Working at a prestigious financial firm in New York City, surrounded by some of the most brilliant minds in the industry. My boss was a person I deeply admired—brilliant, insightful, and a mentor in every sense of the word. Yet, despite the success and stability that my job offered, there was a restlessness within me. I wanted to do something different, something that ignited my passion and gave me a sense of purpose.
The Moment of Decision
That’s when the idea struck me—to start a company selling books on the internet. When I approached my boss with this idea, he listened carefully as we took a long walk in Central Park. After considering my proposal, he said, “That sounds like a really good idea, but it would be an even better idea for someone who didn’t already have a good job.” His words were true, but they highlighted a crucial decision I had to make. Was I content with a good job, or was I willing to pursue a calling that could potentially change my life?
That’s when the idea struck me—to start a company selling books on the internet
A Conversation with Jeff Bezos
Around the same time, I met Jeff Bezos, a man who would later become one of the most influential figures in the world. Jeff was in his mid-twenties, full of energy, and brimming with ideas. He approached me with a proposal to invest in a company he was about to start. “I’m going to start a bookstore in my garage,” he said. “I’m going to put it online, people will buy books online, and I’ll ship them from my garage.”
Jeff’s vision was bold, almost absurd by the standards of that time. He spoke with conviction, telling me that someday his company would be worth over $100 billion. At that time, such a figure was almost unimaginable; even countries didn’t have such wealth, and our national debt wasn’t even close to that amount. But Jeff was not just sharing a dream—he was outlining his truth, a truth that he believed in so deeply that he was willing to risk everything to pursue it.
The Importance of Passion
One of the most significant lessons Jeff Bezos imparted was the importance of following your passion. “Do something you are very passionate about.” he advised. He emphasized not chasing the hot passion of the day, but rather focusing on something that truly excites and motivates you. Passion, according to Jeff, is what sustains you through the challenges and setbacks that inevitably arise when you’re building something new.
The choice to leave my stable job and follow my passion wasn’t easy. It was, in fact, one of the most difficult decisions I had ever made. But as I considered the future, I realized that I would rather try and fail than be haunted by the regret of never having tried at all. I took the less safe path and chose to follow my passion, a decision that I am proud of to this day.
Do something you are very passionate about
The Role of Adversity and Hard Work
Jeff also shared his thoughts on adversity and success. He believed that while everyone is born with certain gifts, it is our choices and hard work that truly define us. “You can’t be proud of your gifts because they were given to you,” he said. “But your choices—that’s something you can be proud of.”
This philosophy resonated with me deeply. It’s easy to rest on the laurels of natural talent or intelligence, but true growth comes from pushing beyond your limits, from choosing to work hard and take on challenges that others might shy away from. This mindset is what separates those who merely have a job from those who have a career—or better yet, a calling.
Choosing a Life of Service and Adventure
One of the most profound choices we can make in life, according to Jeff, is between a life of ease and comfort, and a life of service and adventure. The easy path may be tempting, but it rarely leads to true fulfillment. On the other hand, choosing a life of service—whether to others, to a cause, or to a passion—brings a sense of purpose and satisfaction that is unmatched.
When we look back on our lives, what will we be more proud of? The comfortable moments, or the times we stepped out of our comfort zone to pursue something meaningful? Jeff’s advice was clear: opt for service and adventure, because in the end, those are the experiences that truly shape who we are.
