The definition of endurance reads: The ability to withstand hardship or adversity especially the ability to sustain a prolonged stressful effort or activity. The strength to continue or last despite fatigue, stress or other adverse conditions. This week I’ve been feeling the stress of outside factors and the impact they continue to have on our business. As these challenges persist, it became clear to me that the key to making it through to the other side will be ENDURANCE.

Inspired by my good buddy Sammy T and friend David Kendall, I used the analogy of a boxer using the “rope-a-dope” technique to outlast and wear down their opponent with my team yesterday. Muhammed Ali coined and famously used the strategy against George Forman during the Rumble in the Jungle fight in 1974. In a protected stance, a boxer will lean against the ropes and take body punches from their opponent. Once the opponent has fatigued and worn down they will go on the offensive, exploiting mistakes made by their opponent to win the bout. By leaning on the ropes, the boxer is better able to absorb the punches, however to employ this strategy they must have tremendous strength and endurance to withstand the punches.

I reminded our team that we have done the work over the past 10 years to build a business that can withstand the punches. And as those punches keep coming, we need to call on our endurance to continue to absorb them so that we can take advantage of opportunities when they appear. I shared four ways to help our team endure:

Rely on community - The stress of our situation can’t be the burden of one person, it needs to be shared by the whole team. Supporting each other is like leaning on the ropes, we have to rely on others to help us absorb and withstand the punches.

Be patient - Our time will come, and right now we just have to protect ourselves through clear heads and sound decision making. There is a tendency to run or give up after each punch, but going away from our strategy too quickly could result in a crushing blow.

Value the struggle - Going through difficult times can help us learn a lot about ourselves. When we test our limits and push beyond what we thought was possible, we find a sense of pride and accomplishment. This is an opportunity to write our history and leave a legacy they will talk about for years to come.

Belief that we will persevere - When you give up hope, you’ve already lost the fight. We must have confidence that we are going to make it and that we will be better for having gone through it. We have to believe in one another and trust that we have the strength to endure.

As you ponder your struggles and the challenges you’re currently facing, I want to leave you with three quotes about endurance to ponder. Think about what it means for you to withstand hardship, to continue despite fatigue, to last through adverse conditions, to ENDURE!

Roman Poet, Virgil, said: “Come what may, all bad fortune is to be conquered by endurance.”

United States Secretary of Transportation, Elaine L. Chao, said; “If you only focus on your own advancement, you run out of fuel quickly. But if you focus on something bigger than yourself, that power… ultimately helps you endure.”

And those of you who watched tv in the 90s will remember the famous Timex Watch commercials tagline; “It takes a licking and keeps on ticking.”

*Each week I share a leadership message with our team and we are honored to share it with you via MIBE Tribe. MIBE (the acronym for Make It Better Everyday) Tribe delivers education on heart leadership and intentional culture building for the hospitality industry.