I don't suggest being able to offer you a magic bullet for your difficulties... and I'm certainly not going to impress you with my amateur psychiatry skills. But I do have some words of encouragement and advice.
Once in a while, we all go through funks and difficulties and hardships -- sometimes extreme. And sometimes we need to hear someone's encouraging voice.
The quote below is not mine, but rather from someone I like to refer to every now and then:
"It Is the Unconquerable Soul of Man,
Not the Nature of the Weapon He Uses,
That Insures Victory" --General George Patton
I'm so inspired by this quote -- it puts so many things in perspective.
When I think about what Patton says, I'm reminded of the prize fighter who slogs through round after round... receives beating after beating... punch after punch... jab after jab... and then without any calculated strategy or finesse, musters enough strength to land a right hook on his opponent's jaw -- perfectly on the sweet spot -- and knocks him out cold. If you're a boxing fan, or any kind of sports fan, you've seen this happen
before.
The "unconquerable soul" is often underestimated, maybe even by you. In times of trouble, distress or financial difficulty, it is imperative to bear your soul and resuscitate it, even if that means asking for help, seeking direction, finding a mentor -- or whatever else. The unconquerable soul knows no limits... it refuses to accept defeat... It is incorrigible. It is obsessed in every way with survival -- and not just survival, but
victory. It understands that failure is not an option, even when it appears to be the only option.
The unconquerable soul also realizes that, while weapons are in fact necessary to fight and advance, they are merely tools in achieving victory -- not the force behind it. In other words, you might be a great marketer or business owner, and adept at implementing strategy, but ultimately, success and victory are fully achieved because of who YOU are, not by what you're doing. And this is in fact one of the great mysteries of success: two business
people with the same capabilities and resources at the same starting point... and after some years... one is wildly successful while the other is barely making ends meet. Why? One explanation leads to the unconquerable soul of man. The former listens, learns, implements, tweaks, markets, and refuses to go down. Eventually, he lands the knockout punch. The other exerts every effort, but eventually succumbs to defeat.
So Where Are You Now?
Now, I realize, you might be reading this and have no use for it: You're at the top of your game... you're king of the hill... making money hand over fist... and you already possess an unconquerable spirit. If that's the case, I'm truly happy for you. Keep up the good work and always remain unconquerable.
If, on the other hand, you sometimes struggle to make it through the day, I say to you, in the words for the incomparable college basketball coach, Jimmy V: "Don't give up. Don't ever give up." Strengthen your resolve and determination... AND... develop your marketing skills to the best of your abilities (and stick with it). With time, you will reap the fruits of the unconquerable soul.
Plus, here are 6 things that can help you get you back on track if you've been out of sync:
1. Mix up your morning routine -- or change it entirely - From waking up in the morning to brushing your teeth to walking the dog. You might find there a handful of things you can do differently to help you win the day. Remember, if you win the morning, you win the day. Along those lines, I highly recommend you read "the Miracle Morning" by Hal Elrod.
2. Seek advice - I suggest you regularly seek the counsel of (at least) two types of people -- someone who's an expert in your field or profession and someone completely outside of it. You will get different perspectives and the mix of both will be beneficial. Also, you will grow much more quickly if you take a mentor.
3. Do something creative - Even if you don't have a creative bone in your body, it's a good idea to get your creative juices flowing. It might be a radical shift for you, but why not? Write a short poem... try to come up with a slogan or some new headlines... draw or paint a picture of your pet, even buy a Lego set and build it. Get out of your routine.
4. Reminisce about some of your happiest memories - When things are really tough, you're bombarded with difficulties -- phone calls, bills, complaints, demands, personnel problems, etc. -- it can really weigh you down. But a helpful practice is to just stop everything and go back to what used to put a smile on your face as a kid. Had a favorite TV show? Then youtube it. A favorite comic book? Pull out one of
your old stash or go buy a new one. A favorite board game? Find it and play it with your staff (how radical, right? They'll love it!) or with your family.
5. Scroll through your contacts list and use it! - Sometimes touching base and re-connecting with colleagues, customers, referral sources etc. can lead you to new business and new opportunities.
6. Read about business people's success stories - Not only are these stories inspiring, but also educational. Look up the leaders in your industry... read about their struggles and failures and how they ultimately landed on their feet... and how they got there. They can offer you wisdom and a proven blueprint. People like Jack Welch, Richard Branson, Dave Thomas, Michael Dell, Walt Disney and so many others.
And, remember, whatever you do, never give up on your unconquerable soul.
I hope this helped... I wish you all the best in everything you do.
