Have you ever struggled with starting something new? Maybe it’s a new initiative at work, introducing a new concept or process or company vision. Or maybe you’re an entrepreneur launching off on your own and encountering resistance and frustration.
I want to encourage you to just keep at it and give it a little longer. Especially if you really believe in it and have run it past others who have given you affirmation. Here’s a quick story of how I saw this play out recently.
So, last night I had the privilege of being part of something special in our neighborhood. Our brand new neighbors Stephen and Rebecca invited a string trio called Opus 216 (you should check them out online) to perform in their front yard in the evening. They were friends with the leader of the group and they had been performing on front lawns since last year when a lot of their regular concerts had been wiped out during the pandemic.
It was a beautiful night and as we were getting closer to the concert there was a blanket spread on their lawn with chairs spread out ready for an audience. My daughter and our neighbor’s daughters had been making up signs inviting passerbys to come on over for a listen. As well, I know they had been mentioning to any other neighbors they knew.
It was almost seven and the ensemble was getting ready to kick things off. I looked around and then down the street to see if anyone else was heading over. It was pretty much me, my daughter and our neighbors family and extended family, plus a few others as things got going.
The group was amazing and I kind of wondered if it was weird at all that we had such a small group there. But they played their first tune and were really in the groove and enjoying things. And a crazy thing happened. As they moved into their second and third and on and on, more and more people started to show up.
I’d look down the street and a whole family was coming towards us. Bikers and people walking dogs stopped by. Some driving by went home and then came down to listen. Before I knew it the whole yard and neighboring yard and sidewalk had just filled up.
They continued to play their beautiful music as the sun set lower and cast a golden glow on them and their instruments.
I’ve lived in our neighborhood for almost two decades and this was something totally new. You could just feel it. All of us who were there were just buzzing about how cool an experience it was.
Now I’m not saying that the ensemble was going to give up if more people didn’t show. But what it reminded me of is that sometimes you have to just keep at something you believe in, something that you believe is bringing value or making a difference, even if at first the seats are empty.
Just push through a little bit more. Others will soon catch on and maybe become ambassadors for your new initiative or idea. Most people expect us to give up if things are hard or there isn’t much support. And that’s why so many new ideas die before they get a chance to make a difference. Don’t let that be the case for the things on your heart. Those that you believe in.
Whatever that is for you today, hang in there and keep at it. And encourage those in your organization to do the same. Be their cheerleader, a champion of their ideas or plans.
Make a difference in your organization by not giving up.
Thanks for listening to today’s episode. If you’ve been enjoying these one of the best thing you can do is tell a fellow entrepreneur or business leader. You spreading the word helps me help more people. Thanks so much.
