Every entrepreneur is encountered with the option of giving up. Every business out there has experienced bad days, and many of them have experienced a chain of bad days. However, it is important to note that every business out there means every business out there. Amazon had some bad days as well as a chain of bad days. Let’s not forget to count Apple, JetBlue, Samsung, WalMart, and Whole Foods Market. The difference between these businesses and the ones that feel apart are that the entrepreneurs behind the businesses had more stamina. Once they discovered an idea they wanted to pursue, these entrepreneurs did not back down. In order to see your startup or product become successful, you need to have entrepreneurial stamina.
In order to build your entrepreneurial stamina, you need to respond to criticism very well. Many people are afraid of the critics. Some people act like the zombie apocalypse just happened when their book gets a 1 star review. Others are simply intimidated when someone says that the idea is doomed to fail.
Another way to build your entrepreneurial stamina is to have a vision in place. Where do you see your business down the road? Having a vision can give you the motivation that you need to keep the business open even when all odds are stacked against you. Apple was falling apart, went bankrupt, and only got saved because Bill Gates and Steve Jobs came to the rescue. Bill Gates came to the rescue financially while Steve Jobs came to the rescue with his vision and innovative mindset. Reading stories like Apple’s also helps towards boosting your entrepreneurial stamina.
A big part of your entrepreneurial stamina comes from your desire to do what you do. If you do not like your business, then your stamina will not last long. However, if you love what you do, then your stamina will be stronger. As a kid, Steve Jobs would create, tear apart, and recreate computers for fun. When Steve Jobs founded Apple, he was the head of a business that he loved.
In order to have a successful business, you need to have entrepreneurial stamina during the developmental stages of that business. You need to see the developmental stage of your business as a stepping stone towards success. With this kind of mindset, your business will go far.
Nice one. I will add persistence, planning your time and working it and saying no to old pleasures that draw you back. Stamina comes from training. In training, you do things that challenge you to become better.
You made some great points Chukwukadibia. No one can excel without practice. Professional athletes don’t accidentally become professional athletes and the most successful people in the world don’t accidentally become the most successful people in the world.
Another great, readable post. Thanks Marc!
My pleasure Steve.
It’s either this way or no way! There are no other alternatives to success than ‘persisting’.
It is important to develop the right techniques along the way, but being persistent is at the cornerstone or success.
Yes! There are methods, techniques, ways–but in the end, we just have to stick to it!
You have to love your business. Steve Jobs proved that.