We were lucky to catch up with Rick Graves recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Rick , appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?
Ever since I was a kid, I was pretty determined in having things the way I wanted them. I think my so-called stubbornness was really just my inner resilience showing up early and undeveloped. Through my teenage years and into my twenties, I came to realize that what some call being ‘hard-headed’ is actually a valuable asset; and what I believe is an inherent trait to resiliency. It’s about seeing every challenge not as a dead end, but a new beginning. Life’s thrown a fair share of curveballs my way, and sure, they’ve been tough. But each one’s taught me something valuable. It’s about getting up each time and learning that the journey, with all its ups and downs, is what shapes us.
Navigating life hasn’t always been a smooth ride for me. Going to class? That was never my thing. I thrived on action, testing boundaries, personal and legal to see what could I get away with to get what I want. But life has a way of teaching hard lessons. Personal struggles, brushes with the law and incarceration were wake-up calls. I knew I had to find a different path, a legitimate one.
That shift wasn’t easy. An aggravated criminal record put up walls in the ‘legit’ world. Jobs in collection agencies and nightclubs felt like a glass ceiling I couldn’t break. I wondered if I’d ever live a life that matched my potential. But here’s what I had going for me drive, ambition and process development. And to this day this is what I rely on. Ambition of living a better life and being a better person. Learning a proper process by seeing the issues inhibiting success and making the proper course corrections to overcome obstacles.
Tower work became my turning point. And a conversation with the owner of first tower company produced a single piece of advice that opened a new door to resiliency: to beat the system, I needed to be my own boss. This was a life-changer. It reignited my drive, and gave purpose to my resilience. There were moments of doubt early on, moments I thought about quitting. A mentor heard it in my voice once and gave me the next life changing piece advice that stuck and cemented my resolve: “Own it”. And that’s what I’ve been doing. Owning my actions, my outcomes. Resilience isn’t just about bouncing back; it’s about taking charge of your journey.
The last couple of years, as an entrepreneur, I’ve learned embraced both the highs and the lows through introspection, and the wins and the setbacks through retrospection. 2022 and 2023 were like intense crash courses in life and business. But you know what? I’ve taken those lessons to heart. I’ve learned, I’ve grown, and now I’m making those crucial adjustments. That’s what tried and true resiliency brings. It’s all about turning those challenges into stepping stones for success. So, here’s to overcoming, learning, and thriving in the face of adversity.
Life is a cycle. Resiliency and course correction are key to growth. Opportunities for success will present themselves time and time again. Yet, it’s not just about bouncing back. You’ve got to pair it with smart planning and sharp discernment to navigate through life’s wild journey. Choices in discernment should benefit growth for true success in your endeavors. That’s what we as humans, organisms on this planet, are designed for. Growth through resiliency. It’s in each of us. We just have to develop it through trials. Plan on it, look for the growth opportunity in the struggle. And bounce back in 2024. You got this.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
Entrepreneurship has been a rollercoaster, but it’s one I’ll ride every time. Since my first company, I have gone back to the regular 9 to 5 a few times. Each time I returned to regular employment, I brought back a treasure trove of experience that not only earned me respect but also a paycheck that surpassed my expectations. It’s a continuous climb, demanding relentless hard work and adaptability. And its an ever- evolving process. Now, I’ve been in business contracting for going on three years. I’m still growing and developing. My ultimate mission is to help develop other people in similar scenarios in life. This is a passion for me. It’s all about lifting others up, especially those who’ve walked paths similar to mine. I’ve been able to give jobs, support friends in launching their own businesses, and I dream of doing more. Telecom isn’t the most consistent line of work for small contractors. Residential services seems to be the most consistent and growing in opportunites. Contracting takes a lot of resiliency and planning. But literally anyone with resolve and a willingness to commit to hard work can do it. No slackers here. You wont make it. But that ambition to grow myself and help other people out of what seems to be a cant win mentality is what excites me. This year, I’m committed to growth on residential services in the DFW area, but that’s not all. I’m also launching a podcast aimed at sprinkling some entertainment and wisdom on mindset shifts and life experience as we move deep into 2024. With several ventures on my horizon, I’m excited to see where they lead. This, to me, is the heart of entrepreneurial spirit – a relentless drive to evolve, innovate, and inspire.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
In life’s journey, resilience, hard work, and a commitment to self-improvement illuminate the path. We need to make sure that we embrace life’s curveballs as catalysts for growth, stepping out of comfort zones and learning skills to adapt and overcome challenges. Cultivate a mindset that sees beyond obstacles, learning and growing with each life’s tough scenarios. Be open to feedback, navigating or even flowing with challenges as needed, but learn to discern when to persevere or redirect your path. This journey isn’t just about overcoming; it’s about thriving through adaptability, learning, and the relentless pursuit of becoming your best self.
Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?
My biggest help have been mentors who have been through the struggle. People I reach out to when I need to some confidence boosts or maybe just confirmation of my directions. Yet, much of my growth is self-driven—learning through trial and error, and finding solace in books and podcasts that share stories of resilience from people that have been through these same, if not way worse, struggles and triumphed and continue to grow. And its an ongoing game. Success is a stepping stone. Resilience is a step…. life is a journey. It’s about surrounding ourselves with greatness, listening, learning, and embracing the journey with an open heart and mind.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: rickginstagme
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rickgfbme
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickgraves79/
Image Credits
all images are mine and owned by me
