Ask yourself, what true baggage am I carrying on a daily basis that is now a barrier for my growth in my entire life? Everyone has something keeping them back. Get rid of the baggage. Do not allow another day to go by, without seeking out a way to crush the barriers.

Fact: It was a Wednesday afternoon in 1993, a real nice fall day in New England. I noticed an older gentleman walking the lot at the dealership, so I went out and greeted this gentleman. I was in my third year of selling automobiles; I asked the gentleman if he had any questions or concerns. He said no I am getting my beautiful two year old mercury cougars’ oil changed. My reply, so you really enjoy your cougar? He told me it was the best vehicle, he has ever owned. I have a question for you, how do you enjoy selling cars? My answer, I truly enjoy it. Through the next couple of minutes, we exchange people we know, nice talk; I get paged, say good-bye, and go back to work. The very next mourning, 9am, the gentleman stops by, says Tony, I would like to have coffee with you after work, tomorrow. I said to myself, he is emphatic about tomorrow after work. I say sure. We meet; he tells me that he has done a lot of work over the years, with some of my former high school teachers. Then says to me, Tony if you had to tell me 5 facts about yourself, that would explain who you are today, what would they be? My answers. 1. Hard worker. 2. Put 100% into my work. 3. Care about my family very much. 4. Very driven. 5. Loyal.

Next question, Jim asks me, how old were you when you started to work? I have always worked. He said to me, you have had to think like a man since you were a boy, do not let this be a burden. Remember, your parents try to give you a better life than they had. Do you feel that you have a better situation, then your parents, had. My answer was yes. We were a lower middleclass family. My dad grew up very very poor. My Mom grew up in a middleclass setting.  His next statement was, you are an adult, think like an adult. Go after your goals, give your children a much better life then you had, stay the course.

Jim was a family counselor that gave me the best advice, at the right time; I was 28 at the time, married with a 9 year old daughter.  I said to Jim, thank you so much for talking with me over the past two hours, this was great advice.

That was the turning point, for my life. I now had the total understanding, to be goal orientated, make a much better life for my family, never feel bad for what I didn’t have growing up, my responsibility, is to let my family have more opportunity, than I had. Never be bitter about what you didn’t have, be thankful for what you are able to give. This changed my life forever.

The most mind blowing thing to this day for me, Jim passed away two weeks after giving me this great advice. My ambitions have been, to look forward, crush the barriers immediately, and the world is yours!!! You absolutely have to have a clear cut ambition for the future, give to everyone you come in contact with, it pays you back in a thousand ways!!!