This is not just an empty title, folks.
I’m actually going to tell you something that will help you.
Assuming, of course, you’re one of my fellow entrepreneurs.
I have a way to put this that may not be terribly original, but intended nevertheless to be my personal mantra, credo, and mission in life.
My definition of success is:
Continuing to get back up and dust oneself off after the small defeats, always knowing you will get up again one more time than you fall, and never ever giving up.
To make this perfectly clear, failure is a part of success, and it’s as inevitable as pain is to an athlete.
I believe this next bit is Christopher McDougall from his epic distance running book “Born to Run:”
“Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.”
Are you going to get knocked down, either by your own faults or failures or “shoulda-did’s?”
If you think you’re infallible, you’re delusional, too.
Nobody’s perfect, not even a perfect stranger.
(That one is Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders, by the way).
In the words of Forrest Gump, shit happens. (And he said that while running!).
But Eric! You say.
Things are going great! Why pray tell should I concern myself with thoughts of minor failures?
Because think about it, Forrest.
Sooner or later, shit happens. Come on now, you know it does.
Can you honestly say that every single decision you’ve made since the one to start a business and work for yourself has worked out perfectly?
If you can, then you’re a rainbow-farting unicorn. You should definitely share that on YouTube.
But if you’re human (and I know you are), you’re going to poop the bed once in a while.
I’m telling that it’s not only okay, it’s normal.
The part about how you succeed in business is simply what you do next.
Take responsibility. Make it right.
Get the hell back up off the mat, and take action.
You only fail utterly when you quit utterly.
So, how about you just banish the option of quitting utterly, forever and ever?
Try thinking about what comes next after you quit.
Going back to work for “The Man?”
Limit your compensation in life to the value others place upon you?
Wait…isn’t that why you sang Johnny Paycheck one day, walked out, and made the decision to fly like an eagle?
As long as quitting is not an option, quitting is not an option.
Refuse to lose, in the words of Busta Rhymes.
You are in competition with no one but yourself, the warped and handsome stranger staring back out at you from your bathroom mirror.
You want others to succeed because they pave the way for your own success.
And there is no lack.
Let me say that again, louder: THERE IS NO LACK!
There is enough for everybody in this universe.
You put yourself in the flow by refusing to lose.
Creating astonishing service to others.
Charging what you’re worth.
And, giving them more value than they paid for.
Those last two things are both possible, and they should bring you joy in the deliverance.
This, my friends, is the business of succeeding in business.
Oh, and while you’re at it?
Pay as little tax legally as possible, and maximize your profits ethically.
Never quit, and get a good accountant by your side.
I have room for one more new client before the end of the month, if you want to talk about it, by the way.
Let’s do this!