Photo by Lexie Janney on Unsplash

Everyone has a business idea, but not everyone has the courage to put it into action. Be it an established entrepreneur or a newbie, there comes a daily challenge to all of them, big or small.

However, the tricky aspect is how one plans to expand and stay relevant in this competitive world.

Everybody wants to be on the top, making the competition more fierce & risky. While there are innumerable ways to grow, the route to success lies in focus and motivation. Setting and accomplishing small goals until the final destination helps maintain focus.

And to stay motivated here are a few sayings of those who traveled a similar journey to accomplish  and inked their names in history.

 

 

1. Success is not final, Failure is not fatal. It is the courage that counts to continue. - Winston Churchill

Leading the entire nation through innumerable failures & threat during World War II, to attaining significant victory the pressure was paramount. But, the only thing that kept Britain going was Churchill's understanding that failure is a part of any process. It takes courage to move forward and those who are diligent in their pursuits, ultimately achieve their goals.

 

 

2. Business opportunities are like buses, there's always another one coming. - Richard Branson

Branson's Virgin Group is an ideal example of the saying "where there is a will, there is a way". From launching the Virgin Record Labels to the start of the Virgin Atlantic Airlines in 1980 & the Virgin Rail Group in 1997, the journey wasn't a smooth ride.

It went through a number of failed ventures, but Richard's optimism to move on, learn from the mistakes and explore was knighted in March 2000 at the Buckingham Palace for his service to entrepreneurship.

 

 

3. Every problem is a gift - Without problems we would not grow. - Anthony Robbins

A "problem" as we see it, or an "opportunity" as we perceive it, depends entirely on us.

Sometimes it feels that we are surrounded by problems and all our time goes into putting out these fires. We tend to stumble and even take wrong turns, but actually we develop the courage to continue, learn and innovate in return. 

 

 

4. There is no shortage of Remarkable Ideas. What's missing is the will to execute them. - Seth Godin

Having a business idea is common, but ideas are worthless unless executed. Moreover, many business ideas are executed, but as per stats only 25% of these new businesses survive for 15 years or more.

Ever wondered, what could be the reason for their failure?

Well, it is the lack of will to invest in the resources needed in their proper execution. A good and successful business requires time, proper planning, flexibility and the courage to face & handle risks.

 

 

5. I don't know the word "Quit". Either I never did it or I have abolished it. - Susan Butcher

There comes a stage in everyone's life where we are demoralized and knuckle under the hurdles that come our way. We are tired of the never ending challenges. But then, it is the time we need to sit and regain our focus. We need to remind ourselves of the fact that no problem is insurmountable if one is determined enough.

Therefore, just rule out the word "Quit" and with perseverance all the goals can be achieved.

 

 

6. Success usually comes to those who are too busy looking for it. - Henry David Thoreau

When you are on a mission or have a set goal, your mind can never be still. It will always be engaged in discovering new ways & methods to reach the aspired position. And with this constant effort success shall be achieved.

Therefore if we are content with what we have, we will never think of doing better. Doing better is a constant process and demands continuous effort until we attain success.

 

 

7. And the day comes when the risk to remain in the bud was more painful than the risk it takes to blossom. - Anais Nin

It is necessary to stay quiet & calm at times. This gives us the time to think, concentrate, create and proceed towards wise actions. But a longer dormant period slows us down.

Similarly not accepting challenges because we fear the risks, is the biggest hurdle on our route to success. But once that hurdle is crossed what blooms is an evolved personality that is not only courageous but also an inspiration to others.

 

 

8. If You really look closely, most overnight successes took a long time. - Steve Jobs

Overnight success is just an illusion. Success is just like a tasty fruit that we get from a tree, whose seed was sown years ago. It first germinated and grew into a tiny plant that faced harsh winds and rain. But with continuous care it turned into a tall, lush green tree laden with beautiful flowers and sweet fruits.

Therefore what appears to the outer world as an overnight success is actually years and years of constant hard work, perseverance, honest commitment towards the goal and patience to overcome the challenges.

 

 

9. Even if you are on the right track, you will get run over if you sit there. - Will Rodgers

Doing every right thing, doing them the right way, but still not moving forward!!

A thought that bothers most of us each time when we analyze and compare our growth chart with the ones we are in competition with. Then is the time we need to inspect the blockers and push ourselves to go that extra mile & be ahead.

 

 

10. Play by the rules, but be ferocious. - Phil Knight

A competition won't be fair, if there weren't any rules. Also, there won't be any competition, if there isn't anyone striving hard to be better than the other.

Every business big or small, is struggling to be ahead of its competitor. The passion to grow keeps it going. The genuine desire and effort to grow and succeed is necessary, only if its not nefarious or unethical.