Carennedy Solutions

The Wizard of Ads by Roy H. Williams tells the stories of three
generations of Vanderbuilts, Cornelius, William and Willie Vanderbuilt.
One was a visionary, one a lost soul and the other full of passion, their
lives are lessons on attitude and success for the small businessperson.
they prove that it doesn't matter what you are handed in life, its what you
do with what you've got that matters. Your attitude will determine your
success.

Cornelius Vanderbuilt started with nothing and built an empire. At the age
of 16 he borrowed his mother's life savings and bought a sailboat, this
enterprise became the Staten Island Ferry and quickly became a shipping
empire. He then turned to the railroad industry buying and turning around
failing rail companies, New York has Cornelius to thank for Grand
Centeral Station which he built to create jobs in 1873. A visionary who
found opportunity in everything he did. Who was able to see possiblity
where others saw failure. He did not look for the sure thing but how he
could take something and make it work, make it better and built a fortune
spaning generations.

His grandson, William Vanderbuilt Sr. is best known for saying, "inherited
wealth is a real handicap to happiness." Boredom and lack of excitment
ruled his outlook on life, like many of todays young heiresses who party
to pass the time and find some sort of excitment in life. He had everything
handed to him and could have done anything with his life but he couldn't
see beyond what he had to what was possible. He had no hope, nothing
to look forward to and he was stuck in a rut, lost to his potential and left
no mark on this world. Too many of us let life get in the way of making our
mark on life. We are too busy in our day to day life to believe we have time
to do more, to make a difference in the world. Fear is our motivator
keeping us from taking a risk, from being more than we are. We are better
at coming up with excuses not to do something rather than ideas that go
above and beyond to make an impact.

William's Son William Vanderbuilt Jr, Willie, was full of imagination and
made a difference in this world. Like his father he was an heir but unlike
his father saw opportunity and went above and beyond and left his mark
on this world. Willie Jr. loved cars and in 1904 started the Vanderbuilt cup
offering a prize valued at $1 million in today's currency for the winner of
the car race. This inspired designers to create faster cars and
revolutionized the industry. When the race was cancelled after 7 years
not because it wasn't successful, but because it was so successful and
they could no longer keep the 4000 spectators safe. He then turned his
attention to his love of the sea and built a home on the water, he then
proceeded to discover 68 species of ocean life. When he died he left his
property to the public as a park and museum for education and
enjoyment. He enjoyed life and took it to the next level making his mark
on the world. He left it better then he found it, he took what was handed to
him and made it count. What do you do with what was given to you?

Two heirs, two generations, two very different attitudes on life. It was a
choice, maybe not a concious one, but a choice that each man made to
view their fortunes. You may not have a grandfather like Cornelius
Vanderbuilt who left you a fortune but you have been given something,
what are you going to do with it? Your worst day is a million times better
than most of the world's best day, compared to the rest of the world you
are an heir given opportunity's they don't have. What are you going to do
with your blessings? What mark are you going to leave on the world? Is
your attitude one of positive opportunity or negative problems? Do you
tend to find solutions or problems? Your attitude is a choice and it takes
commitment to change it. You need to take a moment everyday to be
thankful for what you have and realize that although it may seem to you
that others have more, they also have problems and issues. If you focus
on your problems and others successes you will have a skewed reality.
Count your blessings, write them on a card for your purse to remind you
about what is very wonderful in your life. Concentrate on solutions rather
than problems. If all you do is complain and ignore any solutions then life
will be overwhelming and tiring.

So, which Vanderbuilt are you, which do you want to be?