Perseverance

Perseverance ---Yo Adrienne…we did it!

Do you remember the first “Rocky” movie?  An “over the hill” street fighter gets to fight Apollo Creed for the world championship! Perhaps the greatest “underdog” story of our time.  Most of us love stories about people who never quit.  How many professional sports teams in America have the familiar lyrics of “Rocky” hitting the airwaves just prior to the game or at a critical juncture in the competition?  The music is energizing!   Our pulse begins to quicken! We are stimulated by stories be it fictional Rocky Balboa or the true story of Rudy, the walk-on and inspirational young football player at Notre Dame back in the 70s, our hearts thump in tune with our hero.

In Sales, rejection is everywhere!  If you do not experience rejection…you should question if you are indeed selling. A famous businessman and successful entrepreneur once stated:  “A rejection is nothing more than a necessary step in the pursuit of success.”
Bo Bennett

Those who persevere believe in themselves and others and hold a firm conviction that every obstacle, no matter how big or small, can be defeated. Nothing is insurmountable! Strength of mind, dedication & focus are key components to accomplishing our goals and dreams. It would be difficult for me to think of a person in my business career who has had multiple “wins” who did not have a relentless and persistent focus. Sure there are those who have short-term success similar to the “my way or the highway” type managers of years past. The “one trick” ponies are just that.  Perhaps they were in the right place at the right time and had success drop on their lap.  To be consistent and gain Long term success requires that one have the perseverance and resolve to stick to it.  “Stick-to-itiveness” is a characteristic that great leaders have in abundance.  Although change and the ability to adapt is critical in today’s rapidly changing business environment.  (This will be discussed in a future blog) The ability for one to stay focused is key. Stay laser-targeted on the end goal. Keep in mind that anything great takes time. Think long term when it comes to progress. Little steps take time to see your desired results. Remember those who stick it out during tough times will be on the radar when the economy turns around

When we run into problems, we have the option to either give up or to keep going. It is so easy to give up.  Doubts can become reality very easily in our lives. The decision to keep going builds our perseverance and makes us stronger and more capable to handle the next obstacle.  As a former smoker I easily identified with how easy it was to continue the nicotine habit.  I quit well over a hundred times always returning by giving up on my goals. Without the support of my wonderful wife and family, I would still be hooked on cigarettes.  It’s been over 5 years..actually 1,866 days and a few hours since my last puff…How was I finally able to defeat this demon?

Confront your doubts and silence them!

Make the Decision -There is a lot of power behind making a decision. When you truly make a decision towards what you want, resolve to do whatever you can to make that decision a reality.  Is it time for you to quit cigarettes?  If so, you will need to conquer the fear…the fear of failure!  What will it take for you to be Salesperson of the year?  To get that promotion? 

Don’t fear making a sound decision -We can often be wishy-washy when it comes to a change that must be made. We feel powerless in our ability to win. That fear prevents us from taking action towards our goals. We need to remember that mistakes or mis-steps are key to our eventual triumph. In the words of Winston Churchill…”Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.” Mistakes can create learning opportunities that are needed if we truly want to advance in our lives.

Avoid Naysayers - Stay away from people who are negative and reinforce the doubting voice in your head. Finding people who encourage and support your goals can help silence the voice of doubt.  One of the reasons that 12 step programs and other support groups are so successful is the positive sustainment that can be gained from group support.

If you begin to experience uncertainty -- Action is the key to success. If you come across a situation where you begin to doubt your ability, take action and zero in on your challenge with blinders on.  Focus is extremely important when developing persistence. The more we can focus ourselves on where we are trying to go, the easier it will be for us to get there. One of the best ways to stay focused is to constantly remind yourself of your goals and direction.