April Showers Bring May Flowers | April 2012

Patience and persistence is the key to success in life and business.  Like the saying above, it’s important to remember that we get the beautiful May flowers after the April showers.

In today’s fast-paced world, we often want instant results and frequently get frustrated and think that our efforts aren’t working.  However, in nature there are many lessons for us to learn about success in business.

Seeds must be planted in the best possible conditions.  You can’t plant a seed in the sand and expect it to grow where it favors rich black soil, much like we can’t offer a service or product to people who aren’t interested in it.  We’ve got to be in a place where people are looking for us so the business can flourish.

Once we plant the seed, we must be patient and let nature do its thing.  We wouldn’t expect to plant a seed on a Tuesday and then, on Thursday, when it hasn’t grown into a full beautiful flower, declare that it’s broken.  We wouldn’t dig it up, replanting it over and over again, thinking it will make it grow “better.”  The same holds true in business; we can’t send postcards or create a website and expect instant results.  We’ve got to allow for it to take hold, get its roots and give it the best environment possible for it to grow.

Once the plant comes up, it is necessary to provide it with nourishment, remove the excess seedlings to allow the strongest plants to grow, and monitor it to ensure that it meets all its needs.  Same with our customers, once we’ve gotten them to do business with us, we’ve got to keep in touch with them, provide great service and encourage them to send others.   Take note that it may be necessary to “weed” out a few that aren’t right for you to allow more time for better-suited clients.

Spending time in nature is an excellent way to be reminded of our need to be patient yet persistent with ourselves and our businesses.