What would you choose?

“I’m already learning the method of crossing the street. It’s all about momentum and commitment right? It’d be better if you just close your eyes I noticed.”

That was Anthony Bourdain while crossing the streets of Manila. It’s a clip from his show when he visited our country.

No, this post has nothing to do with where I’m from nor how busy Manila streets are.

It's about one of the many heroes I look up to, because of his experiences, both in professional and personal life. Also, the golden nuggets I got from him.

And like any other successful personalities, he has interesting and dark stories too, but despite all that, he didn’t let it cripple him, hinder his progress nor it forced him to play it ‘safe’.

The guy was sarcastic, funny, bold and all that played a big role in him getting his break later in life.

He put in the work and trusted the process. 

Through his way with words, charisma, and eagerness to learn from and embrace every culture he comes across, He catapulted himself to greater heights.

Now, going back to that statement above, I believe people don’t utter words out of nowhere just to make an impression.

What we say almost always comes from experience and judging the guy by his character and wisdom, he knows success takes courage and hard work.

Something we can all learn from and apply in what we do as entrepreneurs.

There will be roadblocks.

You’d feel stuck, feel as if you’ve let people down, important people that matter to you. 

There will be days where you’ll seem to have it all figured out, things are going according to your plan and it appears you’re getting that momentum.

...only to be met with crushing disappointment the following day.

There will be times when people won’t see you as being knowledgeable at what you do.

It will create doubt that will affect one's self-belief even when you know what you’re talking about.

And how we respond to these challenges determines if the outcome of our efforts will be in our favor.

With everything mentioned above and knowing the possibilities if one perseveres, would you choose roadblocks to…

Let it cripple you?

Hinder your progress?

Play it safe, stay on the sidelines and let opportunities pass you by?

…Or would you choose to put in the work, trust the process and “cross the street” to success with momentum and commitment, even with your eyes closed?

Would love to know what you think.