Whatever it Takes

Wouldn't it be nice if you could get someone else to do all
of the things that you either don't have time for, don't
know how to do, or just plain don't want to do? Ah... just
think of it: "Jeeves, could you run this over to the
printer? I've got a dinner date", "Jeeves, would you please
write this proposal? It has to be out tomorrow and I'm just
too tired to deal with it", "Jeeves, my customer needs this
product right now and it's a one hour drive each way; would
you please deliver it? I've got other things to do and it
is crucial that he gets what he needs on time?", "Jeeves,
would you please pick up the cleaning and empty the
wastebaskets?"

WAKE UP! I can tell that you have glazed over in this
wonderful fantasy! Until you're well on your way and you
can afford Jeeves, you are going to have to do all this
stuff yourself, so remember that you have to be willing to
do "Whatever It Takes" if you are going to be successful.

And you have to do it with a smile, because it goes with the
territory.

Have you ever seen a one-man band? I'm not talking
metaphorically; I mean a real one-man band. Dick Van Dyke
did it in the opening scene of Mary Poppins, and did it very
well. Small cymbals between his knees, harmonica propped up
front of his mouth, bulb horn attached to his chest so that
the bulb can be squeezed with his chin, playing a squeeze
box with his hands. That's not all... a drum with large
cymbals is strapped to his back, with cords attached to each
leg; one leg operates the mallet that beats the drum, the
other operates the cymbals. Suppose he didn't like the drum
because it was too heavy and he couldn't afford to hire a
drummer? If he decided to get rid of the drum his music and
his appeal would suffer. His whole act would be down the
tubes. If he wants to succeed, he is just going to have to
carry that drum around whether he likes it or not. As soon
as he starts making enough money, he can hire a drummer;
heck he can hire a whole band and just carry a baton instead
of all of that paraphernalia!

We as home-based or small business folk are one-man (or
woman) bands, too. At first, we have to do it all if we
want the best outcome possible. And even when we can afford
to have an assistant, sometimes things have to be done after
hours or at a time when that person is sick, on vacation, or
busy with something else. When you have the
"Whatever-It-Takes" attitude, you don't question it, you
don't whine, and you don't put it off; you just do it.

Successful people have the "whatever-it-takes" attitude
because they are more interested in the long-term gain than
the short-term pain.

So get out there and do whatever it takes to be successful.
And you will be.