Times are difficult. Gasoline prices are up. Food and grainprices are up. Your ire is up and your business... down. It is so easy for theindividual and the entrepreneur to decidedly give up. There are times when youfeel all obstacles are in your path and the least resistance is stopping. It isunderstandable, yet an easy escape. There is too much recent talk of recessionproofing the business and conducting business in tough times. These are simplytitles and excuses for items that are required to operate a successfulbusiness.
A functional business is similar to a garden. The foundationfor any garden is proper fertilization techniques that help nurture the soiland maintain its balance with its vegetation. Yet plantings will not growwithout strong roots and soil. Similar to soil the best nurturing for yourbusiness is constant sales and customer care. The more sales and the higher thecustomer acquisition the easier to pay for people, property, equipment etc.
Other factors that assist in root development andnourishment for your soul and destiny relate to your attitude. Your holistic approach to your businessis soil upon which your business grows. Similar to fertilizer your daily dosagemust include the following:
Desire. For business to flourish you must abundantly desiresuccess. Recall why you founded your business and what you hope to achieve.Your passion for assisting others is the fuel that bounds you from failure tofortune, fertilize your soul by returning to your desire so that you revitilizeyour soul. Another nutrient is repeating your mission statement and visualizingthe success you desire to achieve.
Believe. There is no better nourishment then your faith.Faith is a component of both passion and love. Faith is your ability to disavowthe norms and continue. Good roots fight inclement weather so must you! ThomasEdison did not believe he failed he had faith to succeed. If Henry Ford, andAndrew Carnegie did not have faith our American business system would not bethe supreme power it is. And if Abraham Lincoln did not have faith, AfricanAmericans would not be free and his name would not be associated with America'sgreatest president. In fact, faith was so imperative for Lincoln because hissuccesses did not arrive until after his 40th birthday. Your faithgets you through intense storms but you must see the sunshine well beforeothers.
Achieve. The only manner for success is continuance. Mymentor states do not seek perfection seek success. I wholeheartedly agree.There is no perfection. We all face daily obstacles. We are constantlychallenged by the errors of our ways, yet the only way to achieve is tocontinue moving. Refrain from excuses and continue to achieve no matter whatthe conditions.
Nurture. Gardens require daily maintenance; food, water andvitamins. You too must invest in nutrition. Success is achieved througheducation. Learn from your mistakes. Failure is the best educational tool werecognize. Many do not believe failure is a nutrient, yet it is the bestnutrient. Think like Edisonand use your failures as a road map towards new attempts. Education is the oneitem that no business professional ever retorts. Education is the greatest fuelfor business success. Use previous experiences as a nutrient for new ideas andnew possible beginnings.
Succeed. I recall a young man that had limited athleticability. He was reared in a dysfunctional home and loathed by family and friends.After much discovery he found an outlet in track and field. After years ofsearching he found a tool that displaced the discontent in his life. With muchpractice he got better and began to appreciate the sport. His success broughtabout future success. He visualized future success. Within months he became thecaptain of his team and a four-time school record holder. He also enrolled andgraduated from a prominent university. You too can achieve success. You have tobreathe it, become it and yearn for it. Success does not come easy. TheReverend Dr. Martin Luther King jr. stated, "Faith is taking the first stepeven when you don't see the whole staircase." Take the ladder of success onestep at a time by seeing each step, living each step and appreciating eachstep.
Prosper. Admittedly, each day represents a new challenge andyet new opportunities. However, when your garden begins to show new growth, youstop in admiration. Take the time to reap what you sow. Learn to stop and smellthe flowers and appreciate your success. Your ability to stop and rewardyourself is prosperity. Yet also understand that prosperity is not only aboutmoney, it is your balance of both your personal and professional life.
Our worlds like gardens require constant attention. There isa need to eliminate weeds that shadow the beautiful flowers. Our gardensrequire comfort during inclement weather. And there is a need for dailynourishment to obtain strong roots for growth. The best gardens are attended.However, the most abundant gardens obtain daily nutrition, bountiful sunshineand love. Give foundation to your garden and watch your business becomefruitful!
Blessings.
© Drew Stevens PhD 2008. All rights reserved.
About Drew Stevens PhD
Drew Stevens PhD is known as the Sales Strategist. Drewassists organizations to dramatically accelerate business growth. He is theauthor of seven books including Split Second Selling and Split Second CustomerService and Little Book of Hope and is frequently called on the media for hisexpertise. Drew was recently nominated as one of 50 Top Sales Experts. Downloada FREE copy of Drew's White Paper on "Selling Effectiveness" or "BusinessBuilding" e-book at www.gettingtothefinishline.com.