It was really tough to get out of bed this morning. My alarm went off on my Iphone at 5am. My gym bag was packed. All I needed to do was hop out of bed, grab something to eat and drive to the gym to meet my trainer at 6am. Laying there in my bed I began the battle. Do I REALLY need to exercise? I’m tired, I could use the rest. What excuse could I make up? I could just text him and tell him I wasn’t feeling well. After about 10 minutes of back and forth mentally, I decided. I got up and was on my way minutes later.

A couple days later, I was in the gym running. My goal was to run 50 mins at a decent pace. I felt great. The first 10 minutes flew by. About 20 mins in, I hit a wall. How was I going to run for 30 more minutes? Again the mental battle began. Just quit. Stop running. Give yourself a break. I fought through and completed all 50 minutes.

These two episodes got me thinking. In both those circumstances, there was a moment when I made a decision. I chose to keep going. I chose to get up.

What is it that separates the successful business people from the unsuccessful ones? I would say, it’s their ability to decide to keep going. To not quit. To get up every day and give it 100%. Is it hard to do? Yes, you bet. Is it easier to complain, find excuses and give up? To mail it in? Yes it is. That’s why there are so few truly successful businesses. It’s just too hard…

Here are a couple of quotes I use to remind myself of when confronted with this struggle:

“When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on.”

– Franklin D. Roosevelt

“Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after another.”
– Walter Elliott

There are plenty examples of business that did not give up. Just when it seemed the darkest, they all had an amazing breakthrough. Consider, Walt Disney, Milton Hershey and Thomas Edison, Steve Jobs or J.K. Rowling. Here’s a great article on 7 entrepreneurs whose perseverance will inspire you.

Be honest. What are you giving yourself a pass on? What part of your business is completely out of shape? How long will you ignore it and give excuses? Business is a battle and you need to wake up every day and fight. You need to DECIDE that you are going to do something about it. If you do, day in and day out, you will win. Don’t be lazy – actually let’s not be lazy (I’m adding myself to that statement). Don’t give excuses. Decide not to give up…and give it 100%.