There comes a time in the life of every small business when we’ve done everything we’re supposed to do: developed a plan, worked the plan, stuck to the budget, focused on the fundamentals, and we’re still not absolutely sure we’re on the right track toward success. So what keeps us going?
Hope.
Webster says hope is “to desire with expectation of attainment”. Hope is the emotion we feel 
between the time we take that courageous entrepreneurial leap, and when we know the results of our actions–whether good or not so good. The great 19th century poet, Emily Dickinson, described hope this way,
Hope is the thing with feathers -
That perches in the soul -
And sings the tune without words -
And never stops - at all -
No matter how much we employ sound business practices, in small business there is always room for the element of hope. The challenge is in knowing when to stop the research and start the action, and hope you are right. That point in the process is different for each of us. Only you can know when the work you have done is sufficient to turn your dream over to hope.
The song of hope never stops, at all Listen for it and it will tell you when to expect attainment.
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