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Obama's Inaugural Speech: Are You Listening Home Business Owners?
Friday, January 23, 2009 at 01:42PM 
Political views aside, I loved President Barack Obama's inaugural speech. He was addressing a nation in need of a pep talk, a nation desperate to rediscover that old sense of pride and accomplishment. We want to recapture those feelings of what it meant to be proud to be an American. A lot of hopes have been pinned on this man, and I sincerely wish him well.
But the speech stirred other feelings in me - I though how well it fit with what home business owners need to hear to spur them on as well.
Inaugural Speech and Home Business Owners
Just as our nation needs to perservere during the difficult times, so do people who are venturing into the world of starting a home business. I write often about the qualities of an entrepreneur, and I found that one paragraph in Obama's speech summed it up quite nicely even though President Obama was addressing a larger group:
"...we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never been one of shortcuts or settling for less. It has not been the path for the faint-hearted — for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame. Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things — some celebrated but more often men and women obscure in their labor, who have carried us up the long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom."
I believe these words with all my heart. Whether it is in business, in the classroom, in our churches, or as a nation, greatness is achieved by hard work and a giving spirit. Success has many definitions and I believe that the teacher nurturing a young child is a success story as much as the physician who has found the cure for cancer. Whether our life and work impacts few or many, it is the act of making our time here on earth count that for me, defines success.
I plan to have these words framed and placed prominently by my desk where I can read them every day. If you are a home business owner, I hope you will too. Sure the work is hard, and results don't always come as quickly as we'd like - but it is that entrepreneurial spirit that, if allowed, will see you through.
For the help you need in building your home based business, come see me at Renegade University - we'll take you step by step through the process of building a business online.
As I prepared to close out this article, a friend forwarded this video of President Clinton addressing people in the Direct Sales Industry - listen and be proud:
Barbara Silva
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Reader Comments (5)
Barbara,
Thank you for sharing this. I was watching and listening and I do remember this part. This is very powerful and it is a call to action for everyone. Unfortunately, we as business owners are practicing this much more than others that are looking for the "quick fix," which we also know isn't going to happen nor is it possible without hard work and a lot of effort on every ones part. Hopefully, many more were listening and will begin the road to health and wealth.
I was not aware of Pres. Clinton's video, very interesting. Thank you
Angela James
Barbara,
What a great job you did in putting this together. Just as the nation needs a little pep talk, so do many home business owners. There is no doubt that it is tough to be truly successful, but having that long-term focus and determination is so important. It's equally important to invest in your own knowledge and education, and open yourself up to learning from others.
You've done a great job of sharing some important lessons. And what a hoot to hear from Bill Clinton on this subject. Do you know what the context was for that video?
Thanks and best wishes,
Cindy
Hey Barbara,
Thank you for this article!
The home based business entrepreneurs are one of the most soaked into personal development group of people in the World...and I think that most of us already know that things happen with hard work, determination, inspiration and focus. I am glad that this message was shared by the New President of the United States...It's going to only make good for all of us.
If I were to summarize the paragraph you quoted above from Obama's speech I would say - that this is what it means to be inspired in action.
I wish to all the entrepreneurs out there an Inspired in Action 2009!
Partners in Progress,
DiDi Alcheva
Deb Marsden saw the Clinton video on Facebook and sent it to me. It's on youtube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_eGbfTPbGY
I think it's well worth posting in lots of places - I know Deb put it on her blog as well.
Barbara,
I love this post as I love President Obama's inaugural speech. He masterfully wove a thread of hope through an assessment of America's systemic wreckage, beseeching each of us to do our civic duties, to step up and act, and to make long overdue hard decisions. I thought he did a masterful job, and so again, I disagree with the media. Congratulations President Barack Obama. And congratulations Malia; your dad's speech more than fulfilled your "it better be good" challenge.
We Can Do It Women!™
Cheers,
Debra L. Morrison