Success requires a lot of things in life. Here's an article I wrote recently about Steve Fosset who pioneered with his solo flight around the world. He is a remarkable man. Think about how you can use the same types of technologies and build your life and your business.

I look forward to any comments you might have at terry@terrybrock.com. Hope you have a marvelous day!

Smart Persistence: Lessons for Your Life and Business from Steve Fossett

By Terry L. Brock

Running your business and managing your life require skills, proper planning and lots of determination and perseverance. Steve Fossett, the 60 year old businessman, former stockbroker and explorer just demonstrated many of the characteristics that you and I can build into our lives and business in order to succeed. Fossett demonstrates what I refer to as “Smart Persistence.” Think and plan intelligently and keep going in spite of hardships.

I woke up this morning thinking about what this great man, the Lindbergh of our time, did and how we can apply those principles to our businesses. Here are some lessons I gain that I wanted to share with you today:

1. Get the Right Skills. Steve Fossett didn’t start with a round-the-world solo flight. He built into it by swimming the English Channel, succeeding in setting several balloon racing firsts and did a lot of flying. Get the skills and education you need. Motivation alone, although vitally important, won’t cut the mustard. Pay the price in terms of time, money and effort to get the skills you need for your business and life success. Fossett did and continues to do it. We have to do this as small businesspeople.

2. Suck It Up When You Fall In 1997 Steve Fossett was attempting to be the first round-the-world solo balloonist. He crash-landed in Russia. The next year he was hit by storms at 29,000 ft over the Northern Coast of Australia and crashed. Ouch! “That was the closest I came to dying,” he was heard to say. He had to be rescued after that attempt. I don’t know exactly what challenges you’re going to face, but I promise you that you are going to face them. Some might not be life-threatening like Mr. Fossett, but they can seem insurmountable just the same. Don’t give up. Learn from your mistakes and keep going with a dogged determination.

3. Age Doesn’t Count. Steve Fossett completed his 100 record-breaking performances and he is a kid of 60 today. As Lowell Catlett says, “60 is the new 30!” Today we know more than ever about how to be physically strong, what foods to eat, how to exercise properly and how to sustain strong energy, no matter what your age. Check with your health care practitioner and get a program that works for you. Then don’t be easy on yourself. Make your training tough. I love the way former Navy SEAL Captain Richard Marcinko describes it: “The more you sweat in training, the less you’ll bleed in battle.” Go out there and sweat like crazy in your own training! Make your mental study tough. Push yourself to the limit and don’t baby yourself. And by the way, Fossett completed his solo plane flight in 67 hours, 2 minutes and 38 seconds. He took several 1-3 minute naps but kept going. Try that at age 60---or any age!

4. Use the Right Technology. Fossett’s jet, the GlobalFlyer, was specially built for this mission. He hired the best he could find. He patterned it after legendary greats like Burt Rutan, who co-piloted a single-engine plane around the world. You have to use the right technology for your business. If you’re often mobile, look into the right handheld computer, wireless connection system and “do-it-from-anywhere” kind of marketing system. Get the right tools to make your journey.

5. Get the Right Team. Steve Fossett had people like Virgin Airlines President and CEO Richard Branson, himself quite an adventurer, financially backing him and cheering him on. Branson actually flew the chaser plane as Fossett left North America. Fossett also had lots of supporters including his wife who greeted him upon arrival . Build the right team around you. Even a solo pilot can’t do it by himself.

6. Avoid the High Rent Districts. You don’t have to have big, elaborate facilities to succeed. Fossett launched his GlobalFlyer from “Where is that?” Salina, Kansas--- not exactly the hub of the known Universe! However, he knew they had a 12,000 foot runway and wouldn’t be encumbered by all the hassles of a larger city. As you build your business, keep costs lean. Focus on providing serious value to your customers. Don’t try to impress others by borrowing to buy fancy furniture, big offices, etc., etc. These unnecessary trappings don’t really impress others; they only temporarily feed your ego. Pour your time, money and effort into making the lives of others better through your products and services. That will impress them and they will give your bottom line something to impress your banker and accountant.

7. Never Give Up. While Steve Fossett was near Honolulu his GlobalFlyer unexpectedly and mysteriously lost over one ton of fuel. Yea, this is serious. There were some who recommended that he ditch it and try another time. However, Fossett wisely examined the situation, knew he had the largest stretch of over-water flying on the planet ahead of him and said, “Let’s go for it!” He could have given up but he pressed on in spite of the admonition of well-wishers. After 67 hours, 2 minutes and 38 seconds, he successfully landed back in Salina, Kansas and achieved yet another world record. Sometimes in the midst of your big year, something dramatic will happen. You’ll get advice to throw in the towel. Use your judgment, be skilled and prepared and press on regardless. This is “Smart Persistence.” This is that indomitable spirit that keeps pressing on. Yeah, it’s called motivation and we all need it regularly. Pointy-headed elitists can scoff at motivation--- but it works and science shows us how great achievements are made by motivation.

As entrepreneurs and salespeople, our hats are off to you, Steve Fossett. Thank you for teaching us about life and encouraging us, through your actions, not just words, how to make it happen.

And now, what are you going to do next?

Terry Brock is a marketing coach who helps business owners market more effectively leveraging technology. He shows busy professionals how to squeeze more out of their busy days using the right rules and tools. He can be reached at 407-363-0505, by e-mail at terry@terrybrock.com or through his website at www.terrybrock.com.

Copyright © 2005, Terry Brock, All Rights Reserved Internationally. No portion may be reprinted or used in any way without prior written permission. Permission granted to Biz Journals to use in regular publications.