What Lesson Can Today’s Business Owners Learn From a 10-Year-Old?

Last week, for the second year in a row, I had the opportunity to visit Barrows Elementary School in Reading, Massachusetts and speak to three classes of fifth grade students about writing, Boston history, careers and goals. The school uses my book, One April in Boston, as part of its Social Studies curriculum. The book, a work of historical fiction, teaches the value of goal setting and the power of a child’s imagination.

At the beginning of my talk, I shared copies of the first book I had ever written at age 10. It certainly gave the students a good laugh but also provided proof for a theory I relayed to them: Who we become can develop from interests we have, goals we set, and action we take at an early age.

As a young child, I was determined to be a writer and create things that I could share with others. I followed through on this commitment by writing and publishing a book, an audio book, and developing a marketing career that utilizes strategic thinking and strong writing skills to create effective advertising campaigns for my clients.

I asked the children if any of them could picture the type of job they wanted to have when they were older. In an instant, nearly every hand in the room went up. One by one, I heard every response you could imagine: author; accountant; lawyer; doctor; nurse; veterinarian; medical researcher who finds a cure for cancer; architect; professional baseball player; jet pilot and on and on. These kids knew exactly what they wanted to be. I posed a question that could help them get there by asking, “What can you do now to make that dream come true in the future?”

We had a discussion about the steps they could take, just like the main character does in my story, to bring them closer to their goals. The children welcomed the advice and understood that it’s never too early to start taking action.

So where’s the remarkable insight in all this that can help you as a business owner?

Children, like successful entrepreneurs, truly believe that anything is possible. They focus on their goals and not on the obstacles in their path no matter how daunting they may be. Kids are open to new ideas and grow with the aid and support of outstanding teachers. Winning entrepreneurs know this lesson well. They are goal oriented and surround themselves with people who have skills and abilities they do not possess. All for the specific purpose of helping them reach their objectives.

The long list of remarkable people who have used this approach includes Thomas Edison, Walt Disney and Henry Ford. Edison surrounded himself with men of great talent who helped bring his ideas to life. Disney’s team of imagineers did the same and Henry Ford sought the perspective of others and made learning a lifelong commitment.

It’s interesting to note that when Thomas Edison, the most prolific inventor of all time, was asked what he considered to be the greatest invention in the world, his answer was “the mind of a child.” That’s an invention today's business owners should make use of every chance they get.

For assistance with marketing strategy, direct response copywriting and innovative design that can help you reach your goals contact Ben Edwards today at 617-670-1888, ext 1.