The key is to never give up

There are days I feel exhausted. Being a business owner is hard work. And in these economic times, it's even harder. Customers (or I should say prospects) for an inventory service say things like ... wait until I straighten up my garage ... wait until we finish painting ... wait until the economy gets better ... THEN we'll have an inventory.

I believe them and past experience proves they will. But it gets you down some times. Hearing "no" or "wait" can really take its toll. And when I find I'm having one of those days, I think of Payton, our 7-year-old granddaughter (so small that Mike has called her 'peanut' since the day she was born, weighing less than 3 pounds). She is still tiny, but now a 38-pound powerhouse - full of energy, loving life and oh - so - VERY - LOUD!

Her stick-to-it-till-it's-right attitude when learning a new song on the piano is inspiring. Her little fingers can hardly spread far enough apart to touch all the keys and her feet dangle because she can't reach the floor (we wonder if she'll ever be able to push the pedals). But she practices, practices and practices until she has it right. She doesn't give up even when it seems she'll just never learn it! Frustration and disappointment envelope her. After a short break she's back at it again, energy and determination renewed.

Last weekend was her recital. She did great, and all because she kept trying. All because she knew the rewards of her efforts would be there for her. All because she believed in herself.

At the conclusion of her recital, she received a rousing applause. Next time I make a follow-up phone call and I hear "I'm ready to schedule my inventory" instead of "Wait until ...", I will stand up, take a bow, and listen to the applause! Because I didn't give up - and I worked hard to be here!

Ta-da!