Persistence, Patience and the Motivation to have both.
Persistence... some people have it, some people don't. I usually do. I don't give up, because I like to feel the satisfaction of reaching a goal that I have set, no matter how unreachable it may seem. But I have to admit that the past year has really challenged me. I have wanted to give up so many times!
Start a business they say, anyone can do it. Well I beg to differ. If you do not have persistence, and ALOT of patience there is a very good chance that you will fail. The patience part is where I really struggle. I like things to be done now, yesterday would be better. When it comes to starting a business, a food business to be specific there just happens to be A LOT of waiting involved! Waiting for permits, waiting for licenses, waiting for your name to get around, waiting for clients, and waiting for the day that you can stop waiting. Its hard.
I thought "well I did it once, the second time around should be a piece of cake". Nope not so.
With all of the craziness that has gone on this year, everything just seems just a little bit harder. I have woken up so many days thinking "today is the day, it is going to get easier". But it didn't. There are many days that I didn't want to get out of bed because I thought "what is the point? I am just going to hit yet another dead end" But you know what? I got up anyway! Eventually you run out of dead ends, and find the ways that that work, or look a lot more promising anyway!
Take it from Russ.... Sees stick. Realizes that it is actually a tree. Pulls out tree. Poses proudly with prize. I have looked at these pictures so many times and it has given me more motivation to keep going, and keep trying. Because just look how happy he is with his prize!
I am not saying that the fight is over yet. But here is what I do know, I can see a light at the end of the tunnel. The waiting is slowly coming to and end. Here is what I want you take from this:
Get out of bed every morning with the attitude that it is a new day and anything is possible.
Surround yourself with people who will support you. If you don't have those people, find them. They are out there!
Take care of yourself. If you need a rest day from working on your goals take it. But know that it is only a day off, you will keep trying tomorrow.
Set aside some time every day that you will work on your goals.
Recognize the small victories, and celebrate them! Every step in the right direction is just that much closer to the prize!