Those who succeed in art, music, and business often share a single, defining trait: persistence. It’s the ability to keep going, even when it feels like no one’s paying attention. Ironically, many give up just as they’re about to break through. Studies and anecdotes from countless successful creators suggest that real progress often starts around the 10,000-hour mark or after a decade of dedication.
If you’re ready to throw in the towel because fame or attention isn’t coming quickly, pause and ask yourself: Why did I start this journey? If it’s purely about ego or external validation, your motivation will falter. But if your work comes from the heart—your passion, your purpose—you’ll find the strength to persist.
Remember, success is not an event; it’s a process.
The Myth of Excitement in Business Success
Starting and growing a business is not glamorous. The best strategies and systems? They’re boring.
- The best investment strategies are boring: Save, invest, repeat.
- The best business systems are boring: Track, measure, improve.
- Repeating what works is boring: Consistency beats novelty every time.
But here’s the thing: poverty is never boring. Stress about paying bills or struggling to make ends meet is far more “exciting” than putting in the daily grind to build something sustainable. Embrace the boring. It’s where the money is.
Success is available to everyone but guaranteed to no one. Your consistency and dedication determine your outcome.
Conquering External and Internal Resistance
Every journey is met with challenges, but recognizing their nature can help you overcome them:
- The Bear: External resistance. These are the people, systems, or circumstances telling you, “You can’t do it.”
- The Dragon: Internal resistance. This is the voice inside you whispering, “You’re not good enough.”
Success lies in taming both. Learn to ignore the Bear and confront the Dragon.
Ask the Right Questions
Self-reflection and clarity are your best tools. Start by asking yourself:
- What do I need to keep doing?
- What do I need to start doing?
- What do I need to stop doing?
- What do I need to do differently?
These questions are here to help you unlock your potential:
- What’s the #1 thing you need?
- What’s the #1 thing you want?
- What’s your biggest fear about your business?
- What do you deeply desire for your business?
- What have you tried in the past?
- After trying all that, what did you hate the most?
These questions cut to the core of what drives or blocks someone’s progress. They can spark a deeper understanding of priorities, fears, and desires.
The Enthusiasm Dip
Starting anything new is exciting. Motivation is high, but as time goes on and you gain skills, the initial excitement often fades. This is natural—it’s called the enthusiasm dip.
Here’s the key: as your knowledge and skills grow, discipline and consistency must take over where enthusiasm once fueled you. Success doesn’t come from initial excitement but from the grind you embrace after it fades.
Final Thoughts: The Art of Business is the Art of Persistence
Business, like art and music, is about showing up even when the world doesn’t seem to care. It’s about mastering the mundane, conquering resistance, and staying true to your vision.
The real question isn’t whether success will come—it’s whether you’ll still be there when it does.