Be Persistent

Developing A Clear Vision:  Be Persistent
(This post is part of a continuing series focusing on home-based business startups.)

So let's continue with yet another trait that is vital to for developing a clear vision for a home-based business, and that's... Persistence. 

I've met a lot of successful people; people who have achieved the kind of lives they have dreamed about. I also know a lot of people who are nowhere near where they want to be in life, and a lot of times I've gotten the feeling that those who are unsuccessful kinda resent those who are, and actually believe that somehow success was handed to those who have achieved much. 

But here's the deal; I think that most times the reverse is actually true. Those who have achieved much, have worked much HARDER than those who are not successful. You wouldn't believe some of the stories of struggle that I've heard from those who now appear to be 'on top of the heap'. Yes, they are successful now, but no, it sure as heck wasn't handed to them, and it generally did not happen over night. Many in fact, worked hard for YEARS before they achieved what their hearts longed for. They've given up much. They have persistently fought for their dream.

Consider this quote by Calvin Coolidge-

      "Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan 'press on' has solved, and always will solve the problems of the human race."

So what does it mean to be persistent?

two of my early patterns

• Sometimes it just means outlasting the others. Lots of people set out to fulfill their dreams, but most give up along the way. Let's face it, it's easy to get discouraged. Ask anyone who has achieved success if they ever felt like giving up. Ask them what kept them going. You might be amazed and inspired by what you hear.
• Sometimes it just means hanging on tight to the end. I wonder how many people have quit just as they were on the very brink of success? They had a setback, or maybe some negative feedback or possibly one too many complaints and they just threw in the towel. I remember way back in the beginning, a relatively small distributor (who shall remain nameless) told me that I would never succeed unless I lowered the price point on my patterns. Even though she agreed that my product line offered WAY more storage options than lower priced patterns and that the printed pattern templates I included were a big advantage, she still contended that the public would neither recognize, nor reward this. I do think that my price point might have caused me to have a slower start than I otherwise would have had, but I knew the price was fair and I just hung on until this became apparent to my customer base. 
• Great things can result from being under pressure. Instead of looking at pressure and trials as the reasons to quit, get tenacious and see them as the very thing that will make  your life the beautiful thing that you desire it to be. See it as your opportunity to learn, to grow and to be transformed.See these trials as the vehicle that will enable you to have the life you've dreamed of. Trials will come, Life will get hard. You will want to quit. These are certainties. But consider this quote by Peter Marshall, "When we long for life without difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure."

My advice?... Don't give up. It's OK to re-evaluate your plans... alter your course.... (or even change your price point) if you deem that necessary, but just don't give up. Choose to be persistent. It just could be the choice that determines the rest of your life.
(And just in case you're wondering... that small distributor still doesn't carry my patterns, but I've never been sorry that I hung in there and ignored her advice. I've often wondered what she thinks now...)