Recently, while listening to a program on successful entrepreneurs, the host asked the guest entrepreneur what kept them going, especially when it looked like the new enterprise might fail. I was struck by the answer. I’m paraphrasing here, the first step is small, it’s the decision to “do it.” All subsequent decisions are variations of “don’t stop.” And I add, after hearing the interview, don’t stop, even when things look dire.
There are many times when I have ‘stopped.’ I wasn’t fully committed, felt insecure, or didn’t believe I was capable enough and so forth. Not always, but enough times, I have had regrets for giving up. But, I offer this recent example of not stopping, albeit on a smaller scale than a business startup. A week ago, I facilitated a meeting on Zoom for a local nonprofit. I recorded it for them, first time I had done that. And a confession here, I’m “self-taught” when it comes to technology. I just “make it work’ and ask for help when or if I’m hopelessly lost.
After the meeting, I ‘lost’ the recording. Many hours later after multiple attempts and communications with a bot trying to find the recording (it had to exist somewhere, didn’t it?), I ‘found’ it, in my trash. Phew! Then I attempted to send the recordings via Dropbox and failed repeatedly at this task, too. Again, after many hours, multiple attempts, and computer chats with technicians, I successfully sent the videos. I’m embarrassed to say how many hours I spent on these efforts. I’ll just say many. But it was for a client, I couldn’t fail!
During those hours I felt anxious, panicked even, angry, scared, disgusted… but I wouldn’t let myself NOT succeed. I had to deliver. Now that I look back, I “didn’t stop.” And I’m proud of my effort and determination.
That advice, or perspective is valuable. Don’t give up too soon. There are times when things just aren’t meant to continue, but, still, be sure about that. What may help to discern the difference between continuing and really stopping is to pair the wisdom of continuing with another gem of wisdom I wrote about last fall. André De Shields describes that when you confront a problem, really engage it, all problems become porous, and there are ways to work through them. So, onward, commit if it is right for you, and keep going unless the problem truly has no holes or wiggle room to work through.