn about now-a-days are much more real.

I’m doing computer work for a company that’s very successful. My clients there have accomplishments worthy of praise, but not beyond belief. They live comfortably and with fond memories. And they haven’t stopped making their mark on the world.

I was just reading an article about a company in Newton, MA that offers similar services to mine. The CEO of the company graduated from my high school nine years before me, and then went on to study philosophy. It’s hard not to relate.

But relating isn’t all I want to do. I want to learn from these people and someday share the same knowledge with people. I’m not there yet and I have a long way to go. But seeing these people gives me inspiration and a tangible vision.

No, I’m no Howard Roark or John Galt. Nor am I a Gates or Rockefeller. I’m probably not even going to be like the guy I just mentioned in Newton. But I’m learning so much about achievement, about money, about people, and about my own interests.

This is exciting. This is real. I can’t wait…