My friend Jim Blasingame (a.k.a. The Small Business Advocate®) does more for small business than anyone I know. Jim is an accomplished radio show host, author, and golfer. The reason I tell you this is because his weekly newsletter included a great story on perseverance that I have reproduced below.

UNTIL NEXT TIME

Last week we celebrated the birth of the 16th president of the United States, Abraham Lincoln. This week, in the U.S., we celebrate Presidents Day, where we recognize the contributions of our nation's top elected leaders.

As a small business owner, I often think of Lincoln and the father of our country, the first President, George Washington.  We know much about how both of these men persevered through extreme hardship, and the immense weight of doubts about their own abilities, while trying to lead a young nation through two extreme experiences it had never had. 

The one thing I value about these two men is that they never gave up on themselves. In fact, in Lincoln, we know a lot about how much he believed in himself by the following list of challenges he endured during his life, and yet, ultimately became one of our most revered presidents.

Whenever you think you should give up, think about these things Abraham Lincoln experienced in his life, before he found his place in history.

  He failed in business in '31.

  He was defeated for state legislator in '32.

  He tried another business in '33. It failed.

  His fiancée died in '35.

  He had a nervous breakdown in '36.

  In '43 he ran for Congress and was defeated.

  He tried again in '48 and was defeated again.

  He tried running for the Senate in '55. He lost.

  The next year he ran for Vice President and lost.

  In '59 he ran for the Senate again and was defeated.

  In 1860, he was elected the 16th President of the United States.

I believe the definition of courage is, an act of bravery after you've had time to think about it.  The difference between history's boldest accomplishments and its most staggering failures is often, simply, the diligent will to persevere. 

Thank you, President Washington. Thank you, President Lincoln.

Thanks for being part of our community.  I'll see you on the radio and the Internet.

Jim Blasingame

The Small Business Advocate®

Therefore, the next time you think you have it tough, just think of everything President Lincoln went through.

You may listen to The Small Business Advocate® radio program here, sign up for Jim’s free newsletter here, visit Jim’s blog here, or visit the AskJim.biz website here.