Let’s talk stamina. Not the gym kind—though if you can jog up stairs without questioning your life choices, good for you. I’m talking about that inner stamina, the quiet grind, the steady fire that keeps you negotiating, working, building, and believing long after everyone else has gone home to watch Netflix.
Stamina is not sexy. It doesn’t come with a six-pack or a TED Talk (well, not immediately). But stamina is what separates dreamers from doers, dabblers from dominators.
Because: most people quit too soon.
They hit one “No,” one cold client, one failed meeting and boom—they’re done. “Maybe I’m not cut out for this.” Meanwhile, the person who wins? They’ve heard ten “No’s” and still woke up the next morning like, “Maybe today’s the day.”
That’s stamina.
Stamina is that negotiator who’s been walking the market all day, feet blistered, sun in their eyes, carrying a box of 1980s phone chargers no one asked for, and still greets the next customer like it’s the first one of the day.
Stamina is the ability to keep your energy, your optimism, and your purpose intact even when you’re running on fumes.
And guess what? You don’t need to be born with it. Stamina is built—like a muscle. Through discipline, routine, self-care, and the ability to recharge without waiting for a crisis.
That’s right—rest is part of stamina. Nobody expects you to hustle 24/7 on fumes and inspirational quotes. Real stamina includes naps. Healthy meals. Laughter. Meditation. Sometimes a pizza. It’s the balance that keeps the engine running.
And if you’re a parent, teacher, business owner—or all three—you already know: stamina is the only reason you're still standing.
Now, in negotiation, stamina means staying present until the deal is done. It means holding the line when you know your value, and not folding just because things got uncomfortable. It means listening to five versions of “Let me talk to my wife” without punching a wall.
It means choosing consistency over hype. Discipline over drama. Resilience over reaction.
So how do you build stamina?
Start small. Wake up 15 minutes earlier. Walk 10 minutes longer. Say “no” to one unnecessary task so you can say “yes” to your purpose. Take breaks before you're burnt out. And remind yourself: it’s not about who starts fastest—it’s about who keeps going when it’s no longer fun or easy.
Because in life, in business, and at the flea market…
The last one standing often gets the best deal.