Persevering To Get A “Yes”

When my daughter was a kid, I used to bring her to Pasir Ris Park.

Once, when she was three, we went there to have a day of fun. Unfortunately we passed an ice cream stall – but fortunately, we had a great learning experience.

We had an interesting conversation. Actually, it’s more like a debate.

“Papa, I want an ice cream.”

“No darling, you cannot have an ice cream.”

Did she give up?

If you know kids – they don’t give up easily.

After a few more steps, she told me, “Papa, this will be the last ice cream. No more ice cream for me this week. Ok?”

For those who are in sales, this is called ‘over-selling.’ Ha!

As a good and responsible father, to borrow the words of ‘Tan Ah Teck’ in the Singapore TV Sitcom, ‘Under One Roof,’ I tried to explain to my daughter why ice cream is not good for her health, Blah! Blah! Blah!   

Did she give up?

After a few more steps, she cried very loudly, “ I WANT AN ICE CREAM!”

In sales, this is ‘Emotional Selling.’ Ha!

As a professional manager who understood what it meant to leverage on human resources, I turned to her and said, “Go and ask your mother.” Ha!

This incident reminded me that I was created to persevere in life.

When I was a kid, I don’t take “No” for an answer.

“No” basically means that I’ve crafted my question wrongly. There is a better way to get a “Yes.”

Somehow, as I was growing up, the world was somehow crushing the “I can do it” spirit.

It somehow taught me that “No” meant I was wrong. I have failed and I should just give up.

Yet, when I looked around me, all major achievements were built on perseverance.

Without it, there would only be failures.

Perseverance is the fuel that drives champions.

Let’s bring the little child back.

 “I WANT AN ICE CREAM!”

Go4It!

I hope this message will find a place in your heart.

By the way, I have also recorded other reflections.

Please go to ‘Notes’ found below my profile picture.

Visit my Inspiration blog at http://liewinspiration.wordpress.com

Visit my Transformation blog at http://hsrpatrickliew.wordpress.com

Please read them and continue to teach me.

Life is FUNtastic!

Question: How can we enhance our perseverance in life?