Enhance ReadabilityIf you’re in Silicon Valley, the big word on the street is “Start-Up Mode.” It’s cool, it’s hip and it’s new. If you’re in start-up, mode that indicates you’re doing something innovative—people’s ears will perk up.
The most important, enduring and meaningful things in life are those you work at bit by bit Tweet This Quote
Although some see it as less attractive, I’d like to talk about one of the most important “modes.” It’s what I call “Continue Mode.” Continue mode is about the sure, steady building of something valuable. The most important, enduring and meaningful things in life are those you work at bit by bit, step by step. It may take a long time. The rush wears off, but the steady commitment is there.
Many people may not see how hard you have worked for years and years. In the long run, the fruit of your labors are revealed. People will see your success sometimes after five, eight, ten years (or longer). As Ronald Reagan says:
The character that takes command in moments of crucial choices has already been determined by a thousand other choices made earlier in seemingly unimportant moments. It has been determined by all the ‘little’ choices of years past—by all those times when the voice of conscience was at war with the voice of temptation, [which was] whispering the lie that ‘it really doesn’t matter.’ It has been determined by all the day-to-day decisions made when life seemed easy and crises seemed far away—the decision that, piece by piece, bit by bit, developed habits of discipline or of laziness; habits of self-sacrifice or self-indulgence; habits of duty and honor and integrity—or dishonor and shame.
Continue Mode is about enduring value. It’s not talking about start-up mode. Most people don’t talk about continue mode, and it isn’t normally covered in the press. It’s about doing, and often doing silently. It’s about perseverance and fortitude. And it’s about doing what’s right even when no one is watching and building something that inspires you.
It’s about doing what’s right even when no one is watching and building something that inspires you. Tweet This Quote
Continue mode is building a long-term business. Building a company is like a 50-year marriage—existing through many trials. Take Amazon, for example, that was launched in 1994. People doubted it—inevitably questions surface, and there are hundreds of “No’s.” They said it wouldn’t last. Online shopping? Then Jeff introduced videos, then CDs, and electronics? Can’t do that. “He’s crazy. Circuit City is the place.” Now it’s out of business. Then clothing and groceries. The questions arise, yet Amazon continues. And it not only continues to be a part of our day-to-day lives, but some people can’t imagine life without it.
Determine what is important to you, and get into continue mode today.
