A lot times people will ask me:
“What is the single biggest thing that has made a difference in your success?”
Most of the time I will prod them with a couple questions, see if I can spot their hang-up, and then give them something that they can take away that will help. I am actually modifying my answers based on what I think will help them the most. I mean, let’s be honest, people don’t usually want to hear what did it for me, they want to hear what will do it for them. The fact is, I totally get it. I have been in the spot and I know how hard it can be to get over the first hurdles. That’s why I take a little time to see where they are stuck.
But not today.
I guess, from now on, I will have to answer a question with a question. I will have to ask: “Have you read my blog?” because I am going to tell you my honest feeling about what sets me apart.
To put it plainly: I am a fighter. 
And not just any kind of fighter. I am an all out, beat you down, fighting to feed my family, no rules, cheat if I have to, never give up, nasty kind of fighter. I am the kind of person you never want to pick a fight with because, win or lose, it will be the most miserable experience of your life. I am the kind of person who never forgets, so even if you think you got away with something, I will get you later when you least expect it. I never pick fights, but I finish them every time.
So the answer to the question “What sets me apart?” is simple:
I hit harder. If don’t hit harder, my skills are better. If those don’t work, I can take a punch better. If you are better at all of those things, I will fight longer until you quit. Training every day to get better is a given for me.
You see, being a fighter is a state of mind. It is a confidence in yourself that you can beat any foe, obstacle, or encounter. It is a set of beliefs that have been instilled in every great leader, military, or athlete.
Fear does not reside here. Whining is not tolerated. Weakness is an illusion.
My good friend Jay Kubassek describes it as doing more than 99% of other people would do.
I have encouraged people to strip back all the creature comforts in their lives. You know what I am talking about: the Starbucks latte, the feather duvet, the Big Star jeans, and even, yes godforbid, the Whole Foods. I love them all too, but I know their place. Once you have done that, ask yourself:
What’s left?
What’s left is you and another 5.5 billion hungry, loin cloth wearing, club swinging cavemen and cavewomen all trying to kill an elephant and feed their family.
This is your family history. Based on the philosophy of “survival of the fittest” you come from a line of great warriors.Whether you believe it or not, your are ALREADY a fighter. Your family survived diseases, wars, natural disasters hunger, droughts, and everything else you can imagine. They came out on top which gave them the right to procreate.
You have this warrior spirit GENETICALLY built in to you! You are smart, creative, and powerful.
You can use it for good, for, evil, or not at all. That’s the beauty of choice. I choose to embrace it. I choose to fight.
What will you do?
To your success,
Aaron Parkinson
June 14th, 2010 at 9:15 am
Aaron I am in whole hearted agreement.I am thankful for this community and what the founders stand for. Many years ago i should have been dead but i am thankful for the fighting spirit in me.Now i am fighting the demons of ” It cant be done”, “Its a scam” ” Show me the money”, but I am daring to dream again and I promise myself and my children that I Will Not Quit until the last breath leaves my body and even then I still want to live.I know I will get to the top of the leader board. Thanks again for this article which is a reminder of who and whose we are.
June 14th, 2010 at 9:39 am
Thank you Aaron…
“You have this warrior spirit GENETICALLY built in to you! You are smart, creative, and powerful”.
I would like to add…Warrior – hard wired into your DNA by our Creator, God is the quintessential warrior and in his image we were formed.
June 14th, 2010 at 10:53 am
Great post, Aaron. Thanks for mentioning it on the Wake-Up Call today. Even though your cave-people reference goes back a tad farther than mine, I thought you might like to check out this piece too, on a “Brief History Of ‘Nothing At All’.” http://www.thiasplace.com/2010/02/24/work-online-from-home-a-brief-history-of-nothing-at-all/
Thanks for your voice, your leadership, and your fightin’ spirit!
Thia
June 14th, 2010 at 11:53 am
I love the article. Very well written. My only piece of advice would be the first paragraph. I found it difficult to read and you really want to grab people on the first paragraph.
June 14th, 2010 at 11:54 am
Agreed. If you came from god don’t you also possess the power?
June 14th, 2010 at 11:54 am
You are welcome!
June 15th, 2010 at 8:58 am
Right on, Aaron!
Thanks for the reminder – that we do have a genetic history and a past full of surviving and thriving. And that we have a responsibility to our selves, our children, our parents, and all those who have gone before us to “Keep up the good fight!”
All the best to you and yours,
Dave Robey
June 16th, 2010 at 5:17 pm
Aaron,
Your post really exemplefies what Rocky says
“Success is not about how hard u hit but how hard u get hit and keep moving forward, how much u can take and keep moving forward”
Watched the video you recommended on ustream
“Persistence Hunt”
Thanks for all u do…..
Jack
June 30th, 2010 at 8:39 pm
I love that scene too! Talking to his son telling him how it is!
July 6th, 2010 at 7:57 pm
I could have written this about myself… except I am the female version of you. People tend to not take me serious because I am a woman. They discount me. Think I will give away advice and even services for free. They know differently very quickly. Thanks for putting my feelings (and apparently yours) into words!
July 22nd, 2010 at 7:35 am
Great post Aaron.
Short answer…I choose to fight!
Your words truly inspire and for that I say “Thank you”
When studying Ninjustu, I learnt that more than just a set of physical skills, Ninjutsu is the art of winning, no matter the circumstance or adversary.
One of my blogs contains an essay written by Toshitsugu Takamatsu, the 33rd Grandmaster and the last true battle hardened ninja. During his travels through Japan and China, he was challenged to 12 fights to the death by the ripe old age of 30 and prevailed each time. So yes, you could say he was a bit of a badass!
I think you’ll greatly enjoy his insights and benefit from his wisdom. You can check it out here
http://thedceffect.com/Blog/?p=364
Again, great post Aaron and I hope you have a fantastic day!
Daniel Carmichael