Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.
— Robert Collier
I did an interview this morning with Annette Bau, founder of The Millionaire Series. I was honored to be an interview subject and chatted on about my experience in growing Bramble Berry and Otion for over an hour. At the end, Annette asked if I had any last thoughts. Amazingly, even after talking for over an hour, I did! My final thoughts went something like this:
“It’s okay if you’re not cut out to be an entrepreneur. We’re taught in all the magazines and movies out there that being an entrepreneur is some mythical amazing thing, that everyone loves it and that there is fulfillment to be had just by being self-employed. That may very well be true for some. But if it’s not you, don’t beat yourself up. Learn to find the joy in what you do every day, even if it’s not starting a company and loving it.
But, if it is you and you do want to pursue your passion, just know that every single day can be a challenge and a journey of itself.
The reality is that things break, people fail you and sometimes, the days get really long and tough. But, if you just remember why you got into the business to start with and keep putting one foot in front of the other, you’ll get there. Daily incremental amounts of small effort, the same boring task day in and day out, eventually produce miraculous results. So, if you have a dream, start on it today and do 5 things, every day, that get you closer to your goal. Remember, a good plan violently executed now is better than a perfect plan executed next week.”
Thank you for the reminder and well said!
That seriously sums it all up so perfectly — great advice! You rock.
Well said and my sincere thanks for taking time out of your day to share that with us.
I realized that being my own boss is worth making, thinking-about even sometimes eating soap 16-20 hours a day. Honest. What I have not found in these early years is balance. My once beautiful home now looks like a cross between an art studio and a warehouse, which I don’t really have the time to mind, but it’s not a “big hit” with the family. Of course, I have no money to hire help or get a formal studio – yet.
Got any advice for that? hehehehe
Thanks, A-M. I sometimes forget why I started doing this, especially when I’ve injured my right hand (yet again) and it sets my work behind by about two days.
Or when a certain South Carolina-based supply company has dropped the ball and waited 21 DAYS to get in touch with you about an order problem. . .(NOTE: NOT talking about Bramble Berry, obviously!)
It *is* tough to remember the bright side on days like those. Luckily, though, we have people like you around to remind us what that bright side looks like. 🙂
–Amanda D.
BRAVO!
: – )
Erin
Well done.
Said well.
Positive words like this are needed especially after listening to the news today and wondering how all the economy is going to affect business this season. Thanks for the encouraging words.
What encourging words AM! Thanks!
Very inspirational and very true; thank you, Anne-Marie!
Thank you for that advice! It’s so good to be reminded of those things when the going gets tough.