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Richard Botto, Editor in Chief / CEO of RAZOR Magazine, has created the definitive men's magazine which features the best in men's fashion, travel, sports, autos, celebrities, technology, humor, fiction, fitness and more.
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 WRITINGS:
RICHARD BOTTO
Back to Writings Main Menu
May 2005
Ambition
There's a scene in Ron Shelton's film, Tin Cup, where the lead character
has a potentially life-altering decision to make. Roy McAvoy, once a
promising amateur, now a fairly washed-up driving range owner, is leading
the US Open facing his second shot on the 72nd hole of the tournament;
a long par 5. He needs about 250 to carry a well-placed pond and make
the green in two. The obvious, safe play is to lay up; he only needs
par to win at best, force a playoff at worst. But he opts to go for
it, to stay true to his nature. He explains to his irate, disbelieving
caddy, "Life comes down to a few defining moments and when a defining
moment comes along, you either define the moment or the moment defines
you."
He then proceeds to deposit five Titleists in the water, holing out
with a 12 - for sure a defining moment defined.
I think about that quote from time to time when idling at the inevitable
crossroads of life's unpaved highways and byways. And this month, while
researching the accomplishments of this year's mavericks, I found myself
ruminating on that profound line from the otherwise superficial film
as it related to the subjects at hand. As you read the profiles of these
men, you may find their paths to glory obvious, but rest assured, each
of them made decisions that took balls of steel. And in many instances,
they didn't need to stick their necks out on the line, didn't need to
tackle yet another mountainous endeavor. To the contrary, if there was
ever an Exhibit A for the case of resting on one's laurels, many of
these men could have stood up and been rightly entered into evidence,
but their desire would have it no other way, defying complacency.
We're talking about an executive from a software giant dropping everything
to become CEO of a non-profit organization that builds schools and promotes
children's education. We're talking about the owner of one of the most
recognizable global advertising agencies in the world who decided that
70 hour work weeks weren't enough and figured that adding talk show
host to his already impressive resumé might not be such a bad
idea. We're talking about the lead honcho of one of the most powerful
talent management companies in Hollywood leaving his cushy post and
taking on the red-hot spotlight of running a major movie studio.
As is our tradition, we again name a lone female maverick to the list,
and this year it is the seminal (yes, you heard me) Pamela Anderson.
Snicker now, but consider this: After being discovered at a British
Columbia Lions football game when her image was transmitted onto the
stadium's wide-screen, Pam, who was wearing a Labatt's T-shirt at the
time, was shortly thereafter signed to a contract with the beer company.
For most aspiring models, the road would have ended there, but her desire
and yes, her body, landed her roles on Baywatch and Home Improvement,
branding herself as the bleached-blond bimbo in the minds of millions.
But while you've been blinded by her assets, Pam has been using the
least spoken about part of her anatomy, her brain, to become an activist,
philanthropist, producer, columnist, New York Times best-selling author
and mother. Now ask yourself, what have you done today? Done laughing
yet?
Life truly does come down to a few defining moments. I am sure you can
easily think of three or four that have made you the man you are (or
aren't) today. The reality is that the more ambitious you are the more
of those defining moments you will face. I know a few of my lazier brethren
who consider that to be more curse than blessing, choosing instead to
follow the simpler-is-better gospel. But where's the reward, the betterment
in living within the boundaries of such a philosophy? Creating opportunity
is its own reward, success is simply icing. The beauty of defining the
moment is never having to ask what if; that alone should make you want
to take that chance, want to strive for more.
Besides, I'd rather write my own obituary than have someone write it
for me.
Enjoy the issue.
RICHARD J. BOTTO
Editor in Chief, CEO
www.razormagazine.com
As always, we welcome your comments via e-mail to
letters@razormagazine.com
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