You Will Win

It’s Tuesday morning at 7:35 a.m., and I’m still shaking off the remnants of sleep, blinking away the fog. As I sit here, I can't help but think back to those days when everything seemed so certain—when I stood at the helm of my own department, where the numbers spoke louder than words, and my decisions held the weight of success. Life was good, the CFO was pleased, and I was riding the wave of professional success that led me to the pinnacle—owning my very own company. Millions of products. Millions in revenue. I was unstoppable, or so I thought.

Then COVID hit, like an unexpected storm, and everything shifted. My business, a machine that once churned out success, slowly ground to a halt. December 2020 marked the end of the road. By March 2021, I was faced with the painful realization: it was over. But this story isn’t about a business’s demise. It’s about what it took from me—the toll it took on my pride, the relentless prayers for one last chance, and the belief that somehow, help was on the way. I clung to that hope long after the writing was on the wall.

The truth is, the hardest part wasn’t closing the doors—it was accepting that the chapter had ended long before my heart was ready to let go. I’ll never forget the day I made the decision. I was driving to work, still debating in my mind whether there was another play, another move that could salvage everything. But deep down, I knew it was time. I pulled into the parking lot, walked into the elevator, and when the doors opened, I was met with the skeleton crew of my once-bustling staff. I gathered them all in the front hall, and with a lump in my throat, I told them, “This is the end.”

The looks on their faces will stay with me forever. Their loyalty, their belief in me—it had carried me through, but it wasn’t enough to stop the inevitable. And yet, it was their unwavering support that gave me the strength to say goodbye. In that moment, I realized something profound: sometimes, the end is the beginning of something greater.

We all go through moments that test us, that tear at the fabric of who we are and what we stand for. But those moments aren’t our undoing—they are our opportunity to rise. It’s not about how many times you fall. It’s about how many times you get back up, stronger, wiser, and more committed to the future you want to create.

For anyone out there questioning your value or success, stop comparing yourself to others. Your journey is your own, and no one else’s path can define your worth. Success is not measured by what the world sees, but by what you endure and who you become through it all. Your best days are ahead of you, waiting for you to step forward with courage and conviction.

Look back on your experiences with wisdom, taking the positives that emerged from the struggle, and leave behind anything that no longer serves you. Remember, the power of you is undeniable. You are the phoenix, rising from the ashes of yesterday into the brilliance of tomorrow.

Thanks for reading,

William Rochelle, but you can call me Bill

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