The ever-elusive entrepreneurial energy levels.
When last did you get that sinking feeling? That feeling where it feels like all of life’s energy that you could have pulled together is leaving your solar plexus. With no bubbles to blow other than in your dreams. Yes, I agree, this might sound over the top but keeping the entrepreneurial energy levels up is not always as easy as it seems.
The Courage to Continue
When it comes to refueling entrepreneurial energy levels, nothing works as well as a good quote. “Success is not final. Failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that count.” This is probably one of the most widely used quotes to fill up the entrepreneurial energy tanks. Mostly attributed to Winston Churchill. On closer inspection, it seems that Winston Churchill never spoke these words. It’s almost like promising a kid pudding if they finish their dinner, but then the pudding gets ripped away.
Facing Realities
The reality is that you can feel sorry for yourself that the nurse took your pudding or you can face realities that all those insane amounts of sugar were not good for you in the first place. Tough times never last, but tough people do.
Not sure who spoke these words first. Does it matter? It is true and we need to keep on reminding ourselves of all the positive mantras, no matter who uttered it first. Ultimately we have to do everything in our power to keep our entrepreneurial energy levels as high as humanly possible.
Look who’s talking
Yes, I know. It is easy to talk when I am sitting in the comfort of my office with a kitchen full of coffee and solar power to keep the kettle boiling. When you are already finding yourself a few feet underwater life choices become a little more muddled.
I was privileged enough to have attended a Trail Running Workshop over the weekend. One of the lessons was that if you feel like bailing out on an ultra race where things go South, just keep on pushing.
My thoughts at the time were: ‘Yeah right, easy to say if you are not already riddled with pain so excruciating that you are battling to keep the tears back!’ Shortly before that moment, I pulled my right hammy so badly on a down-run exercise that I had difficulty breathing, never mind keep a straight face!
It is easy to dish out advice if you are not experiencing that pain. Right here. Right now.
Getting High on a Bamboo
I have recently decided to re-enter the world of corporate gifts, clothing, and promotional displays with a friend. Generating income at the drop of a hat is as far-removed as the income generated between Little Red Riding Hood and Harry Potter!
A magical reminder to keep up the entrepreneurial energy levels is an article that I wrote a long time ago called the Bamboo Effect. According to the World Genius Record Association Bamboo is the world’s fastest-growing plant at a rate of up to 91 cm in only one day. The truth is that the bamboo plant takes up to 5 years to sprout!
The magical growth occurs thanks to 5 years of preparation. And yes, during those 5 years of under-the-surface work, we still need to feed the kids and pay the doctor’s bills. Rome was not built in a day and neither will your business be. You might want to consider adding some bamboo to your pipe and smoking it. It might just result in the superhuman energy you need.
Whatever comes, just don’t stop
Phil Knight, founder of Nike, famously said (or at least that is what his autobiography says): “Don’t stop. Don’t even think about stopping until you get there, and don’t give much thought to where ‘there’ is. Whatever comes, just don’t stop.”
Your swimming underwater can be a refreshing experience. You can reemerge with newfound energy or your ideas and hopes and dreams could drown right there and then. You have the choice between pulling your solar plexus together or blowing bubbles in the water.
Entrepreneurial Energy for Hire
If you need some help to refuel your entrepreneurial energy levels, we are only a phone call away.
