Stop and Smell the Roses
Enjoy the small successes.
by Roxanne Reed
Many times I’ve talked with women in business and found that they have a unique perception of what success means to them. To some it’s landing that first customer account, to others it’s getting an award for recognition, but too often it seems that success is only justified by the big win in the end.
Recently, I came across a box in my office that helped alter my perception of what success meant to me. As I combed through it, I found my first newspaper article, my first product sell sheet and my favorite name badge that I wore proudly at my first trunk shows. I was so filled with excitement that tears rolled down my face in a moment that made my worries of today seem pretty silly. In this small little box were my accomplishments – a dozen or more reminders of pivotal successes that made my business what it is today.
One thing I’ve come to learn and accept over the years is that a visionary thrives on challenge and seeking out things that no one else has created. Too often we work like mad to get to the end result – ignoring all the lessons that forged that success. By nature we want to conquer the world, but too often we find that once we get there, we instantly begin to work on the next big project or win. It’s in our blood. It’s what makes us who we are. Without the ability to build a vision, groom it and see it come to life, we often feel bored and isolated.
In my ten years in business - maybe it’s age or a tiny blip of wisdom I gained with experience - I’ve come to realize that every experience, good or tough, is a success in it’s own right. Every hardship I endured as a kid, every mistake I made as a teen and every humbling experience I went through as a parent have all contributed to the “grit” factor that keeps my creativity energized, and keeps me pushing on to the next big adventure.
What I’ve come away with after finding my box of trinkets is that success is not the end result. Success is the ability to walk down the wild and crazy road of business without sacrificing the journey.