COMMITMENT

McDonald’ s Ray Kroc said: “the more you sweat, the luckier you get.”

Growing a business is not based on luck; it’s based on a mindset of total commitment to a business, almost at the expense of everything else.

Yes, a good strategic focus plan that is implemented may help eliminate the luck factor. In other words what might seem like luck is often the result of good planning.

There is another factor involved in business growth and that is time. A new business, one that is still in stage one or stage two of its growth, cannot succeed if the owner works an 8 to 5 schedule, five days a week. There are other “players” involved in the life of an entrepreneur, such as family, hobbies, recreational activities, etc. The expectation for new business is that it will provide current income for the family, college tuition for kids, and a comfortable retirement when the time comes.

The dream of starting a new business or growing an existing small business has to start with a family conference and the explanation of the time involved to grow a profitable sustainable business. Some of the other time takers such as hobbies and recreational activities may have to take a back seat during the foreseeable future.

I find that the internet and social media are giving a false sense of the time and methods required to grow a business. New technology has not eliminated the time necessary to build a solid foundation. 

It all starts with a vision, followed by an action plan and the accountability for its implementation. If you persevere, you will see a light at the end of the tunnel and it won’t be a train on the tracks, but a rainbow.

“With ordinary talent and extraordinary perseverance, all things are attainable.”  – Thomas Foxwell Buxton