We tend to assume that successful people are born into wealth and never have to work a hard day in their life. What about the former president of nation of a hundred million people?
The official biography of Vicente Fox, who was the elected leader of Mexico from 2000-2006, explains how he got his start. He grew up on a farm as one of nine children. He managed to go to college where he “he recalled his provincial, ‘ranch-style appearance and how it contrasted with that of his classmates.” Fox’s first job after school was as a truck driver for Coca-Cola. Who would have thought that this modest beginning would be the foundation for a political career?
Fox rose quickly through the ranks of Coca-Cola, and within 10 years became the chief executive of the company’s Mexico operations. The experience gave him the background to consider a run for state office as governor, and later as president.
The moral of the story is this: successful people often start out with careers that many would consider to be a mistake. But failure is the secret to success. Vicente Fox has explained many times that his experience covering thousands of miles in a delivery truck gave him a unique, first-hand knowledge of poverty and struggle in Mexico. Maybe this undesirable job helped make him ready for the top spot in the country.