What’s Really Keeping You from Success?
The “Finish Strong” Foundation exists to make a positive difference in the lives of at-risk youth in Illinois. Its philosophy ‘is founded upon the belief that the principles learned through athletic activities serve to bring the best out of individuals. Principles such as commitment, goal setting, discipline and perseverance are critical components to being successful [...]
The “Finish Strong” Foundation exists to make a positive difference in the lives of at-risk youth in Illinois. Its philosophy ‘is founded upon the belief that the principles learned through athletic activities serve to bring the best out of individuals. Principles such as commitment, goal setting, discipline and perseverance are critical components to being successful in not only sports but in life. Athletics is an ideal platform for getting the attention of kids and through formalized training, to help them to develop self-confidence, overcome fears and shift their life focus to positive activities.’ (taken from the Foundation’s philosophy statement).
Take away the target audience – ‘the lives of at-risk youth in Illinois’ – and plug your own name or business name into the phrase. Does it make any less sense now? For many small businesses, we’re in year two of the Great Recession. And, while some are starting to whisper that the awfulness or rate of lost jobs is ’slowing down’, for those experiencing that awfulness or lost job, this is not much consolation. And yet, we have to assume it will end and the question is: what shape will you be in when it does?
If the awfulness is guiding your choices and behaviors, you may be stripping your business of the basics it’ll need to come out the other side positioned for its future success. And, more importantly, if your brain is not considering future success, it may never arrive. Attitude, belief and a clear focus are critical to creating the outcomes you seek. Think your outcomes are dependent upon the circumstantial forces or people around you? They may have impact or they may be opportunities for you to shift your plan. However, without your steadfast determination to envision and then move toward your best possible outcome, it won’t happen. Remember the Finish Strong concept: “commitment, goal setting, discipline and perseverance are critical components to being successful.” Belief in your ability to guide your fortune and reality is step one. Step 2? Remember: “overcome fears and shift..focus to positive activities“. Learn how to move forward despite the awfulness, the lost jobs. Envision yourself winning, know that it’s possible, craft the plan and then get going. Finish Strong! Just like these folks did.