Although quiet and shy, Joe’s tenacity was a treasure to behold.

High school was not easy for him but he always showed up and gave his best effort. I was his English and speech teacher and encouraged him even though he had limited natural abilities in either area.

That’s why it first surprised me to learn that his life’s ambition as a sixteen-year old sophomore was to pursue a career as a radio sports broadcaster. It would have been easy to give him a reality check and suggest that he consider another line of work. However, there was something about his demeanor that seemed to say, "Okay, I may never be on a national radio network but I can certainly become good enough to announce high school games."

And work toward that goal he did. Doggedly. Without waiver. Consistently.

Joe attended every varsity basketball and football game possible. He would sit by himself in a far corner of the bleachers holding a $30-tape recorder on his lap along with a scoring sheet. Then, with no inhibitions or concerns about the curious watching him, he began ‘broadcasting’ the game to his imaginary audience. Once, he told me that he had kept tapes of every game and would critique himself to see how he could improve. He continued this practice as a junior and again as a senior.

Upon graduation, acknowledging that college was not an option for academic reasons, he approached a small FM radio station in a neighboring town to ask for a job. Joe said that he was willing to do ‘anything’ go get his foot in the door.

The outcome?

Not too long ago I received an invitation telling me that the radio station was honoring Joe for his 25th-consecutive year as a broadcaster for them. Although I wasn’t able to attend, I’ve never been so happy to write a congratulatory letter in my life. Joe had followed his dreams and is, in my eyes, one of the most successful people I’ve ever met.

How about you? Are you thinking about starting your own small-business? Are you a business owner who wants to grow? Do have a passion to become a huge success financially and/or professionally? If so—what’s holding you back?

Many years before Steven Covey wrote "The Eighth Habit" (Find your voice and help others find theirs), Joe did just that. He reminds me that each of us has a unique gift to offer to ourselves, our family, our community and the world. JOB ONE is to discover and develop that gift to its fullest extent.

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