5 moments when you need to persist in your business

While relaxing on a holiday in the sun, I spotted several tiny ants. They were each hauling a large (compared to them) flower that had blown to the ground. Did you know ants can carry 10 - 50 times their own body weight?

It was a windy day mixed with stillness. Out of nowhere a breeze would appear and blast the ant, and its bloom, blowing them both back beyond from where they had started. I felt frustration and a bit of sadness for the little guys. I wanted them to make it to where they were going.

Ants are resilient

If you’ve ever watched ants working, you know they are resilient and never give up. That’s what these ants did. Each one picked up that flower and started again. And again they were scattered by the wind. They did not give up and kept trying no matter what.

Let’s take a cue from the ants and be more persistent in our businesses. Don't fall for the glossy stories about how easy it is to make it as a business owner.

“If you really look closely, most overnight successes took a long time.” ~Steve Jobs

Being a business owner can be challenging

Being an entrepreneur is thrilling and it can be scary at times. We’ve all been there. You know that feeling, when you want to throw your laptop out the window or dive under the covers and sleep for a month. But that is precisely the moment not to give in and not to give up. Your persistence will pay off.

An important companion to persistence is consistency. Don’t give up and take consistent action. Remember, action creates momentum.

Here are some examples of moments when it’s important to choose to persist and how to do it:

1. When you get a "No"

No one likes to be rejected, especially in business. So what if you could change the way you view rejection and see it in a new light? First, keep in mind this quote from American author Nora Roberts, “If you don’t ask, the answer is always no." Once you have embraced this quote, then you’ll be more willing to ask.

Also realise that a "No" now can change to a "Yes" in the future. A rejection now can lead you in the direction of better opportunities.

And remember not to take it personally. It’s not about you, it’s about the other person. Be willing to persist in asking, knowing that you can deal with any "No" that comes your way.

2. When marketing frustrates you

Committing to three or so marketing strategies, doing them consistently and then not getting results is frustrating. Marketing and selling is all about connecting with people and building relationships. You can’t build relationships in one day. It takes time, be patient and persist.

3. When you don’t feel confident

Sometimes your confidence can drop and you start to question if you’re really able to make a difference with your business for yourself and your clients. In times like these, it’s important to reconnect to why you're doing what you’re doing and then persevere.

Also, take stock of your accomplishments and experiences. Create a document online or capture these achievements in a notebook and refer to it often. Think about the clients you have made a difference for and know that there are people out there who could use your support.

Persist in the face of doubt by connecting with the value you bring to your clients so you can keep moving forward.

4. When you need to follow up

There are two main reasons I hear from people about why they don’t follow up:

1. They don’t have time
2. They don’t know what to do - so they are afraid or paralysed

Being persistent with following up does not equate with being pushy. Ask for permission every step along the way, and when it’s clear that there isn’t a match to move forward, let it go.

5. When you need self-care

If you’re not feeling good and full of energy, that is going to affect your business. Taking care of your health and emotional well-being needs to be your top priority as a business owner. Be persistent and consistent in your efforts to take excellent care of yourself. By doing so, you are taking care of your business.

Feeling convinced? The next time you face a challenge, make the decision to persist in your business and continue on the path you know will make your business grow.