The definition of a decision is, “The passing of judgment on an issue under consideration.” When someone makes a decision, they have a fifty percent chance that their decision will be a good one, or a bad one. While some decisions are miniscule enough to go either way, some decisions could literally change the course of person’s life – like say, a decision to leave City service and go into business for yourself. A decision like that could make or break a person, bring a person ultimate success or complete failure – or be the difference between a stable future – or an unstable and uncertain one.

It is no secret that making that very decision – to leave City service – was a decision I made on April 23rd. With suitcase in hand and a five year career behind me, I walked out of the Tischman Auditorium and away from the Taxi and Limousine Commission – to start the next chapter of my life – while, at the same time, taking the biggest risk of my life.

Did it pay off?

You bet your ass.

I have been working for myself for the last twenty-two days – and in that time – I have “evolved” into a completely different person – and I am not the only one who has seen it. From my brother-in-law to Guido from Bon Appetit to my friends to Summer – to my own mother – my “transformation” if you will is as clear as the words I type.

And the beauty part is – it has only just begun.

Working for myself takes many things: Discipline, desire, concentration, determination – and the ability to want to “work” from home as seriously as if you were sitting behind a desk in an office building. You cannot in any way be distracted by the fact that you are in your own house, which means that you could take a nap, a bath, a TV break, a shower – or a leisurely ride on your brand new bike – anytime you wanted. Rather, you have to remember that while you earned the luxury of being able to work eight feet from your bed – in your underwear if you so desired instead of having to put on a suit and stand on a crowded train – you still have to work. Thankfully, I have already mastered this quite well – because I enjoy what I do, and that, as I have always said – is true success. I have known people throughout my life that have made salaries I would kill for – all the while hating their jobs. My goal, however, is to make a decent living – while doing something that I would pay a million dollars to do. That, my friends, is true happiness – and I should know – because I am so excited about my future – and the correct decision I made – that I am, for the first time in a long time – looking straight ahead down the road of life – with binoculars.

“Got no deeds to do, no promises to keep.
I’m dappled and drowsy and ready to sleep.
Let the morning time drop all its petals on me.
Life – I love you – all is groovy.”
Simon & Garfunkel – The 59th Street Bridge Song