The Self-Reliant Entrepreneur

July 20Your Best Work

All I can say is, that it is an honest book, a sincere book, and contains my best thoughts on the subjects treated. If well received, I shall be grateful; if neglected, I shall endeavor to practise resignation, as I have so often done.

Orestes Brownson—The American Republic (1865)

Can you say this about your work? That it's honest and sincere and that it contains your best thoughts?

That's all we have to do, and then we have to release it and sleep well. Brownson was referring to his written works, but it's no stretch to see yourself adopting this point of view. But if your first attempt is not well received, you're not allowed to “practise resignation.” In fact, resignation can go pound sand.

So, why include this reading?

Maybe we need an occasional reminder that there will be times when you think you've done your best, but the world greets it a collective who cares. That's not the time to sulk, to mutter under your breath. No, that's the time to get up and figure it out. Run around the block screaming if you like, but then come look at your challenge with a fresh point of view.

Do that, and then like Thoreau you can exclaim:

I did not wish to live what was not life, living is so dear; nor did I wish to practise resignation, unless it was quite necessary. I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life, to live so sturdily and Spartan-like as to put to rout all that was not life …

Today, you get to make resignation quite unnecessary. (Unless, ...