Thoreau’s Guide to Recycling

The Lookout

As a freshman in college (incidentally the ONLY year Aaron was in college!) he was short on funds for Christmas gifts, so he looked into ways to make money. This recycling business and Thoreau quote taught Aaron an incredible lesson that lead him into a lifetime of entrepreneurship.

It was a great experience in seeing a business that didn’t exist turn into a business that made thousands of dollars a month. When you get some initiative and look for some niche that is needed, you will find success. Doing something that doesn’t always make a lot of sense to others yet is clear to you takes courage. Even if it comes naturally in your mind of the big picture, others may not understand nor will they comprehend your vision. It’s when you put it into action and then show results that those doubters can then see.

Don’t fear your own brilliance and ability to succeed. Whatever your dream is, aim high, write it down, articulate your dream to people as you meet them. The more specific you are with your dream, it’s critical that you advance confidently in the direction of your dreams and you end up living a life that is at a higher level. It’s just the way that it works. Know what you want, figure it out in exquisite detail. Make the dream come true on paper and then proceed forward. It works.Every.Single.Time!

“Keep looking up, and I’ll keep looking out.” –Aaron Young

Welcome to The Lookout Society Podcast, where Aaron shares a story from his life, then connects it with a business principle to pass on. This is his way of helping others that are also going down an entrepreneurship path as contributing members to society. As an added bonus, Aaron shares wonderful gems in each episode of Oregonian knowledge from his home state and weaves the passion he has for the community he lives in as an invitation for others to visit the Pacific Northwest.

LESSON FOR THE DAY

Don’t let fear keep you from seeing your own brilliance and ability to succeed. Write down your dreams.

LINKS MENTIONED ON THE SHOW

• Primary message of Walden excerpt: “I learned this, at least…”
• Henry David Thoreau Biography
• Walden annotated reader
• Ralph Waldo Emerson
• Parlor conversations in Concord between Thoreau and Emerson
• Les Brown: It’s not that we aim too high… quote

OTHER INTERESTING LINKS & REFERENCES

Thoreau was one of the great transcendentalists during the 19th century that pioneered many of the ways of thinking to turn back to nature, similar to the medicinal approach to homeopathic ideas that we currently see trending today.

I recently came upon Les Brown’s speech “It’s possible!” as a motivating guide to allow our brilliance to shine!

ABOUT THE SHOW NOTES

Each of The Lookout Society show notes are written by Natalie C. Martin

LEARN A LITTLE ABOUT NATALIE:

A life-long learner and unashamed history nerd, Natalie is a certified teacher in secondary education history and English turned stay at home mom. She is the mother of four energetic children all two years apart from 8 to 2 and recently celebrated her 11th wedding anniversary with the only boyfriend she ever had. After the kiddies are put to bed, she writes show notes as she continues to ignite her passion for writing and editing, fact checking and learning to make the world wide web a more educated place. When we learn that more gets accomplished when we replace “can’t” with “can” so many possibilities are opened to us. In the words of Rosie the Riveter, “We can do it!”