The Courage to Reinvent Yourself

A book that I recently read is The First Tycoon by T.J. Stiles. It’s about the life of Cornelius Vanderbilt. Inspired by the book, I wrote Appreciating Our Modern World a while back. Now, I’d like to discuss the courage to reinvent yourself.

Vanderbilt was born in 1794. Transportation was a big problem back then (as described in my previous post). In the early 19th century, the main solution was steamboats. With their steam engines, steamboats were far superior to schooners that came before them. Vanderbilt quickly switched from schooners to steamboats when the technology became available.

Over the next few decades, Vanderbilt built his wealth through steamboat business. He eventually controlled the two most important lines: the California line (connecting the East Coast to California) and the Atlantic line (connecting the East Coast to Europe).

But then a new trend emerged in the mid 19th century: railroads. 

With their speed and efficiency, railroads were becoming the main mode of transportation. It boosted the economy like never before because people and goods from distant places could now travel easily. 

Vanderbilt was already sixty-nine years old when railroads were booming in 1863. He already had a successful steamboat business. He was wealthy. But he realized that railroads were the next big thing.

So what did he do? Was he being complacent and just did what he had been doing?

He had a strong reason to do so. Remember, he was already ...

Source: Life Optimizer - December 9, 2021 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Donald Latumahina Tags: Purpose Source Type: blogs