These three words have never been more inspirational than in the last several weeks. They came through loud and clear during three football games we recently witnessed.

The first was the annual battle for bragging rights in the state of Michigan when Michigan State University entertained the University of Michigan. This game was played in East Lansing, home to the Michigan State Spartans.  The game is usually filled with emotion and the winner is always in doubt up to the end of the game.  This year was no exception....

Down 24 to 14 with seven minutes to play, the Michigan Wolverines managed two dramtic drives to score two touchdowns and win the game 28 to 24. All of this while being the visitors in front of a hostile home crowd.  Never give up.

The next game was an NFL affair between the Chicago Bears and the Philadelphia Eagles. This game was played in Philadelphia.  The eagles, playing with a patched-up offense managed to engineer a four point lead with less than two minutes left in the game. Against a very stingy defense, the Bears managed a last second drive for a touchdown, and a win, 19 to 16, in the City of Brotherly Love. The game may have taken the wind out of the Eagles sails as their record fell to 3 and 4, instead of 4 and 3. Never give up.

This past week we witnessed a barn burner when UCLA and BYU tangled in a bowl game. Both schools have proud traditions and fine football programs not to mention any pressure felt to win the game for conference superiority.  Oh, yes, and the bowl money.  BYU never exploded offensively, UCLA never imploded defensively.  And so the game was played. With three seconds left, trailing 17-16, UCLA lined up to kick a chip shot field goal for the win.  But then a funny thing happened.  A BYU player got his hand up as the ball was kicked, and ever so lightly was able to glance the ball away fronm the uprights.  Kick no good!  BYU wins 17-16.  Never give up.

Take these games as examples for your business.  Never give up! Your business has a beginning and an end.  It usually begins with an idea, and will either end when you successfully sell the business for a profit, or you give up the business because it was tougher to be successful than you imagined.  Deciding to never give up will only produce one desirable outcome at the end of your business.  Also be aware never to believe "home field" is an advantage.  It becomes an advantage only after you do the things necessary for your business to achieve excellence.

As 2007 ends, keep these words present for a successful launch into 2008: Never Give Up!.  And as always, we welcome your comments.

The Plain Page Prophets