A friend and I were talking yesterday after an excellent afternoon on the mountain bikes and I’ve thought a bit further about the question he asked that started the conversation. His question: “Have the results of the Presidential election changed your outlook on growth for your business this coming year?” was an excellent one, especially given the number of business owners who seem to be cutting staff and slashing their expectations for the coming few years.
My answer to him confirmed his own conclusion on the matter, which was encouraging as he and I are working in the same business and we have many goals in common (one of which is the revitalization of the practice of medicine in our country). I said something to the effect that “If anything can stop you it will.”
In my short but grey-inducing years as a business owner I’ve noticed that: (1) those who succeed generally don’t spend much time looking for excuses to underperform or fail and (2) if you want to find a reason to fail, you will. There are plenty of reasons from which you can choose, some are bigger and therefore more believable than others, but they all constrain to the same end.
This basic principle is true in every aspect of your life. You cannot necessarily choose success or failure, but you can set the stage for either through the daily choices you make. You may have to work harder or smarter or both when circumstances become more constrictive than usual, but the point is that failure isn’t a foregone conclusion under any circumstance.
Gregory Hake 
I think that this is a point that every future successful person really needs to internalize. Yes, in the achievement of a goal there might be setbacks along the way. Yet in the totality of circumstances, an indomitable spirit will take you further than potential and talent will.
Your post makes me think of an Elbert Hubbard quote I read recently: “Self Discipline is the ability to make yourself do what you should do, when you should do it, whether you feel like it or not”. I think that is the other side of the “nothing will stop me” attitude.
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Experienced this today….
During the creation of what was expected to be a masterpiece, the unthinkable happened … my nose detected a Burning smell emerging from the ginormous pot of stew. Determined, not to throw the baby out with the bathwater, my search began. There just had to be a solution, that didn’t involve wasting all that was invested.
Following in depth research I came to find the most predominant solution was “Toss it” Still not satisfied I continued to dig, and there it was…. “Grandma’s solution to burnt stew”
Which had the support of countless testimonies of success.
What did I have to lose?
So, out it went from the pot in which it was burnt, and in went the “PEANUT BUTTER”.
Along with some fresh aromatics to re-liven the burnt stew. (Garlic & onions)
And so, with the smell gone, and a tonne of stew saved, it’s all thanks to something that was the last possible chance for success.
Peanut butter of all things.
Almost complete, I’ll let you know how the “Peanut butter beef stew” tastes.
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Yup, you guessed it….tastes like peanut butter, but not just any old peanut butter, “WOW Butte”r (Peanut butter substitute made from non-gmo soy) which is actually better tasting than peanut butter, plus no chemical additives.
In conclusion, in the interest of preservation, “Grandma’s” idea saved the stew, an afternoon’s labor, plus materials. whew!
Not to mention, the kids are gonna love this one!
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Great advice for any person in any endeavor Gregg. It is interesting to note how different people deal with the same circumstances. Some choose to let it be the reason for failing or not going forward while others choose the exact same circumstance to propel them to greatness – the choice is each of ours individually to make, and no results of elections, economic woes, or lack of is going to stop one once they have made the decision to go all the way in their living. Maybe another way of looking at it is the desire to take responsibility for ones own choices, and therefore living.
That being said, once the decision is made to rise above the circumstances one still needs to work at it and perhaps strategize in regards to it. That is one of the joys of living however!
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I love how you put that, Chuck. Thanks for sharing!
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Small business is certainly under the gun right now. With the current recession and the enormous addition to our national entitlement programs it has become a daily “Rubik’s Cube” to growth. These are the times when our passion for the purpose of our endeavor can make the difference. This is what attracts the unforeseen assistance and enlivens the creativity in your associates. Strong steady leadership, at every level and in every department in a company, can carry the day in these challanging times. Great post!
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This is so important to know and/or remember and as you mentioned, it comes down to the choices that we make every day.
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Good point. If you have something valuable to offer then circumstances become more secondary. If you have a strong purpose behind what you offer, something you really believe in that inherently motivates you, well then even more so. There’s all kinds of challenges everyone will face in life, and I’ve found the more you can put your heart and mind together behind what you are doing, the better your chances for success. Indeed, this will involve daily choices and decisions that can be tough, but the purpose you have inside serves as a constant reminder to persevere. I don’t think external incentives compare well to internal motivations in strength.
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Well said Ricardo – internal motivations, when given proper merit, trump any external circumstances or incentives.
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I agree, Brad!
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