Deter vs. Determination

Today in every dealership you will likely hear words to the effect of “play the game to win” as owners and managers try to fire up their people to give it their all. It is as true in the showroom and service departments as it is on a field of athletic competition that until the clock hits double zeros, there is always a chance – maybe not to win outright – but to certainly cut the losses.

This is where you too often find two distinct attitudes between those with determination versus those who deter.  Here are their starting lineups:

DETERMINATION             DETER

Will Power                         Prevent

Purpose                              Oppose

Fortitude                            Hinder

Resolve                               Discourage

Grit                                      Restrain

Can Do                                No Way

The dynamic words of Teddy Roosevelt reveal the rewards of determination:

Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs even though checkered by failure,

than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much

because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat.

No one should confuse our business with our youth sports experiences where everyone got a trophy win or lose. The year is closing out and as the finish line approaches it is gut-check time. Time to absolutely play your best and play to the end because as the saying goes, “It ain’t over ‘til it’s over!”