Wk29 (41.7k subs): The Greatest Speech. Ever?

The Comeback - Week 29 (41,700 Subs):

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In 1910, the year after he left the presidency, Theodore Roosevelt embarked on a whirlwind of overseas tours and one of those dates will never be forgotten.

April 23rd 1910.

At the Sorbonne in the Grand Amphitheater of the University of Paris, he delivered a speech the world would simply remember as “The Man in the Arena.”

The amphitheatre was jam-packed with professors and politicians, ministers of state and navy officers in full regalia, nearly a thousand students and an additional two thousand ticket-holders.

The vice-rector of the Sorbonne welcomed Roosevelt to the stage and proclaimed that the greatest voice of the New World was about to speak.

His final words of introduction epitomized the man standing in front of him:

“You unite morality with politics, and right with might.”

The address that followed did just that…

The Citizens Republic a.k.a. “The Man In The Arena” is a speech that gains more relevance with every year that passes.

Today, in world which is more divided than ever, the lessons that lay deep within Roosevelt’s profound words could provide us with all the answers.

Instead of pointing the finger at others, it’s time to hold up the mirror and turn the conversation inwards.

Focus on spending our lives in a worthy cause, without the need for chasing fleeting external validation.

And for those brave souls who take the leap of faith and dare to be great?

Celebrate them, support them and respect their efforts without judgement.

For me, The Man In The Arena is not just words on a page but a life philosophy. 

The impact has been extraordinary.

Business, mindset, relationships - all of the above, and more.

Today I will explain why we need to embrace it more now than ever and the 5 ways you can implement it to change your fortunes.

The passage from this speech changed my life.

Now, I hope it can change yours.

Today on David to Goliath:

1. The Problem With the Digital Age

2. Applying the Speech to Entrepreneurship

3. A Call to Arms

The Problem With the Digital Age

It’s hard to justify if the internet has had a net positive or net negative impact on the world. Especially for entrepreneurs.

On the one hand, it’s connected us globally in ways like never before, breaking down barriers of communication and giving us rich information at the swipe of a finger.

On the other, because of the incentives of social media platforms (making money from advertising by retaining the user's attention), the content becomes increasingly more dramatic. Polarization, extreme extravagance and public embarrassment are pumped into our brains.

Add to that, it’s never been easier to cast your opinion, no matter how outrageous it may be, with next to no consequences as you hide behind the screen.

In a time where thanks to technology it’s never been easier to build a business and change your fortunes, many of us still shy away in fear as we watch others succumb to public ridicule and endless hatred online.

Tiptoeing through life, trying desperately to please others and walk the tightrope of ‘political correctness’.

But your heroes didn’t do that. Did they?

No. They were bold. They challenged the status quo and took risks regardless of outside opinion.

Why?

Because they believed in their mission so strongly instead of being a spectator they took their sword and walked into the arena to fight for it.

Yes, Roosevelt's speech may have been over a century ago but it just goes to show humans don’t change all that much.

Actually, his speech in my opinion is more relevant today than ever before.

If we can wield his words as an approach to life then maybe, just maybe, we might band together and break down the digital divide.

After reading this speech thousands of times of the years I’ve now broken down the 5 core lessons that as an entrepreneur helped me and can help you the most.

Applying the Speech to Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship is a game where the winners are those willing to take the most risks and thus get the biggest rewards.

Often driven by extreme purpose these individuals back their ability to innovate and create a better future for humanity, making monumental sacrifices in the process.

No one will ever know what they actually did to get the end result. Their plaudits will only see the overnight success from years and years of blood sweat and tears.

But they, the entrepreneurs who live in the arena, will know. 

That in itself is enough.

If you’re not an entrepreneur read between the lines because there are lessons here for all of us who harness ambition.

1- Having The Courage To Start:

“Who does actually strive to do the deeds”

The potential failure of those risks is too daunting hence many great people never start.

Usually, because they’re more concerned about how it will look in the eyes of others, rather than themselves.

The result? A life of regret.

The answer is courage - perhaps the most important character trait of all.

And if Roosevelt was one thing he was certainly courageous.

2- Embracing Failure:

“Who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither knows victory nor defeat.”

Solving problems with restricted resources as a risk-taking entrepreneur, failure is inevitable.

Just like the most thrilling rollercoasters, you can’t have the scintillating highs without the dramatic downs. It’s all part of the ride.

But to taste both in their full naked entirety is what it means to truly live.

Experience is always life's best teacher but the more dramatic the event the higher the cost you have to pay. That goes both ways.

3- Optimistic Persistence:

“Whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming”

The best inventors were all called crazy when they first announced their radical ideas.

But through sheer relentless perseverance, they carried on, working in the dark knowing one day eventually they’d bring greatness into the light.

When they finally crack the code all those same naysayers who called them crazy jump on the bandwagon and label them a genius.

The only thing that can guide you in these tough times is pure conviction that it will happen and you will figure it out, regardless of the enormity of the task at hand.

4- Focus On Self-Improvement Over Criticism

“Who spends himself in a worthy cause”

The best brands are built upon the best personalities. The individuals who have a mission, strong values and stand up for what they believe in. Often, they’re different and stand out from the crowd.

If you first win the battle between the ears, find purpose and be proud of your reflection you won’t lust for external validation. Instead, you will use your platforms (social media) to spread the ideas that come from within the arena.

Fame, fortune and power only amplify who you truly are - they are not the solution to finding your purpose.

5- Ignoring Negative Criticism and Trolls

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena”.

It’s easy to give someone advice. It’s easy to state what you would have done differently after the fact. And it’s much easier to point the finger than fix yourself.

You have enemies? Good.

It means you stood up for something. 

To reach the people who need to hear your message your boldness will always shine the light on those who use you as a mirror to vent their insecurities.

Often this is unpleasant, it doesn’t make sense and it will make you question if your cause is worth fighting for.

But remember: If your intentions are good, the truth will always rise to the top, eventually. Sometimes it just takes longer. For now, you must stay strong and weather the storm.

If you want some real-world examples of gladiators who’ve lived The Man In The Arena philosophy to the max check out the insane rise of Dana White, how a kid with $0 built Nike or how Mr Beast went from nerd to hero.

These stories are not for the faint-hearted.

Lastly, a call to arms.

A Call to Arms

For 26 years of my life, I hid in the shadows, riddled by insecurities and not stepping out for fear of being judged.

Then on one walk home from the corporate job I hated enough was enough. I said to myself “F**k it, I’m done with this sh*t.”

So I handed in my notice and became an entrepreneur - just like that.

I didn’t have a great plan. I didn’t have much in the bank. I didn’t know how on earth I’d make it.

But what I did know is that I was free and regardless of what happened, I’d never have to rest with those cold timid souls who neither know the taste of victory nor defeat.

Looking back it was the best thing that happened to me. It was the catalyst for change and all it took was one bold decision.

Now The Man In The Arena is a motto I live by. Whenever I am stuck I go back, read that quote above my bed and find strength to do the right thing.

So if you have ambition, if you have crazy ideas but the fear of failure is holding you back stop waiting.

F**k the outside noise.

Because it is you and only you who can enter the arena.

I’ll see you inside.

Yours truly,

-Nigel Thomas

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