Remember who you are

Jeff Bezos remembers who he is

My parents had a powerful influence on me.

My father used to say, "Remember who you are."
His son didn’t always remember.
It got him in a lot of trouble.
Now I remember who I am - and who I was.
I hope you can do the same.

The writing bug bit me early.
My mother read to us when we were children.
It fired our imaginations, gave us a purpose.
Becoming a writer was a given.

My father gave me an old typewriter.It still worked but he no longer needed it.
We went to the lumber yard one Saturday.
We bought a hollow-core door and four legs.
We went home and glued 6"x2"s to the door.
Then we mounted the legs on the 6"x2"s.
We turned the door over and - voila - we had a desk.
He helped me stain the door and I was in business.

I wrote my first story on that typewriter.I spent hours writing at that desk.
I wrote about growing up mentally and physically.
I wrote about my experiences in military school.
In the infantry in Korea. As a reporter and editor.
I followed the first elemental rule of writing:
Write about what you know.
That desk and typewriter went everywhere with me.
Through many newspaper jobs. In many cities.
Even after MacLeod agreed to marry me.
Even when we started our own publishing company.
She finally bought me a better desk.
But I miss that old door and its memories.
It reminded me to remember who I am.

I heard a story about Jeff Bezos the other day.Jeff is the visionary founder of Amazon.com
Jeff had a desk liked mine when he got started.
He was filling online orders in his garage.
It was an humble start for a great success story.
Amazon is now a powerhouse online retailer.
Jeff is a wealthy and respected entrepreneur.
But Jeff Bezos still has a door for a desk.
All his lieutenants have similar desks.
It helps them remember who they are.

Here’s a thought to take away from this:Remembering who you are keeps you grounded.
It reminds you how you came to be where you are.
It shields you from arrogance. Keeps you focused.
Makes you grateful for all God has given you.
Reminds you of the bad choices you made.
And the consequences of making bad choices.
It reminds you of the good choices you made.
It reminds you to make better choices in life.
Wherever you go or whatever you do . . .
Remember the old doors in your life.

Special note to Success Strategies readersWant a free copy of my new leadership book?
Its premise is that leadership is a learned art.
For sample chapters of the book, email me.
Jerry@JerryBellune.com