Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not: unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent… ~ Calvin Coolidge
I love the word grit. It sounds like what it is. And, it always makes me think of John Wayne, maybe because he made the movie, True Grit. Honestly, grit brought this little Long Island girl to some amazing experiences and helped me be truly happy with my life. That’s a good thing.
What IS grit? Most people would say it’s being able to work hard. True, I agree. But it’s much more than that. Grit is about the ability to stay focused on a long term goal and work consistently to meet it. You gotta read this article about grit in the Boston Globe. Totally inspiring because it reaffirms something I learned personally in my life. You can have what you want if you’re willing to do what it takes to get it.
After my divorce, I moved myself and my kids out to an apartment. It was a lovely Victorian home that we had a lot of fun living in, including dancing on the big green lawn during summer rain showers. But it wasn’t our home. I wanted my kids to have a house to call their own. So, I set a goal to buy a house, which was pretty ballsy since I left with nothing and had just started my business.
Lawdy, the financial and emotional setbacks I had were tough. (Notice I didn’t say suffered. Having grit means you’re not a victim, you’re someone who can get things done!) It took two long years of extremely hard, often times discouraging, soul-grinding work until I had the key to my very own 1890 puddingstone Victorian rowhouse with a double yard.
My kids got not just their own rooms, but their own floor! Two bedrooms, a bath and a play room. I had a floor for my office, master bedroom and bath. The downstairs with the huge double parlor delighted me. Best part was the three fireplaces- one in my bedroom. I still love that house, even though my new hubby and I live in a very cute house. Why? Because it represented my will and effort made solid and real. My dream come true.
I’m investing the same grit in building my wedding business, Positively Wed. I sincerely believe that my communication expertise and experience will be invaluable to wedding professionals like you. Sure, it’ll take convincing to get folks used to this new approach to problem-solving. Hey, I’m up for the challenge. And, so excited to hear a wedding planner, or caterer or photographer say, ‘I feel happier now. It’s fun to go to work again.’ Having built a successful, lucrative business once, I know I can do it again. And, I will. So, really my future is mine to choose because there’s nothing that can stop me or my grit!
What a scary and awesome thought, huh?
So, do you have grit? Will you hang in there with your wedding business- rising to the challenges, enjoying the small moments, rolling with disappointments, fighting to be the best- after everyone else is gone? I hope so because I’m gonna be right there with you.
See for yourself- take the grit study
