Why is Success taking Longer to Arrive?

Is success eluding you or taking longer to arrive in this present recession?
I recently discussed how the entrepreneurial bloom is all over since recession took away millions of jobs from us. Some of these new entrepreneurs, I know personally and one of their major concern that came up during a discussion was – Can I hang on to my dream when success is taking longer than ever to happen to me?

It was an interesting topic to delve deeper and if we cannot find solutions at least let's put our heads together on “why success might take longer for these new entrepreneurs and the small businesses all around the globe in these trying times.”
When you look at the above statement (Can I hang…) you see three issues here – “hanging on” is closer to survival and “success” of course means success in your profession and “taking longer” is more in respect to today’s changing times or we may call it depressing times of economic downturn.
We must discuss these three issues separately to arrive any closer to a solution (which again is difficult to achieve because a “solution” is unique for all different situations, it cannot be generalized)

Survival of the Fittest
To survive tough times is what many around us are doing and no doubt it is tough for small businesses and start-ups. What would help you hang on and survive this downturn? Take time to write down what you are doing now that is not working and what could be a work around to help you hang on there for one year or more in your business.
You may have great ideas but with no funding and dwindling personal funds, there is no way you can hang on; so financial stability forms the basis of survival at present in addition to several others factors of course. There was a great article in SFgate.com sometime back and worth reading for tips and advice: Tips for small businesses to survive recession

Also take time to read this cool article, some great info and statistics are here which may not apply entirely to your situation but in bits and pieces you will be wiser – Survival vs. Success – How Companies are Responding to Recession and Why it’s not Enough.

“Celebrate your success and stand strong when adversity hits, for when the storm clouds come in, the eagles soar while the small birds take cover”

Success as it means to YOU
What does success mean to you at present? It may be meeting the ends, or achieving a certain percentage of sales or reaching that one million revenue mark you had set for yourself at the onset of your venture. As said before, success is different for all. Take time to revisit your goals and vision of your company or venture, where you are now, how bad or good is it and how worse or better can it get in the coming year. It is time to evaluate, reassess and reorganize keeping in mind that still spending is low and sales are dismal.

Here apart from the statistics you need inspiration and I would recommend that you read Zig Zaglar. One of his books, “Success for Dummies” could be the one you can start with this season, you will be inspired and will be able to define what success means to you (oh yes, the emphasis very confidently is on “will”). Find it out for yourself!

And remember that:
"Success doesn't come to you…you go to it."
--Marva Collins

Success takes longer during RECESSION
This statement may or may not be true – again "success" cannot be generalized, there have been many instances in recent one or two years where quite a few small business owners have launched new successful ventures and those who had them for sometime are thriving and earning more than they expected. Do ask me if you want to read such success stories, will be glad to pass on some relevant links on this topic. (here is one such link I want to share with you: Recession Success Stories)
But let’s focus on why it is taking longer for the rest of us.

It is quite obvious by the definition of recession that we are in some troubled economic times for and success is very much tied to the amount to money you make from a business to survive or thrive. These are the times to reinvent and try out different things to see what can be done to make things better not just sit and lament that “recession is here, this is bound to happen”.

Do not generalize an outcome based on circumstances; motivate and inspire yourself to make the best of these times.
To do this please revisit the two questions asked in this post above and see if you see any answers to this particular question for your situation. Else write your comments to this post and let’s see how we all can put our heads together to find out a "near" solution.

But before you do so, here are some good tips from Daniel Kehrer on 7 Makeover Tips for Recession Success, worth a read.

“Success is not measured by what you accomplish, but by the opposition you have encountered, and the courage with which you have maintained the struggle against overwhelming odds.”

-- Orison Swett Marden

What do you suggest?

Related Posts:
Best Jobs to have during Recession
Down Economy Sprouts Entrepreneurial Bloom
The World Rides the Recession Wave
Recreate and Diversify in a Recession
Creating more Jobs can help Abate Recession