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March 25, 2009
Nothing in the world can take the place of Persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan “Press On” has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.
- Calvin Coolidge
Last night we saw President Obama discussing our proposed economic recovery and take questions from reporters in the East Wing. When he proclaimed persistence is needed, he touched me. This is the missing ingredient in so many businesses. Persistence is needed to succeed, and Barack Obama is our President, and he understands Persistence. Do we, as entrepreneurs and business owners have persistence?
What Is Persistence?
Persistence is the ability to maintain action regardless of your feelings. You press on even when you feel like quitting.
When you work on any big goal, your motivation will wax and wane like waves hitting the shore. Sometimes you’ll feel motivated; sometimes you won’t. But it’s not your motivation that will produce results — it’s your action. Persistence allows you to keep taking action even when you don’t feel motivated to do so, and therefore you keep accumulating results.
NJOY NOW is a new category in convenience stores. Persistence is needed to create a new category, and our company is not only persistent, but 100% committed to the NJOY NOW brand, and the adult prepaid cards - products category.
When to Give Up.
Should you always persist and never give up? Certainly not. Sometimes giving up is clearly the best option. Seth Godin has written a wonderful, small book called The Dip. I highly recommend it for every entrepreneur and business man reading this. I also would like all store owners, clients, distributors and franchisees to read this little book. The Dip is insightful, and inspiring.
Both George Bush, and Barack Obama lost elections in smaller political races before they ultimately won, then went on to lead the United States of America. They did not quit politics after a loss, but they learned what it takes to win, by losing. They were in a Dip, but did not quit.
So how do you know when to press on vs. when to give up?
Is your plan still correct? If not, update the plan. Is your goal still correct? If not, update or abandon your goal. There’s no honor in clinging to a goal that no longer inspires you. Persistence is not stubbornness. Success comes from careful analysis of what you are working toward, and taking the risk needed to achieve something that is special, and unique.
The value of persistence comes not from stubbornly clinging to the past. It comes from a vision of the future that’s so compelling you would give almost anything to make it real. The vision we have for NJOY NOW is beyond compelling, it is addictive. NJOY NOW is the future of adult entertainment on the Internet.
We have created a solution to identity theft on line.
We are building a new category for convenience stores to lean on for new revenue that does not cannibalize previous product sales or categories. This is the Internet. Web 2.0 for adults.
We are protecting children, while entertaining adults.
This is a mission we NJOY... Now.
Persistence of action comes from persistence of vision. When you’re super-clear about what you want in such a way that your vision doesn’t change much, you’ll be consistent in your actions. And that consistency of action will produce consistency of results.
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