A long time ago I concluded that there are people who win and those who fail, regardless of the economy of the any given era.
There is an old adage that says, “We are what we think about all day long.”
Over more than 5 decades, I have seen both extremes in the economy – euphoric booms and frustrating recessions. I have started and run businesses under both scenarios over those 50 years. I have also seen others do the same. A long time ago I concluded that there are people who win and those who fail, regardless of the economy of the any given era.
Folks in our industry seem particularly resilient. They go with the flow and make the best of challenges they face. They see challenges as opportunities and instead of wallowing in dejection they spend their time thinking of ways to sustain and improve their companies.
This has been a great lesson for me. This poem by Walter D. Wintle certainly sums up the point . . .
“If you think you are beaten, you are;
If you think you dare not, you don’t.
If you’d like to win, but think you can’t
It’s almost a cinch you won’t.
If you think you’ll lose, you’ve lost,
For out in the world we find
Success being with a fellow’s will;
It’s all in the state of mind.
If you think you’re outclassed, you are:
You’ve got to think high to rise.
You’ve got to be sure of yourself before
You can ever win a prize.
Life’s battles don’t always go
To the stronger or faster man,
But soon or late the man who wins
Is the one who thinks he can.”
With 18 years in the cleaning industry and 45 years of experience building his own businesses, Gary Goranson was one of the first business consultants to serve the residential cleaning industry with real experience and solid credentials. Visit him at HouseCleaningBiz101.com.
