A classic syndrome we all suffer from time to time is to think that the grass is actually greener on the other side. While it's often played out in our personal relationships – it's also played out with our sponsoring partners. There have been numerous opportunities lost as a result of changing alliances and then having to learn about your new partner all over again. Sometime, we then have to accept the devastating truth – it wasn't all that bad after all. All you can hope to do at this stage is to make the best of your new situation and hope that one day it bears enough fruits to make it worthwhile.
There are of course other times when parting ways or changing allegiances is the best thing you can do. Usually this is an obvious course of action when your partnership is no longer growing or when you are no longer looking in the same direction. To make the best of your sponsorship opportunities you need to be honest with yourself and with your choices. You choose whether you are going to invest in your current relationship or whether you are no longer interested. It's at this stage that indeed the grass will always appear greener.
If I was to impart any wisdom in this space, I am best to turn to Robert Fulghum, the author of the classic book "All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten". He shares with us the simple truth: "The grass is not, in fact, always greener on the other side of the fence. No, not at all. Fences have nothing to do with it. The grass is greenest where it is watered. When crossing over fences, carry water with you and tend the grass wherever you are."
Quite simply, any relationship, partnership or sponsorship will wither and die if you stop tending to it and looking after it. Keep your relationships green and growing by paying them the attention and respect they deserve.
