The Four Lessons Venus Williams Teaches Us About Business

by Michelle Goodwine

Published on this site: July 6th, 2005 - See more articles from this month...

Venus Williams's recent Wimbledon win has a real lesson for entrepreneurs. She lost the first match, won the second match, and was losing the third 2 – 5. It did not look good for Venus. But she did not give up. She fought on, stayed focus. And in the end, while playing the longest final in Wimbledon history, was victorious.

So what does this mean for us entrepreneurs? The answer is very simple. Do not give up. Even when it appears that you are losing the game, you can still win the match. I looked at the triumphant Venus, and you know what I thought – She is a true winner. Not just because she won the Wimbledon, but because she didn't give up when it looked like she was going to be defeated. And as business owners, we have to have that same outlook. When it looks like we are going to be defeated – go bankrupt – don't just give up. When our client base is shrinking, rather than expanding – don't give up. When our cash flow gets too low, don't give up. Venus's victory has taught me, a struggling entrepreneur, four important lessons that I would like to share:

1. Persevere
   
   There will be times when things will not go your way. But all champions, including Muhammad Ali, Michael Jordan, and even Venus Williams, have lost. But did that stop them. No. They just persevered. Remember, in high school Michael Jordan was cut for the basketball team. And Mohammad Ali fought the fight of his life against George Foreman at the "Thrilla in Manila". And Venus commented when asked what she was thinking today when she was losing, " Keep fighting." And that is what we all must do – keeping fighting. When one door shuts, knock on the other until someone opens up. I will never forget when a client of mine said the reason my company ultimately got the contract was because I was so persistent. As business owners, we must continue to follow though in order to get what we want. Don't give up. If a customer doesn't buy from us today, that does not mean they will not buy our product or service tomorrow. It may just need be the right time. That is why following up is so important. Don't make a pest of yourself, though. Through trial and error learn how frequently to contact a prospective customer. And also remember that just because one customer hasn't bought what we are selling, does mean that someone else won't. We need to persevere until we achieve our goals.
   
   
2. Be Thankful
   
   Sometimes when we are going through tough times, we may lose sight of all the good things in life. Are you healthy? Do you have a loving family? Do you have a roof over your head, clothes on your back, and food in your belly? Well, believe it or not, than you are doing better that most of the world? And no matter what, we all have something or someone to be thankful of. Isn't it interesting that the first thing Venus did was to thank God. Because through God, all things are possible. God can do what no man can. And it no wonder that most of the people in this society we consider to be winners understand this. As Oprah Winfrey says, "God can dream a bigger dream for you than you could ever dream for yourself." And Oprah's life certainly serves as a great example.
   
   As business owners, even when we are struggling, we have a lot to be thankful for. I know I wake up each morning excited about what I do. I love owning my own company doing what I love – human resources consulting. And I am thankful to all the people who have helped me along the way. As I told a group of high schools students at a recent speaking engagement, no one gets to where they are in life without some else's help. But I am most thankful to God because without Him I would be nothing. I owe everything I own to Him. And He has blessed me so abundantly with a wonderful life filled with people who love me unconditionally. He has also taught me a valuable lesson – Success and prosperity is not about the riches of the world. They are about be happy no matter what your current financial status. Even when times get tough, I have finally come to realize that God, not my clients, is my source. And He owns everything. So all I need to do is wait on Him while I continue working to make a deposit into my checking account.
   
   
3. Expect Good Things
   
   Venus's victory also teaches us the importance of a positive outlook. After the win, when asked about her mind sight, she replied, "I'm alive. So that means I can do anything." What that means to me is the understanding that as long as you have breathe in your body, you have the chance to turn things around. And as long as you expect good things to happen, ,and you believe that God will help you make them happen, you will eventually succeed.
   
   Joel Osteen, Senior Pastor of Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas, the largest congregation in the country, and author of the best- seller "How to Live Your Best Life Now" says that "you will get what you expect." Expectations determine what happens to you, not the other way around. If you expect a successful business, that is what you will get. Don't misunderstand me, there will be times when things do not go our way, and maybe to outsiders it will look like we are failing. But if we keep focused and have faith in God, eventually things will turn around. Osteen refers to this as expecting God's favor. Osteen says that as children of God we should expect good things to happen – God wants us to achieve greatness. The reason why many of us haven't reached our full potential is because of our negative thinking and lack of faith. Or it could just be that God is molding us through our trials and tribulations into the great person He intended us to become.
   
   
4. Prepare for Victory
   
   It has been said that years of preparation is what it takes to become an overnight success. Venus would not have won, if she had not prepared to win. She knew it would take more than a positive outlook to be victorious. Who knows how many thousands of hours she practiced, or how many miles she ran, or how many weights she lifted over the course of her career?
   
   And as business owners we must also prepare for success. We must keep informed of new developments in our field, read business publications and network with other professionals. We must improve our business operations on a daily basis. We must always be willing to revise our business model, consider new markets, products, and services. Even if you are very successful, you cannot rest on your laurels.

Most start-up businesses fail, but most serial entrepreneurs become successful. Why is that? Because with each failure, they learn a little more. And the same can be said for sports. I am sure that Venus has learned from each lost match something that has helped her win today.

Michelle Goodwine is President and Founder of Integrated HR Strategies, a strategic human resources consulting firm. Feel free to contact Michelle at (518) 456-6580 or goodwine@integratedhrstrategies. Feel free to check out Michelle's professional speaking website at www.michellegoodwine.net. Michelle Goodwine is President and Founder of Integrated HR Strategies. A strategic human resources consulting firm based in Albany, NY. As an entrepreneur, Michelle has learned a lot about winning and losing.