Identifying your strengths and values
As the daughter of newly arrived immigrants seeking a better life for themselves and the next generation, I now realise the parallels and immersion of past with present. The very spirit that drove my parents here drives me with my entrepreneurial pursuits. Are entrepreneurs born or made? Were you born with entrepreneurial spirit?
Let me explain.
Inspirational Courage
It took inspirational courage to board a ship to an unknown land, so far way from homeland. But the strength was in making the decision. On reflection, I find this so inspiring. Communication was difficult, change was on a massive scale but internal belief and inspired action was the catalyst to move forward.
Time for Family and Tradition
It is salami making time here. Where once this was a chore, today it is a celebration of culture, tradition, family and food. Feeling privileged to be part of it. The simple, yet complex preparation, production and creating are all ingredients for success on so many levels. The banter, shared stories and celebration of the human spirit and community is rich and offers so much to my soul.
My mum was telling me how they made salamis when they first arrived in Australia.
the journey
Fortitude and Belief
My mum has 9 brothers and sisters and she is number 8. In Italy she was a follower. But when she arrived here in Australia she had to learn how to do things herself. Take the lead. Her younger siblings and in laws would say well how do we do that? Mum would just say “we’ll figure it out – we’ll just do and see how it works out”. Passion and fortitude are mum’s strength.
Inspired Action
My Mum has a pioneering resolve and took inspired action and learnt by her experiences. Some wonderfully successful but some not so – just experiences to learn by.
It is amazing how that pioneering resolve, trust, belief continue within me, the next generation.
My life is much easier than my Mum’s but that same thinking outside of the box and taking action is my commitment to moving forward – just like my Mum.
TRUST + PERSEVERANCE vs COMPLACENCY + BOREDOM
Sometimes inspired action takes courage because we do not always know the outcome. But trust and perseverance always trump complacency and boredom.
Belonging, appreciating and acknowledging the mighty spirit of that first decision is awesome and I am grateful.
What inspired action are you taking? Do you recognise the entrepreneurial spirit you were born with – tell me – I’d love to know.
Love this post Maria thanks so much for sharing!!!
thanks Renee – so glad you loved the post – I loved writing it – wonderful reflection xx
very nice post, maria. thank you for sharing your roots. my grandma came to america from italy at the age of 20. she was a new bride in a strange world and knew no english. her determination and courage have been a huge inspiration to me recently, as i've been traveling to different countries where the languages are unfamiliar to me. i wish that i had realized and communicated this to her when she was still alive. she knew i loved her of course, but we never discussed what her voyage from "the old country" meant to her emotionally and psychologically.
Hi April, thank you for sharing your experiences. This is eye opening for me – when I see the strength and the courage that it took for my mum and dad – it just gives me the inspiration I need to keep moving forward. Hope it does the same for you 🙂
Thank you for sharing the story of your family, it is so inspiring and thought provoking! My entire career path has been due to entrepreneurial spirit. I grew up in a family where if you had a dream, hard work and perseverance will make it happen. I believe that if you are willing to be inspired and work hard consistently, anything is possible.
Hi Cathy, here here – totally agree – with inspired action and consistency – anything can happen 🙂
It's all but a fleeting momnet isn't it?we are rather "un-evolved" when it comes to living the understanding that our lives are but a tiny spec of time. The paradox that makes me giggle a lot, is that we just don't matter do we? And YET…we do matter very much!!I have been feeling this so strongly lately…There is really only ONE thing to do and that is simply to be happy. ALL THE TIME.I hope you had a wonderful time with your mum…and I hope that you were feeling good the whole time you were with her. After all…how we feel is the best indicator of how we are supposed to live our lives.Cheers Chris, enjoy the weekend.Marc
I am the granddaughter of a Portuguese immigrant who lived the entrepreneurial American dream. It is my genetics and my destiny to do the same. 🙂
We always thing of how much courage it takes to get on a boat or a plane to a new land with nothing more than a few pieces of luggage and a desire for a better life. It never occured to me to look at my attempts at entrepreneurship in the same light, but you're right, it really is an adventure. The journey's wavy and I may not land exactly where I set out to go, but I'm learning so much about myself, my inner resources and my strength in the process.
Thanks for sharing your family's history!
Love hearing about you parents and how their entrepreneurial spirit is part of you! I have always known that I was going to create a business and success by doing my own thing. That doesn't mean I didn't work for others for many years it just means that I knew eventually I wouldn't.
It is so important to honor our history! I love hearing about yours! xxx