14 years ago, I started working at Staples as a second job.
I was barely making my rent and my car bill was always late, sometimes 2 months behind.
I picked up the second job only to make another $7.45 and hour.
I remember being so hungry for lunch, but my account was in overdraft 80% of the time so “meeting friends for lunch” wasn’t even something that ever crossed my mind.
I was more than broke – I couldn’t even afford to ride the struggle bus.
I can remember walking down to Kroger on lunch, scraping up a few dimes and nickels to buy their $0.50 cornbread.
This was my reality.
I didn’t have extra money for anything more than the rent and carnote I was already late on, diapers, baby formula, gas, and minimal groceries.
As a man, I felt like a failure.
I did this for 2 years before getting my first break that launched my career.
Listen, if you are struggling, dirt poor, and feel like giving up – remember that you are not alone.
There is purpose in your struggle.
There are lessons to be learned.
There is strength gained in the valley.
I’ll never forget that cornbread.
I think about it all the time and it has been a remeinder to that keeps me humble.
Everyone should have a cornbread moment – so they are more appreciative for the steak.
#FailForward
Jacob Brown is a former NFL athlete turned transformational and motivational speaker with almost a decade of experience leading humans to overcome fear and fail forward in business, leadership and life.