A New Month, A New Challenge

As with any business, the start of another month brings new challenges and opportunities. Whether it's aggressive sales targets, problems with suppliers, or operating in a niche market,
bumps in your monthly road will inevitably appear without warning. The difficult part is in keeping up your spirits and pushing through the issues.

In reading Harvey Mackey's Success is a Marathon article on Inc., his motivation tips resonated with me - and I'm sure they'll resonate with you as well!

Keeping your eye on the prize is usually easier said than done. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the demands of a long-term project. Here’s how I stay motivated.

• Focus on what you can accomplish rather than the obstacles that stand in front of you. Direct your energy toward achieving a goal, and tackle the problems with an emphasis on edging closer to a successful result.
• When you identify a roadblock, develop a realistic plan to overcome it.
• Work with your colleagues or employees to make it easy for them to say yes to your requests. Provide options so they can contribute to the best of their abilities.
• Never ask them to do something that you wouldn’t do yourself. That is the essence of leadership.
• Be assertive without being aggressive. Set the direction and take responsibility for results.
• To paraphrase Winston Churchill: Never, never, never, never, never, never, never give up. (Mackey, 2012)