Did you ever think it would be a ‘cake-walk’ to have your own business? I ask the question because many people think this way! “I’ll just start my own business, enjoy what I do, make money and…………retire rich and happy”.
Well, back up the truck! While, on the surface, it may seem easy and fun to have your own business (and there ARE many times when it IS easy and fun), it is a lot of hard work – it takes certain qualities and characteristics to pull it off in the long run.
“The biggest adventure you can ever take is to live the life of your dreams.”
Oprah Winfrey
PERSISTENCE is one of those qualities! One of my clients just celebrated her 10th year anniversary in business. She personifies this characteristic and, as I think back over the last 5 years of working with her, there are many ways that persistence manifested itself. See how many of these apply to you.
PERSISTENCE is getting out of bed on those mornings when you just don’t feel like it.
PERSISTENCE is making another phone call to fill that workshop.
“My greatest point is my persistence. I never give up in a match. However down I am, I fight until the last ball. My list of matches shows that I have turned a great many so-called irretrievable defeats into victories.”
Bjorn Borg
PERSISTENCE is another meeting with the bank when you need an extension on your business loan – and they just ‘don’t get it’ – wondering if you’re a serious business owner or not.
PERSISTENCE is working through the weekend to get that ‘copy’ written for a special project to launch on Monday.
PERSISTENCE is hiring another new team member when the last one went AWOL!
PERSISTENCE is following up with clients who don’t pay their bills or whose cheques bounce on you.
PERSISTENCE is not comparing yourself to the (apparent) success of other entrepreneurs around you.
PERSISTENCE is running the teleseminar anyway – even though no one registered.
PERSISTENCE is asking for support from fellow colleagues when you need help getting the word out on a new product.
PERSISTENCE is convincing your partner that the money will come!
PERSISTENCE is working 8 days a week and 32 hours a day to be an ‘overnight’ success.
Kites rise highest against the wind – not with it!”
Winston Churchill
PERSISTENCE is having another cup of coffee and pulling an ‘all-nighter’ to get caught up so you can have a day off on the weekend with your family.
PERSISTENCE is to know that the good work you do will serve the world.
PERSISTENCE is to know that the bank account will reflect all your hard work and determination.
PERSISTENCE is belief in yourself and in your dream – because if YOU don’t believe in YOU, then who will?
It takes a lot of persistence to run your own business – and yes, there are a lot of perks that go with it.
But simple? No!
Easy? Not necessarily.
Rewarding? Most days.
Prefer to be doing something else? NEVER!
What is the #1 quality or characteristic that has helped you to keep going and growing your business?
Please share your thoughts!
Indeed Pat! I’ve been in business for 10 years and persistence is what has gotten me here more than anything else. Oh, and building mutually beneficial relationships with people has helped a lot too…but that has also taken persistence.
Hey Agatha, I can so relate to your comments! Thanks – and congratulations on 10 years in business. That’s awesome! It is all about relationships and I appreciate that you took the time to write.
Pat
Thanks Pat. I needed to hear this! I’ve had a low week and felt like ‘giving up’! But after reading your last one especially…’Prefer to be doing something else? NEVER!’ Sounds pretty true too. So with persistence I keep on keepin’ on, hehe.
Candace – so happy to hear from you! I sent you an e-mail; did you get it???? You’ve been on my mind. I’m glad to know that the article struck a chord with you……..persistence is key, and I know it is one of your character traits.
Keep up the good work – and keep in touch, ok? So proud of you!
Pat