Perseverance - Be the One Who’s Still in the Game

When the going gets tough, you'll wonder if it's worth it. But if you don't quit, if you keep on fighting, you give yourself a chance to achieve your goal. Applying the ideas will give you the resolve you need when you’re face-to-face with challenges.



What strategies do you use to keep on track when you’re discouraged and feel like giving up?

"When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you, till it seems as though you could not hold a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn." - Harriet Beecher Stowe, American novelist 

"The one quality all successful people have is persistence. They're willing to spend more time accomplishing a task and to persevere in the face of many difficult odds." - Joyce Brothers, American psychologist

"There's no scarcity of opportunity to make a living at what you love. There is only a scarcity of resolve to make it happen." - Wayne Dyer, American author

Joan Rivers: A Role Model for Courage and Perseverance

Joan Rivers is far more than a successful comedian. A phenomenal entrepreneur, she overcame extreme adversity to create a multi-faceted company that now exceeds $200 million in sales annually.

I recently had the chance to meet Joan and hear her speak at the Glazer-Kennedy SuperConference in Dallas. Her inspiring presentation included not only her own experiences as a business builder but also insights she’s gained from hosting “How’d You Get So Rich?” In this reality TV show, Joan simply asks people who’ve made money in unique ways how they acquired their wealth. [You can watch full episodes HERE.]

All these individuals started with nothing but a dream, and Joan described several traits they had in common. How can you apply these success principles to your own life?

1. Say YES to every opportunity.  Hesitation, doubt and fear can cause you to miss out on life-transforming breaks.

2. Have a strong work ethic. “If you love your work, you shouldn’t know it’s 5:00.” If you really love what you do, you’ll think about it all the time and figure out how to go to the next level.

3. Have a motto or mantra that drives you. A few favorites:

“Never look back.”
“Use whatever resources you have.”
“Yes is the only answer.”

4. Ignore your shortcomings. No one is perfect. If you believe in yourself, don’t let what you can't do well deter you. And don't let others discourage you from pursuing your dream.

5. Never let anyone tell you something is beneath you. Be willing to do whatever is necessary to achieve your goal.

6. Keep your sense of humor. Accept that life is difficult, so make a joke out of the bad times whenever you can. “100 laughs a day = 10 minutes of rowing.”

At 76 years young, Joan Rivers is a role model for lifelong learning. The authentic enthusiasm in her voice as she described the lessons she’s learned from her own life and the entrepreneurs she’s interviewed was inspiring. And remember...

“Don't follow any advice, no matter how good, until you feel as deeply in your spirit as you think in your mind that the counsel is wise.” - Joan Rivers

Optimism - Focus on Opportunities Instead of Obstacles

The attitude and beliefs you bring to a challenging situation dramatically affect what happens to you. Putting on rose-colored glasses and hoping for the best won’t make the problem go away. Find out what an optimistic approach really looks like and why it will get you better results. When you implement these ideas, you’ll reduce the fear and anxiety you may feel in the face of uncertainty.




If you tend to play “scary” movies in your head, try replacing them with vivid images of what you DO want. Can you feel the difference in your mind and body?

"Things turn out best for people who make the best of the way things turn out." - John Wooden, American college basketball coach

“Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow, it only saps today of its joy.” - Leo Buscaglia, American author

“The optimist sees the rose and not its thorns; the pessimist stares at the thorns, oblivious to the rose.” - Kahlil Gibran, Lebanese poet

"What is a weed? A plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered." - Ralph Waldo Emerson, American philosopher

Why Is Apologizing So Hard?

One thing we quickly learn in life is that NO ONE is perfect. While it’s easy to see the flaws and faults in others, we often wear blinders when it comes to our own behavior and its effect on others.

Recognize that you’re going to make mistakes, and when you do, sometimes your words and actions will negatively impact those you care about most.

Have you ever:

• Lost your temper and said something in anger that you regret?
• Blamed someone else and then realized you were the one at fault?
• Inconvenienced others by being late, careless, or otherwise self-absorbed?

If you have, you’re not alone. We’ve all failed to be the person we aspire to be at any given moment.

The trick is to recognize what you’ve done (or haven’t done) as quickly as possible so you can repair the damage before it becomes deep or permanent.

Saying “I’M SORRY” can make all the difference in strengthening or healing a relationship, yet sometimes these words stick in your throat.

Why is it so hard to say “I’m sorry” when you’ve said or done something hurtful?

For one thing, we like to be right so it’s painful to admit we’re wrong. With an apology, we acknowledge we’re imperfect. It takes a strong sense of self to make yourself vulnerable to another person.

Or maybe you’re concerned that you’ll be perceived as weak and the other person will take advantage of you in some way.

Here’s the reality though.

Most of the time, the injured party will be relieved to hear you say, “I’m sorry” and be quick to forgive you. At a minimum, you’ve opened the door to more meaningful communication where you can discuss what went wrong and what’s needed to repair the relationship and restore good feelings.

You can expend enormous energy trying to justify your behavior or defend what you said. But in the end, if your words or actions created problems for another person – and that individual is important to you – you need to set your ego aside and apologize as quickly as you can. I guarantee that your relationships will be stronger when you make a sincere apology and follow up with behavior that restores trust and respect.

"It takes a great deal of character strength to apologize quickly out of one's heart rather than out of pity. A person must possess himself and have a deep sense of security in fundamental principles and values in order to genuinely apologize." - Stephen Covey