Perseverance is King

SalesManUp


Perseverance Is King


“ Perseverance is the willingness and determination to keep going when you simply can’t. It means digging down deep for that one last ounce of strength. It is difficult to be labeled a failure when you are continuing to persevere. It’s when you stop short of the prize that you run the risk of failure. Choose to persevere and keep on climbing. “  - J.R. Hirschfeld


One of the greatest character qualities of any successful sales professional is perseverance. They refuse to give up. J. R. Hirschfeld describes this principle in his book “ The Success Code “ by stating : “ Perseverance is simple. When the going gets tough, the tough get going. It means that when everything else fails and falls apart around you, keep pushing forward. Stick to your goals. Never quit. Never give in to temptation. Difficult times will come….You must keep focused on everything around you. Stay with your plan. Keep your eye on the prize. It will soon be yours. As far as I am concerned, we all must persevere each and every day. It makes our minds sharper and stronger. Regardless of what happens, persevere.”


J.R. was not formulating a hypothesis based on wishful thinking or conjecture. He truly understood the meaning of perseverance . Completing several tours in Vietnam, and being a decorated sergeant in the Army ; he knew first-hand the need to keep going, even when enemy bullets ripped into your flesh. Likewise, when he and his wife, along with their family, started a collegiate apparel business that competed on a level of quality and delivery schedule with some of the largest apparel businesses in the world ; this too called for perseverance. J.R. would not give up. He worked the phone and criss crossed the United States, meeting with buyers of top retail chains and together, with his wife’s administrative and accounting acumen, built a business framed in excellence and respected by many. If you’ve ever purchased a collegiate National Champ shirt in years gone by, chances are, you’ve worn a shirt that was printed by TL Sportswear.


How did I know all of these details about J.R. ? Well, he happened to be my father-in-law. I was privileged to have a front-row seat as I watched him and Elaine and other family members build their apparel business from the ground up, starting in a flea market , and culminating at a National Wholesale level. J.R. was one of the boldest, most infectious and determined salespeople I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. Do you know many father-in-laws who give Zig Ziglar tapes and motivational books to their son-in-laws for birthday presents? J.R. did. He understood the sales profession, backwards and forwards, and he motivated others with information and by his example. He would not give up until he saw his goals realized. J.R. was also a connector. He loved connecting with people, because for all of his intensity of personality, he possessed the gift of making people laugh. In 2008, J.R. and I played 17 holes on a local golf course in Lake County, FL . I say seventeen, because we were laughing and cutting up so much, that we actually lost one of the holes ! The course ranger even reprimanded us for “ joy riding “ on the cart path, which made J.R.’s day.


To our surprise, the very next week, while watering his plants on the pool deck, the day before Mother’s Day ; J.R. experienced a massive heart attack and passed away. It was a trying time for our family - especially for my mother-in-law. The absence of J.R.’s strong, rambunctious and humorous personality left a gaping hole in our family. He is still missed today when we assemble for Holiday’s and special events. But his legacy lives on in his children, stepchildren and grandchildren that keep moving forward and never never quit.


None of us ever know when our end will come. We take life one day at a time and thank God for daily blessings. And, in J.R.’s words, “ Regardless of what happens, we persevere. “


Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after the other. - Walter Elliot


By perseverance the snail reached the ark . - Charles Spurgeon


Perseverance is a great element of success. If you only knock long enough and loud enough at the gate, you are sure to wake up somebody. - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow