The Library Link of the Day website somehow found the Smart Poodle Librarian Writing Contest (from December) and published a link to my site on Monday, March 16th. That listing brought me 4,200+ hits to my contest page in one day!!!! That’s 4,200+ more librarians who now know about Smart Poodle and Lilly Badilly. I have no idea where the editor of that website heard about us. Thank You Library Link of the Day!
This nice surprise made me realize that no work (to get the word out about your product or service) is ever a waste of time. Everything and everyone is somehow connected, and you never know who is paying attention or who will be listening to – or reading – an internet, radio, TV, newspaper or journal story about your product or business or who will talk to someone else who talks about you and your business.
I was watching Good Morning America about a month ago, and actor Dustin Hoffman was a guest talking about how difficult the first 10 years were for him as a struggling actor. He talked about how most people incorrectly assume he was an overnight success. He remembers clearly what it was like to struggle those 10 long years, and how each step he took, though small, was a step in the right direction. He recalled about some of the tiny roles he played in the early days and said he was just as dedicated to doing an excellent acting job acting in a 30 second scene as he is being the star of a blockbuster movie. I totally respect that.
There were times when he questioned whether or not true success would ever happen for him, but he stayed focused and refused to quit. All he wanted to do was act. He had to do it. And so he did. No one can say that he is not one of the finest actors of all time. What impressed me most was his genuine gratitude for “making it” in the acting world and for remembering where he came from and how challenging it was to get to where he is today. 10 years is a long time to stick to something that is not paying the bills! It was fascinating to hear a real, unglorified success story, the way it actually happened.
We are bombarded by the media with overnight success stories. “Lose 10 pounds in 10 days and keep it off forever with no exercise!” Yeah, right! The truth is that there is no such thing as overnight success; it just seems like it. So keep on trying. Spread the word. Every person who knows about your product, service or business is one more voice who may tell someone else. The “right” someone else(s), who can bring you to a new level of success. Starting and running a business is like competing in a triathlon. It takes years of preparation and endurance. Most people don’t ever make it to the finish line, because it is always easier to quit than endure. Take your passion one tiny step at a time. Keep climbing no matter how much time it takes. Sooner or later, you’ll reach the top.
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