In the End, You'll Only Regret Not Taking the Chance
April 23 is National Take a Chance Day, and it’s an opportunity to reflect on the chances we have takenin our lives and bring awareness to the importance of mustering up the courage to take certain chances and leaps of faith.
In my lifetime, I’ve taken many chances, one of which was the decision to open my own business. Growing up, my family didn’t have much money, so to follow my dreams and open my own business, I needed to borrow money.
My wife and I had to put our house up and cross our fingers and pray that it would all work out. I had heard that 85% of new businesses fail within the first five years, but I had no choice but to make it work — I had to do whatever I needed to do.
Twenty-five years later, I’m glad I seized the opportunity and gave it my all. I knew I didn’t want to reflect back on my life and regret not taking the chance. I had confidence in myself that I could make it work. Sure, I made many mistakes because I didn’t know any better, but to be successful, you need to realize that it takes a massive effort, a good work ethic, and perseverance. There will be rough patches, but giving up is worse than never taking the chance at all. Sometimes, you may need to work seven days a week, 20 hours a day, with no vacation time in sight.
Starting up a second shop was another huge risk I took. Would we profit enough to be able to support both shops? But with determination, hard work, and a little bit of faith, the risk paid off.
My daughter is a bit like me in that she has tried many things and seen success. She’s been a school teacher, a real estate agent, and even a piano business owner. She’s a hard worker and recognizes that it takes a lot of effort to make it work, but she never gives up, and that’s a great quality to have. As many of you know, I’m an avid golfer. I have a friend who is attempting to go professional in the sport, and I keep encouraging him to work hard and not give up. You never know when you’re right on the brink of making it!
Taking a chance for the right reason is important. You must have a plan laid out, and you must know where you want to go. Ultimately, you never want to look back at the chances that you could have or should have taken and ask yourself why you never jumped at the opportunity. Take the chance!
-Randy Bunn