George Barriner - Failure Is Not An Option  Motivational Speaker from Orlando, FL

I know about failure. I know about the hopes and dreams it can destroy. I know about the self-confidence it can tear down, the prospects it can eliminate and the depression and hopelessness it can bring. Just eight short years ago, I was mired down in failure. I hated my life. Nine to five, I was punching a clock at a grocery store making $7 an hour with no prospect of a future better than living paycheck to paycheck and barely making ends meet. I truly felt that I was at the pinnacle of failure. Some people would say that I arrived there as a result of the cards I was dealt in life. At a mere two years old, I was thrust into the foster care system and was adopted at the age of six by a single woman. Others would say it was because of my skin color, my sub-par education, my neighborhood or my mental acuity. Because of these variables, my own personal outlook was always shrouded in limitations and barriers which led to a tremendous lack of confidence. But whether or not they were all wrong or all right; the day came when I decided that I could no longer accept any of those excuses. I wanted more out of my life and I made the decision that I was willing to do absolutely anything to dig myself out of the pit I had fallen into. One day, I met a man who had the title of Doctor in front of his name. His past included many hurdles that he had overcome, like being penniless and homeless. Yet, he had managed to achieve the success he dreamed of and became a doctor. His story had such a strong impact on me that I resolved in my mind that I would stop feeling sorry for myself and start committing myself to positive and self-personal development. I felt like I had become an expert at failure; and I realized that I could become an expert at self-development, Leadership and positive thinking as well. Throughout college, I persevered because I began to recall some of the life lessons that my mother taught me growing up. She had a big heart and a strong work ethic. She instilled family values, self-respect and respect for others in me. Once I had regained my confidence and was moving in a positive direction, I quickly picked up speed and opened my first business. It was a remarkable success because I built it from the ground up with the mindset that I would not accept failure any more. I took the pain that I had felt for so long and used it as the fuel for my fire of success. The market for that business did eventually dry up and I had to shut the doors in 2010(?), but the force inside of me could now never be extinguished. I have branched out into other areas and continued feeding my inner man with positive thoughts, hopes and dreams that I am continually striving to achieve and accomplish. When I interact with the people of today, I recognize the George who thought he was sentenced to life in a dead-end job with no hope of excelling at anything. I have a strong desire to give them that same push that that Doctor gave me; this time before they become experts at failure! So don't let failure be an option in your Life and Business.