I’ve been thinking about this post the last few days and decided to post it today. My hope is that someone will read it and keep moving toward their dream because of it.

Over the course of our lives, it’s not the things that come to us easy that we remember. It’s not the normal, sunny days that stand out. It’s not the friends we had during the easy times that we love.

I use to rock climb, and it’s not the easy climbs that I remember. The most memorable climb was one that didn’t even start out as a climb. I was with my best friend from college and we were going around the state of North Carolina looking for places to rappel. We made our way to a place called table rock with our 150 foot rope.

We walked to the top, tied off the line and threw it over the side. We could not see if the rope made it to the bottom or not, but we were young and rambunctious so my friend went over first.

He told me to come down but to come slow so he could guide me. I started down and when I saw my friend he was standing on a small (about 6 inches wide) rock ledge flat against the side of the cliff. There was nothing securing him to the rock. He was only about half way down with another 150 feet below him (did I mention we were young and rambunctious? Some of you may be saying young and stupid at this point).

He guided me to a ledge that was about 3 feet by 4 feet. I got to that ledge and then reached over to help him get from his small ledge to the bigger ledge. We both knew how close he had come to falling and probably dying, so we just sat there for about half an hour enjoying the beauty around us.

Then we tied a rope between us and started climbing back to the top. If one of us fell we hoped that the other would be able to stop the fall (it was more likely that we both would have fallen, but we were in this together). We made it back to the top without any major problems, but it was a struggle.

My friend and I had a lot of fun times together, but this is the day that I cherish. Some of you might be wondering what this has to do with business growth and why I am putting it on this blog. I’m putting it hear because the same applies in your business endeavors.

Some of you are going through struggles with your business. You are wondering if it is worth it to keep going. I’m telling you that not only is it worth it, but, that these are the times that you will look back to as the great times of your business growth. Never give up, never give in, never quit. 

If not for the tunnel, the light at the end would have no meaning.

If not for the storm, the calm would not be as welcome.

If not for the fire, the steel could not be tempered.

If not for the struggle, there could be no victory. 

Cherish your struggles, because they are the best times of your life.

Tell us about some of your struggles that you overcame and now cherish.

Tags: General Business Issues //