Greg S. Reid - The Rise: The Journey Before The Success

The Rise by Greg S. Reid

Copyright 2012 by Greg S. Reid

Sherpa Press

2510 Warren Ave Suite 3898
Cheyenne, WY 82001

www.sherpapress.com

ISBN 978-0-9829850-9-0

eISBN: 978-0-9829850-8-3

Library of Congress Cataloging Data

All rights reserved under International Copyright Law. Contents and/or cover may not be reproduced in whole or in part in any form without the express written consent from the publisher.

Appreciation

In addition to Summer Felix, special thanks and acknowledgement go out to all the leaders and dreamers who make this world a better place. They are always examples of service!

Introduction

Over the centuries, lessons have best been absorbed through parables and stories passed along from one generation to the next. This book continues that tradition with a modern-day tale that reinforces the strategies for personal and business success that have stood the test of time.

Throughout these pages, you will be reminded of age-old wisdoms, which may rekindle the entrepreneurial spirit that made this nation so great and that lies within you, ready to be shared with the world.

Enjoy and whatever you do. Keep smiling!

Jim MacDonald pushed away the wrinkled sheets and sat up in his black underwear and navy socks. He rubbed his face and walked over to the blaring alarm clock located at the opposite end of the room. The ability to press snooze while still lying in bed would make him late for work. Getting up and enduring the sharp pain of fatigue was the only assurance that he made it to his desk on time each morning.

The towel hanging on the chair in his bedroom still felt damp from his shower the night before. He needed another hot shower; something to help the transition from sleep to boredom. His mind was accustomed to this routine. His only excitement as of late was Friday afternoons. He could leave work early those days, head home, watch his favorite movies and sleep in for two more days. Monday kept coming and with each one, there was less enthusiasm for the week ahead.

He waited for the water to heat up. Above his apartment, he could hear Julia walking around with her son. Her heels were clacking on the wood floor. Following her were tiny thumps going at a faster pace. He could hear her mothering voice speak to him as they rushed to leave. As soon as the door slammed he felt sad. Every morning, the slam of Julias door represented the beginning of a new day, but not in the refreshing way one would think. It was just another day. Julia and Nathan left the apartment and would return around the same time as Jim. She would be in her work clothes; seemingly happy and Nathan would be covered in dirt smudges and something sticky on his hands. Jim and Julia would greet each other and ask how their respective days were. After the usual fine responses, they went into their apartments. Jim would listen to them run around and play. He could smell her cooking while Nathan watched cartoons and he could always tell when it was bedtime.

The door slammed. He clenched his eyes and completed his shower. Its the sign he has approximately 15 minutes to pop bread in the toaster, throw on clothes and make himself presentable for work.

His journalism goals somehow landed him the complacent job as editor for a local examiner periodical in Philadelphia. What started as a stepping stone, remained set in stone instead, this was not his bigger vision.

Jimmy! Roger called from the copy machine as Jim walked into the main floor. No ones called him Jimmy since he was 3. Only Roger. Roger looked like Santa out of costume. Its Monday. Time to stop, pop and get stuff rollin! This was Rogers announcement upon Jims entrance every morning, whether it was Monday or Friday. For some reason, Roger really liked Jim. Jim wasnt quite sure why, but it did make him feel secure.

Jim pulled out the chair from underneath his desk. He could see crumbs from his lunch the day before and noticed not-quite-adequate job done by the night cleaning crew. When he sat down, he reviewed the last thought that went through his mind. It was the same thought every day after Roger did his shtick. Security, thought Jim. He always felt good that at least he felt secure in this job that hes had for over seven years. While others floated in and out, Jim always had this safety net of knowing he has a paycheck coming. The downside though, was that his paycheck rarely, if ever increased. If it did, it didnt satisfy the things he really wanted to do. It also didnt make him feel any different with higher numbers. Actually, he was feeling a little too secure. There was nothing to look forward to. He hung out with the same people at lunch everyday. They were pleasant, but there was no feeling of impulse. Ever. What happened to the drive that got him this stepping stone job? Where did that kid from college go? The one who was going to create films that changed the world?

He looked at his inbox filled with emails about new pet rescue shelter articles he had to edit before they honorably made it onto the news. Upon opening the first job, he laughed off his old ways of thinking and returned to reality. For a second there, he felt a rush just thinking back to those days. But it left just as quickly as it came.

Monday night football at our house, bro! Roger exclaimed, as he placed a coffee mug on Jims desk. He was invited every Monday night for football but he never said yes.

I dont drink coffee, remember Roger? Jim ignored the football question as he did being called bro by a sixty something year old man. He assumed by now Roger must have his RSVP.

Good stuff. Roger ignored Jims coffee dismissal and walked away.

Jim started plugging forth at his work feeling numb to another non-stimulating conversation.

As the day ended, Jim recounted the ten or more inconsequential interactions he had with Roger, the twenty feelings of bemuse and the absence of interest, let alone passion. Like every Monday through Thursday, he turned off his computer at 5pm, grabbed his keys, threw his backpack over his shoulders, closed any open drawers and left the office to head home. He never brought work home with him because he didnt need to. There was never anything pressing or too challenging that kept him engaged. His work was easy. And life mimicked work. His bills were always paid on time because he adhered to an exact budget on a daily basis. Everything was always in its place. He witnessed others around him who panicked every two weeks when their paychecks couldnt support their life. He also witnessed those same people take a lot more risks than he did. While he praised his non-stressful life and responsible qualities, he envied a little something in the others.

Three months ago, he remembered Troy who lived just across the hall. Troy worked as a freelance programmer on contract jobs for websites that bored him. He decided that he really wanted to create something beyond what anyone knew him capable of doing. And he did. In a matter of months, he created something so huge he received over 100,000 hits on the video promoting it. This happened within the hour that it launched. Only three months ago Troy told Jim that he felt unfulfilled. Troy had more work than he could handle, but it was all tedious to him. It was one mundane project after the other. He said that he felt he was being unfair to himself and to his clients if he kept at it. He didnt care anymore that he could survive and make a living. He already proved that to himself. He wanted to prove something bigger to himself. He wanted to reach the potential he could feel inside.