To be sure, we all know where we were and what we were doing on September 11, 2001 as everyone was deeply affected by the tragedy and loss of life. And, having never experienced a terrorist attack on our own soil, the country threw itself into the equivalent of neutral on the economic transmission of business and dropped the kickstand for a while. Commerce came to a screeching halt as businesses everywhere were hit hard – I know, because that day literally cratered my company.

On that fateful morning I and my team were in a planning meeting putting together the proposal that would, in our minds, win us the first contract on a project I’d literally bet the farm on. But it was not to be, as everything I’d worked on for the previous nine months was wiped off the table along with so many of my hopes for the future. In a matter of hours I found myself perilously close to the abyss that is failure, left to metaphorically pick the bits of pavement out of my butt from one hell of a wipeout.

Second to being told I had cancer, it was the most frightening and challenging time of my life as every fiber of my being was put to the test.  But I, like many others, picked myself up and began the difficult task of rebuilding my company.  And in doing so, I created my process for navigating one’s life and business through tough times.

Fast forward seven years and on September 11, 2008 the editorial team at John Wiley and Sons were deciding to take a flyer on a first time author with the concept for a book called The Biker’s Guide to Business. My agent called the next day, September 12 giving me the good news and once again, that fateful date of 9-11 shifted my life. I almost finished that last sentence with ‘for the better’, but in reality, the first 9-11 did too.  Only I didn’t know it at the time. 

Bikers know that there are two types of riders, those who have laid them down and those that will.  And it’s the same in life as we’re all going to face our own personal tragedies and challenges along the way.  And we may not know it at the time, but they occur for a reason and it’s up to us to find the lesson in each and if possible, carry on.

I recently heard a quote attributed to the great Jack Welch that goes “Great companies are built through tough times.” I submit that it can also apply to one’s life, but only if we’re paying attention. 

Dwain – The BusinessBiker

As always – these are just my thoughts on the matter, I could be wrong.  So, if you disagree or simply want to pile on, please do so either here on the BLOG or email me directly at Navigator@BikersGuidetoBusiness.Com  I look forward to hearing from you. www.bikersguidetobusiness.com

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