Letters

Reading the October issue of Entrepreneur, and specifically the article "Soul Man" [on inspirational author Jack Canfield], moved me to write this letter.

Once in a great while, life tosses us a few too many balls at once. Still, your job as an entrepreneur is to remain on top of the game, heading up your team as the fearless leader in the face of great obstacles. You must be strong, unwavering and inspiring-no matter what!

There is nothing harder than maintaining your optimism when in your heart you want to crawl into a cave and rest for 20 years. This is when we "mock it up"-pretending it is so when it isn't. For example: When sales are down, debt is up and you feel like you're on the losing side, create a picture of success in your mind and hold that vision.

This is when Entrepreneur comes in handy. Success stories based in reality are a key factor in helping maintain your equilibrium as the leader of the pack. I tear out the most inspiring story in Entrepreneur and give a copy to my employees. We discuss it at Monday morning staff meetings and are reminded of the infinite possibilities in our personal universe. This lends strength and power when the lonely entrepreneur needs help in mocking it up!

Barbara Wood

President, Jungle Press

Maui, Hawaii

Like this article? Get this issue right now on iPad, Nook or Kindle Fire.

This article was originally published in the February 1996 print edition of Entrepreneur with the headline: Letters.