I’m sure I’ll eventually write several articles on my thoughts surrounding my ‘office vibe,’ but for now, these are the three posters (and stories behind them) that will forever be on the wall wherever I work. One of them is even tattooed on my body – in its entirety. Can you guess which one?
- The ‘Holstee’ Manifesto:
The History of the Holstee Manifesto –
In their first steps as a company, Holstee’s founders, Dave, Mike and Fabian sat together on the steps of Union Square in New York to write down how they define success. Their goal was to create something they could reflect back on if they ever felt stuck or found themselves living according to someone else’s definition of happiness.
I couldn’t have said it better. When I saw it for the first time many years ago, the Manifesto resonated with me in a huge way. This is probably because I find it completely unacceptable to live “according to someone else’s definition of happiness.” This helps to keep things in perspective.
2. Invictus by William Ernest Henley:
What is the story behind the poem Invictus?
Invictus, meaning “unconquerable” or “undefeated” in Latin, is a poem by William Ernest Henley. This poem is about courage in the face of death, and holding on to one’s own dignity despite the indignities life places before us.
Why did Ernest Henley write Invictus?
“Invictus” was written when Henley was in the hospital being treated for Tuberculosis of the bone, also known as Pott’s disease. The poem is about showing undivided courage in the face of death and keeping the dignity against all the hardships in life.
This poem was also made famous by Nelson Mandela, who referenced it as a guiding piece of literature that helped him get through his long imprisonment. He would recite it to his fellow prisoners on Robben Island to motivate them to keep going through the hard times.
In business (and life), we are constantly met with seemingly insurmountable circumstances, or placed in situations outside our control. This poem has always reminded me that no matter how challenging our external conditions, WE have control of our internal state of mind. Our perspective is a choice we make.
3. Man in the Arena by Theodore Roosevelt:
Man in the Arena is interesting because it is actually a passage from a notable speech, called “Citizenship in a Republic,” given by Theodore Roosevelt in Paris, France on April 23, 1910.
I found this text a few years after I started my first business. At the time, I had been listening to all the doubters, nay-sayers, haters for quite some time (most of whom were my own family). I’ve always been grateful for my stubbornness, as I’m confident this is why I have never succumbed to this ‘noise.’ Man in the Arena gave me confidence that even though I might not succeed (I was making a LOT of mistakes) I was still lightyears ahead of the nay-sayers because I had the courage to get in the game and give it a try. I was clearly “marred by dust and sweat and blood” but I was doing what made me happiest and also was giving myself the exposure for something great to happen in the future.
Even now, I periodically compete in endurance races — and this is a great reminder that even though I may never get to the podium, I’m still out there getting to experience the thrill of competition and seeing what I’m capable of. Whenever I want to talk myself out of entering a race, I think of the last line “so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”
