I watched the Bengals/Chiefs game on Sunday. The Chiefs were leading 21-3 and driving for another touchdown when I told Karen, “This game is over.”

About an hour later, I turn back on the game to see that the score is tied 21-21. Stunned, I watched as the Bengals end up winning a game I thought they would lose. I gave up on them too early.

As entrepreneurs, we often give up too early. For example, we do a webinar, and it doesn’t produce the results we expected, so we say, “Webinars don’t work.” Or, we try a new lead generation campaign using direct mail, and it bombs, and we vow never again to use that marketing method. Or, we start sending daily emails to our unconverted leads, and a couple of prospects complain, so we jump ship.

Living legend Tom Hopkins in his seminal book, “How To Master The Art Of Selling,” has a list of affirmations that he calls “Attitudes Toward Rejection.” Here are a few of them:

“I never see failure as failure, but only as a learning experience.”

“I never see failure as failure, but only as the negative feedback I need to change course in my direction.”

“I never see failure as failure, but only as an opportunity to practice my techniques and perfect my performance.”

Take those sayings to heart and keep pushing the ball down the field. Sooner or later, you’ll score that game-winning touchdown.

Kick butt, make mucho DEEnero!

Dave “Wish My Dolphins Got Burrow” Dee