Market Fads & Fashions

Struggle is Optional.

Sounds great doesn’t it? Who doesn’t want to
believe that?

Those who promote this mantra argue that we
often make things harder for ourselves than
they need to be.

They believe that we actually create our own
struggle. And, that if we learn to just “allow”
then success will flow naturally to us.

There are a lot of people selling the promise
that success is easy … just do these five
things and you’ll be on your way to easy street.

As a result, I’m starting to see many people
really frustrated when it’s not as easy as
they’ve been sold. I’ve even faced this myself.

The bottom-line is, being successful takes work.

Yes, there are times when everything seems to
magically come together. But very often that’s
because of the seeds you’ve planted previously.

I’ve seen evidence of this in my own life.
Where the people and things I need seem to
magically appear right when I need them most.

However, in my experience, there’s another,
contradictory motto, “Anything worth having
is worth working for” that also comes into
play quite often.

Creating your own successful business takes
dedication, persistence and good old fashioned
“stick-to-itiveness.”

And anyone who tells you otherwise is, in my
opinion, not being honest. Getting clients
can be tough. Perfecting your marketing can
be a challenge. Juggling all the jobs a solo-
professional must juggle can be draining.

Oh sure, there are those who get lucky and
just happen to have the right business idea
at the right time, but most of us work hard
at it for years.

Look at any successful entrepreneur and odds
are they’ve had some failures along the way.
The business they found big success in is
more than likely NOT their first venture.

So while the idea of “Struggle is Optional”
is nice, I’m not sure it’s realistic. And I
don’t think that’s a bad thing. Because every
experience we have is a learning experience.

Things don’t always go smoothly OR the way
we want them to go. But very often, that’s
because there are lessons we need to learn.
And, in the end it’s these lessons that move
us toward the success we’re striving for.

So, if you are struggling right now in your
business or with your marketing, know that
this is normal AND that you are not alone.

And use the following 6 tips to help you
get through it:

(1) Just keep moving forward, one step at
a time, do the best you can with what you
have and be kind to yourself.

(2) Recognize that success is a journey,
not a destination. Look for things to be
grateful for every single day. Don’t give
up on your dreams. And, know that you do
have a gift to share with the world.

(3) Accept that some days will be tough.
Get the support of other solo-professionals
or business owners in the form of a master-mind,
support group or networking group. Don’t isolate
yourself and try to go it alone. Very often,
just realizing that we’re not the only ones
dealing with these issues can make us feel better.

(4) Relish the days where everything seems to
flow effortlessly because you WILL have them …
just don’t expect them every day.

(5) Remember that each step you take, even the
challenging ones, is moving you one step closer
to success.

(6) Stay on the path and trust that you will
get there. It may take longer than you planned,
in fact it probably will. But if you’re diligent
and keep working toward it, you will find success.

(C) Copyright 2006 Debbie LaChusa