Friday, October 18, 2013

Insight

One of my more interesting professional endeavors, that included a great many "locational benefits", was when I served as publisher of The Washington DC Business Journal. Our office was in Northern Virginia. My responsibilities took me into the District frequently and because I was in the District, I would often spend my lunchtime in The Smithsonian or at any of the fabulous monuments and historical places to visit. Since I was there, of course I had to take advantage of the opportunities. It was in DC where I met Trammel Crow.

The DC Business Journal complied a list each year of the top 100 Private Companies in the greater DC area.  This list was one of many we did but the Top 100 Private Companies list was always one of the most coveted lists of the year. Companies were clamoring to be included and those companies that were included on last year's list, wanted to move up in the rankings. We held a fabulous banquet and awards ceremony each year at one of the posh hotels in the area to honor the Top 100 Companies. The event featured a high-profile keynote speaker and always sold out!

The first year I was in DC we had Trammel Crow as our keynote. Mr. Crow was a pure entrepreneur. He was one of eight children that lived in a rented one bedroom home in East Dallas. He went on to become one of the largest real estate developers in the country. Warehouses were his specialty but he also developed high-rise office buildings and world class hotels. The Lowe's Anatole Hotel in Dallas is his development.

We brought Mr. Crow in for the banquet, put him up in a world class hotel and reserved a limousine to get him to and from the banquet. I was responsible for serving as the host representing The DC Business Journal. On the evening of the banquet I met Mr. Crow in the lobby of his hotel ready to escort him to the festivities. We walked outside to the limousine, the chauffeur opened the door and much to our surprise, Mr. Crow said;"Why don't you and I walk." We walked on the sidewalk with the limousine trailing slowly behind us. The experience was unique and unforgettable.

While walking I suddenly realized that I had Trammel Crow all to myself. We had a delightful conversation during which I asked; "What was the single thing about entrepreneurism and success that I could hang my hat on?" He did not hesitate. Even before his next step hit the ground he replied; "It is harder than I thought it was going to be and it is bigger than I ever imagined."

What a great lesson. Here was a "rags-to-BIG-riches" highly successful person giving me his secret formula for success.

It does not matter if you reach the level of success that Trammel Crow did. What matters is that you stay the course and have faith in your ideas and reach for your dreams. All things are relative and your level of success is one day going to be bigger than you imagined as long as you do the hard part and stay the course. Take a step and then take another step.

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