“When you get to the end of your rope, you tie a knot and hang on” ~Franklin Delano Roosevelt
When I think about how people describe me, more often than not, the words “dedicated and perseverance” top the list.
I have instinctively known that in life, when you want something, you have to work at it and for it. Even as a young person, I was very clear and focused on what I wanted and how I could get there. I set my sights on the bull’s-eye and kept shooting for it.
Over time, I have learned many lessons and gained much wisdom about how to stick to things and, more importantly, how and what I needed to do to set myself up for what I like to call the “long race.”
Long-distance runners train differently from sprinters. They focus on endurance and pace. Our success plays out much better when we approach business success in the way long distance runners prepare for a marathon.
To truly perform their best, the training plan of all long-distance runners includes:
- Coaching
- Technique
- Practice
- Endurance
Long-distance runners all train for the second half of the race.
As business professionals who want to be around for a long time, we too must develop that kind of mindset and resilience that strengthens our ability to persevere beyond the first year or two and learn to properly manage challenging cycles of success.
How to Manage Challenging Cycles of Success
Develop An Unwavering Passion
When you can find your calling and truly love what you do and do what you love, it’s the most powerful “sales and success” tool you can have.
Sometimes we start out with an unwavering passion that can propel us through difficult times, but when it wavers or is uncertain over time, that’s when a clear, honest assessment is essential.
Ask yourself, “Do I really still love what I am doing and is this really what I want to do now?”
Get a Clear Perspective
Keep things in perspective. Stay focused on your goals and seek out alternative sources for news and information. There are so many resources for “the solution” and examples of people and businesses finding and making positive opportunities in challenging times.
Build a strong, supportive network and use it daily. It begins with me but continues and succeeds with we.
Maintain a Commitment to Pertinence and Relevance
Nothing is more important than relevance. Keep up with and know the trends in your industry as they relate to business, consumer behavior, and marketing.
These days, trends drive everything. Pertinence and relevance in our rapidly changing business landscape can mean the difference between becoming extinct or being reborn.
Use Your Ability to Make Strategic Predictions
Do you have a vision for where you are heading? What is the road map for your success?
Many of us are still navigating uncharted waters. Having both a short-term and a long-term plan and vision for navigating conditions keeps us on track, in the present and moving forward.
Set yourself up to succeed by doing whatever it takes. Upgrade and close skill gaps, go back to school, downsize, diversify, partner, collaborate, network, rebrand yourself and your business and sometimes, as hard as it may be – it’s actually best to move on.
One of the most prolific and successful entrepreneurs for the past 7 decades is Award Winning Global Entrepreneur and Author, Jack Nadel.
He has achieved legendary results and success with strong professional fundamentals and personal values. He continues to mentor, teach and be a power of example for what it takes to sustain success and leave an enduring legacy along the way. Check out his enduring tips for entrepreneurs.
I’ll leave you with one of my favorites, “Don’t let your ego get in the way of succeeding.”
Reach for Stars Photo via Shutterstock
Aira Bongco
The key is to not give up in those depressing times where you think that you’re really at the end of your rope. After all, failure is the greatest teacher. Once you experience this, you’ll know what to do next time. And with every next time comes success eventually.
Deborah Shane
We’ve got to persevere when we believe. Failure is indeed our greatest teacher, and it is an essential in the success /challenge balance..