This document discusses the concept of the "self-made man" using examples like Benjamin Franklin and John D. Rockefeller. It then shares a personal story of the author encouraging a friend who was facing challenges at work by reminding him of his strengths and family, and discussing how passion and optimism are needed to overcome obstacles and pursue dreams. The author hopes to motivate readers by asking if they have what it takes to be a self-made man and overcome their own challenges.

1. The Self-made Man
When was the last time you saw a grown man cried because of the obstacles he was facing in life?
Benjamin Franklin, Ross Perot, John D. Rockefeller, Ralph Lauren, Frederick Douglass, Thomas Edison,
Larry Ellison, Celine Dion, Frank Stronach, Michael Lee-Chin, Justin Bieber and the list goes on and on.
These are all people who are best known for their rag to riches stories. We all love to read or listen to
the stories of the self-made man.
We are inspired by their stories because they prove that success does not matter where you are born or
who your parents are or how much education you acquire. Their stories prove that the key difference
between those who succeed in achieving their dreams and goals and those who fail is their character
and willingness to do whatever it takes to be the best and to succeed.
They demonstrated the couragerequired to make it despite of several odds and anever surrendering
attitude when faced with challenges.Those who make it feel pride of their journey. They are dreamers
and achievers. They create history and reach a status of completeness. We salute them because it takes
a lot of guts, hardwork, persistence, determination, fighting spirit and vision to be a self-made man.
Why am I sharing this with you today? Two Friday nights ago at about 9.30PM I had a visit from a dear
friend whom I had not seen or spoken with in months. When my doorbell rang, I was rushing to put
Marisa to bed in order to get back to my computer. I wanted finish working on a project proposal. I was
also getting ready for a long road trip to NYC.
As is customary I greeted my friend with a firm handshake and welcoming hug (hugging is unusual for
Jamaican men). We sat down for the types of chats we usually have when we see or speak with each
other. Our conversations are never short and they usually end with a commitment to continue the
subject the next time. We have been friends since we were students at the University of the West
Indiesfor more than 20 yearsago. We are like brothers. We inspire and motivate each other.
As we spoke he told me about how difficult it has been for him at work. I had known for a very long time
that he had stressful job. However, I was not prepared for the tears that started roll down his eyes when
he spoke about one of his superiors at work. For all the years I have known him I have never seen him so
sad and vulnerable. My friend is a humble guy, good natured and compassionate. We are both
optimists. He is more a realist than I am (I will get back this later). Despite all of this I could see he was
clearly having a difficult time at work.
As we spoke I reminded him of the success of his marriage of almost twenty years. I reminded him of his
beautiful children. My job two Fridays ago was to pick up a friend that was clearly down. I reminded him
of his own words to me 3 or 4 years ago when he told me “Mark, you cannot stop being who you are.
You cannot stop being compassionate.”
Finances are critical. We both knew that despite the difficult relationship at work he had to keep his job
to support his family. I told my friend that as long as he is healthy and he is able to work each day and
perform as his firm required he was guaranteed a salary. I pointed to my computer and told him about

2. the proposal I was working on and the tight deadline I had for submission. I told him that even when I
am finished and shipped off the proposal by FEDEX to the prospective client in Asia I was not guaranteed
anything. As Tessanne Chin, the Jamaican singing sensation that has captivated the American reality
television show “The Voice” said in a recent interview “in my business there are seasons of plenty and
seasons of little.”In my business is it feast or famine. In the case of my project proposal I wascompeting
against four other firms and absolutely nothing is guaranteed. I do not have a difficult boss but I face
fierce competitors on ever proposals I have prepared and submitted since 2006.
As my friend and I spoke I asked him, whichwould he prefer? Would it be a difficult boss or the stress
that I endure not knowing if my next business proposal will be a success?I mentioned above that my
friend is more a realist than I am. Well I am what Daniel Kahneman, the Israeli-American psychologist
and winner of the 2002 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciencescalled delusional optimist. People
who are self-made have a degree of delusion. They have to be so passionate about the things they are
doing that they have this innate believe that they will not fail. Despite the empirical evidence of business
failures entrepreneurs and innovators passionately believe that their business ventures, innovations or
inventionswill be the one to succeed. They believe in what they are doing and are resoundingly
confident in their ability to succeed.
You and I are inspired by the stories of self-made men. Two Friday nights ago I was happy to use my own
experience to reinvigorate my friend. I was happy to encourage him not to allow any one person to
control him or change him from being the person I have known him to be for more than 20 years. I was
happy to encourage him not be deterred by the challenges he faced in the pursuit of his dreams and
goals.
I am notBenjamin Franklin or John D. Rockefeller or any of the others mentioned above. I knowthat
there are others who are far more virtuous and saintly than I am. I have flaws and I have made mistakes.
I am far from ruthless but I fiercely pursue my dreams and two Fridays ago I was delighted to hold
myself up as example for my friend.
Share your stories and experiences. Do you have what it takes to overcome the challenges you are
facing? Do you have what it takes to be a self-made man?
Mark McKenzie is a leading Subject Matter Expert in financial services regulation and supervision as well
as a professional motivational speaker, corporate trainer and youth mentor. He can be contacted by
email mastbmckenzie@gmail.com or by telephone 647-406-4622. Read my blog
http://mastbmckenzie.blogspot.ca/ and always write me a comment and share. Follow me on Twitter
@mackynacky. Connect with me on www.youtube.com, Google+, Facebook and Linkedin.