Staying power critical to success

In most instances we normally check with lunar calendars to find out the likelihood of a good fishing day. On this particular day the lunar calendar indicated high prospects of a good fishing day.

The recent drop in temperatures has slowed down the game and increased the likelihood of catching big bass. As usual, when we got into the dam at 0530 hours, we were very excited about the prospects of catching big bass.

However, as the day progressed the predictions of the lunar calendar appeared to be wrong. By lunch none amongst the eight of us had caught anything.
We do not normally break for lunch but on this particular day we had to because there was no action in the dam. There were discernible signs of weariness among all of us.

One did not need a rocket scientist to predict that most of us were not going to last the distance. Around 1500 hours three of our bass fishing enthusiasts retired for the day.
By 1700 hours only two fishermen were still in the dam. It was game on between Pastor Chris and Alistair. When everyone was convinced that “masango anga ari matema” (it was a bad hunting day) Pastor Chris caught a record-breaking 10kg bass at dusk.

Within a few minutes Alistair also caught a 9,5kg bass. This caught the attention of all the “retired fishermen” who sprang back into action, unfortunately it was a bit too late since we had to pack up and return to Harare.
Why do people give up?

Lack of faith

Most people fail to achieve their goals due to lack of faith. It could be lack of faith in themselves or others. We have a Shona saying, “Ramba uchiseva pasi pemuto pane nyama” (Keep on dipping in the soup you may eventually encounter meat).

This is easier said than done. Very few people will continue in the hope that they will eventually find a piece of meat especially after dipping into the soup for more than five times without picking a small piece of meat.

The argument advanced is that if you continue to dip your sadza in the soup, “unozvimbirwa nesadza usati wasangana nenyama” (one will end up filling the tummy with sadza before getting to the meat). Some quit if they have no tangible proof that there is meat in the soup. Telling someone to continue searching for the meat in the soup is akin to encouraging someone to have voluntary acceptance of a revelation/vision, which is apart from absolute proof.

Loss of hope

Losing hope is one of the most difficult things to do. In my church we have a song that goes, “Mukritsu usaneta…rinda panguva dzose ndicho chiro chikuru namata urinde”, (A Christian should not tire, he or she should be on guard always that is the big thing, pray and keep watch).

However, most people are on guard only when they are facing serious challenges in their lives, once the phase has passed they slip back to mediocrity.
Being on guard implies unprecedented focus in one’s endeavours. The concentration span of most people is very limited.

The longer it takes to complete a project, the greater the likelihood of people losing hope in completing the project.

Fatigue

Closely tied to loss of hope is fatigue. Average human beings easily get tired when pursuing projects whose life-cycles take too long to develop from incubation stage to growth stage.

Very few people have the ability to soldier on even if they feel tired. The sad thing is that most of these people give up at the point of success.

Crossing the finishing line

Most athletes know that you can only be the winner after crossing the line. Some athletes lead the race all the way but fail to win the race when others cross the finishing line first (by not being the first to cross the line). Most finishing lines in business, politics and life- fulfilling endeavours are not as clear as the athletes’ finishing line but the principle of crossing the line is the same.

Bass fishing competitions are won by catching the biggest basket of bass fish but it is not easy to prospect where the bass is, what time it will bite and what type of rubber to use when the time comes.

The lunar calendars, the colour of the water, the weed structure, the cloud cover only give an idea of what bait to use but these decision-making tools can only work if the fisherman is strong enough to overcome any setbacks encountered during the game.

There are two known facts. The first one being that there are billions of fish in the dam and if one keeps on trying, one will eventually convince one bass to bite your bait.
The other known possibility is that the more one hangs on, the more likely one is going to be rewarded even in the injury time of the game just like Pastor Chris and Alistair.

This is not in any way trying to encourage people to wait until the injury time, rather we are encouraging you not to give up throughout the normal regulated time and the injury time as well.

The truth about the life cycles of most businesses is that the incubation periods of all businesses vary. Some take a few years, some take a decade but it is those who persevere who will enjoy the fruits of their labour.

Patience is any human endeavour is a virtue. Most of us were not born patient but the skill of being patient can be acquired slowly.