It's tough being a business owner, not only do you need to know a whole lot about everything, you also need to be able to be in control of your own emotions. Your mind set largely determines what you want to or can achieve. The biggest obstacle to success is giving up, and that is nothing to do with the talents you are born with, the resources you have or even the situation you are in. 

I rewatched this video again this morning and even while I was watching it for the second time I cannot help but feel extremely moved. This was one of the best 10 minutes I've ever spent (thanks TED). If you are a business owner this video really puts everything in perspective.

I realised a few things

First of all, it makes you realise that well things aren't too bad, they could always be worse, so you should be thankful for your health, your family and your friends and if everything doesn't end up working out - you can try again. The biggest road blocks I've ever put on myself were not based on talent, or time - for me it was mainly mentally. You control your priorities and you control where you spend your time so if you were really serious about achieving something - I believe you can if you never give up.

I was lucky enough to have had a education that has removed a lot of limitations simply because my scholarship course in University jam packed 1 full year of full time work as well as a 3 year degree all in 3 years. Therefore I have a regular uni students 4 year workload completed in 3 years and I was also stupid enough to take on a full time job while studying 5 subjects in one semester at Uni.

Suffice to say, I went to a lot of summer school classes and didn't have a huge social life except for those close to me. But I completed everything with almost a D average - I was incredibly bad at Business Law, haha so don't expect me to give any legal advice.

What it taught me

This achievement early on taught me a few things, what you can achieve is what you allow yourself to achieve. I met other uni students that complain about not having time and not being able to go to any parties while on their regular workload, while I quietly plodded away at everything because I was armed with the knowledge that it was possible (thanks to those alumni who has passed before me). 

It also taught me that just because an institution or someone else recommends something to be completed in a certain amount of time, doesn't mean that you can't do it quicker. To be honest I looked back and I was busy, but it wasn't anything like I've experienced when starting a business. It was still incredibly manageable. 

Why limitations are just in your head

Most people think something is impossible until someone manages to acheive it. And after a while people still think they are outliers and little old them can't do it. That is our own limitations we implant in ourselves and don't get me wrong, I do it ALL the time. In fact the less experience I have with something the more likely I'm going to put a limitation to protect myself from failure or sometimes death (cue friend invite to sky diving).

But like I said before, it could be worse. If you are healthy and have 2 arms and 2 legs your are already most of the way there. And if Amy can achieve so much with no legs and no spleen, what can you achieve in your business?

It's time to take a step back and really think about how you want to write your life story.

I'd love to hear what you thoughts of the video in the comments section below: