“Starting is the most difficult part.”

No, starting is not the most difficult part. Starting is slightly uncomfortable. The most difficult part is showing up day in and day out, for long periods of time.

How many projects have been started but not finished because they got difficult? Businesses started and abandoned? Sales cycles begun but not closed?

The most difficult part is putting in 10,000 hours. Showing up every day to get good at your craft. Whether you have plateaued or have become tired. Possibly you have lost motivation or become distracted.

Difficult is not showing up for the first day at a new job when the future seems bright. Difficult is coming into work 1 year, 2 years, or 10 years later wondering where you are going and what you are doing.

Becoming excellent is the hardest part.

Motivation for the most difficult part

This is the point where you need a little motivation. Something to help push through to the other side.

I turn to quotes and sayings, and here are a few that I find motivating. Quotes I have turned to for over 10 years.

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“There Is Always More Left In The Tank”

It is amazing what the human body can endure. Physically and mentally. Mentally you will want to stop well before you have reached your limits. But physically you can go much longer.

This is the “2nd wind”. Where you find the small amount that is left in the tank. Push harder than you thought possible, and the results will be greater than you thought possible.

“If Your Not Early You Are Late”

Punctuality. Be early to meetings. Customers, colleagues, friends, may all be late, but that does not give you an excuse to be late. Be on time; better yet, be early.

“You Are What You Are When No One Is Looking”

Who are you when you are alone? Alone driving between meetings? Alone in your office? This defines who you will be in public, business, and life.

“TCB – Take Care Of Business”

At all costs, take care of the business at hand. Do what you showed up to do, and don’t be distracted.

If it is to close a deal, close a deal. Get a meeting, get a meeting. Take care of business.

“Success Comes In Cans Not In Cannot’s”

You cannot build a business or learn skills thinking they are impossible. Change your mindset to think about what you can do, rather than what you cannot do.

Good luck and good selling!