Never Give Up

As we roll into the end of 2023 and Christmas holiday, I'd like to add a little?something to the back end of last week's article - which centered on Focus - Execution - and Vision.

I've read a lengthy volume about Winston Churchill of England. He was?considered, and I agree, the greatest statesman of the 20th century. He was?the reason the whole of Europe didn't fall to the Nazis and that the allies?came together. He was the man who never tired and never gave up. Like the Eveready bunny, he kept on going.

It is interesting in that he was 50% American by his mother. His first trip to?the US at age 20 was in 1895. In his lifetime he saw the dawn of the?automobile, the airplane, the jet engine, rockets, the atomic age, the space?age and yes, even television. His first trip across the Atlantic was in a steam?ship with sails, his last in a Boeing 707 jet.

His life spanned 90 years and he participated in the Spanish American war,?war in the Sudan, Pakistan, the Boer war in South Africa and both World Wars.?

He was not only Prime Minister of England, but also Defense Minister. There were plenty of times he ran into what appeared to be insurmountable?obstacles. But he always found the courage to press on, in spite of them.

Late in life, he was honored by President Kennedy, by act of Congress, honorary?US citizenship, only the 2nd person to receive this. The other, Marquis de?Lafayette from the Revolutionary war. He also received a state funeral, only?twice in 112 years had a non royal personage ever been honored. The other?2, the Duke of Wellington and Gladstone in the 1800's.

8 months later, on the 25th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, a monument?was placed in the floor of 1000 year old Westminster Abby. Engraved on it are?the words: "Remember Winston Churchill."

He wrote his own speeches, and we can learn by them: "Never flinch, never weary, never despair. Never give up. Never, never give up!"

For some of us, 2023 has been quite a challenge.

But take heart, 2024 can bring the break-through you have been looking?for.

Remember, you will neve be defeated if you - NEVER GIVE UP!

Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year to you and your family.

Rich Kohler is a Business Growth Expert. His company, Kohler Consulting Group specializes in helping CEOs and Marketing Executives of Mid-Sized Aerospace & Defense firms confidently navigate change, reduce risk around their strategy, build growth momentum.

A former Fortune 500 Executive, he has helped BAE SYSTEMS, Eaton, GE Aviation, Smiths PLC, Transdigm address intensifying competition, rapidly changing markets & technology, declining profit margins to regain growth momentum, maximize profitability, realize their full potential.