Too often we look at what we are missing and quit on what we have before we take the time to work our own nurture.
Have you been guilty of quitting too early just to see had you stuck it out just a little bit longer the fruits of your labor might have paid off?
Back in the 19th Century, an African farmer heard tales of other farmers who'd made millions by discovering diamond mines.He was so excited, he couldn't wait to sell his farm and go searching for his fortune.
Sadly, he spent the rest of his days doing just that: searching for his fortune. According to the story, worn-out and in a fit of despondency, the farmer threw himself into a river and drowned.
Meanwhile, back at the farm he sold, the new owner happened to be crossing a small stream on the property when suddenly there was a brilliant flash of light from the streamed. The owner picked up the stone, which was of significant size, and admiring its curiosity value, placed it on the mantel above his fireplace. Several weeks later, a visitor came to the farm and picked up the stone, looked at it closely, and nearly passed out.
He immediately asked the farmer if he'd understood what he'd found.The farmer replied that he'd assumed it was a piece of crystal. The visitor proceeded to inform the farmer that he'd found one of the biggest diamonds ever discovered.The farmer found the news a little hard to believe, especially, as he explained to his visitor, there were hundreds of similar stones just like it scattered throughout the creek.
Needless to say, the land the first farmer sold to go in search of a diamond mine, turned out to be the most productive diamond mine on the African continent. The first farmer had owned acres of diamonds but had sold them for practically nothing in order to find them elsewhere. Had this farmer paid closer attention to what he had and took the time look beyond the glitter that most associate with a diamond… think about how often YOU have said a “shiny new diamond.”
Think about the last time you quit working your mine.
When I was 14 years old, I was in a program called Pen & Scroll and part of the learning process for entry was to learn a poem called "Don't Quit." As a young man, from Webster Projects in the South Bronx this poem made a significant impact. This poem significantly contributed to the don't give-up mindset I still posses.
If you have never read this poem I am honored to share:
When things go wrong as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all up hill,
When funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest, if you must, but don't you quit.
Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As everyone of us sometimes learns.
And many a failure turns about
When he might have won had he stuck it out.
Don't give up though the pace seems slow
You may succeed with another blow.
Success is failure turned inside out
The silver tint of the cloud of doubt.
And you never can tell how close you are.
It may be near when it seems so far.
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit
It's when things worst that you must not quit.
I challenge you to stop comparing your business / your relationship to others.
I challenge you to stop looking for the shiny new diamond and take the time to look WITHIN YOURSELF for the diamond in the ruff.
I challenge you to appreciate the mine you already have and mine it.
I challenge you to embrace the difficult moments because it is the heavy lifting that builds and strengthen you.
Your personal and professional development is just steps away don't quit now, reach out and allow the coaching process to help you navigate your journey to success.
You will be AMAZED how much VALUE you already have right in front of you.