I have a personal story about persistence. Ten years ago, I was in partnership with a guy in the debt consolidation business. Anyway, I thought I was a partner so I wasn’t taking any money out of the business. My wife was working in the business as a secretary, just so we had some money for food and rent. My wife, who is a lot smarter than I am said to me one day, “Are you sure you’re his partner? Show me the papers.” I didn’t have any partnership papers, all I had was a handshake, so I asked him to sign an agreement. His answer floored me. He said, “No, we never were partners.” I saw red, told my wife to get her purse, and we walked out of the office.
As it happens, we walked right into the office-building complex’s landlord. I asked him if he still had the office around the corner vacant, he replied that he did. I said, “Good, I want it, but I don’t have the first month’s rent.”
He said, “Oh?”
“I don’t have the last month’s rent either; nor do I have any security deposit.”
He asked, “Is that all?”
I said, “No, do you have any furniture I can borrow?”
To make a long story short, he gave the keys to me and helped me carry two desks and two chairs into the office.
The next day, my “ex-partner” and his secretary came over. They took one look at us and said, “You won’t last two weeks in this business.”
Then, my wife did something I’ll never forget. She jumped to her feet and said, “Look around you. This is the lowest you will ever see us. You don’t know my husband, he never gives up.” Well I had my marching orders. I had no choice but to persist. Ten years later, we are still in the business and it has provided a lifestyle for me, my wife, two sons, and their families that we could hardly dream of. My wife’s conviction and my persistence have provided me with the opportunity to bring this philosophy to you.
Today’s Exercise: Every day, never give up.
Today’s Affirmation: I do only those things that make me successful.
Points to Ponder: Once you have proven to the world that you will stop at nothing, the system gives in and anything you ask for is yours.
