The Importance of Desperation - And How to Harness It

How many times has someone said to you: "You're being rash"?

Maybe it came out a little more mildly: "Don't rush your decision."

Or: "Why don't you take a few days to think about it?"

I can safely say that I've heard these statements – or some variation – two dozen times a year for the last five decades. (So, roughly 100 times!)

In life, we're often encouraged not to make rash decisions. But what if I told you that we absolutely need to make rash decisions? What if I told you that the one thing people try to avoid – being desperate and rash – is exactly what each of us needs, to become our most successful selves?

Believe it or not, making rash decisions is exactly how I got to where I am now — celebrating my 28th year as CEO of Balancing Life's Issues, a global training company that reaches more than one million people a year.

You’re likely still wondering how being rash can help you attain any sort of success. Well, my company, our Fortune 1000 clients, our 12 full-time employees, even our three-legged dog/mascot Dunkin – are all here today because I made a rash decision to start a company out of desperation 28 years ago. 

You see, overnight, I became a single mother – with three children who needed food on the table.

And despite my Ivy league education and many learnings in business school, I found myself desperate. It caused me to make one of the best decisions of my life to start a company that enables me – and 12 others - to be self-sufficient and successful. Would we be here if I had taken time to analyze with a fine-tooth comb the exact moves I should make, the obstacles I could face, or the doubts I may have had? Not a chance. Excuses are bred in the time we take to overthink. Desperation doesn’t allow for such a luxury — what a blessing that can be. 

So, I encourage you, just like I encourage the millions of people we speak with every year, to ask yourselves: What are you desperate for? Are you desperate to change your financial situation? Personal relationships? Relationship with yourself?

Six years ago, Daymond John, the founder of Bombas, made a rash, desperate business decision to send an email to all 13,000 of his contacts (even his ex-wives and girlfriends!) to announce his new sock company. Many of them bought from him that day, and today the company is valued at over $100 million dollars.