207: Developing Perseverance in Your Firm
207: Developing Perseverance in Your Firm
with Michele Williams
Can we just talk about perseverance? Perseverance is defined as doing something despite the difficulty or delay in achieving success. With all the things happening in our world and industry over the last two years, I would say that most of us are living in this space right now. Listen in to today’s episode where we discuss how we can keep going, even when the road seems long ahead of us.
Topics Mentioned:
Failure
Risk
Goals
Continual Improvement
Listen to the Episode
I love words. Did I ever mention that I was in the finals for our school district for the 8th grade spelling bee? I did not win, but man – I love words.
When I think about perseverance other synonyms come to mind. Dedication. Determination. Grit. Endurance. Moxie. Spunk. Stamina. And the list goes on.
Perhaps you are just trying to get through the long delays in the sales channels or in the broken furniture arriving onsite at installation. Or the change in schedule for your team or subcontractors. Recently it feels like we have to really make peace with the difference in managing and controlling.
We are also in a season of projects taking a long forever to be completed. And this is where the perseverance comes in. Now, more than ever, it is important to make sure you are working with your ideal client. Because working with a non-ideal client is tough for 6 months – but imagine that you are now tethered to that client for 2 years to complete a build. That is perseverance amped up.
Some may ask, “what is the key to perseverance” or “how can I improve my perseverance skills?”
Here are a few suggestions to help us stay focused on the end goal and to persevere through the rough patches.
Don’t be afraid to fail. Failure and success are so very close to each other. Failing forward, as John C. Maxwell describes in his book is what builds perseverance. He says the difference between average people and achieving people is their perception of and response to failure. I admit, this is not an easy thing for me. I like to get it right – and my bet is, so do you. But failure can be an awesome teacher. When I look at my coaching and my courses and the building of Metrique Solutions – they were all born out of what I failed at – and then what I persevered in long enough to get it right.
Take risks. I am not, by nature, a big risk taker. In my youth the consequences of taking risks did not work in my favor so I learned to play it safe in many regards. But the older I get, the riskier I get. I still think things through and take calculated risks – but I also realize that some of the fun and adventure is waiting outside of the day-to-day, mundane, safe spaces. Don’t be afraid to try a different process, to reach your client or vendor in a new way or with a new message. Try something in your marketing that you have not done before. Take note of how you feel, what happens, and if anything is sparked in you. Try a different design aesthetic or find an adventurous client that let’s you do something really different. You will make it to the finish line before you know it because your energy level will change.
Keep your goals in mind. Recently we launched Metrique Solutions. This was a multi-year build that took a lot of perseverance to get through. Towards the end we had a big white board with a Bible verse at the top reminding us of joy, peace, and hope – and at the bottom we had our why written out:
* To use our gifts to help others.
* To provide financial literacy to business owners.
* To give small businesses the power and information to make sound financial business decisions.
As we continued to fix the bugs, create the pathways, connect the tech – these things played out in our minds over and over to keep us focused.
When I have clear goals, it is so much easier to attain them as compared to when I am not really sure what is expected of me. This holds true if I am going to an event or presenting a program. I want to know what attire is expected and for goodness sakes, what the topic of my discussion will be. Not having clear goals with these simple things should make you feel a bit uncomfortable.
Now imagine no clear goals for your business. That is like going to an event every day without knowing the timing of anything or the dress code. No thanks.
Setting goals and working towards them allows you the time to focus on the journey of achievement and the process and getting that extra degree of improvement in.
Focus on continued improvement. I love the book, “212 the Extra Degree” by Sam Parker and Mac Anderson. They share so many nuggets in this tiny little book that pack a punch. The main suggestion is that the extra 1 degree makes the difference. The honing of our skillset and pushing forward just a bit more.
This book has assisted me in focusing on being committed to the work, not just the end goal. By being committed to the journey we can focus on continued improvement – that extra degree. Take the time to look for small tweaks, small improvements in every area of your business – including your thought life and the messages you tell yourself.
Perseverance doesn’t happen by accident, and it doesn’t happen without focus. Staying focused on your goals, your why, the journey and improvement strategies keeps you in the game. It becomes about more than just “getting it right” all the time and allows you to take the risks with a willingness to fail forward.
Where are you playing it safe and perhaps struggling in your business? Where are you leaning into the excitement of being willing to try new things and take some risks to get better results? Perseverance can be your friend – and a valued part of your business growth.
Here at Scarlet Thread Consulting and Metrique Solutions we are trying to continually improve our internal journey as well as our client journey. We know that perfection is our enemy. Yes, you heard that right. Perfection is an enemy. It makes us think we aren’t enough or haven’t done enough – and it keeps us fearful of moving forward. We are choosing not to live in that lie of fear. Instead, we are focusing on precision and meeting the needs as best we can with grace. Knowing that everyone is doing the best they can with the resources we have (and don’t have).
We invite you to join us in building perseverance in a healthy way in your life and business. Don’t be afraid to fail. Take risks. Keep your goals in mind. Focus on continued improvement.
If you need help with your business strategy reach out to us at Scarletthreadconsulting.com and let’s talk. And if you want to see your financials check out MetriqueSolutions.com to have the power of your numbers at your fingertips. Perseverance is a choice – and so is your profitability.
Key Thoughts:
Now, more than ever, it is important to make sure you are working with your ideal client. Michele (2:35)
Don’t be afraid to fail. Failure and success are so very close to each other. Failing forward, as John C. Maxwell describes in his book is what builds perseverance. Michele (3:13)
When I have clear goals, it is so much easier to attain them as compared to when I am not really sure what is expected of me. Michele (5:54)
Perseverance doesn’t happen by accident, and it doesn’t happen without focus. Staying focused on your goals, your why, the journey and improvement strategies keeps you in the game. Michele (7:25)
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