7 Business-Savvy Irish Sayings

St. Patrick’s Day. What’s not to love about shamrocks, leprechauns, and having a justifiable reason to add a pinch of Jameson’s and a dollop of whipped cream atop your coffee?

And then there’s that rainbow to lead you straight to a pot of gold.

Sigh. If only it would be that easy.

If you’re in business for yourself, you know it demands a good bit more than the luck of the Irish to stay in business.

According to the Small Business Administration, approximately half of all new businesses survive five years or more—and some other sources report that as many as 80 percent of all new businesses fail.

The key point to home in on is survival as a small business eludes many. Those that don’t continue past their five-year anniversary don’t close their doors because they made SO much money they could take an early retirement to live a life of luxury. It’s because starting and sustaining a business is hard. Really hard. Not everyone can make a living at it.

It takes continual energy, learning, and listening (and heeding) wise advice along the way.

Sometimes the best wisdom comes in a simple phrase. So, because it’s St. Patty’s Day, I thought it appropriate to share some Irish sayings solopreneurs and small business owners might find insight and inspiration from.

Irish Words Of Wisdom To Remember

1. It takes time to build castles.
2. If you come up in this world be sure not to go down in the next.
3. A good laugh and a long sleep are the two best cures.
4. May misfortune follow you the rest of your life, and never catch up.
5. Better be sparing at first than at last.
6. You’ll never plough a field by turning it over in your mind.
7. If you do not sow in the spring, you will not reap in the autumn.

So simple. So sensible. Keep these in mind today and throughout your small business journey; you just might find yourself closer to that pot of gold.

By Dawn Mentzer

Sources:

Top 50 Irish Sayings & Proverbs, AskMen.com

Irish Proverbs With English Translations, IslandIreland.com