If you are a small business owner, chances are you think about the business all the time – even on holidays! (Am I right?) So, in accordance with today’s barbeques, flag-waving, family, friends, and fireworks, I have a few thoughts to share, aimed to inspire you using the history lesson we are celebrating today.
Get your priorities straight – In the Declaration of Independence, the founding fathers spelled out, revised, and came to agreement on the exact reasons they wanted to declare themselves as a new nation. They also coined “one of the best-known sentences in the English language,” which I’m sure you’re familiar with: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” What about you? What are you priorities for your venture? What’s the basis, or the driving force, behind your operations? This is what having a mission statement is all about. It’s your Declaration. This is what fuels you to get going at the start and keep going through the thick and thin.
Take measured risks – Jefferson, Adams, Hancock, Washington, Franklin, and hundreds of others were taking a huge risk! We celebrate their actions, but not everyone at the time was assured that they could win the war or make the new government function. But they measured these risks, made a decision, and stuck with it. Thank goodness that the risks we small businesses must take are not nearly as steep! Still, when we start a business, we strike out on a new path, on our own. It can be risky, it takes up all our time, and sometimes our efforts don’t yield the results we hope for. But if they did it, so can we. Also, remember that none of the founders made these choices based solely on their own individual knowledge, but rather by a collective concensus. Connect with others, listen to the advice of those who have gone before, and get a mentor to help you carefully calculate the risks.
Follow through – After laying down their priorities, taking the leap, and winning the war, America still had the toughest challenges ahead of them. Not only were they breaking away from England, but they were volunteering to create a brand new (experimental) government – and what’s more – they had to follow through and make it work. One huge challenge that we often forget was the years it took write, revise, and get every single one of the thirteen colonies to agree on one constitution and the bill of rights, in 1787 and 1789 respectively. There was arguing, passion, discord, and crowded town hall meetings on sweltering summer days (with no fans or air conditioning!). But they followed though. And we, as a nation, continue to follow through today. Think of the challenges America has had in the past 238 years – Civil War, reconstruction, involvement in both World Wars, and all manner of foreign and domestic conflicts alike. Now think of the challenges your business has overcome. Do they relate? Do you identify with some of the conflicts, both inside and outside of your business? If you’re tempted to get bogged down by failures, be inspired to bounce back! For today, focus on the success. Celebrate our nation’s successes, and congratulate yourself on your own successes as well.
Today is a day to celebrate, remember, be grateful, and to be inspired by the boldness and wisdom of America’s founding fathers.
Happy 4th of July everyone! And God bless America!
