I have a friend who is an avid horse racing fan. As he puts it, “I’m a man who likes games of chance.” I’ve never really been into horse racing, so I’m always intrigued when he starts explaining the terminology of the sport. I am especially interested in the different terms for how horses run. An example would be a “mudder,” a horse that runs well on muddy track surfaces, or a “finisher” who always closes a race strong. My friend says the most important quality that racing fans look for, the quality that all great horses possess, is a strong “bounce” – the ability to bounce back quickly from a disappointing race.
This is a trait shared by most successful business people as well. You can always count on them to bounce back strong after a tough time in the business or a setback in a deal. They don’t quit, no matter how difficult the circumstances might be. So next time your life seems to be going in a negative direction, ask yourself how your “bounce” is going. Focus on “bouncing back” from the negative circumstances, rather than letting yourself wallow in the misery of those circumstances. I’ve included a poem below to help inspire you not to quit. Don’t give up!
Don’t Quit
When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill,
When the 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 every one 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.
Often the goal is nearer than,
It seems to a faint and faltering man,
Often the struggler has given up,
When he might have captured the victor’s cup,
And he learned too late when the night slipped down,
How close he was to the golden crown.
Success is failure turned inside out–
The silver tint of the clouds 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 seem worst that you must not quit.
– Author unknown[1]
Have a great weekend,
Ro