Persistence
I’ve often been curious to hear the responses given by individuals of substantial success when asked about their methods or secrets. The alchemy of the wealthy, the winners, the business elite. Over the years, I’ve heard some remarkably inventive responses, and some quite simple doctrines as well. I once at a conference listened to a rather engaging older gentleman profess that his secret was writing goals on a small piece of plywood, and then sleeping with it under his pillow. Honestly I thought to try it, but the idea of an inordinate amount of splinters sticking in my “cheeks” kept me from doing so.
The success of Nu Leadership Network has now placed me in this interesting and honorable congregation of advice givers. I’ve welcomed the responsibility. The act of bestowing advice has always seemed to be a considerably humbling experience, but also a small, indirect way of giving. It’s important to remember we know not the time or the hour when a quiet word of encouragement, a discreet act of kindness, or simple interest in the plight of distributor can be the catalyst for great change. We allow ourselves to be conditioned into thinking change comes as the result of adverse circumstance, accompanied by fireworks, tragedy, severe adversity and the like.
I rather believe that every passing moment, whether silent or filled with unrest, marked with modest bliss or an aching uncertainty, are all opportunities for breathtaking growth. The moments when you not just hear, but truly listen to yourself.
I sat in my home office late last night and was reading some of the statistics from our facebook fan pages and social network. I sat alone, accompanied by (what I felt to be) a well-deserved after-work green tea. We now mark among our ranks distributor members in 30 countries and hundreds of leaders who represent increasingly large Nu Skin groups. The irony of this revelation wasn’t that our Nu Leadership Network had reached such an expansive global presence, or really the number itself, rather the shock came as a fact that this international presence had not occurred as the result of a concerted effort. We created no international special campaigns or promotions.
I tried to put my finger on whether we had done something different recently, maybe a detail I was missing that would explain the situation. After some time, it quietly dawned on me; there was no detail, no business elixir that we had used. It was simply the act of true persistence over the last 9 months coupled with an insatiable need for many Nu Skin distributors to be part of a true global online community of support.
Persistence is often spoken of, but usually has a short shelf life. People invigorate themselves initially. The idea of staying the course begins with passion and fortitude, but then we struggle to maintain the enthusiasm. We encounter discouragement, but don’t use it as fuel for the next accomplishment. The successful distributor not only learns, but profits from their mistakes.
What we all must realize is that we cannot go back and start again, but we can start now from where we stand at this moment and create a new ending for ourselves.
We are now in 30 countries because no matter the hurdle, no matter the strife, no matter the detractors within our own company we will keep moving forward.
I set an incredibly lofty goal for myself, and then did more than ask of myself to persevere, I demanded it of myself. I knew if I could strive to do simple things well, I would build the skills to do difficult things easily.
There is nothing intrinsically magical or mystical about myself or my mentor Craig Bryson, or any other successful distributor. Successful distributors take their ordinary talents, and apply extraordinary perseverance to move forward. All things are attainable when your commitment begins within, when you refuse not to let yourself down.
The bottom line is this: You will most certainly be more disappointed with the things you did not do, rather than the things you did. Be bold with your desires and the ideals you hold dear for yourself. Know that there is nothing you cannot accomplish if you refuse to waiver in your pursuits.
I’ll leave you with a short proverb I enjoy and call on when my own discouragement begins to surface :
“Fall down Seven Times, Stand Up Eight.”
P.S. If you would like to be a part of our movement, join us, www.NuLeadershipNetwork.com.
