Getting From Here To There
My sister Helen, a serial multi-tasker with no equal, shared a simple visual with me many years ago to describe how she manages to address and finesse the multitude of personal and business tasks that are littered in her path every day: Always keep the ball rolling forward.
There’s something about forward momentum that keeps the competitive juices flowing, companies in business, goals on task. And what better symbol for a relentless, challenging pursuit than a spherical object with a mind of its own (just ask a golfer).
I’ll admit that when I started my business, 38 April Fools Days ago, the experience felt more like total submersion in an Ikea Ball Pit.
(What was I thinking?)
It took an incredible support system and Herculean tenacity to fight the doubts, stabilize the vision, and simplify the challenge: Just get the ball from here to there already.
With that visual top-of-mind, “there” is where I gratefully reside today: (still) running a successful business that has dragged me to the precipice and back many times, and taught me the wisdom of the phrase, “change or die.”
But how does one actually get from here to there, arriving at that place, realizing that dream, attaining that goal? My suggestions:
1) Buy a ball (commit to something).
2) Remember that balance is key. The goal can’t be all-consuming or you’ll crash and burn.
3) Measure twice, cut once. Don’t lose yardage ignoring your gut or taking short cuts that will inevitably result in “call backs.”
4) Best not to go it alone. Roll with people who make work fun, judgements few, contributions many, success inevitable.
5) Stumble forward: Failure can actually help you gain ground faster.
I’m very proud that our company toughed it out (The Great Recession) and managed to defy the odds. The Small Business Administration (SBA) reports that nearly one-fifth of business startups fail in the first five years and almost half of all employer establishments go under within five years. Only about one-third survive 10 years or more.
I'm thinking of changing our tagline to Perseverantia Vincit (perseverance conquers).
Anita Alvare (bio)/Alvare Associates/610-520-6140
Comments (5)
04.01.2019
Anne
Happy Anniversary Anita! Well deserved. Love the “new” tagline! So grateful to have participated on the journey. xo
04.01.2019
Kevin Barr
Five balls with five people moving/rebalancing themselves.
Five great suggestions!
I have been blessed to know you for five years.
Keep that wisdom and perseverance flowing Anita!
04.01.2019
Joyce Williams
Congratulations, Anita!!
04.01.2019
Doug
Great story and advice for any person thinking about starting a business!
04.03.2019
S. Joan Rychalsky
Anita, This is another magnificent article guiding us in a good, positive and encouraging direction. Your insights are affirming, insightful, attainable and wise. Thank you. Joan