Speaking at the Business Road Show North East (UK) Richard McCann gave a rousing speech encouraging ALL entrepreneurs to find the opportunity in adversity.
Richard McCann told his audience of business owners how he turned it round.
(He) knows a thing or two about adversity. Brought up in poverty, on the ‘At Risk’ register, lived in foster homes. Eventually brought up by his estranged step-father, often violent and drunk towards him. As a result Richard had little confidence or self esteem, left school with no qualifications. He was kicked out of the army after a nervous breakdown, turned to drugs and ended up in prison – his rock bottom. – and found the gut wrenching determination to turn his life around.
- ATTITUDE - ”I Can” approach to life.
- FOCUS ON THE POSITIVE – it makes it easier to deal with challenges.
- BE COURAGEOUS – life begins at the end of one’s comfort zone.
- NEVER, NEVER, NEVER GIVE UP – nothing worth having is going to be given on a plate.
Richard suggests that when Life offers us a ‘window of opportunity’ to climb through it. Many people let other people take the risk. It requires a leap of faith.
We’ve all got more potential to do more than we are currently. Richard also encouarges us to “Do things that make you feel uncomfortable, because they make you grow.”
As a business owner, as Robert Craven the Entrepreneur guru often reminds us, we cannot do things on our own, we need to ask for help from business consultants, and Richard McCann says to ask for help is actually a sign of strength, not weakness. I think they’re right, don’t you?