Here is a question for you: Do you need to be Persistent to be successful?
The dictionary defines Persistence as "the firm obstinate continuance in a course of action in spite of difficulty or opposition..."
Some entrepreneurs believe that persistence is the equivalent of medal of valor. They erroneously imagine that if they deviate from their plans, they are failures. The romantic notion sets in of that rugged individual set out to conquer the world.
"How to Be Successful"
However, the danger lies in embracing that persistence at the expense of refusing to listen to the signals around why something may not be working as smoothly as planned.
What do I mean by that?
Look at the word again: Persistence "...the firm or obstinate continuance..." What is obstinate? The words associated with someone who is obstinate are: stubborn, bullheaded; inflexible, unyielding and perverse.
Not exactly words that would describe a person who is supposed to be a visionary...an entrepreneur, right?
Look at that definition of Persistence again. Let's really see the words and interpret the language (and the energy behind that language). "...the firm or obstinate continuance..." What is obstinate? The words associated with someone who is obstinate are: stubborn, bullheaded; inflexible, unyielding and perverse.
Do those kind of limiting words describe a visionary leader? Or a tyrant?
Where did that persistence get them?
So the question you should be asking yourself is: Does building a business really need to be this hard? Is being "persistent" the best way to get from where you are to where you want to be?
Can you reach your goals through a better path? After all, there is no such thing as a happy ending to an unhappy journey. And what if the only way you will be able to see that better way is to take a step back. Is it possible that you will be able to take stock of all the conditions and tools you have at your disposal and then proceed toward your goal on a better path?
Did you catch that? I didn't say that giving up was the only way.
What do you need to do this? Patience
That is the "capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset..."
When you experience patience, you invite a better rhythm for doing business. Now some people may think that being patient is the same as being passive.
Not true. Patience isn't about being idle. It's not about avoiding action. It's not about avoiding a decision.
In fact, being patient as you build your business, and heck, even building your relationships, takes an enormous amount of confidence and faith. And being patient can also result in even better opportunities...and wealth. You have to be confident that your product and your service are needed by the market. They provide value. You have to know that what you have provides value and benefit to someone (hopefully many someone's) and that because of that, you will be successful.
The time frame of that success may not be what you originally anticipated; the path you take to get to your goal may not be what you originally mapped out; but because you are patient, confident, and have the ability to be flexible in your approach and adjust your sails as different and better opportunities present themselves, you can become successful.
I know; and I know that the confidence you think you have can be tested when things start to get rough. Especially when "life" pulls the rug out from under you.
I've been there!
But even when that happens; even when it seems to be taking FOREVER to get where you're going; if you go through the steps of the process with patience and an openness you will not only enjoy the journey, but get the most value from the challenges you face.
Ask yourself: If you knew that you couldn't fail; that your success was inevitable...what would you do right now?
Would your daily priorities change? Would you embrace the tools and training you needed to get to the next level? Would you create that product, write that book, or reach out and call those potential clients that showed some interest in your services?
We all have a million reasons why we "can't" do something. Rarely is it really about external factors. Remember, even the people who faced tougher challenges than you or I have been able to accomplish much through Patience. Martin Luther King, Jr. did not make changes that are still occuring today by saying "I have a complaint...and I want y'all to fix it now!" So it's got to be more than obstinance or persistence. And I'm sure you can agree that many people have accomplished much through Patience. Successful people.
Be patient...with yourself and with your business.
Set your goals; form good habits to get to those goals, and enjoy every step along your journey!
The dictionary defines Persistence as "the firm obstinate continuance in a course of action in spite of difficulty or opposition..."
Some entrepreneurs believe that persistence is the equivalent of medal of valor. They erroneously imagine that if they deviate from their plans, they are failures. The romantic notion sets in of that rugged individual set out to conquer the world.
"How to Be Successful"
However, the danger lies in embracing that persistence at the expense of refusing to listen to the signals around why something may not be working as smoothly as planned.
What do I mean by that?
Look at the word again: Persistence "...the firm or obstinate continuance..." What is obstinate? The words associated with someone who is obstinate are: stubborn, bullheaded; inflexible, unyielding and perverse.
Not exactly words that would describe a person who is supposed to be a visionary...an entrepreneur, right?
Look at that definition of Persistence again. Let's really see the words and interpret the language (and the energy behind that language). "...the firm or obstinate continuance..." What is obstinate? The words associated with someone who is obstinate are: stubborn, bullheaded; inflexible, unyielding and perverse.
Do those kind of limiting words describe a visionary leader? Or a tyrant?
Where did that persistence get them?
So the question you should be asking yourself is: Does building a business really need to be this hard? Is being "persistent" the best way to get from where you are to where you want to be?
Can you reach your goals through a better path? After all, there is no such thing as a happy ending to an unhappy journey. And what if the only way you will be able to see that better way is to take a step back. Is it possible that you will be able to take stock of all the conditions and tools you have at your disposal and then proceed toward your goal on a better path?
Did you catch that? I didn't say that giving up was the only way.
What do you need to do this? Patience
That is the "capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset..."
When you experience patience, you invite a better rhythm for doing business. Now some people may think that being patient is the same as being passive.
Not true. Patience isn't about being idle. It's not about avoiding action. It's not about avoiding a decision.
In fact, being patient as you build your business, and heck, even building your relationships, takes an enormous amount of confidence and faith. And being patient can also result in even better opportunities...and wealth. You have to be confident that your product and your service are needed by the market. They provide value. You have to know that what you have provides value and benefit to someone (hopefully many someone's) and that because of that, you will be successful.
The time frame of that success may not be what you originally anticipated; the path you take to get to your goal may not be what you originally mapped out; but because you are patient, confident, and have the ability to be flexible in your approach and adjust your sails as different and better opportunities present themselves, you can become successful.
I know; and I know that the confidence you think you have can be tested when things start to get rough. Especially when "life" pulls the rug out from under you.
I've been there!
But even when that happens; even when it seems to be taking FOREVER to get where you're going; if you go through the steps of the process with patience and an openness you will not only enjoy the journey, but get the most value from the challenges you face.
Ask yourself: If you knew that you couldn't fail; that your success was inevitable...what would you do right now?
Would your daily priorities change? Would you embrace the tools and training you needed to get to the next level? Would you create that product, write that book, or reach out and call those potential clients that showed some interest in your services?
We all have a million reasons why we "can't" do something. Rarely is it really about external factors. Remember, even the people who faced tougher challenges than you or I have been able to accomplish much through Patience. Martin Luther King, Jr. did not make changes that are still occuring today by saying "I have a complaint...and I want y'all to fix it now!" So it's got to be more than obstinance or persistence. And I'm sure you can agree that many people have accomplished much through Patience. Successful people.
Be patient...with yourself and with your business.
Set your goals; form good habits to get to those goals, and enjoy every step along your journey!
About the Author:
Now that you have the inspiration, find out ever more about marketing and building a successful business with patience. The top strategies for your business can be discovered here: Video marketing for your online marketing and video marketing needs.
