STARTING UP The most difficult stage of any new life, career, business, invention and growth generally, is starting up. When you enter an airplane, before it takes off, you'll be asked to fasten your seatbelt because of an altitude the airplane will attain. But after that turbulent period, everything will come back to normal. And this is what happens when you set off to achieve great heights, you'll need hold on through some hurdles, rejections, disappointments, failures etc till after sometime when things will start to work out well, that's life! But in reality, most people are not willing to hold on: they seek for instant results. Some don't have the courage to pull through the start up stage and they just settle for less. Some start and stop, some blame the government, family and friends for not giving them enough support. Most are afraid of failing even before getting started. Overcoming the difficulties associated with the start up stage requires us to have faith, hardwork, confidence and patience. You have to believe in your ideas, goals, plans, career etc. Know that your ideas can change the world. You have to have the faith that things will work out well. If not instantly but soon. You have to also assure yourself everyday of the possibility of what you've hoped for. Hardwork will keep you busy. You have to act on your ideas and work on your plans too whether you have all the resources and support or not. Again, you need self-confidence. Understand that you deserve the best and that you have the abilities to withstand all the challenges and difficulties that will come, because they will. For patience, this is very vital too. Patience will keep your hope alive as you wait for your breakthrough. There's something in the Far East called the "Chinese bamboo", it take 5years to grow and in this 5years it remains in the ground and it requires constant watering, fertilization, weeding etc for it to survive but when it finally comes out of the ground after the 5years, it now grows 90feet tall in 5weeks. 90feets can be 20times the height of an average individual. But the success of this Chinese bamboo to grow pass its start up stage, won't be possible if faith, work, confidence, patience etc weren't applied. And am saying to you, Whatever you are facing today, know that those challenges and struggles are worth your victory. If you were able to conceive that dream, then you can also achieve it. I applaud your courage and desire to take decisions, start up a new business, a new life or act on your dreams. You'll surely make it with the help of God. For with God, everything is possible. Find reasons not to quit. Find those reasons to keep you marching forward even when the whole world is saying stop! Keep winning as an Entrepreneur, God is at work for you. Article by Johnson Crystal Kalu