Rene Stuart del Rosario of Suka Pinakurat (“pride of Iligan”) fame put up a lechon manok business which eventually closed up. Then he tried a restaurant which did not quite make it as well. When he built his business based on his concoction of sugar cane vinegar and spices, it finally hit the mark. Pinakurat is now being sold not only nationwide but also in the United States, the Middle East and other countries.
If we look at the stories of businessmen, we will find out that for many of them, as it was for Stuart del Rosario, success in business did not happen overnight. Many tried and failed to try and fail again but never gave up until they found the” right formula” for business success.
The failures they experienced were not exactly wasted on the entrepreneurs. It was from the mistakes that they committed in running the botched business that they learned important lessons that served them well in finally making it. Remember, it is from failing, not from succeeding, from which we learn most.
Persistence is an application of the time-honored saying “If at first you don’t succeed, try and try again.” Surely, you have proven how wise and true this adage is in your personal life.
Persistence is also having the determination to do something even if all people around you say you are likely to fail. It means not being afraid of hard work. It also means not being afraid to fail because .. you can always try again.
You might also experience initial failure when you finally decide to be an entrepreneur. If you do, please remember that persistence usually pays.
If you feel that being persistent is difficult to you, the following may help:
- Don’t give in quickly when someone disagrees with your opinions or decisions. If you are sure of your stand, don’t give in to what the other person says easily. He might not even be sure of his stance. This is the test of your persistence. If you try, you might even have a chance to turn things around and make the person see your point of view and agree with you. If you persist in doing the right thing, the other person will respect you.
- If you get angry at someone who stubbornly disagrees with you your persistence will wear off quickly because you will be concentrating on your anger. On the other hand, if you stay cool and composed, you will be more persuasive, convincing and credible.
- Face the opposition squarely and openly. Avoid “behind the back” tactics. Don’t criticize or badmouth the oppositors in their absence. These are not the weapons of those who are negotiating with confidence. A truly persistent person will be strong enough to change what needs to be changed and do what needs to be done if others disapprove.
- In planning your business, refuse to get stumped by initial obstacles, like lack of funding, lack of skills, lack of information. All these are not insurmountable hurdles. Money can be raised or borrowed. Information can be sought from experienced entrepreneurs, from online and printed sources, from industry associations. Skills can be learned by training or on-the-job apprenticeship.
Like most entrepreneurial competencies, persistence can be developed through simulation exercises in the classroom. The UP ISSI and the SERDEF conducts entrepreneurship training programs with modules on achievement motivation and personal competency development.
The makulit among us are sometimes laughed at. But the important thing is they usually are the ones who have the last laugh, as they overcome initial difficulties through sheer “stick-to-itiveness.”
Photo: “Carry On” by brett jordan, c/o Flickr. Some Rights Reserved