It Takes Persistence!

[Pat Mussieux]

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 10^th 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!

[Lorie Eber]

Pat,

You're correct! But, it takes a lot of courage to walk away from a W-2 ;-) 

[Pat Mussieux]

Lorie, Thanks so much for your comment. Yes, it is hard to grow a business - but, compared to being in a J.O.B. where you are miserable and not appreciated, having a business is H.E.A.V.E.N. - right?

[Lorie Eber]

Hi Pat,

I'm in my own business and I agree with you. It's very difficult. Anyone who thinks it's easy is not going to make it.