Recently, I attended the Second Annual Gala for Team Fox Detroit’s Parkinson’s Research. One of the speakers was Jimmy Choi. You might recognize his name from the television show, American Ninja Warrior.
I was touched by his inspiring story. Jimmy shared the moment when he was struck with a circumstance. At only 27 years old, he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. Admittedly, he shares, his diagnosis lead to a period of depression. His health continued a downward spiral.
However, in 2012, something changed. He heard that exercise could help manage his condition. So, he took one step and then another, and then another. Since that time, he has competed in more than 13 marathons , 100-mile bike rides, and triathlons. He also raised over $100,000 for the Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.
He has been quoted as saying, “My goal is to go out there and show everybody out there, no matter what they’re faced with, the hardest step is that first step. Once you take that first step, the rest of it comes easy.”
I could relate to Jimmy’s story in more ways than one. As a business leader, some mountains seem impossible to climb. When we launched our integrated giving program, Charity of Choice, six years ago at my Wake Up Profitable Boot Camp for Business Owners, I could not have imagined the ripple effect it would have. My clients are starting their own foundations, communities are being transformed, and they took the first step to realize their bigger contribution in the world. It took one step and then another, and then another. Each step built on the one before.
Overcome any circumstance by taking an action. What’s one step you can take today to overcome a circumstance in your business?