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In a note we received from Albert Castillo, CEO of San Antonio Eye Center, there are so many powerful messages, we felt it important to share.
John, the QBQ! book has been very inspiring for my staff. Each wrote a short essay on what the book meant to them, and many brought tears to my eyes. In return, I shared with them my own story. Here it is below:
Albert’s Story: Adversity and Accountability
Thanks to all of you for your participation, thoughtful comments, and stories shared after reading QBQ! Some may have asked, “Why do I have to read this? What a waste of time!!!” but allow me to share what the QBQ! book’s message of personal accountability means to me.
I came from a single parent home, and attended two middle schools and four high schools! At 13, I sat beside my grandmother as she lay on her deathbed. It was there she made me promise I’d go to college. As the first of 55 cousins, she wanted me to set an example.
So I made that promise to her that day.
Keeping it was the hardest thing I’ve done in my life. I knew nothing about going to college or even how to get into college. All my family members had worked right out of high school.
By 16, I was living on my own. After graduating high school, I was accepted into college. There were many struggles: working two jobs while studying, paying for college alone, getting to class each day, living check to check, and having enough money to eat.
There were many days I wanted to give up. But I’d made that promise.
Finally, after six years, I had two degrees. I had dealt with some real adversity but had made it work because—in my mind—I had no choice.
I had a promise to keep.
A promise that taught me personal accountability. A promise that pushed me to figure it all out and keep pressing forward.
Albert and QBQ!
This past year when a friend and I were sharing our backgrounds, he said, “Albert, your story is a perfect example of QBQ!”
I thought, QB who???
He told me to get the QBQ! book.
When I read it and discovered it’s all about personal accountability and “I can only change ME!” I felt it would be a wonderful tool to share.
We may not be able to control what happens in life, or change people around us, but we can control how we react and respond. The choice is ours.
At this organization, personal accountability is the key to success. Those who are personally accountable will do well in any job. Those who choose not to be accountable will find this may not be the organization for them.
Personal accountability is doing what it takes to accomplish the goal at hand. What I’ve learned in life is to succeed, I must decide to succeed, I must decide to reach my goals.
The goal here is always to serve our patients, to get them whatever they need. We do this in different ways, and it may not be visible to all, but it is happening and it’s noticeable—all because you are practicing personal accountability!
I did not expect everyone to want QBQ! and I suspected some might complain about having to read it, but I’m pleased that so many found great value in it.
We will soon continue our QBQ! journey with Mr. Miller’s next book—“Flipping the Switch.“
Thank you all!
Albert
So many lessons in Albert’s note! A promise is a promise. Work ethic. Commitment. Deciding to succeed. No whining, blaming, or entitlement thinking. Overcoming adversity. Personal Accountability! Taking action!
What message/lesson do you take from his story? Do you have a similar story to share? Comment below!
Personal. Practical. Powerful! Pre-order to win FREE stuff here:
2 Responses
From my earliest memories, I wanted to be a nurse and help people become well. My personal heroes were Florence Nightingale and Clara Barton. I read Cherry Ames and Sue Barton novels and liked the caring way they helped people, even though they also solved murder mysteries, too. I promised myself that I would become a nurse (not a doctor, they diagnosed or did surgery and left the actual care to the nurse). I met a lot of opposition, from parents who thought I’d never make it to college, and, if I did, they would not help me, and from teachers who thought i was “too smart” to become a nurse. I became a Candy Striper (teenage volunteer at a hospital) and found that not only did I like interacting with the patients and the nurses, they liked me. the nurses often asked for me to help with patients and visit with them. When I became 18, the same hospital hired me to become a nursing assistant (now called a CNA). That is how I paid my way through 4 years of college to get my BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing,) I’m proud to be nurse. I have been told by several young people that they are nurses because of my influence.
Willa, thanks for sharing YOUR story! Hrad work is a good thing!