While relaxing on a holiday in the sun, I spotted several tiny ants.

They were each hauling a large (compared to them) flower bloom that had blown to the ground.

Did you know ants can carry 10 – 50 times their own body weight?

It was a windy day mixed with stillness.

Out of nowhere a breeze would appear and blast the ant, and its bloom, blowing them both back beyond from where they had started. See what I mean in the video below.

I felt frustration and a bit of sadness for the little guys. I wanted them to make it to where they were going.

If you’ve ever watched ants working, you know they are resilient and never give up.

That’s what these ants did. Each one picked up that flower bloom and started again. And again they were scattered by the wind. They did not give up and kept trying no matter what.

Let’s take a cue from the ants and be more persistent in our businesses.

Don’t fall for the glossy stories about how easy it is to make it as a business owner.

“If you really look closely, most overnight successes took a long time.” Steve Jobs

Being an entrepreneur is thrilling and it can be scary at times.

We’ve all been there. You know that feeling, you want to throw your laptop out the window or dive under the covers and sleep for one month.

That is precisely the moment not to give in and not to give up.

Your persistence will pay off.

“A river cuts through rock, not because of its power, but because of its persistence.” James N. Watkins

An important companion to persistence is consistency.

Don’t give up and take consistent action. Remember, action creates momentum.

Here are some examples of moments when it’s important to choose to persist and how to do it.

1.) When You Get a No

No one likes to be rejected, especially in business. What if you could change the way you view rejection and see it in a new light?

First, keep in mind this favorite quote: “If you don’t ask, the answer is always no.” Nora Roberts. Then you’ll be more willing to ask.

Also realize, a no now can change to a yes in the future. A no now can lead you in the direction of better opportunities.

And remember not to take it personally. It’s not about you, it’s about the other person.

For more on this take a look at my post, Why You Must Ask and How to Handle No. 

Be willing to persist in asking, knowing that you can deal with any no that comes your way.

2.) When Marketing Frustrates You

Committing to three or so marketing strategies, doing them consistently, and then not getting results is frustrating.

Marketing and selling is all about connecting with people and building relationships. You can’t build relationships in one day.

It takes time, be patient and persist.

3.) When You Don’t Feel Confident

Sometimes your confidence can drop and you start to question if you’re really able to make a difference with your business for yourself and your clients.

In times like these, it’s important to reconnect to why you’re doing what you’re doing and then persevere.

Also, take stock of your accomplishments and experiences. Create a document online or capture these achievements in a notebook and refer to it often.

Think about the clients you have made a difference for and know that there are people out there who could use your support.

For more on this check out my post, Shortcuts to Feeling Confident.

Persist in the face of doubt by connecting with the value you bring to your clients so you can keep moving forward.

4.) When You Need to Follow Up

There are two main reasons I hear from people about why they don’t follow up: 1. They don’t have time and 2. They don’t know what to do so they are afraid or paralyzed.

If you don’t make time for following up, you need to stop networking. No, seriously. More on that here. 

If you’re not sure how to follow up, check this out.

Being persistent with follow up does not equate with being pushy.

Ask for permission every step along the way and when it’s clear there isn’t a match to move forward, let it go. More on this here. 

5.) When You Need Self-Care

If you’re not feeling good and full of energy, that is going to affect your business.

Taking care of your health and emotional well-being needs to be your top priority as a business owner.

Be persistent and consistent in your efforts to take excellent care of yourself. By doing so, you are taking care of your business. Get more idea about this here. 

Feeling convinced? The next time you face a challenge, make the decision to persist in your business and continue on the path you know will make your business grow.

© Stephanie Ward

Stephanie Ward is the Marketing Coach for Entrepreneurs who want to create meaningful and prosperous businesses. Grab your FREE copy of the special report ’7 Steps to Attract More Clients in Less Time’ plus business building tips, at: https://www.fireflycoaching.com.

I’d love to hear your stories about when you persisted and something magical happened. Share your experiences, thoughts, and questions in the comments section below. I respond to every single comment.