Cup win shows confidence counts

If you were with us when we watched the Rugby World Cup final on Sunday night, you probably would have thought that I didn't enjoy the experience - you'd be right.

France. We had been here before. In 1999 I hosted a houseful of people - most I didn't know - to watch the ultimate capitulation in sport when we lost by 12 points after leading by 14. My then girlfriend was so upset she went for a six-hour walk and left me to console her friend (I only know him as "Muzza"), who wept like a child.

France: The last team to beat us at Eden Park, and don't forget 2007.

I just knew they had an ambush waiting for us. Cruising through pool play, taking the foot off the gas in the semi and even advancing on the haka - all the signs were there. Well, "ambush" is probably not the right word because you shouldn't really see one coming.

But, in what was the ultimate team performance, Richie and the boys won.

If there was an ambush Sunday night it was probably my doing, ambushing the family with my reactions to every refereeing decision going against the All Blacks. I even got a yellow card from Mrs Bell when the French scored a try to make the score 8-7. If you were on Durie Hill that night and thought you had a voice in your head saying, "Tackle him!", it was probably me.

Like all things that are worthwhile, we had to work for it - and so did the All Blacks. And what a great thing for our country. It is amazing how everyone is happy and talking about one thing.

The economy rises and falls on confidence, and we will see positive spin-offs from winning that small golden cup. Seeing someone achieve something significant provides us with inspiration that such achievement is possible.

This is especially the case when you see adversity being overcome in the achievement of a goal. After losing the world's best player and two of his backups, we all have a blueprint for the importance of depth in our business.

The entire business community should be sending bouquets to Stephen Donald; if his journey from maligned to magnificent doesn't give confidence that you can succeed after disappointment, few things will.

Confidence flows from you and into your business. You find that you are more creative and positive, and your staff will feed off that and raise their own performance.

Positivity makes you stronger when you face challenges and collectively you can become an irresistible force. That is what we saw on Sunday night: a team overcoming a huge challenge to achieve their mission.

By harnessing confidence and positivity, you can do the same.

If you have a business idea, we can help make your vision a reality. Call Zenith Solutions, Wanganui's specialist business advice and consultancy practice on 021 244 2421.