Staying the course, that is, moving in a direction until you achieve a specific result, is one of the most important things to do as an entrepreneur; and creativity (at the very core of an entrepreneurial spirit) – can take one off course, as ideas stimulate other options.

Consider the magnification when amidst challenging times.  Whether it be employee challenges, lack of resources, customer complications, or your knowledge and time in higher demand than perceived ability to fulfill.

What we often don’t realize (unless in hindsight) is that the results of not staying the course, are often the very components creating, or adding to the challenges.

Here is a shout out to awaken some spark for you to re-set, re-align, re-prioritize and re-engage motivation to stay the course especially when:

• your creative juices pull you in other directions
• your perceptions dictate that basic survival of your business push the course trajectory elsewhere
• you simply give way to unconscious limitations that need to be healed, released, or integrated

Having lost focus on my mind body health this past year in which I slid away from a daily regimented work-out resulting in the addition of a ‘natural’ winter coat, I chose to do a run-walk yesterday.  By 1/16 of a mile (I kid you not) my breathing was extremely labored. Gently and simply I reminded myself – "once you get past the first 'I can’t do this' you will be able to", and so it was.

The mountain breeze delightful, the leaves vibrantly welcoming, now a mile up the road.  I set my sight on a tree  5 yards away.  We all know this technique.  As I began a mild assent I realized the next tree was too far, I reset my focus on a twig 5 feet away.  This too was impossible so I simply looked down, and tried to reach my shadow.

It was then that I thought of a client, withdrawn making reactionary decisions, breathing as heavy as my breath that first 1/16 of a mile.  At every turn they experienced a new environmental challenge, demanding their attention, postponing their strategic plan.  All I could think of is, how could I affirm that they commit to touch their shadow – and stay the course?

It seems so simple a concept now, but so meaningful jogging up this gentle incline – with arthritis swelling in my knees, as painful as the journey they have experienced these past few months.

I understand - they feel that the only way their business will survive is by reacting to each emergency, and pushing off the rest.

Not staying the course, is a greater threat.

My soul focus -stare at my shadow and commit to place one foot in front of the other, and as I wiped the sweat from my brow, my driveway appeared - yes - I made it!  Sometimes these small steps – however painful and perceived of as not as important, are the key to success.

Later that evening, we saw a production of Aaron Loeb’s Ideation at Theater Exile in Philadelphia.  The premise is about a group of stressed-out corporate consultants slated to present their work on a mysterious project.  Director Joe Canuso was interested in my perceptions both as a supporter of the arts, and a business coach. I wrestled quite a bit after the show, and well on into the evening.  The professional side of me could not help but be uncomfortable with how the ‘brainstorm’ session was facilitated. (The acting and similarity to strategy sessions I have both facilitated and participated in were true to form. Truly a must see.)  Twice in one day, Staying the Course presented me an opportunity for growth.  By design, the characters went off course of the task – and an emotionally intense dance pursued around trust, rather than working on their objective.  Had the required solution be needed to save the world prior to the conclusion of the 90 minute session – we would cease to be – they didn’t stay the course…

Certainty – changing direction, knowing when to transition, re-prioritize, weigh consequences of action or inaction, follow alternate paths, and discerning when to deviate, are critical to success.

An invitation for you today, -be mindful to pause, be aware of what you are listening to – and know that at times – we move forward focusing only on the distance right in front of us. Staying the course IS a decision you can make.